Our CA trip

The car ride!

Auntie and Aly looking pretty
James, Becky and I with our hats!

Aly and I were able to get away and go visit Becky and meet James. We had a great time and we even made it to the Jelly Belly Factory. The best part was the free jelly beans at the end and then of course we got to buy some Jelly Flops which we still have floating around at our house! Yum
It was fun girl bonding time. While Brian was home with Blake, they had a great daddy and son time. Blake was so well behaved Brian said it was great. Aly was not as well behaved, uggh maybe next time I will have to go without kids.

9 Wonderful Years

So Brian and I just had our 9th anniversary! I guess we have been married a while now because we hardly saw each other on our anniversary. He worked a long day and then I had to work. He was so kind to bring me a smoothie at the gym, so at least we saw each other for a couple minutes. We do plan to do our annual crab dinner but who knows when we will get around to that. Can't believe it has been so long. A great 9 years can't wait for 9 more. Love you Bri

The Fourth of July

We had a great 4th with Brian's family. The kids loved fireworks. I think they are both going to be pyros, I guess the more the merrier.

Grandma Frances

Brian's Grandma Frances went home to be with the Lord July 8th. It was hard for us to watch her suffer and so we are glad that she is no longer confined to a bed.

The kids and I were able to visit her frequently, usually twice. This past year has been so great for the kids to really grow to know and love their Great Grandma. They enjoyed feeding her fish, which she used to make sure the kids fed the fish TONS of food every time we came. Aly would usually be the first to her room and say oh Grandma is sleeping (which she was most frequently doing). The kids were so comfortable they would climb onto her bed and go for a ride, or climb up to give Grandma her juice or cheese. They enjoyed taking her for a walk in her wheel chair which we only did a few times, but Aly always asked again and again.
I have so many fond memories of this past year and we will all miss her dearly. But I am so happy that she was moved to Tumwater and we were close enough to see her so often. I think this was the last picture we took. The kids dressed up for Halloween and went to Grandma Frances to show off their costumes.

Being Tourist in our own Town

So my cousin Mindy came to visit. We had no idea what to do with her. She said she had always wanted to go to the Capitol so we decided to go. The kids love going to the capitol and run up and down the stairs. When we got there we took a tour, I felt silly because they ask you where you are from. But all in all it was fun times for all. I am sure we will be back there again soon, maybe not taking a tour but the kids will get their exercise.

Moving the big rock

Here is Blake watering the plants and if you look in the back right hand corner, you can see the big rock that we moved.
Aly sweeping the front porch

Success moving the rock. It is safest if you just pull it behind the truck. My husband didn't have the brightest idea to start with. That rock is way too big and heavy to fit into a wheelbarrow. Now I have a permanent scar across my arm. I love you Brian, but I refuse to help you with stupid ideas!

Graduating from Preschool

Where did this year go? It seems like just yesterday I was scrambling to find a preschool for Aly to go to. It was a great year for Aly and she made some good friends, the girl in the blue is one. We are excited that she might go to school with her friend at East Olympia. But we must wait till Aug to see if she can get in. I know God has it all under his control which school she will attend. But I tried my hardest to send her where we wanted her to go. But now we must wait for God's perfect plan.


This is Aly being awarded her flower hat. She actually went up front with no prompts from anyone. For once I wasn't the mom pulling her daughter up front. They said she made some big strides from the beginning of the year. We are so proud of our adorable girl.
Look at her strutting her stuff, she was proud of herself too.
Aly's hat and preschool graduation certificate.
I wonder if this will be one of the pictures that gets put in her annual for her Senior page? I sure hope it takes a really long time for that day to come. I love my little girl.