Milestone

This past week was my birthday. 28 is now here. You know when you were younger and everyone seemed alot older than you, well I have reached the other end of that scenario. Not that everyone is younger, just that I am alot older. My family has been having a weight loss challenge. I have lost about 3 pounds. woohoo! Pretty good for me since I have never lost weight except by giving birth and that month or two after. Anyway to the point for my birthday three of my close friends brought me not so wonderful presents for my goal. Cupcakes, rice krispie treats, almond clutsters (a whole big container) and a big box of Sees candies (in all my fav flavors.) Oh and my mom took me out to my old fav restaraunt Sakura's and Tony took me out to my new fav restaraunt The Samurai. That was my very fattening birthday.

Oh and for a milestone on TJ. His first word was mom, then he said no, then dad, but yesterday he kept saying mom over and over and that is new and it just made my day. Here is a picture of him making one of my fav faces. He looks like a little gummer when he sucks his lips in.

Jam

Me and my mom made yummy raspberry jam. It was my first time making jam and I was quite proud of myself. Her is a picture of me and mom, not the best pic we have ever taken. Oh and the next pic is of an apron that I wore, it was given to me when my Great Grandma Mcbride died and I just love it. And last the finished product.

This week was a normal summer week with visiting with friends, library trips, Super Saturday at church, garage sales, and Halle's soccer camp. Which by the way sitting in the grass for 3 hours a day is not such a good idea for my allergies. Half of our family is suffering from sinus pressure and lots of snot. (gross) However we went to Northwest Trek this week with our friends the Lamb family and it was the perfect day for it. Thursday was overcast in the morning and all of the animals were out. Halle enjoyed taking pictures of all the animals. Heres a picture of Chloe, Laney and their friend Preslee. Then a picture of Kristen and Chloe. I only have one lap and T.J. was occupying it so Kristen helped me out and held Chloe. The last picture I just put it in because I never have any pictures of me and my kids.

T.J. is now 6 months old, and he had decided to sit. He still falls every once in awhile but he recovers quickly. He's not a newborn anymore.

Our baby nephew Christopher or in our words The B.C. came to visit recently. B.C. and T.J. were playing on Grandma's couch and I noticed they were holding hands it was so cute. They would grab hands and then let go at least 3 times. Heres a picture.

On Sunday Laney comes up to me after church and says "Mom I have a loose tooth, feel it mom" So not really thinking much of it I feel it and sure enough it is loose. It brought back all the sadness of Laney graduating from preschool and growing up way to quickly. So yesterday we were at our friends the Kimballs and Laney and her friend Emersen collided heads and out popped Laney's tooth. Trying to get a picture of her tooth was pretty funny here are a few of the tries at getting a cute one. Not sure if we ever reached cuteness.

So we are a little behind bur for the fourth we started our festivities hanging with the Chappells at a neighborhood party. Food, visiting and play for the kids. We finished up the day at the home of Rick and Kylynns for more food and a very cool fireworks show.

We
just got back from our vacation to California. I am very proud of myself. I never drive anywhere because I don't like riding in the car, however with a family of 6 airfare is rather pricey so. I took the kids with the assistance of my momma and drove 15 hours through the night(which is the only way to drive with my children.) to see my brother Lin and Sister in law Linda and their 5 children. Thats right 9 children in one 3 bedroom home. You would think it would be kinda crazy there but it wasn't. We went to the Cheese Cake Factory and the waitress complimented us on how well behaved our kids were. We went to Alcatras, this cool theme park Great America, the boardwalk and the beach front. It was a great vacation. The weather however was just like normal Washington weather. Cloudy and high 60's low 70's.


Here is a picture of all of the cousins. The little boy in the middle with the stripes is not one of ours. When we went to the beach TJ loved eating the sand. I was so proud of Laney because just before it was time to go she finally went in the water. She is very afraid of water. She usually spends her time up in the dry sand building castles and collecting shells.