Washington

In the summer we visited my family in Washington.  It was the first time I drove all by myself with the kids and it actually went really well.  We were planning on taking the van, but it was having problems and I didn’t want to risk being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken down car and three kids so lucky for me we got to rent a car.  Jason and Liam declared it the coolest car ever.  It had a sunroof and a dvd player along with satellite radio which is actually super cool when you are driving through lots of mountains and don’t get normal radio signals.  Get ready for lots of pictures!
We arrived Friday afternoon after a long day in the car and we just wanted to get outside and enjoy fresh air so we headed to the park.  It isn’t a trip to my parents house if we don’t go to the playground of dreams with a KFC dinner.  It’s just what we do.  By the time we organized everyone and got there it was a little later so after dinner when the kids were in the water I don’t know how they weren’t freezing because the wind was blowing.  They loved it anyway.  Kathi using a towel as a blanket. RonnieLiam found a chip bag and was experimenting to see it it would hold the water back.  Justin—he and Liam were best friends and worst enemies the whole time we were there. 
Saturday we headed to a big work party for the company my Dad works for.  It was actually a lot of fun.  They had great food, lots of fun games for the kids, ice cream, a splash pad, a jazz band playing and all kinds of other fun things.  LunchtimeLiam likes chicken.bouncy slides.  Liam would have stayed here all day long even though it was blazing hot.We convinced him to cool off in the fountains for a short time.
My brother Michael and his little boyMy nephew Ronnie
Jason could only hold himself up like this for a few seconds, but it was just long enough for me to snap a picture and I think it looks pretty cool. 
One evening my Aunt LaRae had us over for dinner with all her kids and grandkids so we could see them all.  I love that she does that!  It is so nice to be able to see and talk with all of them.  My cousin is building a house next door to them so there was a big dirt pile next to the excavation hole for their house and the kids had a blast playing on it and getting super dirty. 
Love muddy pictures!They were running away from my cousin Kristin as she tried to hose them off so they could go inside.  I think the water was pretty cold and it was starting to get dark.  Plus, it’s a fun game!
We spend a whole day down at the river.  My Dad and Jason Jr. headed over early to pick up the cool paddle canoe that we rented for the day.  It took the rest of us a little while to get ourselves over there, but once we were there we had a great time.  The kids had fun taking turns in the boat, searching for rocks along the riverbank, playing on the awesome playground there, and playing in the wading pool.
  Em & JasonDad & JasonMomMy Dad brought this in case he wanted to take a nap…he’s forgotten that kids don’t let you take naps.  watching the waterJason was the canoe expert so he took almost everyone out on the water.  Liam loved it.  I even made him take me!This was a really good leg workout.
The little boys spent a lot of their time in this wading pool making up all sorts of games to play together.Emily cheesing for the camera.  It was a super fun, but tiring day.
My grandparents were in town at the same time we were.  I was so happy the kids got to see them and spend a little bit of time with them since they haven’t seen them in a few years.  We went to lunch at a pizza place.  I tried to get a picture of my kids with their great grandparents, but somehow it never happened.  This was the best I got of Liam.
Cheese!Dancing!Playing.  Aunt Kathi gave everyone quarters and they had a blast.
 
We crammed a lot into our last day there.  We were celebrating Liam’s birthday so we went roller skating then we met my grandparents to my grandma could give us girls a gift, then we went back to my parents house for cake and presents and once I got the kids in bed I ran over to see an old friend.
Even though it was Liam’s idea to go roller skating he had a hard time at first getting the hang of it.  He’s been ice skating, but there’s usually a little push thingy he uses to balance.  He got a little frustrated.But soon he got the hang of it and was going all on his own and he didn’t want to stop.


The girls—I’ve always been jealous of my sister’s hair!
Sibling love!

  My grandma made bags for all her daughters and granddaughters and great grandaughters.  This is the one Em chose. 
This is the one I chose.  Isn’t my Grandma so lovely?
Finally a picture of the kids with their Great Grandparents!
Proof I was there too.
My Mom got him an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen—she’s a pretty great Grandma!Blowing out the candleRescue bot!A plane that he can’t stop playing with.
a Bear from cousin RonnieThe twins with Morgan.  She was born in Utah just a few months before Em and Jason.  She’s a sweetheart and Em has a blast with her. 
Liam wanted in on the pictureThis is my friend Sarah.  I don’t think I’ve seen her for at least 5 years, but when we got together it was so comfortable like no time at all had passed!  It was so fun to reminisce with her about High school and marching band and all the fun we had together being crazy.  I’m so glad we were able to get together.  Hopefully next time I’m there we’ll have more time to visit!
Congrats if you’ve made it to the end of this!  I almost didn’t myself.  Whew!  I know I’ve missed a few things or forgotten them, but I’m done!