Way overdue--

So I am way overdue updating this blog. I used to be so good, but not so much anymore.
Anyway--we had a way busy summer. We built a deck, went to Vegas, went camping, hosted birthday parties, went to Silverwood and before we knew it summer was over and it was time to go back to school.
Kaidyn is now in 2nd grade and loves it. She is in the high reading group and also enjoys math. She is also playing soccer right now. Her team--the Wildcats--are fun to watch. Kaidyn has been playing for 3 seasons now and it's amazing to see how much growth she has made. From playing bunchball to actually passing the ball to teammates and playing defense. She's not super aggressive, but I'm sure that'll come with time and experience. She scored her first goal of the season last Saturday, and it was so awesome that I was actually there to see it, the last couple of seasons when she scored a goal for some reason I have missed the games she scored goals in.
Jayd is going to pre-school three days a week for about 2 and 1/2 hours a day. She loves it. She is making lots of friends and is learning lots. Her speech seems to be getting a little clearer too. It's hard to believe she'll be in kindergarten next year.
Jett turned 2 a couple of weeks ago--2!!--so hard to believe my baby is 2. He is now in a big boy bed and we're working on potty training. He is doing so awesome. He loves to sit on the potty and go, he just needs to work on telling us every time, he gets it about half the time. Whoever said potty training girls was easier never had my children. The girls were stubborn and defiant. Jett is totally the opposite--at least in the realm of potty training!!
I started my 7th year at Royal Middle School. I am teaching math again this year in the 7th grade, but I also have a PE class this year--totally love that.
Well that's about it. Hopefully I haven't forgot anything--although I'm sure I have.

Camping at Spring Canyon

Just returned from an awesome week (well 4 days really) camping with the family and our friends Bree and Davie and their baby Major.
We left Monday morning for Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt, with the hopes of getting a camping spot since the sites were first come, first served! and an even bigger challenge of finding two sites next to each other since we were going with friends and one of the sites needed to be big enough to accommodate a fifth wheel (unfortunately not ours). We found sites--not next to each other, but across, so it worked.
While Levi and David went to get the fifth wheel from Bree's grandparents, who live nearby in Electric City, Bree helped me set up our camp. As we were setting up the tent, I thought about putting on the rain fly, but Bree convinced me not to as it was in the high 90s and not a cloud in sight. After setting up camp, I took the girls down to the lake for some swimming. They both did swimming lessons this summer and were eager to show me what they had learned.
Since we are now a family of 5, we need a bigger tent. Last year we went and bought a bigger one, but the zipper was broken when we opened it up, we returned it. This year instead of another new tent, we decided to get a second small tent and let the girls sleep in their own tent. I wasn't sure how they would do in their own tent, but they were great!
The girls wanted to make s'mores, but it was too hot for a fire, so we convinced them to wait. It was a very hot night and I was glad that I hadn't put on the rain fly, as we had a little more ventilation without it. The top of the tent is open with a screen, so it allowed more air to flow through.
Tuesday was a day for more swimming and playing at the park. Levi and David went fishing and while Levi caught a couple small mouth bass, they were too small to keep. Fortunately it was a little cooler Tuesday night, but still too hot for a fire. The kids were dying to make s'mores again, so we used the propane cook stove instead!
That night I was suddenly awaken by a pounding noise. It took me a moment to realize that it was raining very hard. As I looked up at the opening at the top of the tent, I was taken back in time to the day we set-up and Bree saying the chances of needing the rain fly were almost non-existent! Ha ha! But it wasn't as bad as I thought. I couldn't feel much rain getting in the tent. Levi was next to me and was hogging the sleeping bag and had it totally covering him. Well, the temperature had dropped significantly because of the rain, and I was cold so I grabbed the bag from him. This was when I realized that even though I was not getting wet, Levi was getting soaked, since he was in the middle of the tent, directly under the opening. I waited for the rain to let up and the ran out of the tent in search of the rain fly. As I was outside, I realized I was not the only person struggling to get the rain fly on! I got it put on, just in time for the rain to stop completely. Oh well, Levi told me I probably didn't need to worry about it afterall, since the rain had stopped, but I wasn't about to go back outside to take it off! I'm glad I didn't, it rained off and on for the rest of the night!
Wednesday was to be Levi's last day of camping since he had to work that night! David had him talked in to calling in sick, but I told him that he should go to work and save his sick time for when he really was sick!
We went out in Bree and David's boat and found a secluded beach to play on and swim! Jett had such a blast swimming and kicking his little feet (while wearing his life jacket ofcourse). Kaidyn even took her life jacket off and worked on swimming without it. When we returned to camp, Bree's parents had arrived from Spokane, so we sat to visit with them and the girls decided to go play cards. A few minutes later I heard this blood curdling scream from Jayd. She had been stung by a bee! It was a first for her so I wasn't sure how she would react to the sting. We put ice on it and I cuddled her. It started to swell, so fortunately Bree had some Benedryl. She took that and passed out. I let her sleep it off and when she woke she was better. No swelling and you could hardly tell where it had stung her. Thank goodness! Then we played a little game of whiffle ball and then it was bedtime, and since Levi had left, the girls slept in the tent with me and Jett! (and it rained a little more, thankfully I left the rain fly on!)
Thursday comes and it is time to pack up and leave. Bree and David helped me load the truck and we're off, but not before on more time at the playground. They had a merry-go-round there, and Jayd was dying to play on it! So I spun the kids on it. Jett decided he wanted to get off, but I didn't get it stopped in time, so a more-or-less fell off, which wasn't too bad except that he fell face first right into a puddle of water--the only puddle anywhere around the toy--he must have planned it!
All-in-all a fun, and eventful, camping trip! Can't wait to do it again!!!!

***pictures to be posted as soon as I find the cord that connects my camera to my computer!

Before/After

Well--the deck is 99% complete! I just have one more set of stairs to build leading up to the other side of the deck by the garage and it will be complete!! Can't wait--hopefully I can finish it tomorrow after Levi wakes up!

Before

After

2 adults---7 kids

Today we met my friend Amber at a park in Moses Lake. She was headed from Spokane to Leavenworth for a wedding and her boys needed to run around and her girls needed a break and to eat. It's crazy to think that between the two of us, we have 7 kids!!

Home Sweet Home!

We made it safely home--as if I had any doubts! But we had a fabulous trip! We did so much, but still I feel like we didn't do enough. I can't believe how much there is to do in Vegas--including getting lost at 2 am!
We went to a Tournament of Kings show in our hotel, the Excaliber. It was a dinner and a show with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and you had to eat with your hands. But it was very good! We walked most of the strip and made a point to visit as many casinos as possible. There were so many high-end shops, I wish I had more money for shopping. We went to the aquarium at Mandalay Bay, the Bodies Exhibit and Titanic Exhibit at the Luxor. We also saw the Blue Man Group at the Venetian. It was so awesome. So much color and sound and it was hilarious. We watched the fountain show at the Bellagio, the pirates at Treasure Island, the Moving Statues at Cesars Palace. Only in Vegas can you see Lions, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the Sphinx and more in the same place.
Tuesday night we went to the Piano Bar at Harrahs which was a blast. It's amazing how much fun you can have with a couple of Pianos (and a few beers). Then we went to Toby Kieths bar and grill (also at Harrahs) and watched an amazing band--I even got Levi to dance with me (after a few more beers). At about 2 the bar closed and we headed back to our hotel via the monorail. Unfortunately, I got us going the wrong way, then when we got off to get on the monorail going the other way, we were informed that we had just got off the last monorail of the evening. We were about 7 miles from our hotel, and several blocks off strip at the Hilton. It looked to be a loooooooooooooooooooong walk! But Levi, my hero, got us a cab (the first either of us had ever been in) and we got a ride back. I was so grateful, the driver got a huge tip!!
Wednesday was our 9th anniversary, and we planned to do the Stratosphere. We got up and going about 7 pm, had a nice dinner. Walked down to the Stratosphere and I looked up and decided that I was okay just looking at it. It was very tall--and I am afraid of heights--maybe another time!
Like I said, we had a great trip, but I definately missed my kids.
I didn't get very many pics, but here are a few of what I did get.

Our hotel "Excaliber"

The Stratosphere--this is as close as I got!

Levi on the Strip

--at the Tournament of Kings

Las Vegas or Bust!

So tomorrow Levi and I leave for our trip to Vegas. I am so excited. First of all, it'll be our first trip alone since our honeymoon. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and I will miss them dearly, but it will be nice to do things with other adults just for adults, sleep in and not have to worry about diapers. Secondly, we will be celebrating our 9th anniversary while on our trip. It seems crazy how quickly the 9 years went, but yet, here it is--9 years and 3 kids later and we are still very happy and in love!!
I'm a little anxious about flying. I don't have a lot of experience with flying, but I have been assured that all will be well!!
We are going to go see The Blue Man Group, and there are a couple other activities we would like to do. Levi has been working on me to go on a ride on the Stratosphere. Have I mentioned that I am deathly afraid of heights and the Stratosphere is very, very, very, very, very, very high--but I am a very brave, and at times, very crazy--so we'll see.
I will have lots of pics to post and lots to say upon return, so until then . . .

Happy Independence Day!!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!! We had a BBQ with some friends and then Levi went to work. I got the kids some pop-its and sparklers. After dinner I let the kids do the pop-its. They all loved them, especially Jett. Anything he can throw is right up his alley. But I was a mean mommy and made the kids wait until it was darker to do the sparklers. When I finally deemed it was dark enough, we went out on the deck (it's almost done). I wasn't sure how Jett would react to them. When the girls were his age (about 21 months) they would have totally freaked with the "fire" of the sparklers, and they were still a little timid tonite (at 4 and 7 years old), but not Jett. He snatched that sparkler right out of my hand and went to work swishing it and flinging it in the air. He had so much fun and every time the sparkler went out he said "more" and was ready for another one. He was very sad when they were done. Then we sat on the edge of the deck looking towards Ephrata and watched 3-4 different fireworks shows. I don't know if they were for the different towns around us just fireworks that people bought, but they were pretty good. And after everyone, Jett cheered "wooooo" and clapped his hands and then said "more". Once again, he was sad when they ended. The girls enjoyed them too! Overall, it was a pretty good 4th, for not really having any plans.





Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!!

THE DECK!!

We are FINALLY building our deck! Every time we do a project around here I always intend to take before and after pics, but I always forget. I actually remembered this time. So far I've only got before and during pictures, but we're hoping to have the deck done by Friday, so I will post the final after pictures then!

BEFORE

DURING


THE BOYS HARD AT WORK

The project has taken longer than I expected though. It took almost two days just to dig the holes, the boys kept hitting rocks, so some of the holes ended up bigger than needed because by the time they got them deep enough, they also ended up being wider after taking out the rocks. It'll be so nice to be able to go lounge on my deck and read, I can't wait!!

Like Father, Like Son

So Jett is all boy and he loves his daddy! He does everything daddy does and follows him around everywhere. He likes to mimic daddy as well. Today I found Jett a little toy lawn mower, so he went and helped daddy "mow the lawn". Then we started nailing the hangers on the beams for the deck and Jett went and got his hammer so he could help daddy put in the nails and right now as we speak, they are sitting on the couch together watching the Mariners.

Kaidyn learns to ride her bike--

Kaidyn is working on riding her bike. Levi decided to have her practice by riding on the grass--that way if she crashes it's a little softer. She was pretty successful and even rode across the backyard, across the driveway and onto the island where she usually crashed. She is still working on turning and continuously pedaling, but she did pretty good today.

More Baby Major--

Just got back from visiting Bree and David and Major. The girls were both dying to hold him, so we went over for a visit. I also got to hold him again and I've decided I want another baby. I'm trying to figure out how that's going to work, because I don't want another child, just a baby. I wonder if there is somewhere you can go rent a baby for about the first year--until they start walking and turning into monsters. I could just sit there and stare at Major for hours. I guess I don't need another baby, I can just live vicariously through others--the best part, I don't have to get up in the middle of the night with him. I can just visit and then leave him with his parents. I guess that'll work for me.

Jayd and Major

Kaidyn and Major

Loving the Weather!!

I love hot weather!! Today was so awesome, the girls got a double slip-and-slide for their birthday and they have been dying to try it out. Today was finally hot enough (and there was no breeze) so I set it up for them. Jett tried to get in on the action a little too, but I didn't put him in his swim trunks. They had a blast!!

Welcome Baby Andra--

For the last (almost) 9 months, we have been referring to Bree's belly as Baby Andra. Without knowing the gender and having no names picked out, that's all we could do. Baby Andra finally has a name and a gender. I always wonder how people cannot want to find out what their having. I'm sure it's fun waiting for the surprise, but how do you plan. I am definitely a planner. Anyway, Bree's official due date was May 28, so I was (happily) surprised when David called this morning to tell us the baby had arrived!! They named the baby Major David Andra, he was 6 pounds 11 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long. He is absolutely adorable, and tiny!! I am so glad I have a friend whose close who has a baby for me to hold again. Jett is getting huge now and since we are officially done having children, it'll be nice to be able to satisfy that baby urge for a while now!!

Bree and David at Kaidyn's birthday party, little did they know they would be parents themselves in less than a week!

Proud momma!!

Major

Happy Birthday Kaidyn--

Well, Kaidyn is now 7 years old. I can't believe I am the mother of a 7 year old--that makes me feel really old. Instead of the traditional family birthday party with her and Jayd, we decided to do separate birthdays for the girls this year. I figured Kaidyn was getting to that age where she wouldn't want to associated with her sister quite as much. So instead Kaidyn invited 14 of her friends over. Only about 10 showed up, but it was still really busy. I forgot how much girls scream, but it sure brought back memories of birthday parties I had been to when I was her age (and older).
I took the day off today so I could get the house clean and ready and take cupcakes to her class. I am so glad we don't do birthdays like that in middle school. We would get nothing done ever!! It was cute to see Kaidyn the center of attention though.
Kaidyn got a bike for her birthday--WITHOUT training wheels, so now she just has to learn to ride it!! I wonder how many skinned knees that'll take??

Happy Birthday Jayd--

So my baby girl turned 4 today. I can't believe she is already that old, it doesn't seem like that long ago that she was born. Crazy how fast time flies. Here are some pics from her birthday. The Williams Family came to help us celebrate! It was good to see them again, and we really enjoyed visiting and playing baseball in the field. To top it all off, the weather was absolutely gorgeous.

Jett Checkup

Jett had his 18 month checkup today--even though he is over 19 months. He weighed in at 28 pounds and 32 1/4 inches. That puts him in the 50 %tile for both categories, which means he has had a growth spurt since his 12 month check-up because he was only in the 25%tile at that time. He decided that he wanted to wear his hat today, and the only time he took it off was when he fell asleep. He looked like such a little man.
After his appointment, he and I went to the Tri-Cities to do some birthday shopping for the girls. He was so good, he slept on the way down--probably because of his shots--and then sat in his stroller and was such a trooper as I dragged him from store to store. It was so great to have a day just with Jett, we hardly get to do that ever, so I really enjoyed it.

7th Grade Field Trip

On Tuesday we took our 4th annual 7th grade field trip to the Seattle Mariners game. It was so much fun. I started the morning at 3:15 am, when I had to get up so I could hit the store before heading to school to get everything ready. I got to school about 4:30 and started putting together the groups and information the chaperones and students would need for the game. Students started arriving at 5:30 am and by 6:45 am we had the buses loaded and headed to Seattle.
It worked out pretty well because one of the Seattle news channels had a Weather Education Program that they put on before the game, so we went to that at 10:30. It was kind of corny and they weather guy talked to the students like they were 5, but I guess that's okay because there were some 5 year olds there. Anyway, along with the program we had lunch, and at some point I lost my group. So as I was searching for them, I ended up down by the field getting Jarrod Washburn and Shawn Kelly's autographs. Then I went to look for them in the Team Store where I bought some bases for our own baseball field. Finally I found my group in time for the game to start. Our seats were up in the 300 level, so we were pretty far up in the "cheapseats" of Safeco Field, but our principal picked up some front row seats on the first base line that I got to go sit in with a student for a couple of innings.
One of the students that got to sit in those seats had Ichiro toss him a foul ball, but he wasn't paying attention and it bounced of his cheek and back onto the field where another person got it--how sad.
Anyway--it was a good and quick game until the top of the 10th when the Rangers scored several runs, including a grand slam. The M's ended up losing, but I know the students had a great time.

Kaidyn's first T-ball Game

So tonight Kaidyn had her first T-ball game. It was supposed to be Tuesday, but because of weather, it was canceled, so it was tonight. Anyway--I was a little worried that it was going to be long and boring, but it was actually kind of fun and cute to watch. They play 3 innings and everyone bats through and runs all the bases. The practice getting the ball and throwing it to first after every hit. Kaidyn even played first base for one inning, and even though she didn't catch any of the balls that were thrown to her (the few that actually made it all the way to first base) she did a great job of fielding them and throwing them to the coach at the tee. It went by really quickly. Unfortunately, Levi had to work tonight, so I was by myself and I spent most of my time chasing Jett around which upset Jayd because then she couldn't sit on my lap. But Kaidyn had fun and did a pretty good job hitting.

Viva Las Vegas!

Just bought our tickets to Vegas. Neither Levi or I have ever been. We decided it would be a fun trip to take, especially without kids. We are going over our anniversary--it will be 9 years July 15!! Can't wait--I definitely need a vacation.

Does it ever end??

All I hear all day is crying! Jett cries because he fell again and bonked his head. Jayd cries because I asked her to clean her room. Kaidyn cries because Jayd looked at her funny. So much crying. And then there is the fighting which leads to more crying, and the whining, which usually leads to even more crying. Does there come a point when the crying stops?? I think I'd be okay with crying if it was only when necessary, like when hurt or sad, not for every little thing.

2009 All Star Game Ballot

Hey, vote for the Mariners to go to the All Star game. It would be nice to see a bunch of M's on the roster this year. More than just Ichiro. You can vote up to 25 times--and trust me, by July 2 everyone in my family will have voted 25 times--I'm trying to figure a way to get my dogs to vote as well--lol!! If interested, follow this link:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2009/ballot_reg.html

Go Mariners!!

Bummed--

So in my 6 years of teaching, I have never thought twice about leaving my things out in the open from my purse to my daughters DS. Well I will be thinking again now. I had my cell phone taken right off the top of my desk the other day. At first I thought I might have just misplaced it--I've been known to do that. But when I tried to call it to find it, I didn't hear it ringing in my classroom. Okay, sometimes I don't have the best reception in there, if it's on the floor, it might be out of range.
I was able to narrow it down to the class period it might have been taken in, however, because of WASL testing this week, I didn't see that class period until today. I confronted them, and made a plea for my sim card--I don't have a lot of numbers memorized anymore, they're all in my phone. The phone is an old one a friend gave me last year when she got a new one and mine quit working. So the phone isn't worth much, it doesn't text and the battery doesn't last very long on a charge.
Well, what do you know, when I walked into my classroom at the beginning of sixth period, there was my sim card sitting on my desk. I thought I would be happy to see my simcard, but it turned out I was upset and disappointed, because that meant one of my students really had violated my personal space and broke my trust all for a stupid little phone. I have never felt so . . .bummed. I don't know how else to describe it. So now I don't have a cell phone, I'm hesitant to buy a new one because I shouldn't have to, so if your trying to get a hold of me, you may have to call Levi's phone for now. We are getting a landline put in next week, but until then I'm somewhat cut off from the world. I'm hoping whoever took it will realize the error of their ways and return it, otherwise there may be 20 of my students from 3rd period not going on the 7th grade field trip to the Mariners game in a couple of weeks. Then we'll see whose bummed.

Johnson Field--

So I am sure many won't be shocked to hear this, but over the weekend, I had Levi mow a baseball field. We have this square, mostly flat, mostly rock free part of our land that was weeds last year, that was surrounded by fence posts (no fence though). As Levi was mowing the rest of the yard, I pointed it out and said "Why don't you mow that too." So he did and Johnson Field was born. We are currently using rocks as first, third and home, and the post leading to our septic tank is second base, but it works great because we have a fence for home runs and plenty of space to run and only a few holes to watch our for. But it is so awesome. We played a mini game as a family on Sunday and can't wait to have more people over for a bigger game--either that or we need to have more kids--NOT!! I will post pics as soon as I make it to the store to buy batteries! Anyway--we'd like to eventually put up a backstop--how cool would that be, and a true fence to go with the posts and fill in the holes and maybe get some real bases. The Septic Tank post will always be there, but we can definitely work around it. Oh yeah and watch out for the snakes!!

Levi is such a Liar--

So today the weather was sooooooooooo nice, we decided to spend the whole day outside working on the yard. We have a bunch of stuff to take to the dump so we began the day filling up the truck. We have about 6 acres (5.69 to be exact) so there is just mass garbage all over the place from the wind and previous tenants. As I was walking around picking up garbage I didn't really think about what could be under the garbage, until I came to a big cardboard box that had obviously been there for some time, and picked it up and there was a snake underneath. I didn't get a real good look at it since I dropped the box and ran faster than I have since my knee surgery, but that little glimpse of blackish, reddish, scaly skin is and will forever be burned into my brain. I know their good and helpful by eating the mice and stuff and they won't bug you if you leave them alone, but I still do not like snakes. Plus last summer Levi told me there were no snakes on our land, that they didn't like being in the openess--he is such a liar.
Anyway--when I told him what I had seen, he of course had to go check it out--such a boy--but when he got to the box, he was so cautious in picking it up, it was kind of funny. Anyway, by that time, the snake had long since gone. Oh well, it's better that way.

Hot Tub or Jungle Gym??

Well the hot tub finally thawed so we could get it cleaned out. It froze over the winter before we could drain it. Not sure if the thermostat went out, the heater went out, or if it just couldn't keep up with the ice cold north wind blowing directly on it. Needless to say it was 500 gallons of frozen solid ice for about 3 months. I'm not sure what damage, if any, was done, but we're going to take it apart tomorrow and see if any pipes are cracked. I know the seals and skirting need replacing, hopefully it's that simple and we can have it up and running soon. Mean while, the kids thought it would be fun to play in it. Here they are posing, and running around playing tag. Probably a little dangerous--but no more than jumping on the trampoline.