Pool Safety

While we were in Washington Troy was home not only getting ready for Africa but also getting a gate up around the pool. I know this is not the best look for the yard but I love knowing that my kids are safe even if Malachi opens the door and sends Addi out.

When Malachi was little he never looked twice at the pool. He didn't care that it was there at all and in fact he was afraid of the water. So Troy didn't make this a priority on his never ending list. Addi though...she made him bump this up to priority when she started walking. She LOVES the pool and the water and is fearless. She walks right up the the edge and with no hesitation jumps in. So now we are all safe...including Mia who likes to swim more then all of us!

(This will also keep the top step that she likes to lay on clean!)

Grandpa's Ducks

We have made a point to visit my Grandpa's grave every time we go back home. This is something that is hard for me to do but also gives me an opportunity to tell Malachi stories about one of my favorite men. He has so many questions about Grandpa that it makes it a good time for both of us to remember him. But the kids favorite part is feeding "Grandpas' ducks". This time we took a Costco size box of Saltines and fed them 4 whole rolls. Then one of the guys who takes care of everything came up and gave Malachi a loaf of bread. This was so much fun for the kids. Even Addi had fun chasing the ducks and eating the crackers!

Are you ready for some FootBall!

We spent our last day in Yakima at Grandma Marklands house. The kids had so much fun. Malachi taught Addi where the toy closet was the first day we were there so she ran in and went straight for the toys so make sure they were there. Kai always goes right for the putters and practices his golfing skills. Grandma got to build towers for the kids to knock down and showed Addi that the animals fit in the holes on the Ark. But what was most entertaining and what we spent most of the day doing was playing football. Rylee bought Malachi a surprise...his very own football so it went to Grandmas' house with us. She was a good sport and chased that ball all over that huge yard. She finally got a little tired and sat down but still played catch till Malachi was bored of it. It was so nice to get to just be with her and the kids. We all had a wonderful time and day literally flew by. I couldn't believe it was already 3:30 and I had planned on leaving around 12 or 1 to get things done and say the rest of our good byes.

My other girl

This is my pride and joy. I love this girl so much. I wish I could steal her and bring her home. I tried this trip and was almost succesful but her parents kinda love her too so they said no. But I tried! She is crazy and hyper and loud and sweet and cute and just my favorite little thing up there. I can't wait to see her in December...

Malachi's Favorite part of Yakima.....

FISHING with Papa!

Malachi has loved going fishing with his Grandpa Mike since he could walk. He learned to hold a fishing pole before he could walk I think! As soon as he knows we are going up to visit my family this is all he can talk about. This trip he only got to go twice and only caught 1 fish. This wasn't as exciting as the last time he caught 62 fish but he still had a great time and came home tired and dirty. Anyone who knows my dad knows that fishing with him includes lots of junk food and soda...what kid wouldn't love that right. I remember that was the only reason I would go with him. What is so great about Malachi is that he really just loves fishing with my dad. He hasn't learned yet about the snacks....maybe I will teach that fishing trick someday but for now I will just enjoy watching them do something they both love together.

Day at the Lake

(My favorite picture of the trip!)

We went up to the lake with Steve, his family, my Dad, and Frances. It was soooo much fun! The kids were crazy enough to get in the water. Addi and Rylee just dove in. Malachi was a little more aware that is was cold water! They dug in the dirt and played together all day. My dad took his boat and Kai loved that. He would grab onto the seat and say "faster Papa Mike". As my Dad went faster he would have to hold on tighter to keep his little boo-tay in the seat. We had a picnic and just got to relax and enjoy the day. It was a little cold when we got there and even talked about just going home. But the sun broke through and it warmed up and turned out to be a gorgeous day.

Lions and Tigers and Bear Oh My

Troy and Bruce flew off to give the animals in Africa a reason to run. Troy has been excited for this hunting trip for about 3 years now so I am so glad that he is getting this opportunity. They are going on a 7 day safari and will travel for 2 days going there and coming home. It will be almost a month before we see each other so we are missing our family time terribly. I will give all the details and lots of pictures when they get back.

Super-Star Bowler

We learned while in Washington that Malachi is a rock star bowler...at least that he loves to go it anyways! Lindsay invited us to go bowling with her and some of her friends who she is on a bowling league with. Some of them were going to take their kids and we were going to have two lanes. One for adults and one for kids. But with one kid got in trouble and had to watch and another stayed home and the others didn't show up so Kai got to bowl with the adults and no bumpers! He did pretty good and got a lot of help from Lindsay and her friends. (I had to take pictures of course!) He really wanted to go back so just her and I and the kids went to night and had the bumpers this time. He bowled 3 games and still wants to go more. I think we have a league bowler on our hands....thankfully the shoes are awesome!

Flower Girl

I have always loved the gazebo in my Dad's front yard. I remember the weekend we put the bricks in and how it all looked freshly painted. It was pretty then when the roses grew up and started making a gorgeous back ground for the wooden bench. But now that that bricks are covered with moss and the paint is chipping off it is absolutely gorgeous. I love to use this spot to take pictures every time I go home. Addison also loved this bench and every time she went outside she made a run for it and would just sit there and watch what everyone else was doing. Frances gave her a rose one evening while she was sitting there and it was so cute to watch her take it apart and throw the petals. By the time Frances and her were done playing all the roses were off the bushes and on the ground. It was so worth it though watching my beautiful baby girl play and have so much fun on a spot that I wish was at my house.

I LOVE Washington

I love being back home. I love getting to have all the family time I can handle. I love watching Malachi play with his Papa Mike. I love being with my Grandparents. I love seeing my favorite niece. I love being in my house...the house I spent 18 years of my life growing up in. I love going to Craft Warehouse with my Grandma. I also love eating my favorite salsa with her! I love seeing all my girl friends that I have known forever. I love the weather. I love all the green grass and the "real" trees. I love the roads being in numbers i.e. 40th or 16th. I love the way the houses look. I love pitched roofs. I love Burger Ranch fry sause. I love the sunshine till 9:00pm. I love that my kids sleep in (but I don't love how late they stay up!). I just love being here.

Yakima Trip

I got online to check plane ticket prices and was able to get me and both kids round trip including a checked bag (that alone costs $40!) for 312 dollars so we jumped on the deal and had a week and a half to get ready for am almost 3 week trip back home! Malachi is always really excited to go home with me. Addi of course is to young to care about anything but being with me. So we cleaned the house, did several loads of laundry, found dog sitters and house sitters, rides to Phoenix and back, a hotel to stay in on the way back to Tucson, rides from Pasco to Yakima and got everything else we needed to get done taken care of. So on Sunday the 8th we got up and Troy drove us to Sky Harbor airport so we had time to get in and get our bag checked and get our seats assigned when they told us we were at the wrong airport! We needed to be at the Mesa-Phoenix airport that was a half an hour away! So we headed to the other airport and thankful for the internet and Mapquest on my cell phone we made it in time. It was nice because we didn't have a long wait till we boarded the plane. So we were off to meet my Dad in Pasco where he would take us back to Yakima until the 26th.

First Day of Preschool

Malachi started "real" preschool today. He has been so excited for this day ever since we signed him up. He hasn't been sleeping well and wouldn't eat this morning. So the big day finally came. He got his backpack ready and wanted to leave as soon as he woke up. We have a long morning until 9 o'clock came. Like most boys he wouldn't let me take pictures so this part was work.

My heart sank as I drove away from Becca's house. It seems so official and old not doing the co-op. We tried that last year and he didn't like it at all. He defiantly needs routine so this will work much better. We know Becca from church and she was in the co-op with us last year. Her house was the only house he didn't complain about going to. I hope he has fun and learns something!

The NEVER ending list

Today was the last movie of the kids summer movies at the movie theater. It wasn't a good one and we walked out before it was over (Muffetts in Space or something?...really bad!). Then off to do some shopping before coming home and cleaning kids rooms from top to bottom. We went through clothes...my kids need to stop growing! We went through toys...which is really hard when they are watching! We cleaned floors and furniture and washed beds and even scrubbed ceiling fans. We got a lot done, so for our hard work we needed a trip to get some ice-cream. Since their rooms are clean that means the rest of my house took a hit so tomorrow we need to get all that cleaned up but for today we are done.

Malachi starts his first day of "real" pre-school tomorrow. We did a co-op last year and he didn't like it at all. So this year we are going to go to the same house with the same teacher and the same routine everyday. We are all excited about this. Malachi is so excited he can't wait. He has been asking everyday if he can go to school. We are going to start out with two days a week and see how that goes. We might consider going three days if he wants too. I will miss my boy but he will be in good hands with Becca. She is amazing and will make it so much fun for him. I can't wait to hear what he learns. Addi and I will get some good girl only time in too while he is there...who knows what trouble we will get into!

Sweet dreams....