Labor Day

Despite the dreary forecast of torrential downpours all over the state, we made the 5+ hour trip to the Skagit River where we go camping with my family every year. This year the Miller family joined us, even though they're not big on camping. We each had our SUV's packed to the max and started our journey up I-5. With four kids all under the age of 5 between our two families, we expected to make several stops along the way - most of them being bathroom stops :)

We finally made it by 9pm or so, but it wasn't raining so we were able to set up our stuff without getting everything drenched. That was about the last time it was dry the entire weekend. My dad had gotten there the day before and had all of the quick shades and tarps set up around the campfire - except there was no campfire. Even though the campground was drenched all the way to the core of the earth, there was a freaking burn ban!!! So there we sat in the pouring down rain with no campfire. We had to be really creative with our meals now that we didn't have a fire to cook over, but we made it work.

The rain didn't bother the kids in the least. In fact, I think they would prefer to camp in the rain. They loved stomping in the puddles and filling up buckets and bottles with water and dumping it out. Their favorite activity of the weekend was slug hunting. Yes - I said slugs. They each found a stick and by the end of their "hunting" trip they had come back with what looked like slug skewers! Nice...

The first day, the Miller family had an issue at nap time and ended up at the laundromat for the majority of the day trying to get their sleeping bags clean. Then Sunday morning Rob and I woke up to pool of water taking over our tent. I have been a camper my entire life, and rain at the Skagit River on Labor Day is pretty much a guarantee. Rob, on the other hand, had pretty much had it by this point and declared to everyone that we were going home. I think the rest of our group was glad that someone else gave in first, because everyone else followed suit and packed up their stuff as well - even my dad!

Can't wait until next year!!!

Randi's 21st Birthday

Rob and I decided to take my sister Randi and her boyfriend Chris to Vegas for their 21st birthday's! Randi had been a few times but was never able to really "experience" it and I think this was Chris' first time there. We all got a suite at the Mirage and had a blast!

Randi's first pull on a slot machine...
We went to an all-you-can-drink champagne buffet...I'd say we consumed more than our money's worth!

We had fun playing several games of War in our suite...

Randi and Chris posing for the camera!

Alan's 3rd Birthday

Yes, Alan's birthday is June 17th and I am fully aware that today's date is December 10th :) Needless to say, I have a lot of catching up to do on our family blog!

So we had Alan's birthday party at Papa's Ice Cream in downtown Washougal, a place that quickly became a family favorite since they opened the summer of 2008. All of Alan's favorite things were present - a Disney Car's themed party with the movie playing in the background, cupcakes from Saint Cupcake, hot dogs, ice cream and of course his family and friends!

Happy birthday baby boy!

Happy Birthday Grandma Ensley!

My mom's birthday was on June 9th but we celebrated last night because we wanted to wait until my sister Jona was back from college. It was a really nice night and was perfect for hanging out on the deck in the back yard. We had my dad's famous spaghetti followed by the BEST cake ever - the fresh banana and whipped cream cake from Larson's Bakery!

There was time enough after cake and presents to test out my mom's new croquet set...Aidan and Alan had a blast and Rob provided the entertainment with his take on the rules.

The huge wooden mallets didn't make the most ideal toys and someone ended up in time out...

Alan soon got tired of hauling his mallet around and decided that digging in the dirt with Grumpa was a much better idea...

After his time out, Aidan talked Auntie Randi into jumping on the trampoline with him and it wasn't long before Alan joined in...poor Randi!

It was a great night for family...I love you mom and I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Alan's Catch

Last Saturday afternoon we took the boys on Grandpa Cox's fishing boat on the Columbia River. Rob had been saying how great the shad fishing would be and how it would be a great chance to stock up on the bait for our crabbing trip in July. Also, the boys LOVE going fishing - especially on Grandpa's boat. I had plans to go shopping that afternoon but somehow got talked into coming along. Rob's mom and dad also joined us. We loaded up the boys and all of our gear (including a bottle of wine for Christie and I to share), found a spot and anchored down. We hadn't been out long and the boys were already getting restless. Aidan was getting into everything and couldn't sit still, and all Alan wanted to do was eat the cookies Grandma brought. Pretty soon Alan's fishing pole started to dance, but Rob was convinced it had just snagged the bottom. He reeled the pole in anyway and on its way up Rob said, "well if there was one on here, we lost it". Alan didn't like what he heard and started to whine...but all that whining turned to shrieks of excitement when he saw that there actually was a fish on his line! Now it's not much of a fish, but you can tell by the look on Alan's face that he didn't care what size it was. He was absolutely elated to have caught a fish! Turns out the shad fishing wasn't that great after all...but Alan caught himself a baby salmon and couldn't have been happier.

Dozer Day

We took Aidan and Alan to Dozer Day on Saturday, May 16th, where they could actually ride on and operate the heavy equipment (with the help of a professional, of course). They absolutely loved it! Alan was a bit timid at first and was content just observing from a distance. We finally got him to hop into a big cement truck, but he was still apprehensive about the whole situation.

Alan didn't even want to stand next to the bulldozer with his brother to have his picture taken. Rob finally talked him into it. Now, when he sees this picture, he thinks it's the best thing ever.

Aidan, on the other hand, couldn't wait to get onto one of the excavators and make it work. After standing in line for almost 20 minutes he finally got his turn! His face was lit up with excitement and he was so proud of himself!

It was our first time attending this fundraiser for the Nutter Foundation and we found out it was a benefit for many local children's charities. It was great to see that the place was absolutely packed! We look forward to taking our boys again next year...hopefully Alan will be ready by then to fully participate in all of the activities.

Mother's Day Weekend

I had a WONDERFUL weekend with my boys! I got to sleep in on Saturday morning (thanks Rob!) which was absolute heaven. Once up and ready we all headed to Camas for their annual Mother's Day Plant & Garden Fair. It was such a beautiful day and we enjoyed looking at all of the colorful plants and flowers, as well as visiting with friends who were out enjoying the fair with their families. We purchased two beautiful hanging flower baskets - one for me and one for my mom. Then it was back to our house where the boys played outside in the dirt. Alan found a slug so he and Aidan thought it would be fun to build a house for it...turns out they just buried it in a big pile of dirt.

On Sunday we joined my family at church then went out for coffee. My sisters were both in town (Jona had to go back to UW today and Randi is home from WSU for the summer), so it was nice to catch up with them. While sitting outside at Starbucks, Aidan lived up to his nickname and proceeded to climb up the umbrellas. I tried to explain to him why it wasn't appropriate, while my dad was working against me and encouraged it. They moved to another table and my dad helped him shimmy all the way to the top - that 's Grandparents for you! After coffee we joined Rob's family at his Aunt Connie's house for brunch. We had yummy crepes and mimosas - my favorite! Aidan and Alan got to play with their cousin Rylie outside because it was ANOTHER beautiful day! They chased each other around the yard and threw rocks into the river. After a very long morning, we went home and the boys took a 2 hour nap. Later in the evening my family came over for a BBQ. We had chicken sausages, grilled veggies, a garden salad and watermelon. The weather even held out long enough for us to enjoy our dessert outside next to the fireplace...what a perfect end to a perfect weekend!