Our Summer Project

I know many of you have been wanting to hear about and see some pictures of our outdoor kitchen project.  Well...it's coming along beautifully and Denny has been amazing to watch as he figures out the intricacies of putting this all together without plans.  It has truly grown to a much bigger project than we ever anticipated ...but no regrets...it's going to be awesome when it's finished.

We got JR Poulsen to pour our concrete yesterday for the patio portion.  It looks great.  We went with a midnight color for the concrete and will match with black mortor when we start setting the stone.

A magical night with bikes!

So last night was miracle after miracle!  

First, I was perusing craigslist and saw a post for FREE kids bikes that was only hours old, had photos of the type and size of bike I've been wanting for Jake, and actually responded to my text!  

After picking up Jake from school, we all headed over and the bike owners gave us two great bikes for free!  They were moving across the country and just wanted to be rid of them--awesome!

Of course Jake wanted to try his new wheels right away, so I make a quick costco hotdog dinner and they were off!   After a little trepidation (we sold Jake's old bike because it was too heavy for him) Jacob decide this new bike was perfect!  He was in heaven.

Braden's bike is currently at Grandma's house.  He's been struggling with the wonky training wheels there and contemplating going without them.  The girl's bike I got in the bargain is exactly the same size as that bike (future bike for Brook).  

So, after seeing Jake ride, Bray decided it was time to GO FOR IT!  He only fell once!  

It was so great.  I wish I could capture the contagious smile and pride and enthusiasm of this kid!  He soon became the coach and cheer team for Brook and Ethan.  

Brooklynn and Ethan have had these bikes for over a year, but have been either too nervous or too uncoordinated to ride them.  They love the tricycles at Grandma's house, but up until today refused to get on these bigger bikes unless I was pushing.  I think Braden's excitement did the trick!  At first Brookie was having trouble with the pedals, so Ethan was pushing her -- such a sweet brother!  Then, Bray started coaching and I started pushing, and something clicked!  Brook began to get the hang of pedaling forward and started keeping her eyes up, and I let go of the seat.  It was magic!

Never one to be left behind, Ethan saw that Brook could do it, the bigger boys were doing it, and by golly he could too! With a little grunting and pumping up the tires, he was off too!

We can't leave out Suzy!  She hopped on her little truck and with cries of "Ah me!" (watch me!) she rolled down the gentle inclines in our driveway area-- all other kids dodging!

I can't tell you how much I love these kids and how I wish I could just freeze these moments in time.  I guess pictures and blogging with have to be enough.  

They played all evening until it was bath/bedtime.  Then again today after breakfast.  And, Ethan and Braden continued to ride around in the heat all afternoon too!  I made them dunk their heads in the kiddie pool a few times to keep cool--haha! 

Braden's Kinder Graduation!

Braden is done with Kindergarten!  He has blossomed soooo much this year, it's awesome!  I think having his own space outside of older brother's shadow has been really good for his confidence and Bray has really grown and learned a lot this year.  If you ask, Braden will tell you his favorite subject is reading.  Bray has also had a couple of girlfriends this year-- maybe more!  I must agree, he is a handsome boy!  All in all, it's been a great year for Braden.  So proud of my boy!

Girl Time in Seattle!!

So.... I was thinking about my friend Jaime (moved from Vegas a couple of years ago) and wondered... how much would a flight to Seattle cost??  It was then I discovered Spirit airlines!  It's one of those shoe-string budget airlines that only goes to a few cities, but the prices ROCK!!   So, worked out some scheduling, sweet-talked my husband and in-laws, and to Jaime I went!  Woohoo!!

As much as I am a sunshine girl, and love where I live, I have to admit Poulsbo, Washington is one of the most beautiful places in the country!  Jaime's little town, with it's picturesque ma-and-pa store fronts and Viking Day celebrations, is just a ferry ride (or long car ride around the peninsula) from Seattle.  Somehow I managed to bring the sunshine with me and it was beautiful weather!

We had brunch with little Tyler in the most adorable bakery shop and restaurant. 

One of the things I enjoyed most, was just talking.  We walked and talked, and shared stories and books to read and ideas.  It was so great picking up where we left off.  I have missed my friend.

It was so great going around to some of Jaime's favorite places--places that I've heard her mention, but never seen.  The neighboring city of Port Townsend with its legendary Elevate Ice Cream was one of these.  Can we say salted caramel decadence?? My mouth is filling with saliva at the thought!

Going on an adventure to Seattle-- this is the view from the ferry.  So gorgeous!

That's Mount Ranier-- it almost doesn't look real!

Pike Street Market was amazing!  

It was so cool to see all of the different vendors indoors and outdoors.  The flowers and the spices and the homemade goods were so beautiful and delicious.  Jaime and I mused about how fun it would be to just walk through with an unlimited budget and pick things to cook-- giant lobster tails, with flavored pastas, and produce or condiments that you've never heard of. 

Not long before coming here, the kids and I happened to listen to a Boxcar Children's book about a mystery in Seattle!  I got a kick out of seeing all of the things they talked about-- I didn't get a photo of it, but there's a giant piggy bank in the market where people can donate their change to a charity.

This is the fish market where a guy stands with waders shouting to the crowd and they will toss the fish in the air to one another to package them!

Next we walked over to the Seattle Underground Tour.  I love historical stuff-- it was fascinating!!

Basically it's a story of city planning that resulted in 8ft high exploding toilets whenever the tide came in!  The solution was to built up the streets about 25 ft higher, leaving these tunnels at the sidewalk level.  After a very colorful history and some rat infestations, they were eventually condemned and in the 60s became part of a tour to help conserve the historic districts of Seattle.  

The inventor of the toilets we still use today was a man named John Crapper!  Haha!  

Now you know where some of those words for #2 and the throne we sit on come from!

These purple glass "decorations" on the sidewalks are actually skylights to the tunnels below!  Over the years the sun turned what was once clear glass, this purple color.

We ate a Ivar's and I had THE MOST DELICIOUS clams I have ever tasted.

I started to feel kinda silly saying "This is sooo good!" after every bite, but I couldn't help it!  

It was that good.

It was a wonderful weekend!

Springtime Soccer - Jake and Bray

It's time for soccer!  Bray and Jake both got to play on their own teams this year.
 Lot's of fun, but LOTS of driving.
 Thankfully, the park they chose to practice at is 5 min. from our house, and I made a wonderful new friend in Jenn Klenda!  Two of her kids are on the same teams and Jake and Bray and she was the soccer mom with all the details and the shade tent.  But these are not the only reasons I like her!  She is an amazing mom and a military wife.  Her husband was deployed just after the season began.  I so enjoyed chatting with her every week and even got her daughter started crocheting.  Hope to have more fun times this summer.:)

It was REALLY windy this day! 

Suzy and I blew A LOT of bubbles to keep her happy and on the blanket with me while the boys played-- much easier than chasing her around.

Playing at the park after practice.