Happy Birthday Quinn

Quinn turned 8 on April 22nd. We've been talking about what we're going to do for the kids' birthdays for a long time. I figured it typically costs about $100 to throw a full birthday party - sometimes more. I had thought of just giving the boys each $100 on their birthday and not dealing with the whole party thing... but, well, as it happens, we had to downsize the party as much as possible. We let Quinn invite 2 friends over for a sleepover... spent a total of $40 on pizza (and had leftover for 4 more meals after that!) and  Quinn had a wonderful time. I can't believe that Quinn is already 8! Where has the time gone??

Quinn's Lego Ninjago cake - simple, nothing too flattering.

getting ready for cake...

Happy Birthday to you..... Happy Birthday dear Quinn...

Lick the candles!!

Boys playing their DS's.

Vacation in Washington

Last week we drove up to Port Ludlow, WA to visit with Justin's Uncle David and Aunt Nancy. Both Justin and I needed this vacation more then we knew. The weather on Tuesday was simply gorgeous!!! Wednesday was a bit of drizzle throughout the day, but that didn't stop anyone from going in the hot tub, and Thursday started out GREAT, a big burst of rain in the middle (right when we thought we'd go to one of the nearby forts, do some kite flying and go to the beach... see picture below!!), and later was nice again.

Some highlights: 

Xavier and Quinn will say the hot tub was their biggest highlight of the trip

I read through 2 1/2 books (finished the 3rd on on the way home!)

Justin got to use his expertise and help out Uncle David with some survey information

The food was FABULOUS - bacon every morning... boys in heaven there!

There are 2 mallard ducks who live on the property who came to visit us daily. We named them Heathcliff and Gertrude (Heath and Gertie). Wish we had pictures of them they were cute!

The boys got to witness a little squirrel-fu. Yes the wildlife was awesome!

Xavier and I had a Mother/Son date to Port Townsend (or as the sign said as we went in: Po Town).

We finally made the boys watch The Princess Bride (we did a homemade pizza and movie night). They loved it!

And now a couple pictures from the trip. Thank goodness Uncle David took pictures with his iphone, or we would probably have none... we are so bad at taking pictures sometimes...

Little League Opening Day

It's Little League Opening day in Blue Lake! We couldn't have asked for better weather!! What a fabulous time!

The Parade...

Xavier with his friend Corbin.

The team - well, most of them anyways...

Final Foggy Bottom's Picture

I just got an email from my Dad. He saw me come in as they were leaving on the 2 mile race, and he ran to catch up with me to get a picture. Good thing too, since the photo person didn't get any pictures of me. He got a horrible one of Quinn too, which is why Quinn's isn't shown. But, here you all go, for your looking pleasure.. this is me, being happy that I made the 10 miles! even if it was a bit over my goal time.

The Oven is GONE

So, for those of you who don't know, the purchase of this house has been a 2 year journey for us. It will soon become officially ours - next week. :) The oven of this house went out last Summer - and it's been an eyesore for quite some time. Well, a few weeks ago, Justin decided to take out the Oven. Here he is where the oven once stood. We still have a Range, and I bought a counter top oven about 1 month after the other one died... so, I can still manage to cook. :)