Fishing

The place was Cousin Mike's house...BEAUTIFUL





Family renunion last weekend at Lake Stevens. Tons of Family, tons of Food, Tons of FUN.




So wonderful to see all the family! Can't wait until next year!

Happy Birthday Elyanna!!

This is my niece Elyanna. Today she turns 1. She is the cutest little thing, and really funny. She likes to dance and loves to play with Sydnee and Kelsei (I think she thinks they are her sisters.) She calls every animal she sees a "DUCK" and loves to throw balls. Today we are headed off to a BBQ at my brothers to celebrate. More pics to come. We love you Elyanna. Happy Birthday!!

Dancing in the rain

Big Storm tonight....

Seriously, like flash floods, thunder, lightening, etc...

Rain hitting the skylights so hard we couldn't hear each other talk...

Peaking out the windows, can't see anything but water, lots of water...

Michael says.."I wish we could go out there for a minute"

"Type-A Nici" first thinks.."No way, I just finished bathing all of you and you are all in clean p.j.s, and it will make a mess, and, and, and......."

"Fun Nici" grabs his hand and pulls him into the rain to dance in the driveway as all the kids follow....

So fun for a minute, all the kids loved it, run back to the house only to be greeted by my husband who won't let us in till he gets a picture...

Run back out into the rain while Brian tries to figure out how to take a picture in the dark with the rain...waiting, soaking, kids not smiling anymore...finally a picture...

Guess what it did make a big mess in the entryway, and all of us were soaked to the bone, and the kids all had to put new p.j.s on, but it was so fun!!

I am so relieved that "Fun Nici" still lives somewhere inside "Type-A Nici"!!! Hopefully she comes out more often!!!

SAN DIEGO

Brian and I just got back from California. He had a training that he was attending at the University of San Diego, and I went with him just for fun. We had a great time. There is so much to do, and we were without kiddos so we took in as much as we could in the 4 days we were there..

Day 1: FIESTA ISLAND
Took the motor home right on the beach, watched the sunset, and then a fantastic firework show




Day 2: Sweet ride and San Clemente



Our friends gave us their convertible corvette for the week. Brian was in HEAVEN!!



Day 3: Torrey Pines and Old Town

Breakfast at the Golf Course



Watched the paragliders over the ocean (They offer tandem rides so next time we are totally going!!!)



Old Town...so cool and best Mexican food ever.....





THANKS FOR EVERYTHING MARK AND LIZ. WE HAD A GREAT TIME AND CAN NOT WAIT TO COME BACK WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY!!!

Baby GABE

My sister and her husband welcomed their first addition to the family... Baby Gabe. He is so cute. It is fun to think of my little sister as a mom. She and Tyler will be amazing parents!! Can't wait to meet the little guy next week!!

Uncle Andrew

We have been lucky enough to have Brian's brother Andrew visit us twice in the past few months!!! Our whole family looks forward to him coming, and the kids hang all over him non-stop!! He is tons of fun to have around and I am so glad he lives closer now!!!

Kelsei turns "7"

She had a great Birthday party with 12 other little friends. We decorated cakes, did manicures/pedicures and had a talent show. So much fun...So glad its over!!!



It is hard to believe that my "baby" is not a baby anymore. This was a big year for Kels. She did great in 1st grade which she loved thanks to the greatest teacher in the whole world Mrs. McQuilkin...........


Kelsei competed in her first track competition... and got second place!



She got a "Big Girl Bike" (still pink of course) and is racing everyone in the neighborhood.


She is super fun to have in our family. She still tries Brian's patience on a daily basis, and bosses all her siblings (and parents) around, but we love her just the way she is. Life never gets boring with Kelsei around!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELSEI!!