Duplos...one of our top toys!

One of the boys favorite toys are Duplo Legos. They love to build and create with them. (Thanks to cousin Grant for helping with the enthusiasm!)

The other favorite toys include: tools, cars, and play mobile.

They definitely have way too many toys....lots of variety. It's been fun to see the toys that get played with most often.

October 2009 Time with Daddy

Joe asked his Daddy if they could spend some time together coloring. (using Danny's new coloring book...but Danny didn't mind) I think they were at the table coloring for over an hour!

October 2009 Danny's turns 2!

I picked the theme for Danny's party this year...a TURTLE party because my little boy is growing up too fast! My mom used to tell us she was going to put a brick on our heads. Since I topped out at 5 ft 2 inches...I think she did. Anyway...I understand why she said that now.

Danny has been talking and singing songs and running as fast as he can to keep up with big brother. His motto is: If big brother can do it...so can I!

We did a little turtle craft.

so glad Spencer, Juliette, Emily, Jonathan, Toriana, and Gwydolyn could come help us celebrate!

September 2009 Cousin Time

Samantha and Alex came over for a morning. Ginny was off doing something or other. The kids had a blast.

Playing with Play-Doh

Eating Lunch

Putting on a Concert

October 2009 Semiahmoo Resort

Troy and Kent were up working a speech therapist convention and Troy called me and told me to pack up the boys and make the drive up....so....I did! So glad I did!

While Troy and Kent worked, the boys and I played....on the beach, in the sand, on the rocks, in the grass, in the pool, etc. A totally spectacular place! We want to go back!

September 2009 Making Music with Debbie

I didn't include a picture of Debbie in the post before this one...so I wanted to be sure to post this video.

Don't think I've ever heard the hymns played quite like this! Poor Debbie! Do you think she'll come back?

September 2009 Debbie P. and Heidi F. stay with us!

We are so lucky! Debbie P. called us up to see if they could stay with us for the wknd. We met them at the zoo in Seattle for a fun evening, complete with a ride on the carousel!

September 2009 Muddy Kids

We were soooo lucky. Troy's folks followed us back to spend some more time here in Washington. One of the mornings they stopped by, this is what they and I found in the back yard!

Sept 2009 Dinner at Diane's Market Kitchen

Ben and Sue invited a bunch of us to Diane's Market Kitchen. Ben supplied Salmon and we all learned how to put together some delicious fare!

Diane is a kick. Her website is: www.dianesmarketkitchen.com

You got to choose how much you would participate....watch or work!

A good time was had by all! Thanks tons Ben and Sue!

September 2009 York, NE

At the beginning of September, we left for York to catch convention there. Troy hadn't been there for I think 12 years. It was so much fun to see those we know and for me to meet people whom I had only heard stories about! Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera to the grounds so I have no pictures....but lots of good memories! We stayed at Troy's folks' house and "commuted" back and forth to convention. I had never done that before...it was like being at a five star resort! :) Besides the wonderful meetings and fellowship the memorable moments would include...forever losing Danny (ie he'd just take off and by sheer luck never thought of hiding in the corn rows), the kids playing with the baskets of trucks outside the meeting barn, Grandpa B. introducing Joe to NE mud (as if a kid needs to be introduced *grin), the rainy weather...lucky me...I didn't have to die from heat, and fresh tomatoes served just about every meal! Thank you Mom and Dad B. for inviting us over! We had a fabulous time!

August 2009 Grandpa Burgess' Birthday!

The kids took Grandpa B. golfing for his birthday.

When Grandpa tallied up the scores at the end...somehow he won! We had him take us to Subway to celebrate! :)

August 2009 Troy and his blankie!

Troy's folks came out for our annual church convention and brought some of Troy's childhood treasures to add to the trunk they'd given us. Here is a piece of Troy's blankie as a child. Isn't he cute?!

I have no such memorabilia *grin (actually...my parents have brought over tooooooo much!) My blankie was left up on Mt Rainier in the bathroom after an annual igloo sleepover trip when I was probably 5...in fact it was probably one of our first Igloo character building trips.

August 2009 Cutting down our Chum Tree

Some time in the morning I heard a big CRACK. But didn't think anything of it. However, with a look outside later I discovered our Cherry Plum tree had lost a big ol branch. Thus it was decided the whole thing must come down. Troy was lucky that he has a lot of help around here.

Summer 2009

Never wait til the last minute to get a pool! If there is any stint of warm weather here in the NW, all pools are sold out and you are stuck with an expensive palm tree one. *grin Oh well...the boys had a great time. (We don't bother with suits around here!)

July 2009 Michael + Katie = 4ever!

Somehow I do not have any pics on my computer of the lovely event....but it was just that...LOVELY! Beautiful bride and a handsome groom. I should mention here that later Joe said to us...

Joe: "Do you remember Uncle Gentry's wedding?" (uncle Gentry officiated)

Us: "yes"

Joe: "Do you remember the beautiful dresses?"

Us: "yes"

Joe: "The flower girl was bee-u-tee-ful!" (Emilia, Lee and Paula's girl was the flower girl!)

Ahhhh...the things to remember for when he is a teenager!

So I'm stealing some pics from Jill's blog...here's the flower girl!

and here is the happily married couple! :)

July 2009 It IS Rocket Science

Wish I could have gotten my camera going earlier! This was just a quick take before Joe helped out....it was quite funny. (just imagine this going on for a couple of minutes.)

July 2009 Working with Dad

Discovering why in the world our dining room is bumped up! Dad and boys tore up the carpet to see what it'll take to "some day" lower the floor. (The verdict....lazy plumbing...not a hard fix...but it'll have to wait til maybe next year.) Now to get new carpet! Hurray!

July 2009 My boys helping me out!

Our bumper crop of rhubarb!

You have not lived until you have tried Rhubarb Lemonade with blueberry skewers!

July 13th Troy and Beth's Anniversary!

We can hardly believe we are already celebrating 7 years! Time does fly when you are having fun! :)

We spent the day being tourists in Seattle. We did the "ducks" tour, explored EMP (Experience Music Project), walked along the water front and ate clam chowder at Ivar's etc.