Crazy for Fishing, Me, just going Crazy!

Fishing anyone? Ethan is a crazy, obsessed kid when it comes to fishing, he thinks only about fishing and some day’s golf. So that is what we do, if I don’t the begging alone nearly kills me! It was a good night, I love it when the kids can catch one right after another. This is kinda funny, I hooked a worm on Jack’s hook and cast out his pole and walked away to check on Ethan. Not long after Jack came walking down the trail with a fishing swining like wild on the end of his line! “I caught one!! All by myself!” It was funny, Ethan and I did not know he could do it! The next day Jack crossed the rope from the “baby pool” to the “big kids side”, what next?! Hopefully this little outing will buy me a couple of days with no begging and pleading to go fishing! But I know it won’t…

Seattle Zoo...

We ventured out on the kids first bus ride to the Seattle Woodland Park Zoo. Check out the little monkeys…
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Isabellie turns 9, NINE!?

Can I seriously have a nine year old? It seems like just yesterday we were at Children’s but then that feeling, time and place seems a million miles away. I am so grateful to have had nine years with this little girl! I am so happy God gave her to me- I love her personality, her spunk, her sassiness- Happy Birthday Bellie!

Big Lake… CrackLe, PoW, PoP!

We had a sparky 4th of July celebration this year that actually happened on the 3rd- The four of us headed down to Big Lake to spend the day with our friends Scott and Jacqueline. The show put on by the Big Lake fire department is always impressive! This is a tradition that the kids always get hyped up for. The boats, jet skis and fireworks are right up at the top of Ethan and Jack’s list! Bellie girl loves the fireworks although getting home at 1:00 am is not on her list of favorites- She likes to be in her own bed by 8:00! A great time was had by all! CLICK! to check out more of the Forth of July freaks-

Hot Summer!

What better to do on a hot June day then wade around in Dawson’s Creek? It is actually the creek running through Mike and Christine’s backyard, but it is more fun to call it Dawson’s Creek. Emily, Ethan and Jack can spend all day trying to catch water bugs. And imaginary shrimp, clams, fish, etc… If only I could be a kid again, I love the no worries part!

Camp Mosquito

The kids and I were able to take off out of Bellingham at a most needed time. We left town immediately after we picked up Isabelle on her last day of school. We packed up and headed over the pass into Eastern Washing to enjoy a good ol’ camping experience with our great friends Naomi, Brett & Natalie. The company was a blast, the setting was beautiful, the golf was great, the swimming was fabulous, sleeping in the tent was okay, the stories around the campfire were hilarious, and the mosquito swarms attacking us were horrible! I have never seen so many mosquitoes. Our only refuge was the car or the pool. We did however have a great trip into Leavenworth to stroll around and have some dinner other than PB&J or hotdogs… I am trying really hard to find the joy in camping, (the dirt and grime part), especially for my boys and I think I may of come one small step closer. Isabelle and I are girly girls who like to sleep in our own clean beds!
Click for a glimpse into our camping trip to Leavenworth, very fun despite being eaten alive by mosquitoes!

Second Grade... Finished!

I've come to the conclusion that the last day of school forces me as a mother to realize how much my children have grown during the school year. It is September to June, how much could they have grown? Well this year Isabelle's growth and development was huge! She started in September small and quiet, now she is tall, confident and sassy! I am so proud of her transformation! She is reading this year, even dong spelling tests! Her writing has a lot of room for improvement, but that gives us a project for the summer. Speaking of summer, we just kicked it off with a camping trip. Stay tuned for pics of the mosquito-eating fest!

Kindergarten Graduation Celebration...

Ethan with teacher Katharine and friends, Marcus and Wanling-






Ethan graduated from kindergarten and his three years spent at Childlife Montessori school last Thursday night. Trying to absorb this has been a challenge because I can't believe how old he is? We have been on our own two years next month and he has grown and changed so much since then. In the fall he will entering first grade, I can't believe it! Our time at Childlife has been blessed with many great friends and genuine close relationships. Way to go EE, I am so proud of you!

We're Backkk!

I do know life happens without my camera but it is so much more fun with it! Last night on our walk we barely made it back to the car before the rain hit... It was fun to see all the baby ducks and geese. The kids love this walk because it is always full of animals, otters, frogs, ducks, geese, fish, etc... We finally got it down to take the princess in the stroller so we can all stay together. The boys are lightening fast and Bellie is the biggest "doddler"! It is good to be back posting, thank you for all the emails concerning the question: "did you fall off the face of the earth?" My camera is fixed and we are back! Here's to the beginning of summer!

To all of you cute bloggers looking for new posts...

My camera busted when Isabelle knocked it off the kitchen counter! Sadly, it is still in the repair shop- :( I am totally not inspired to post without new pictures... I'm so sad. I didn't realize how much joy I get from looking through the lens of my camera! Very maddening, I can't wait to get it back! I will be back again as soon as I get it or we have something exciting to say. Until then enjoy these sunshiny days! A

One Day, One Night...

Friday and Saturday of last week I got to experience a hectic but fabulous break! I boarded the Dawn Princess for her short journey from Vancouver to Seattle. I was on the boat for less than 24 hours but it was well worth the adventure. Never experiencing a cruise ship before I was definitely surprised by the grandeur and service of it all. Next time I will make time for some pool-side relaxation, and perhaps change the destination to the Caribbean, not Seattle! The two days on the boat were beautiful, even including a full moon. I was happy to return home on Saturday to the kids with all their Mother's Day energy and surprises. And just to make you laugh I will include this: After church on Sunday Christine and I decided to spend the day with all five kids and make a day of it. We went to lunch and then, waiting for the movie to start, ended up at the park. A park with a tire swing... round and round Jack went until he got off looking quite sweaty and pale. I picked him up just in time for the launch, projectile vomiting three times. When I finally got him comforted and clean he was still crying. I asked him what was wrong? "I just hate it when I puke on Mother's Day." he replied.

Friday Night...

It is the northwest way that after two days of pretty solid rain that we had this outing on Friday night. Perhaps due to the fact Ethan heard on the radio that opening day of boating season was Friday, he had a great idea to take out the "boat". "Sure why not?" I thought even though the clouds were rolling in and the temperature was dropping. We had a great time despite enough was enough came on all too quickly. All three cried running to the car and we had to blast the heat the whole way home. Good times- I would like to give Ethan credit and praise where it is definitely due! His heart and loyalty for Isabelle is such a source of joy to me. He continuously looks out for her, includes her, and makes sure she is okay. As far as brothers go Isabelle won the prize.

This would be our number one spot to live, on this little speck island-

No Fish, Eat hotdogs...

This years fishing derby proved to be a bust- If you can't catch any fish you might as well eat hots dogs is Jack's thinking. Not Ethan though, if you are talking fishing he is all business, and lucky for him he has his own tackle manager. (and mom who "worms the hooks") Hopefully we will have better luck on our next fishing outing!

Frog Hunters

We set out to practice up for the Lake Louise Fishing Derby coming up this weekend but all we caught was frogs and golf-balls, somehow just as exciting- This place is great, the kids love the creek!

Eggs, Eggs, Everywhere

Isabelle, Ethan and Jack really had a wonderful Easter, thank you to all that made it so special for them. To see more pics click right here.

Easter Eve...

I have a lot of thoughts going through my mind of thankfulness and joy, who better to share with than all of you faithful bloggers. I have spent most of the day in refection on what God has done for me. Every holiday has been painful and empty since the summer of 2004. Today I did not think about the pain one time. God has taken the hole in my heart and filled it with Him a little more each day since the news broke it. I was shattered into a million pieces and God is slowly picking them up and restoring me. And restoring me so all the pieces are in the right order! Not only is that unimaginable but I look around at the blessings He has given me. A great relationship with Him, full of love and comfort. Three beautiful people left in my care that bring me endless joy; and frustration to keep me always relying on Christ and learning more about myself. An amazing group of people that surround me everyday. You, my friends are absolutely irreplaceable. I know I will have more days ahead with the sting of betrayal dragging me down and my heart full of sorrow but today I am in full realization that not only am I healing and feeling alive again but God has a plan for us that is going to surpass all of my earthly dreams. He died on the cross, He is risen, and he did it all for us! Happy Easter.

Spring Break in Vancouver

It was time this week for Christine and I to venture out on our annual Spring Break in Vancouver road trip. With birth certificates and passports secured we crossed the border and continued until we reached our destination, beautiful Stanley Park in downtown Vancouver. All five kids love the Vancouver Aquarium, especially the beluga whales. Rain or lots of rain, it is always a great day spent at the aquarium! And we didn't even loose Jack...:)

Tiptoeing Thru the Tulips

To take a closer look click HERE. There is really nothing like the Skagit Valley Tulips! There are so many locals here that have never been! The fields after fields of color take my breath away every year-