May trip to the Zoo

I wanted to take the boys to the zoo before school got out for the summer and also before many schools went on a field trips (which is usually in June).  I checke the weather report and set a date.  We invited my sister and her kids to come and also Mike (my friend's husband) and Emily.  

The weather report I looked at said it was going to be a cloudy day with a slight chance of rain.  The slight chance of rain happened while we were there and it didn't seem very slight to me.

The whole gang before the rain came and at the start of our day.  

Brody (don't know what he is doing), Emily, Ollie, Colt, Sayler & Gunner

Ollie checking out the Meerkats.  We watched them for quite a while since it was a covered area. 

Gunner, Emily & Brody

Despite the rain the kids had a fun time.  They are just excited to get out and do something fun.  

May BBQ

Our friends, the Hills, came over for a BBQ dinner.  (We are trying to get together once a month for dinner).  We also invited Brian and Angie and their family over to celebrate Uncle Brian's birthday.  Karl also joined us for the festivities.

It was a nice day (over 50 degrees and not raining) so the kids spent most of the day outside and absolutely loved it. 

Kalea on the horse.

Ollie, clearly annoyed that he is crawling on the rocks.

The kids LOVED playing in the sandbox.  It's one of our best investments. 

I think I got all the kids in this picture. 

(Zia, Kalea, Colt, Ollie, Abi, Andrew & Brody)

Bollywood Dinner Night

We were invited to a Bollywood Dinner party by the Waghani's (a family from Brad's track and cross country team).   Brad and I had a great time enjoying the food, activities and the company.  

Here I am in my Sari. 

All the ladies.  I only knew Jami and the host, Anita.

Me and my man

Cory & Jami

The yummy food!

They had a friend of theirs come over to the house to put on these Henna tattoos.   She did it without a pattern or anything to look at.  It's absolutely beautiful!

Brad wanted one on his hand and his face.  He was a little disappointed because after it dried up it wasn't nearly as dark as this picture, so now you can hardly see it. 

Snack Time & Singing

The boys had a snack and wanted Ollie to sit in between them.  (I still can't believe my baby is big enough to sit in these chairs...although he needs someone on either side of him because he hasn't learned that he can fall off). 

The boys started singing songs and I was able to get a few videos of them.  (One of my goals for Colt's speech is for him to sing songs.  It makes me so proud to see him singing not only because his speech is getting better but because it means he is gaining more confidence as a little boy) 

Playing Poker

Brad's friends came over the other day for a barbecue and a game of poker.   The boys were able to play a few hands before they went to bed. 

Jeep Washing

Our weather forecast called for sucessive days of sun so Brad decided to wash his Jeep and take the top off.   Brody was ready to help.  

We also washed the mini-van!  What a productive day! 

Dinner with Emily

My friend Jessica came over with her daughter Emily.  We were able to enjoy dinner on the back porch. 

I snapped a few cute pictures of Emily!  Isn't she adorable?

Mother's Day

We drove back from Pasco on Mother's Day and had dinner at Outback Steakhouse with Grammy, Fafa, Uncle Brian, & Aunt Angie (& family).

These are the few pictures I was able to take. 

Sierra's Wedding

Brad's cousin, Sierra got married last weekend in Pasco.   The boys did a great job in the car but did an even better job quickly changing and making it to the wedding right on time.

Grammy bought these cute little matching outfits for the boys to wear.  They were so cute!

Brad, Colt & Brody

Me & Ollie

Grammy & Ollie

The boys at the fountain outside.

I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I wanted to.  I was a little busy waching out for the three of them.  At least they were easier to find in their matching outfits.

Laughing

Brad was making Ollie laugh.  I was able to get some of it on video. 

Rhododendron House

I love our backyard and the boys love it too!  The other day (with the help of Annika & Ryker) they discovered their new house, the Rhododendron House.  I love how our backyard still has some undiscovered parts and I know it will continue to be a world of adventure for these boys. 

Brody is giving a little tour of his house. 

 (Why is it that they won't look at the camera when you want them to?)

Cougar Mountain Zoo

My friend Theresa invited us to join her and her daughter Natalie at the Cougar Mountain Zoo.  It's always a little tricky taking all 3 boys somewhere but if I know I have an extra hand to help out it makes it a little easier (at least in theory).

It was a cold but dry morning.  The boys had fun looking at the animals but it will probably be awhile before we visit there again.  (It costs way too much money for the size of the zoo). 

An attempt at a picture of all of us.  (By this time the boys were done with the zoo and ready for lunch)

The tigers were the best attraction at the zoo.  They were so big!

The highlight for Brody was feeding the Alpacas.  He asked me if I wanted to feed him and I said "No, Way!"  I don't like that kind of stuff.

I didn't get any pictures with Theresa and Natalie (sorry), but thank you for inviting us!

31 cent scoop night

Baskin Robbins had 31 cent scoop night so we went with the Welke's to get some ice cream.  It was a fun treat!  In my balancing act I managed to drop my ice cream on the floor but it was no big deal because I just bought another one for 31 cents.  Brad ended up with 3 scoops and it still cost less than a dollar.   You have to love fun deals like this! 

Even Ollie loved his ice cream, but he loves anything he can eat.

Museum Fun

We joined Annika, Ryker and Lori at the Kids Quest Museum in Factoria.   The kids had a great time and I got a great workout trying to keep all three in my sight.  (Why can't they be interested in the same thing at the same time? It would make things so much easier.)

Ollie

Brody playing the musical bench.



Colt playing in the water. This is by far their favorite exhibit.

Finally a light switch Ollie can reach.  

Not a very exciting video, but since I did get a video I thought I would still post it. 



Jessi's first Half

It wasn't too long ago that I would ask my sister to go on runs with me.  She would either laugh or ignore me.  I always told her she would like it and she seemed to have one excuse after another.

I'm not sure what happened but before I knew it she was going for long runs and training with our women's running group at our church.   Jessi and one other lady (Shea) signed up for the Cinco de Mayo Half Marathon in North Bend.  

Brad took Brody & Colt and my neighbors watched Ollie so I could quickly see part of Jessi's race.  (We had to go to a wedding in Pasco so I couldn't stay for the whole race.) 

I made it in time to get a picture of Jessi and Shea before they started. 

Me & Jessi before the race.

I found a good place to cheer them on somewhere between the 3rd & 4th mile.  Then I had to head back home.  They were looking great!

A few short videos.  This is the start of the race.

The 3rd or 4th mile.

After I saw Jessi & Shea I spotted this guy with a sombrero.  I asked him if I could take his picture.  He was so excited to put his sombrero all the way on and take out his mustache and maracas. 

You gotta love this guy!

 



I'm so proud of my little sister Jessi.  Not only did she finish in a respectable time of 1:55 (one hour and 55 minutes) but she put in all the hard training that lead up to.  It's a tough task by itself but she did it while being a wife and a mom to a 2 1/2 year old AND a 7 month old.   Great job Jessi!