23 June, 2014

Beach time

 One of my favorite things about living in the Northwest is being so close to the ocean.  I could grab the kids and haul them down there to go exploring and it takes me just minutes.  The first few pics are of a day I just took Soren and Olivia.  They were both driving the older girls crazy.  It was overcast and but still nice to get out of the house.
 They spent almost the whole time on this fallen tree stump.  They pretended it was their ship and couldn't get off.  I was able to sit back and enjoy the sounds and scents around me.


 On the way home we spotted these little ones.  So fun.

 Troy was able to come home for the weekend.  YAY!  We took a picnic to the beach.  Soren loves to pick up all the dead things.  

 It was a beautiful sunny day but a little chilly.  The kids had to try the water.


 A dead jelly fish had washed up to shore and the kids all thought it was fascinating.  I had to leave because I was so grossed out.  Shocking right?  Soren kept trying to pick it up and carry it but it would just tear.  EW!
Say that with a Jimmy Fallon "EW".

 Olivia wanted to build a sandcastle.  The beach that has all the sand was so crowded with some kind of event.  Troy and Soren painstakingly carried little bowl and cup of water up to her. Over and over again they did this until her sand was wet enough.  I cracked me up to watch.
Anna had done Olivia's hair that morning for me.  Love it!

Despite the fact that we are all blinded by how white we are, I think this might be one of my favorite pics of all time.  Soren's not going to be holding Daddy's hand much longer.  

Soren's 5th grade Graduation

 Yep, he's heading off to the big kid school.  I did realize as I was watching all the kids walk up and get their certificates that Soren was the only boy that had his hair fixed.  Like styled, hairspray, gel and combed.  I'm pretty sure that Soren is the only one in his grade that his Mother still fixes his hair.  It was one of those moments where I realized I needed to step back and let him do his own thing.  His ironed T-shirt looked a little out of place too.

This was also the day that he got to show his science fair project.  We ate soooo much popcorn!  I'm proud of Soren and how hard he is working.  He takes after his older brother in the fact that they NEVER SHUT UP!  He's learning slowly.  Logan still hasn't.  Also Soren is done with speech therapy.  He still needs to practice and definitely slow down.  He's a hard worker.  I think we will always say Cwap instead of crap though!

Logan's graduation ceremony.

Logan is finally done with the High school thing.  I thought I would be all emotional about it.  Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely emotional, but for a lot of reasons.  I'm over joyed that Logan is done.  Thrilled, ecstatic.  As his Mother, I feel he has so much to offer and accomplish now that he is done.

 Of course we end up on the wrong side of the stadium.
 Ferndale High School is a really small school compared to the ones he went to in New Mexico.


 Three sisters from the Lummi Tribe sang a song they wrote.  It was really quite pretty.  The dresses had long black sashes.  I think it represented the Orca's.  Not sure though.
 Logan was sure to wear his Vans.  How could he not on this important day.  
Troy and I are really quite proud of him.  He accomplished a lot in the DECA program.  I'm excited to see where his studies take him in life.  
Professional Disc Golfing is not an acceptable career choice for you Logan.

 Shocking that we had a sunny day here in upper Washington.
 OK, seriously by the time the ceremony was over, all my kids and Troy were ready to pass out from low blood sugar.  It was hours past their lunch time.  Look at Soren and Logan's faces.  It's a big deal.  Soren was happy to get his favorite cream soda in a bottle, shoved some hummus and veggies down the family and we were once more behaving a little more rational.  It gets scary when my family doesn't get food when they need it.  They get irrational, shaky, pass out and down right mean.  I always keep food in my purse but I had taken it out to fit my camera.  OOPPS.

 The sun was out and we were able to enjoy the amazing food at Chuckanut Brewing Co.


No, I wasn't sad about Logan Graduating.  It's after the fact when I look at these pictures I realize it won't always be like this. Slowly, one by one they will leave experience life on their own.  Have their own families.  It's all going so fast.
One day I will be able to sit around with their kids and tell them the story of Logan's graduation and how we almost strangled each other before we got food.

03 June, 2014

Back porch

 These are a few of the fun things I get to watch from my back porch.  Our little pond has two levels.  On the upper level, we have two frogs living there.  Oh my goodness.  I don't like frogs at all.  AT ALL!  I have been able to walk out on the patio without getting hysterical though.  I've made an agreement with these two frogs.  They won't attack me and I won't bother them.  They just lay on their lily pads and give me the evil eye, and I give it right back.  Gotten pretty good at giving frogs the evil eye.


 I get so excited when a new flower pops up.  I know, there is so much excitement in my life.





 Lot's of bird watching.  Who would of thought?



The evening are so nice now.  We sit out and do homework or watch the kids play.  Or everyone sits on the porch and watches Mommy do yard work......

My babies, Shel and Fairies

I love nature.
I love fairies.
I LOVE KIDS BOOKS.
I love pictures.
I HAVE THE CUTEST KIDS!
So what do I do?  Torture Olivia and Soren and make them pose for pictures.  Troy came along and held things for me. Soren proceeded to make funny faces the whole time.  I ended up scolding them. I didn't yell. (Ask Andy, I never yell.)  As always the kids settle into the process and I am able to capture them in the moment.  They will find something or read something that captures their interest and they forget about me.
 We had found a beautiful treasure on the forest floor.  A little blue egg all broken apart.  Olivia instantly comes up with a story to go along with it.  She takes after me.  There has to be a happy ending to everything.  She tells a story about a little birdie flying away to find a home.  Soren comes up with having it being eaten by something.
 Shel Silversteins poetry has been a standard in our home.  All of our kids have spent hours reading and reciting. I love how there is always a smile when kids read his work.  The giggles are wonderful.  Each one of the kids have had favorite.
 Can't stand how fast these two are growing up.  Can't stand how fast all my kids are growing up.  

 Soren being goofy.


 I love the Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker.  My favorite art work of fairies.  Love the poems too!

We are especially lucky to have such an amazing place for the kids to play and explore.  There is always something to see and it changes during each season.
One more picture session done.  I've been able to catch a little bit of these two stink bugs being brother and sister.