Beach Time!

Last week Brad and I were trying to decide if we should go away for the weekend.  We had a few different options in mind, including a weekend at Moclips.   On Thursday, around 1:30 we finally decided to go.   We were hoping to leave by 3:00 but Brad got hung up with work stuff and we didn't leave until 4:30.  We were wondering if maybe we should just stay home (since we were so indecisive).  Now, we are so thankful we made the trip.  It was such a great weekend.

The drive out took a little while, since we were in the middle of rush hour but we managed to make it there before midnight. We got the boys settled and in bed without too much trouble.

The next morning we woke up and went to our favorite Cinnamon roll place.  

It was VERY cold outside but it was absolutely beautiful (this was quite the opposite of the rainy yucky weather we had driving there).   So as soon as we got back to our cabin we took advantage of the nice beach weather and went outside.  Brad had to do some work so he stayed inside.  I was anxious about what it was going to be like outside, in the freezing cold, with all three boys.  It ended up being a blast! 

I tried to get at least one picture of all 3 boys. 

Stay tuned for more stories from our weekend at the beach

The Game of Life

We bought the Game of Life at a garage sale.  It is was in perfect condition. The boys are still too young to actually play the game but they like organizing the money and putting the little peg people into the cars.  I am looking forward to real game nights with the boys but I also enjoy their excitement over the little things of a game.  

Shirts on our heads

Somehow Brody managed to get his shirt stuck on his head like this.  He thought it was hilarious and Colt was soon to follow.  Ollie also wanted in on the action so I just put a pair of pants on his head. 

They all wanted to be part of the picture.

In all their silliness they also wanted to have a little video.  What goofy little boys! 

Ruby Lou

We met up with my sister, Gunner & Sayler to take a trip to see my cousin and her shop.  

My cousin, Rachael, owns a consignment shop in Olympia called Mandelin's.  I have never been there before and have talked about going since it first opened. 

Rachael also had her first baby in July, Ruby Lou.  It was the first time we all met her.  

She was a very mellow happy little baby.  All five of the other kids just loved her. 

A little background story....

My mom's sister is Rachael's mom.   (Sadly Aunt Debbie is no longer with us).   A long time ago Debbie brought her family over to our house.  (This included her husband, Steve, Rachael and their son Erik).  While they were at our house Steve started talking to our neighbor as if they knew each other.   Not only did they know each other, they were brothers!  (If you follow this blog, this is the same neighbor (Brian's family) whose wedding I went to back in September)  So every time Rachael and her family would come to our house they would have cousins right next door.  

*Steve and his brother Jim were from a very large family - 14 kids - which is why they did not know where their brothers lived.  

So all this to say one of my favorite things about seeing Ruby Lou is I see a little bit of our side of the family and a little bit of the Rice's (neighbors) side of the family.  I know Ruby also looks like her dad. 

We hope we can see more of Ruby as she gets older.  

Buddy Kicks

My friend Julia joined us for soccer camp this summer with her two sons.  She asked me if I would be interested in doing a similar soccer "camp" during the school year.  My only concern was finding an indoor place to play.  She was able to coordinate an auxiliary gym and came up with the creative name, Buddy Kicks.

So every Thursday evening in October we (Julia & I) put on a little soccer camp for about 15 kids between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5.  As you can imagine it was a little chaotic but a whole lot of fun! 

I was so busy I forgot to take pictures but was able to get a few of these ones from some friends.

I truly love doing this type of stuff, especially when my own kids can benefit.  I hope I am able to do more in the future.

Turkey

Brody came home from preschool with this adorable Turkey hat.  He was so excited to share it with everyone. I asked to take a picture and the other boys wanted in the photo too. 

A close up of my little Turkey!

Elijah Blu

I love my family.

I love being a younger sister and an older sister.

I love being an aunt.

I love that I am an aunt for the 9th time.

(7 times on my side of the family, 2 times on Brad's)

On November 8 at 10:27 PM my sister, Jenny, and her husband John, welcomed Elijah Blu to their family.  He joins his big brothers George & Wesley.  

He weighed 7 1/2 pounds and is 19.5 inches long.

(He looks like George in this picture, but in an earlier picture I received on my phone he looked like Wesley)

This is grandchild #10 for my parents (and there is still only 1 girl).

I wish I could be there to celebrate with Jenny. 

I wish I could snuggle with Elijah and smell that newborn scent. 

But I am thankful for another wonderful blessing in my life.  

Congratulations Jenny, John, George & Wesley!