Memorial Day Wknd 2009

For the past couple a years we have joined the Sean and Carol Y. family, and the Bryan and Porsche A. family for a memorial camp out!

This year was no exception....they won't take no for an answer!

This is actually the last picture of our fun time...but it shows the whole group minus Sean's brother Aaron and his wife Danny and two cute kiddos.

I would suggest that you not scratch and sniff...as I'm sure (totally positive) this picture is VERY ripe!

Please Lean AWAY from the picture!!!

It's time... (May 2009)

It was time to put the trampoline back together!

So much help!

Hurray!

"Jump! Jump!"

"Mommy, I need two marshmallows!"

"Now, I have earplugs for mowing the lawn just like Daddy!"

This was not what I expected! :)

Love and Logic Seminar 2009

Troy and I believe in Love and Logic techniques/philosophy in raising responsible kids. Dayla talked me into taking a 5 week love and logic course with her...it was fabulous! We learned so much, we thought it would be fun to have our husbands take a course. Thus the 3 hour seminar came into being. Liann Smith was our Fabulous instructor! This of course snowballed into...let's invite others to join in on the fun. then....let's make getting a babysitter easier...all the kids can go to Troy and Beth's house and all the parents can go take the seminar at Brent and Dayla's cabana...and so....

At Troy and my house was:

19 kids under age 5

+

Babysitters: Deanna, Kyleah, Victoria, and Lisa

+

2 crazy "adults": Doreen and Reid

=

a totally wild time!

(our house was still standing when we got back....my guess the only real chaos was getting those parents out of there!)

Everyone had a great time. The adults learned some great techniques and got some time away from their kids. Doreen and Reid will probably wait a little longer to have their own kids. The babysitters most likely slept in the next morning. The kids had a great time! *grin

I didn't get any good pics...but if you check Brent and Dayla's blog...she probably did. The video below is just a sampling of the chaos. :)

Rampathon May 2009

Shirey Handyman Service volunteered another year for Master Builder's Rampathon. This year the ramp they were assigned was a small one, so Troy invited Joe and Danny to come and help build! The boys arrived with their toolbelts on! They were soooo excited! They pounded nails, used shovels, got in the way, ate pizza, and were totally cute!

The two cutest handyboys there!

Danny did quite a bit of shoveling.

ummm...did I mention they also used saws?

Danny with Daddy....what a helper!

Danny heads to the van to get out another tool!

"Mommy, Stop that! I'm workin'," says Joe.

Here's the full crew with the gentleman for whom the ramp was being built (did I say that right?) They were having picture time with the master builder's photographer!

How we spent Mother's Day!

We are sooooo luck to have good friends in Pullman! Mandy (and Scott) invited us over for the wknd so we could see Leon W. They planned out the entire wknd....all we had to do was show up!

Here they are with their handsome boys...Tyrel and Justin. Our boys just loved spending time with them!

Here's we are with Leon. Troy went to meeting in Leon and Inga's home when he was a little boy in Waverly, Iowa. (I wasn't even born yet.) Then I went to meeting with Leon and Inga when I was in College at WSU. Leon isn't getting any younger but he seems to be doing great. We were glad for the extra time we got with him.

Mandy also arranged for Jared, Margaret, and Brandon and Laurel to come for dinner! It has been waaaaay to long since I've seen them. Ken and Tanya were also there but somehow, they skipped out on all the pics. Shame on them!

After meeting on Sunday, Tanya had us stay for a lovely lunch which included Danny locking himself in one of ther guest rooms. Lots of excitement!

Jeremiah...who I hadn't seen since Bonners Ferry Convention...ummmmm...lets say 12 years ago is now in Pullman with his lovely wife Becky. Danny latched on to him right after he started playing. :)

Here's Jeremiah with Becky! So fun to meet her and see Jeremiah again.

I should also mention that Scott made breakfast Sunday morning! I think we'll have to make it tradition to go over there every mother's day! *grn

Who knew that we had one of these!

I was just gone for a minute...

And everyone wonders why I haven't been blogging....this is what happens!!!

Cousins

Danny just loves Victoria...how could he not...she shares her Mp3 player.

The Tradition continues... (May 1st)

All I can remember is loudness, lots of food, and absolute chaos.

Happy Birthday Dad....Let's do it again next year!!!

Go Mariners!

Our boys were sick...so Grant lucked out and got to come with us to the game! He said he'd already eaten before he came...but we stuffed him full of food additives, preservatives, dyes etc. YUMMY! (sorry Elaine...but that's part of going to a ball game!) Thanks for babysittin' mom and dad. Thanks Jill Z. for including us in Seattle fun.

Choo Choo! (April)

Joe kept singing, "the gospel trains a comin'...there's room for many on board!"

Getting my hair done!

Shoulda takin' an "after" pic. :) It was very serious business. All those clips take lots of concentration. Danny found the clips and Joe attempted to put them in.

Bugs...fascinating creatures, aren't they?!

April Fools!

My favorite Holiday!

This year we invited our meeting for a potluck lunch. (Gail C. talked me into it!)

Many joined in on the spirit of the holiday!

Part of the menu:

Ice Cream Sundae's

Vanilla ice cream-Mashed Potatoes

Chocolate ice cream-sloppy Joes

carmel sauce-gravy

cherries-cherry tomatoes

sprinkles-pepper

Whip cream-sour cream

Potato chips- Surprise...fresh veggies

Guacamole & chips-mockamole(made with peas)

Kitty Litter-an actually yummy dessert w/tootsie roll...)

Drinks:

Juice cups w/straws-Jello

Orange Juice-apple juice

Apple Juice-Ginger Ale

Milk-Water

Hmmmmmm....what will I make/do next year? :)

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Joe (March)

Meet Bob! Can he fix it? Yes, he can!

Quick snippet from when Chet & family were here!

Notice the bare buns! They were each others best encouragement to use the potty...one right after the other!

Brothers! (March)

Chet and Zane come to visit! -Will & Shelley too (March)

We were thrilled when we received a call from Shelley (Troy's cousin) that she and her family would be in town. We begged them to stay with us!! Joe and Chet were inseparable! They got along famously....the only little "argument" they had was when they were both exhausted and up late and even that was nothing. Danny was fascinated with Zane and Zane was probably a little overwhelmed *grin Some how Danny missed being in my pics...but he most definitely was there! Come again!

"Mommy! Pull us!" (March)

Aquarium Visit (February)

Grandpa and Grandma W. took Joe and Danny to the aquarium as part of Joe's birthday present! The kids were thrilled!

Scott P. came along.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma! Joe talked about his trip for weeks!