My New Ride

* I wish I could figure out how to place the photos in the order that I want....Oh well.

Lots of room for everyone.


Kaden is a good car-sleeper



Kyle reading in his new seat....surrounded by all of our "Stuff"
We took a trip to Ocean Shores in our new van. It held everything! Amazingly enough!


Kaden is trying out the power steering



There it is! A beauty!




I am officially a Mini-van Mom!
And proud of it!
We got a 2006 Kia Sedona.
It is gold....so we are calling to "the Dawg van" -- since Troy is such a HUGE Husky fan. We are still looking for purple UW stickers to put on the windows
We got the van in Wenatchee when we were on vacation in Leavenworth.
Troy put HOURS of research into the purchase of our minivan. I am so thankful to have a husband that does all that stuff for me! We are pleased with our decision and are really enjoying the space it provides for our family.

Summer!

Summer is in full-swing around here. And we are loving every minute of it!
Troy has been teaching summer school but it is really not that bad. He leaves the house around 7am and gets home around noon-ish. So we have all afternoon to hang out as a family and enjoy the summer! Plus...he only has 1 more week and then has all of August off!
We have been busy! Here are some photos of what we have been up to lately!

We have organic produce delivered every other Thursday from Klesick Family Farm. It is so fun to see what we get and make yummy food from the plentiful bounty


Kaden LOVES water. He is a splashing fool! We put the "kiddie" pool up in our backyard almost every day for the boys to play in


The "summer deck" Troy built this deck 3 years ago and we are really enjoying it. I love the pots that I made in the spring. Troy power washed and stained the deck a few weeks ago and it looks brand new!


Troy and Kyle brought these home for me to enjoy (Kyle's favorite color--pink)


Troy doing what he loves....spraying the shore line
He is SO CUTE when he water skis


We went to Biringer farm and picked 17 pounds of strawberries and almost as many raspberries. We made 43 jars of jam....and still have MORE to make! That should last us through December...maybe


Kaden playing in the rocks at Lake Cavanaugh


Kaden riding "a big boy truck" on the beach


Kyle enjoyed being the "flagger" when daddy was water skiing....but daddy never fell in so he did not have a job to do


Kaden floating in his flotilla


Kyle is really into "combat play" So squirt guns are right up his alley


purple lips....time to snuggle in a towel

Welcome Home Sarah!

After 10 months of living overseas in Thailand....my long-lost travelling sister is finally home!
We missed her so much!
Sarah, we are so proud of you! What an amazing journey you have been on.
It was hard for us to have you gone for that long...especially through holidays and Kaden's birth.
What a joy it was to see you hold Kaden for the first time.
Kyle missed you alot and always pretended to go to the airport to fly to Thailand.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us through your blog, Skype, e-mail, photos, and occasional phone calls.
We love you very much and we are SO HAPPY that you are HOME!


Sarah and her sign and flowers


Sarah meeting Kaden for the first time (Kaden screamed because it was overwhelming)



Kyle fell asleep and held on to Sarah's flowers


Then we made him hold the sign...too funny!


Me and my boys anxiously waiting for Sarah to come up the stairs at the airport


Kaden gave Sarah a "Welcome" balloon....but he chewed it all up before she arrived


The balloon and flowers (all pretty) before the kids got their hands on them


Red, White, and Blue "Welcome Home" cake

more photos

Here are some more photos from our family vacation!

The view from our hotel room at Ocean Shores!


Kyle found a fort on the beach



us.


a morning walk on the beach! (with coffee)





a mama deer and 2 babies right outside our room!






Kyle at the arcade riding the motorcycle



giddy-up!


Caution: Will Eat Sand! (and like it)

Family Time

Troy had a week off before he starts teaching summer school so we went on a family vacation (just the 4 of us) to Leavenworth and Ocean Shores.
It was a great time!

Kyle and Kaden playing on the beach: in winter hats! It was cold but they still had a fun time!




Our little beach baby!



Playing at the park in Olympia-to break up the long drive




Kyle riding in our "new" minivan! We sure filled it up fast!


Kaden driving the minivan!


Kyle riding the Leavenworth Trolly


Brothers sharing ice cream in Leavenworth

Hiking in Leavenworth

Kaden's first hike in the backpack

Kyle sleeping in the hotel