Lil Pea's first day of preschool

Today was Payton's first day of preschool. She woke up with the biggest smile on her face and said "Mommy today is my first day of school", she is so excited she had her backpack all ready and shoes on before breakfast. Her BFF , Baylee is in her class with her so I think that helped a lot however her buggie still managed to make it in her backpack :) . What a big girl we are so proud of you lil Pea !!

Payton Christine

Paytons 3rd birthday
(the second year we had to have a Dora cake)

Paytons 2nd Birthday she just loves cake :)

(the first year we had to have a Dora cake)

Lil Pea on her 1st Birthday

Paytons 4th birthday

(instead of a Dora cake we did Dora cupcakes, what can I say she is crazy about Dora)

The 4year old Birthday Princess

Today our Lil Pea turns 4. Yesterday we celebrated her birthday with a bounce house and friends it was a blast. Happy Birthday sweetie we love you very much.

Hannah's first day as a 2nd grader!

Wow! I can't believe our little Hannah Bear is in the 2nd grade. Her first day went well I think the knot in my throat was bigger than the one in hers :). We sat around the house missing her all day, I lost count how many times Payton asked "Where is sissy?". She is adjusting to all her 2nd grader responsibilities and enjoying her class.

A New Life in Christ

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

"Praise The Lord"

On Sunday Chris and I were baptized in the Columbia River and it was the most magical day ever. After a long year of healing and rebuilding Chris and I owe it all to God . We praise him daily for all the work he has done in our marriage. We want to thank all of our family and friends who were able to make it out to the river it meant so much to have you all there with us. We love you all very much.

WE LOVE CAMPING !!!

Camping was so much fun. We arrived to camp Ohanapecosh around 5:45 pm on Friday evening . The drive there was breath taking Mt. Rainier is such a beautiful place I cant believe I have never been (that I can remember). The first night we got a bit of a late start, Chris and I started scoping out the camp ground for a nice level spot for the tent (the one we borrowed from Dad) as soon as we found the right spot we pulled the tent out and couldn't find the steaks , after digging a little deeper we started to realize that some of the poles were missing :(. I immediately went into panic mode and Chris was very calm trying to figure out what town was closer Yakima or Bonnie lake (close to Auburn). So back down the mountain Chris went to get a tent big enough for us to hold a weeks worth of packing and two queen size air beds . The girls and I stayed back at camp to wait for our friends The Isleys. By 10:30 we all had our tents set up (Thanks again Dad for all you have done for us couldn't have done it without your help) we managed to roast a few marshmallows and sit by the campfire :). After a wonderful nights sleep we woke up to the neighbor sawing logs (snoring) and I don't mean Mike :) Chris BBQ ed some sausage and Mike made the eggs and pancakes and boy was breakfast delicious, Thanks guys. Full bellies means time to go work off breakfast and that is what we did. Mike and Katy took us on a beautiful hike up to the silver falls and the kids did great:) it was so much fun. The kids were signed in as JR rangers after completing a scavenger hunt and they all really enjoyed that. on our way home we asked the girls what their favorite thing about camping was and Hannah said "Everything ", Payton said "having Gracie,Cole,and Jojo". Looks like we will just have to take the Isleys every time we go camping (HEE HEE!). We look forward to making many more memories camping again.

The best vacation ever !!!!

WOW! We had the best vacation EVER. It all started out by celebrating our 12th anniversary at the Mariners game we couldn't have asked for better weather and the Mariners even won. Chris and I arrived at the field early so he thought he would try to impress me with a couple of fast pitches(What a STUD!). The girls spent the day at the aquarium with Papa and Marilyn and then went school clothes shopping (Thanks Dad). Then on Monday we drove out to Granite Falls and spent the night with Ben and Michelle. I love watching all the kids play and I just LOVE their big yellow dog Chevy. Jaiden and Hannah are so cute together no matter how much time goes by without seeing each other they just pick up right where they left off. It was very hard to get them all to sit still (or even just sit LOL) for a picture, Jason and Joseph are quite silly. It was so hard to say good bye :( . Tuesday we went to visit my Grandma Palo, Mom and Dad when we got there I drove out to Chad and Tosha's and picked up the crew and oh my goodness I couldn't believe how much they have grown. As soon as they all got together I don' think I saw them until dinner time (the kids just love grandma's Forrest that's what Payton calls it). It was so nice to visit with my brothers and their children. Hannah and Payton were able to talk grandpa into giving them a ride in his newest toy ( the dump truck). Whenever I go out to Mom's I always feel like I've been to the zoo who wouldn't with all the animals they have. Wednesday we were able to go and visit Grandma Gordon for a bit then returned to Dad's house for dinner with Auntie and Papa. The girls tucked Papa in that night it was so cute :). Thursday we were going to leave for our camping trip but delayed that for a day so we could visit our grandchildren and what an amazing visit it was. James LOVES to take pictures and LOVES to have his picture taken LOL. Jake is just a doll he was trying so hard to not smile. Both of the boys were all over their Papa it was so sweet. We LOVE being grandparents :). Thursday afternoon we found ourselves back at the zoo I wanted to visit with Grandma Palo a little more and I really enjoyed watching her color with the girls. Uncle B-bet and Auntie Karli stopped by and I got to rub her big belly (can't wait to find out what they are having I think its a GIRL). We just loved visiting with everyone and can't wait until the next vacation. We love all of you so much and thank you all for everything.