Our Trip to Washington

Our family just returned from a trip to the Washington coast, this area is special to Matt's family because his great-grandma's family homesteaded there, in fact their log house still exists and is usable to many descendants of the Fritz family who built it. It is located in Sequim (pronounced Squim) WA. We toured the towns of Sequim, Port Angeles, and Port Townsend, and one daring hour in Seattle (just so we could ride the ferry there mostly) and a night on the town in Tacoma, while Matt's kind Aunt Ann babysat our boys, we got to go out to dinner. What a treat! Chevy's Fresh Mex is where we ate, it was delicious. So here's some pix of our trip

This was the view from the backyard of the house we stayed in. We didn't stay at the log house because we were double booked with another family planning on using it. We found a house to rent with this view of the Dungeness Spit (world's longest sand spit, with a light house at the end). Beautiful. We got to walk down the spit too. My boys liked saying the word spit so often.

Pike's Place Market in Seattle, where the fish thrower guys show their abilities. The big long ugly fish is still there that scared Charlotte on our senior trip way back when.

Garrett and Shay on "Rachel the Pig" outside of Pike's Place in Seattle

Ferry Boat ride from Bainsbridge Island to Seattle

Garrett on the beach at Fort Worden, in Port Townsend WA. It's an old military fort on the coast, used in the world war eras. The most beautiful beach for sand we've discovered yet in WA.

A picture taken of the main land from the Dungeness Spit.

Happy Birthday Tanner and Ashlyn!

July 15th marks the day--Ashlyn and Tanner (Lori's kiddos) are turning 5! Hopefully Kellie doesn't mind that I latched on to this Birthday Shout-out idea, I like it.

5 things about Ashlyn:
She is older than Tanner by a few minutes
She likes to study ladybugs, and things like that
She gave herself the middle name of Sweetheart
She is already an excellent reader, and can sound out and write words
She likes broccoli with vinegar on it, just like I do, what a smart girl!
Oh--an extra one--she loves the Hannah Montana soundtrack, and likes to listen to it by herself in her room

5 things about Tanner:
All he ever wants for a gift is trucks, trucks, trucks
He has a very tender heart, especially for animals
He is super tall for his age, he's going to be huge like his dad
He can ride his bike really fast around the neighborhood
He is very independent and does things in his own time

Happy Birthday Matt!

My sis Kellie shared this great idea of doing Happy Birthday posts for the family members, with a list of five things you know about that person. Matt turns 26 today! Here are the five things:
1. Matt hates green tractors, his brands are Massey and Case
2. He doesn't usually want to watch a movie unless it is funny
3. He is the biggest tease ever
4. He grew a goatee when we first got married because it made him look older (people at his work didn't know how young he really was)
5. He invented "Kool-aid Surprise" in college (or so he says)

Happy Birthday Matt!

Porcupine Springs Camping Trip

Garrett running away from the camera (he stole Shay's sun hat, and I thought a picture was in order)

Our camping trip was fun. We went to an area that is south of Hansen/Twin Falls in the south hills. It's about an hour from our house. It was tempting to put Shay on a leash, so I wouldn't lose him, but I refrained. It was a dream-come-true for Garrett to get to eat marshmallows --he's always been so good about having diabetes, but lately he wants treats and snacks lots! Going to sleep in the tent took awhile--Shay roamed for 20 minutes or so, then played with my face and talked my ear off for 20 more. Garrett kept asking if I could please get him to be quiet. Garrett also had to tell dad to quit his yucky snoring. I wasn't next to Matt so all I could do was throw shoes at him to get him to quit--it didn't help. We took a few nice little hikes, one to Ross Falls--a small but very pretty waterfall, and short hike. The day we came home, Garrett wet his clothes twice from not aiming very well when pottying, and fell in the fishing hole up to his shoulders, so by the time we were on the third outfit change it was time to go home. Definitely memorable, lots of kodak moments that's for sure.

Summer so far...

These two drive each other nuts. They were fighting over who got to be in the laundry basket. They live to fight. Solution? Whip out the camera. Not much for news--we are going camping tomorrow, but not to Lake Cleveland where we wanted to go. Apparently there's still 8 ft. snow drifts in places there, and nights get down to 34 degrees still. We may end up going Oakley way to camp. Last night we saw Rupert's "thunderworks" show, as Garrett calls it. We can see it from a neighbor's lawn, so convenient. I have also been fighting ants, I hate their guts. I spray them dead. Matt and I did sealings last night, it was a good experience. I usually think he'll be lovey at the temple and quit teasing me, but even at the temple he finds a way. I know this news is not too exciting. So I'll end on a more exciting note. I get to go visit my family next week and choreograph a ribbon dance with my sisters, and we get to go shopping at D.I. for our outfits. You are all jealous! Ha Ha Ha!! Hope your all having a good summer. I like your baby's name Camille, it's beautiful (Amelia Rose for any who don't know, I may have spelled it wrong). Please tell me how to get a girl. There is too much testosterone around here.

Swim Coach

Garrett doing his big shark kicks.