Ollie and the Beach

Ollie loved the beach!  He loved playing in the water, running on the sand and eating the sand. Here are a few cute pictures! 

Early Summer Vacation

Spring has barely arrived and it isn't quite summer yet but we just finished our (first) vacation of this summer.  (We are hoping to go on a few more).   We went with Brad's family to Moclips.  This is where we have gone in the past but this time we stayed in a different cabin.  It was more of a house that could accommodate the three families.  (Fafa & Grammy; Brian, Angie, Abi & Andrew; and our crew). 

We had a blast! 

Grammy bought these golf clubs for each of the kids.  

Ollie loved his golf clubs.  Every time we would go out to the beach he would say "ga cu".  

More camping & sleeping

I took a picture of the three boys sleeping in the tent.  I had to snuggle with Ollie because it got a little cold.  I didn't sleep that well but that's part of the deal when you go camping.

Pictures from the morning after.

In typical Brody fashion...he loved hanging out with the girls and they loved hanging out with him.

Around the campground

Here are a few pictures from camping.

Brad brought this massive tarp and it was quite a process getting it set up but it ended up being well worth it because we got a ton of rain that night.

Ollie playing with a hula hoop.

Brody and his new friend Tyler.  Brody wanted to do everything with Tyler and Tyler was nice enough to let Brody help him. 

Niki, Brody & Tyler

Ellie & Ollie

Ellie is one of our most used babysitters.  She's great and is always willing to jump in and help take care of the boys. 

Me and Colt.  He's eating a s'more.

Hiking with Mom

After our camp was set up the high school kids went on a hike and took Brody with them.  Colt and I tried to catch up with them.

When we finally did catch up to them they were on a hillside of large rocks.  A tricky course to navigate for anyone but a little more challenging for a 4 and 5 year old and one nervous mother.  They also left a water bottle, which was good for our water breaks but was one more thing I had to hold on to. 

We managed to make it a little ways up and all the way back down without any trips, falls or crashes on the rocks.  It was fun going for a little hike with my boys, but next time I want to hike on a more stable surface. 

Camping Set Up

We were invited to go camping over Memorial Day weekend by one of Brad's track families, the Hansons.  I wasn't feeling all that great but since it was only one night I decided it would be a fun adventure for our family (and good practice for future camping trips).

The boys walking to the camp site (notice everyone else is way ahead...toddler legs just don't go that fast). 

Ollie helping with the shovel.  (we had to move some dirt around to make a level place for our tent)

Colt helping Niki (or maybe its the other way around).

Everyone seemed to help with our tent (which is why I was able to take pictures).

This is our new family tent.  It was an impulse purchase by Brad when he went to Costco to buy a new printer.  He also had to pick up some dishwashing detergent (for me) so that is what made him walk by the tent display and caused him to buy the tent.  (so its kind of my fault? I don't quite buy that one).  The tent worked out well for us (except for a tiny bit of leaking during a major rain storm)

Zoo Carousel

Mike bought tickets for all the kids to ride on the zoo carousel.  What a fun treat for the kids (because it definitely would not happen if it was just me)!

This was their first time on a carousel so they weren't sure what to think of it.  In the end they all loved it and were very upset when we had to leave.

It was a little tricky to get pictures and a video of them since I was also holding Ollie, but I managed to get a few.