Old September Pics

Gabby turned one! (Yes, I know it was Sept 1st but better late then never, right?)

Our adopted family moved back home to Portland!  We are so SAD!!

We met the Withers when they moved into our ward two years ago (?).  When I first saw Tori in Relief Society I felt like she was familiar to me somehow- like an old childhood friend or a cousin you haven't seen in a long time.  I invited her to join a little FHE group we had going and we were instant family! We have had so much fun together over the last couple of years- with double dates, good discussions,Tori being the delivery nurse at Gabby's birth and some wonderfully spiritual FHEs.  I know that we will never lose contact with them and they only live 4 hours away, but I still can't help feeling like part of my family is now missing- we love you guys! 

On a happier note, I will be driving down to Portland for Tori's babyshower next weekend and will stay for a few days; and of course will drive down in December when my "nephew- Hudson" will be born!!

Tori with Gabs on her birthday

Tori and Justin

Me and Tori

One last trip to Cheesecake Factory

Trip to Cali

This last summer I really wanted to go to Cali to visit my family for a mini family reunion/going away celebration for Zach but Jon really didn't have the time to take off so I decided to do the trip alone.  20 hours in the car with 4 kids 6 yrs old and under and it wasn't all that bad!  We had a great time in California with family and friends- AND SUN!!

The boys at the LA temple.

Kai and Grampy at Disneyland.

We meet Goofy.

Princess Gabby.

Four generations.

I got to spend some time with Nessa!

I finally found my best friend from 7th grade in Penang!!  So cool that she lives in my Grandma's home town!

My boys absolutely LOVE the ocean- I think they would be little surfers if we live somewhere with an ocean (the Sound doesn't count- no waves).

"Surfing"

Hunting for sea critters.

BBQ at the beach in memory of Grandpa.

Mom and her seester cooking up some hot dogs.

4 Generations of Fabulous Women!!

Visited Grandpa's grave.

Beach Boys.

I was able to fit in a quick visit with my dear friend Debbyee!

and my Ber!!

Family Reunion Pic (minus Dad- who had to run off and solve some Walmart crisis).

I HEART SUMMERS IN CALI!

I LOVE HAVING A GIRL!

Happiness

Bay-bahs!

Gabby has two dolls and she totally loves them- it is so cute to see her be "nurturing" with them even as a 1 year old!

Clay's 7th Birthday

Clay turned 7 on October 4th- holy smokes I'm feeling old!  Clay is such a great kid!  He loves spending time with his family and friends.  He is very social and friendly- always making friends wherever we go.  He is still pretty obsessed with everything car but he also likes to learn about natural disasters, planets, and science- he especially loves doing experiments.  He is a great helper to his Mom!  I am so glad that he was sent to our family!


On his birthday we went to Red Robin as a family.  He decided this year that he wanted to have a Halloween themed birthday party; so I pushed back the party date to make sure that most of his friends had already gotten their costumes.  The party was a whole lot of work; but, it turned out great!  We played lots of games like donuts on a string, pin the eye on the tar monster (see Scooby Doo),  and guess what the body part really is; did a pumpkin decorating craft and ate lots of ghoulish treats.  The kids had a blast and that made it all worth it.

Clay's cake- the skeleton is rice crispy treats, the dirt is oreo cookies crushed, the grass dyed coconut, the gravestone is a large sugar cookie and the cake is a double layer white cake with custard filling- TOOK ME AGES but turned out very cute.

Eph with his mouth full of donut after eating it off the string.

Kai pinning the eye on the tar monster.

Pumpkin craft!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAYTON!

Farewell Uncle Zach

Missionary FHE by Zach and Grammy at the Muk house

Even though this is late I wanted to get it up here.  My baby brother Zach finished his first year of college at BYU Idaho and in April got his mission call to Brasilia, Brazil mission.  We are so proud and excited!  We were able to spend a bit of time with him this summer-for a couple of weeks in June and then again for his farewell/family reunion (although we were seriously lacking on family presence) in Cali.  It was nice to hang out with him- he is an easy going, fun loving, people pleasing sort of guy and we will miss seeing him!  But I am so glad that he is setting such a good example for my boys; who will hopefullly someday follow the same path.

Zach entered the MTC in Provo (rather than Brasilia since they were having visa issues- which apparently is quite common) mid- August.  After his 8-9 wks of training he is now ready to proselyte; however, his visa still hasn't gone through so he has been sent to Florida until then.  I was able o talk to him on the phone for a bit the other day as he was in the airport on his way.  He sounded excited and overflowing with the Spirit- so awesome!  We pray that he will get to go to Brazil soon or he is going to forget the little Portugese that he has learned.

Some pics with Zach from this summer:

Hiking with Grammy and Zach (not sure why the pic won't turn).

                                                         At the Pacific Science Center.

                                                                      Saying good-bye!

WE LOVE YOU UNCLE ZACH!!!!!!

Random Cuteness

Hi, I've been blogger MIA for awhile so I thought I would throw a few posts up for the grandparents and anyone else who wants to see how stinkin' cute my kiddos are!


School has recently started, so things are pretty busy around here.  Both my older two boys are attending Endeavor Elementary School in Mukilteo.  Clay is in 1st grade in Ms Wilson's class and loving every minute of it.  He loves recess and eating lunch at school and especially enjoys science.  He was recently added to his classroom Hall of Fame for doing his 10 math partners in under 5 seconds- he definitely excels at math.  He is also starting to read- WooHoo!!


Ephraim is in half day kindergarten in Ms Schumacher's class.  He too loves school- especially riding the bus, playing with his big brother at recess and doing projects.  He is starting to write and read and he loves to do homework with Clay after school (even if he has to make something up to do since he finishes his weekly packet in about 2 days).


Kai guy and Gabs get to hang out with Mommy a lot, which is fun!  We do visiting teaching, clean the house, go for runs (or play volleyball), or play games and practice our letters at home.  Kai can't wait to go to Pre-K next year.  Kai loves sports, bugs, and running wild!  Gabby is mostly into walking everywhere and pulling everything out of every drawer, basket, whatever that she can access!  She adores her baby dolls, which she calls here bay-bahs and gets extremely angry if she sees anyone else with them.


Here are some fun pics:

Fun with cornstarch and water.

Tracing matchbox cars out of a library book.

Loving her bay-bah