History Anyone?

This cute face is just a piece of our little history on Anderson Ave. (My sister-in-law took this pic when we were together at the zoo last month... it makes me laugh every time I see it. Thanks for all those pics Launa!!)

But as for our history in where we live... there's more to it than I realized. Yesterday we got to go to the 100th year anniversary parade for Grandview, WA. I was able to be apart in helping put together a little 'float' in the parade for our church. (Thank you SO much to all those who helped with this! ) The motto was "Faith in Every Footstep". I felt it was fitting for the 100th year celebration of Grandview.



The kids had fun collecting candy and watching the parade go by! We haven't been to very many of these, and I think if we can, we'll try to attend more! They are so fun!

P.S. To those who have already read this blog:
LOL.... if you didn't catch it... Harry S. Truman did NOT live in Grandview, WA... there is NOT a national site here.... He actually lived in Grandview, MO.... I can't help but laugh at myself, and many others laughing at me I'm sure. :) The only info that was true is that we did become a city on September 21, 1909 and we do average about 8,500 people here in our wonderful town of Grandview, WASHINGTON. :) That's what I get for trying to research some history with little ones around me. :)

SurFs Up!

This last weekend was refreshing, literally and metaphorically speaking. We got to spend the day on my dad and brother's boat on Saturday, and it reminded me of how much I really did enjoy all those days on the water when I was a youth. Sadly to say it had been 4 years since I've even stepped foot on a boat. The water felt extra cool, comparing it to my parent's pool, and everyone enjoyed the ride.

Jeremy was the first to jump off the boat and feel the surprisingly cool, yet refreshing river. Then the kids jumped in after him. :)

Then... the tube ride. It didn't go as well as planned because once they took off the front of the tube submerged in the water and overwhelmed the kids. BUT... Cami got back on with Grandma to try it again after her cousins Kate and Brooke showed her that it was safe. Alex?... maybe another time. It was alittle tramatic for him. :)

As for Carson... the ride was just too relaxing to resist taking a snooze.

I think Alex's favorite part was at the wheel with Grandpa. It was just too cute to pass up this pic.

Cami, Kate and Brooke climbed up front with Aunt Haley to let the breeze fly through their lovely locks. That use to be MY favorite spot on the boat when I was a kid. :) (Haley... Brookie's little half cheek still cracks me up!)

At the end I got to try Wake Surfing! My brother Ezra was continuously, and might I add patiently, trying to coach me into being successful. I had tried it once before, but like I had previously mentioned... it's been a long time. Now this is a pathetic showing of wake surfing because I can barely go for more than 5 seconds, but nonetheless.... it was a blast!

ChoPeD the MoP

Before I say anything else I have to say, I LOVE shaggy hair on little boys. I just think it's absolutely adorable! Especially on my little AL. BUT... it was obviously due time for him to get a hair cut. For whatever reason we kept on delaying the event. Finally one morning our neighbor, whom we call Grandpa Dean, said he'd cut it for us if we wanted. "Uhhhh, sure!" He had been a barber for years, so we trusted his abilities. :)

BEFORE.....

IN THE PROCESS.....

TRANSFORMATION...

Yup.... still just as cute. :)

CHRISTMAS in JULY

Today while watering the garden Cami and Alex decided to play in the mud... which turned out to be quite fun. They made a mud snowman, pud pies with giant blueberries, and mud castles. This picture makes me laugh because it looks like a 'designer poo'. The kids had a blast and I just had to capture their creativity. :)

Say Cheese!

I wanted to have Cami and Alex's pictures taken this year, because I was quite the slacker last year. My friend Ashleigh was sweet enough to do it for me, and she does an amazing job! So here's how some of them turned out. I have still yet to get some good one's of Carson... maybe when he turns 1. :) (What do you think Ash? ;O])

FOREWARNING ---- THIS IS A PLETHORA OF PICTURES

(I couldn't decide which ones, so I said to myself, "Why hold back?")

Something to Ponder

This quote was given to me yesterday, and I loved it so much I had to share.

"The Lord isn't asking us to load up a handcart;

He's asking us to fortify our faith.

He isn't asking us to walk across a continent;

He's asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor.

He isn't asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple;

He's asking us to give of our means and our time despite the pressures of modern living to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built.

He isn't asking us to die a martyr's death;

He's asking us to live a disciple's life."

---M. Russell Ballard

It'S a ZoO aRouNd HerE!!

Momma bear speaking... sometimes I seriously feel like one. But I guess that's just the beginning of the tour of our zoo.

First off we have our genuine, one and only Cami-leon Spider Monkey. She climbs on, up, and around everything. I am constantly trying to keep her safe and sound on the ground. At the same time she has this calm and gentile nature that makes you just fall in love with her and calms the home. She's sincerely beautiful inside and out.





Second is our unforgetable and adorable Snuggly Bunny Alex-ator. This strong willed, cuddly, gentleman of mine knows how to bring out all sorts of emotions when caring for him. :) He knows how to put up a fight, make you laugh until you cry, and touch your heart by his sincere affection. Life wouldn't be the same without this little man of mine.

\

Lastly but not least, here is my Baby Bear Carson cub. He is constantly smiling, he'll let you know when he's hungry, and is very playful. And now that he's getting teeth, he has quite the bite! This crazy, cute cub makes the little things in life exciting.

Life has been a zoo, and I've been trying to keep up with it. I thank God for these perfect little, 'animals' of mine. :) (P.S. We got to go on a quick trip to the Portland zoo last weekend... so we really did get to enjoy seeing quite a few real, wild animals recently.)

(A poem from Momma Bear... this was given to me through email... I'd like to share it with you.)

I Want To Be A Bear

In my next life I want to be a bear.

If you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months.

I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid.

I could deal with that, too.

If you're a bear, you give birth to your children (who only weigh half a pound) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute cuddly cubs.

I could definitely deal with that.

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too.

I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat. He KNOWS not to get between you and the food.

Yup... Gonna be a bear.

HFD!

Cami: "I love it when my daddy will wrestle and play with me!"
Alex: "I love it when daddy wrestles and plays with me too!"
Cami: "You know what's another thing I like about daddy? When he gives me hugs."
Alex: "I like it when daddy comes home."
Carson: "Woosheee Gaga! Dadadadada!" Translation: "I like it when daddy changes my diaper... it makes momma soooooo happy!"

Happy Father's Day Babes.... they just think the world of you.

Birthday Bash!

My neice Alizabeth Tate, (she goes by Tate), just had her 6th B-Day! I was asked to help take pictures of the event as the parents helped party. :) Of course!

Cami, Tate, and Kate making a pyramid on top of Jeremy and my brother Ezra. Smiling on the way up and.....

.......on the way down. :)


Now here's a cute couple... McKenzie May (the birthday girl's little sister) is always at Grandpa's side. He'll do just about anything for his grandkids...

........even chug down pool water. Dad you're such a fun Grandpa!

Now how could I NOT take a picture of this cute little girl, just chilln' by the side of the pool with her adorable messy pigtails. You're a cute one little Brookie!

We should have tried to add another little one on top!

Once Alex saw the spiderman stuff.... he never parted from them.

Cute smile EZ. :)

You can count on mom jumping in the pool with all the grandkids! I should have gotten a pic with everyone at the slide, because she was there catching every single one of them for a good hour!

ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The SurFer BabEs!!

Tate, we love you and sure hope you had a fun birthday!! Thanks for inviting us all!