New Year's Eve at the Roller Rink

We went roller skating on New Year's Eve. Everybody went but Christopher. He wanted to go ice skating but Zach would not go. I couldn't please everyone. What else is new? Courtney is lining up to do the races. She wiped out on the second turn and I laughed so hard. I think the people sitting next to me thought I was some evil lady. She picked herself up and came in second. She is a fighter!

Racing to the Finish

Zachary's race. He did okay. Around the first turn he swung too wide and lost some ground. He did not fall once. I think he came in fourth in the end. Everytime I take the kids skating he does better and better. Now he skates without his wheels tightened. What courage!

Sledding with Friends

With all the snow, we went to the elementary school up the street and went sledding. Our neighbors have huge inner tubes and a cool snowboard, which they were nice enough to share. Adam drove most of the neighbor kids up in the truck. It was a blast but tiring.

Zachary gets a ride on a snowboard from our neighbor.

Courtney, Chris, and Zach at the bottom.

How many kids can fit on one tube? Maybe five.

Our home in the snow. This is a lot of snow for the Pacific Northwest.

Me, Chris, and Inteus.

A Holiday Tradition

Nana Karen taught us how to make coffee cake and now it is a holiday tradition. The kids love rolling the dough and dipping it in butter. Usually Adam or I assemble the cakes in the pan. I think I have it down to a science now. They are fun to give away to friends and neighbors.

Winter Storm '08

Our area was pounded by snow and cold temperatures. The kids missed three days of school right before their winter break. They loved it, of course. We had heavy snow off and on for about a week. The most annoying moment was when Adam, Zach, and I thought we would run down to the sports store for snow pants. The snow started up and it took us an hour and a half to get home. The scariest for me was on Saturday when Courtney and I went to an afternoon show of the Nutcracker. When we came out it was snowing hard and I had to drive home from Tacoma and get to the church by 4:50 for a Christmas party. I made it just fine thanks to the four wheel drive in the Isuzu and divine help.

I admit that Adam has way too many off road vehicles. However, they are a blast in the snow! It has been a few years since the snow has hit hard enough for us to take them out. Chris was much younger and not quite the daredevil he is now.

Zachary played basketball at school for the first time. He seemed to enjoy it but maybe not as much as soccer. His coach is our neighbor, which made it nice.

Zach's 7th Birthday!

Zach had a great 7th birthday party. He loved bowling at Ethan's birthday party so that is what he wanted to do. I don't have any still shots. Afterwards we came home and the kids ran wild. What else is a kid suppose to do?

Chris's Symphony Group

Where's Waldo? Can you find him?? Chris has a large group since the winds are accompanying them. He is actually in the front with the violas. He is sitting in the center. His group meets from 8-10am and Courtney's group meets from 8:45-10:45. Surprisingly, the kids never complain about getting up early on a Saturday morning. Sometimes Courtney and I drop Chris off and make a McDonald's run for breakfast. If Zach has a game, Adam usually wakes up and takes him.

Courtney's Group

Can you find her? She's the one posing

Halloween 2008

This Halloween Courtney dressed up as a candy corn witch and Zachary was a clone trooper. Christopher thinks he is too old for Halloween. He was very helpful passing out candy at the school Trick or Trunk while I watched the kids roam around. On Halloween our neighbors hosted a pizza party and invited all the kids to come. We pitched in a few pizzas and joined them. Courtney's choir group went to a retirement center up the road and sang to the residents. This was their second time performing for the elderly. I thought they were fabulous as they incorporated a little dancing with the songs. Courtney was really into it. I wish I had taken the video camera.

Do The Puyallup 2008


Courtney and Zack on the big slide



Zack at the Muttin Bustin arena. He really wanted to try this year.

Northwest Trek September 2008

Chris playing with a horn

Zachary with some antlers

Courtney pushes Grandma Cleo in the Wheelchair

Courtney is posing for the camera

Chris loved pushing Grandpa Ralph through the park

We took Nana Karen, Papa Leland, Grandpa Ralph, and Grandma Cleo to Northwest Trek this month. The weather was spectacular while they were here. Chris and Courtney loved pushing Grandpa and Grandma in wheelchairs. Zach was too little to push. The tram ride was relaxing for everyone and the elk were amazing.

The First Day of School - Fall '08
Zach and Courtney are excited to return to the land of academia. Mom is excited too!

End of Summer Adventure

The Misty Mountains

Our humble abodeCourtney chopping wood for the fire
Zach playing in the fire
Courtney melting cans
Zach imitating Courtney
Have I reached James Bond status?
Courtney shoots the .222
Zach has a go
Chris shoots
Our targets - we're not shooting Bambi today
Courtney took a picture of Mt. Rainier
This summer has been so busy for us. This was our big campout. The kids had a blast. It was a bit chilly at night for August but we bundled up. It started to rain but Chris said a prayer and almost instantly, it stopped. It never did start up again. We sat around the fire and talked about the best and worst parts of our summer. I was a little surprised at some of their answers. All the kids had a chance at chopping some firewood. It was hard work. They shot some of Adam's guns the next day after breakfast. Before we left we cleaned up a bunch of beer cans that someone else had left before us and, surprisingly, they melted in the fire. Why do kids love to play in the fire so much?