First Day of School for MacKenzie!

Picture of MacKenzie's first day of Kindergarten.

Smith Family Camp-out @ Potholes St. Park

We spent August 21-23 at Potholes State Park with almost the entire WA. Smith clan. We had a great time visiting, playing, and of course eating way too much delicious food.

Uncle Danny brought his Ruckus, which everyone had a turn riding. Here's Kyle taking Logan for a spin.

Even Grama Pam took a turn.

Quick Pic before we headed down to the beach....

Err. Mudhole.

The kiddos had a blast playing in the mud and sand.Tia and Brenna striking a pose at the beach.

Tia and Joe.

Mom and Dad

Lounging on the lake.

Logan waving hi from the tube,

the family on the beach.

James and Cooper on the jet ski.

Tim, Mason and Aubrey.

lounging at the park.

We had a great time and look forward to next summer. Hopefully everyone will be able to go.

Biker Boys!

James has been looking for a new motorcycle. He thought this one was really nice. So did the boys. It was too nice. $$$$ But at least they had fun "looking" at it.

Another Lake Day!

Went to Lake Tapps again today with Grama Pam, Grampa Dave, MacKenzie, and Cole.

Boys night out.

Every Thurday night James and I take the boys up to Grampa Jim and Grama Nina's house for dinner. However, with temperatures soaring into the 110's, and their power being out, we had the rare privilage of dining out with them. The air conditioner felt nice after spending the day at the lake, and the boys were very well behaved.

Afterwards we went to the mall and let the kids play on the train while we kept cool. I grabbed this shot of LJ and Grampa Jim as we were leaving.

Mommy's in Montana.

The title refers to what I heard on the phone every time I called.
Swan Lake, Mt., A.k.a. Heaven.

If I wasn't in the lake, I was reading. Pretty much this is ALL I did for 4 days. Oh yeah
AND I SLEPT IN!

My Grandparents. I love them oodles and oodles.

Lake Day with Grama Pam!

Today was spent at Lake Tapps with Grama Pam. Beautiful Day, lots of fun.

Cooper was Grama's little engine and would kick her around the lake. Both of the boys loved playing in the water and it was fun for me, playing with them.

Had to add this picture. Just because you can't see LJ, but he's there.

Camping trip #2

This was our first trip camping in the mountains with the boys. We learned many things on this trip.

1-Check the weather.
We did that. However, mountains have a funny way of starting out calm and clear.

2- The boys will have to wait until they are 12 to go hunting with Dad. He says they talk too much and walk to loud. All this was determined while exploring and looking for wildlife.

3-It's always good to adapt a new plan of action when it turns stormy and windy and cold. We stayed 1 night.

4- Always bring the heater, even if the weather report says Sunny and dry.

We had a great time. Short and Sweet.

Watch out for the Budgies!

Our zoo added a new exhibit last May, The Budgies. Cute little Austrailian Birds, that for just $1 a stick you can feed them.

The boys LOVED THIS! I thought it was alot of fun as well.

Logan was concentrating very hard to stay still for the Budgie.

Doesn't it look like he's holding it?

Cooper was cautious, at first. Once I showed him what to do he stayed real still and at one point he had 2 budgies on his stick.

Jocelyn wasn't quite sure about all the birds flapping around her, but after awhile she too had a great time.

I'm glad to have a favorite exhibit at the Point Defiance Zoo again, but I still miss the
Beluga whales.

4th of July!

As part of our 4th of July we try to attend the City of Auburn's 4th of July celebration at Les Gove Park. The boys seem to have a great time with all the inflatable toys they bring in, but always look forward to 2 things.

The pony rides and the train rides.

I always like to watch the kids parade and look for our friends. Maybe one year we'll get in the fun.

Later that evening we went to the Smith's house and watched the older boys light fireworks. This year Logan was really aware of the bangs and whistles. And was concerned about the smoke and fire.

Of course we had no need to fear as Fireman Cooper was here to save the day.

Cooper enjoyed the Roman Candles this year. Since he's now a "Big Boy" he got to help a little.

It was a real fun day and we're glad that we had good friends to spend it with.

Happy Birthday America.