Halloween 2012

 Brent was a solider this year for Halloween.

 Anna was Little Bo Peep. . .though I am not sure she even knows who that is, she just liked the dress.

 For Halloween we went to the Church for trunk or treat, but since it was raining we did it inside the building.  This was my room that I decorated and the pumpkin the kids and I carved.  The pumpkin won 1st place. . .but that was also because it was the only pumpkin.  I am still proud of it! :)

Ellisa's 31st Birthday

 For my 31st birthday Andrew took me on a trip to the San Juan Islands.  It was perfect!  Sunny and 65 degrees for all three days we were there.  We spent the afternoon at a spa when we first got there and then ate at the above restaurant which was delicious and beautiful!

 There were lots of little shops and historical sites to see.  It was super relaxing and fun!

 We went on a 3 hour kayak trip. . .unfortunately it was off season so we did not get to see much wild life.  Only the seals below, some bald eagles, starfish and jelly fish.  I will have to come again during peak season so I can see the whales.

On our last day we circled the island and found this lighthouse.  It would have made a perfect ending to this fabulous trip, except while we were here I received a call from Brent's school and found out he was knocked out at school and had a concussion.  Needless to say it was a stressful end to a wonderfully relaxing trip.  Brent is ok, he had to stay the night in the hospital, but that seemed to be the worst of it. 

1st Day of School

This year Anna started Kindergarten and Brent started 2nd grade.  I can't believe both my kids are in school now!  They really do grow up too fast!  Anna is in a Spanish immersion Kindergarten. . .that took her about a week to get use to, but now she seems to like it.  Brent was excited about school from the first day and still seems to really enjoy it!

Family Backpacking Trip

We have camped many times as a family. . .but this year we decided to do a 3 day/2 night backpacking camping trip.  Andrew and I carried all the gear, Brent had a small pack that he only carried about a mile.  Anna carried her teddy bear!  We hiked up the mountain about 3 miles and then down another mile to get to Snow Lake in Snoqualmie Pass.  The hike was hard, especially with a 40lb pack. . .but the seclusion and the view was worth it!

 This is a picture of Snow Lake once we got to the top of the mountain.

 This is were we camped for 2 nights.

We all got VERY dirty and smelly by the end!

It was not easy, but totally worth it and I now have a real sense of accomplishment!  I think this was our funnest family camping trip yet! 

Anna's Graduation from Preschool

Anna graduated from Pre-School at the end of August.  They had a nice program and dinner. 

It was cute!

Zoo Trip

I recently took the kids to the zoo and I just got a couple of really cute pictures of the kids I just had to share.

 The zoo just added a Dinosaur exhibit. . .and the kids loved this dino they could climb on.

 These are my two ferocious snow leopards. . .

And here they got themselves all tangled up in a web. . .fun times! :)

Flower Child

Brent got out of the bath and was wearing Anna's flower towel, and he wanted me to take a picture of him. . .he might regret this later in life, but I thought it was pretty funny!

2nd Annual Kite Festival

This was our 2nd annual Kite Festival with the Egbert's.  It was a little colder this year than last, but it was still really fun, and the kids are already asking me if we can go again!

 The kids LOVED running out into the water and then running away when the waves came in. 

The water was FREEZING!!!

Trek back to Washington

Andrew found out before we left Utah that near Salt Lake there was a Wahlquist Ln named after his family. . .so of course we had to find it. 

 Also on the way home Andrew saw a sign for an "Indian Battle Site". . .come to find out it was a Massacre site were a group of Indians massacred a wagon train. 

Our Silly kids. . .and a teddy bear. . .

On our way home we took a different route and went through a pass we have never heard of.  I was so surprised when we got to the top to see so much snow at the beginning of August!

Trek to Utah Part 3 - The Wedding

So the reason we made the trek out to Utah was so we could be there for Rachel's wedding. . .it was an extra bonus to be able to also spend time with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents!  Yeah for Rachel's wedding, the trip down there and the wedding were sooo much fun! :)

 All the cousins playing around on the grounds of the reception hall.  It was a very beautiful garden area.

Anna looking very sweet right before the wedding. . .doesn't happen often so I LOVE it when it does!

All the dad's with the kids. . .it was nice to not have to worry about them!

Dinner. . .and two goofy boys!

The newest member of the family and Andrew. . .you can tell they already get along!

Then the dancing began! 

Seriously this is the most fun I have ever had at a wedding! :)  Even the kids had a blast! 

Thanks Rachel and Erman!! :)