Riverfront Park



 I was freaking out a bit before summer ended..... I was doing everything I could to cram as much fun into our last few days before school started as I could. With Ella starting Kindergarten, I knew everything was about to change and I just wanted to prolong summer as long as possible. In these pics you can see the day we had at Riverfront Park downtown. I have to say it was fun seeing the kids enjoy all the rides, but i was forced to realize that I am not the spring chicken I once was. I can't ride rides like that anymore. I took the kids on the Sizzler and not only was I ready to throw up after minute 1 of what seemed like a 10 minute ride, but I also made the dumb move of sitting in the middle which meant I had to use all my strength during the ride to make sure I didn't crush Luke because of the momentum of the *#@^ Sizzler!

I did get over my queasy stomach and we all had a really fun day. Not sure how I will survive the next 10 + years of fairs and amusement parks full of fun rides the kids want me to go on with them.....I need a plan.

Look at these 2 hard at work...... got their tools and their headlamps. What needs fixing?

Paddington

Luke's got a new pillow case.....actually it's pretty old! Grami Margaret and Papa Tim sent Seth's old Paddington Bear pillowcase for Luke to use. Pretty cute picture huh?

Tennis Lessons

This August, we got Ella into a week long tennis camp. 8 o'clock in the morning....thank goodness it was only a week. Seth played when he was a kid, and still likes to play now and then. We'd already bought raquests for the kids so it made sense to get some lessons in. Ella was so excited, and really enjoyed the lessons. It totally built her confidence. Now she says that tennis is her favorite sport because she knows how to play. Luke had a hard time sitting on the side lines. I would play on the other end of the tennis courts with him....throwing balls to him to hit back. He's good! He also would helps shag balls during lessons, and he LOVED that! 

 

After the 1st day of lessons, Ella told me she thought she could beat her Dad now. This one's got confidence!

Rock Lovers

We've got new decorative river rock in our back yard, and the kids (Ella especially) can't get enough. They love sifting through them and finding their favorites. A bunch have made their way into the house too, so new rules are being made all the time! :)

Festival at Sandpoint

In 2006, Seth and I got a chance to see David Gray (one of our favorites) in Sandpoint, ID at their annual Festival at Sandpoint. The concert itself was amazing, and we loved the setting, and the festival in general, so knew we would go back when and if we got the chance. So in May when we saw that The Avett Brothers were coming, we bought our tickets right away. So with Grammy at the house with the kids (everyone's happy!), we headed up to Sandpoint on Aug 10th and made a night of it!

Picking Peaches

We love Greenbluff, but haven't been there all summer, until 2 Fridays ago! We finally made the trip up for peaches and we picked a bunch - although not as many as last year when I went way overboard! We sampled some in the field....couldn't resist. They are so good! We met up with some friends and Amber and I, and all the kids had lots of fun picking, pulling the wagon, climbing trees and eating!

Lilly and Ella

Luke and Caleb

the foursome on an old scale at the farm where we picked our peaches. Not pictured (for some reason), are Hayden and Baby Grace.

Yum!

Umbrella = Happiness

What is it about an umbrella? Ella has been asking for one for months and months for some reason. I told her a while ago that we would get her one before she started school. Cue us being in Ross a couple weeks ago on the only really rainy day we've had in a LONG time. What lay on the shelf right in front of us? That's right, a Hello Kitty umbrella just right for a 5 year old. It was the time and she got to walk out of the store using her new umbrella! Big Smile!

Sammamish

Gabe & Nancy got a new house at the end of May, and moved from Bellevue to Sammamish. Why do I love to say Sammamish? I don't know, but I do. We finally got over to see the new place and visit and celebrate both Jameson and Molly's birthdays in July. Their house is beautiful, and big and perfect for their little family. We loved it, and I know they do too. Jameson is a huge 3 year old now and Molly is 1 already! So hard to believe! The kids had a great time....its so great to watch them each time we get together as they get older because they are really able to play together! We hung out at the new house, went to the park/beach/lake, (went to Ikea which I would rather not talk about), ate yummy gyros Gabe made, and had a really good time! Thanks Gabe, Nancy, Jameson and Molly! See you again soon!

 



 

Luke & Jameson playing

Sweet Miss Molly

At the lake.... in the chilly water

Jameson going for a ride!

Molly and Nancy - pretty girls

Ella loved the water and the beach....she and Seth had fun building sand castles

 

the boys on the playground

Ella and Luke both love baby Molly

 

time for some birthday cake!

looks like Molly liked it

cute cousins

Molly wanted to badly to share some with everyone :)

We got stomp rockets for Jameson's birthday. They were a hit with everyone!

Luke getting a little help with his "stomp"

Nice backdrop right? The new house!

where'd it go?!

cheesy grins yes, but still incredibly cute. Luke seems to have the Flynn Rider "smolder" look going on.

I think this is the Yea stomp rockets! pose

CAMPING

Just after Seth's birthday we headed to Kamiak Butte with Zac, Kristen and Sophie for our first camping outing. It was a success! Man, was it hot! Luckily all the spots are pretty shady, so you're not left out in the sun. It's a small campground, with only about 7 sites, but that was perfect for what we were looking for....something quiet and low-key. The kids had a great time with Sophie. Serena came too, but it was so hot for her, she just kinda camped out in the grass. Zac and Kristen made us lots of yummy food so we ate really well....aside from all the junk food we brought along too! With just a small hike we could hit the playground, which the kids loved, and the scenery was gorgeous overlooking the Palouse with ripe wheat fields all around. It was a test run, and the test was successful. Hoping to do more camping next year!

 

Ella loved holding Sophie's leash and taking her all over the campsite

E and L LOVED the tent. Even though it was 215 degrees in there!

Like always, Luke was happy playing catch with anything. This time around - a frisbee

As we came upon this bridge, we saw a blue heron perched on the fence.You can't see it in the picture, but he flew off and I tried to get a pic as he flew over the river

Keystone Light - its a must have while camping, am I wrong?

Love this view

Part of the park, near the playground

Zac & Kristen kicking back

trying to get artsy with the photography. Not enough light....or skill

Cute Sophie

The kids with Auntie and Uncle