My Little Sister's Wedding

I snagged this photo from the photographer's website: http://clanegesselphotography.blogspot.com/

Kayce is so beautiful. The photo reminds me of the front of an album cover.

They met the first day of their freshmen year in college. He majored in physics and she majored in business. They graduated a year ago and have been working toward their teaching credentials. He loves ultimate frisbee. She loves coffee and shopping. They both love cooking together, kids, the great outdoors, and the YMCA.

Last weekend they tied the knot. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception filled with tears of joy and laughter. We all wish them the best as they begin their new life together as husband and wife.

I love this photo.

The bridesmaid dresses were unique.

They could be tied ten different ways depending on one's body-type, mood, or style.

My dad bravely walked his youngest daughter down the aisle.

Husband and wife!


I love this idea! They had a photo booth at the reception for the guests. A book was nearby for the photos to be glued into and a message to be written along with it.First dance

Father-daughter dance

My beautiful cousins

Gram with her newest great-grand baby, Eveyn.

Dad and his girls

Another father-daughter dance

My grandparents will be celebrating their 60th anniversary in October. They've done a good job of paving the way for the rest of us.

My brother, Kris with his wife and their youngest daughter.

I wish I had recorded the entire song, but unfortunately I only got the last bit. Kayce's friend and maid of honor, Katie, wrote the lyrics for the bride and groom and sang the song as her toast to them.

Happy 3rd Birthday Karsten!

My precious nephew turned three recently and we gathered at his home last weekend to celebrate. He had a garbage truck themed party- perfect for a preschooler!

The children were glad for a place to cool down from the heat. They had fun playing in the shark pool that my mom blew up with her lungs alone. It took a while, but the children were thankful.

Karsty was thrilled with the tool box his parents gave him.

Big boy. Proud parents.

Happy Independence Day!

We had a mellow 4th of July around here. I like mellow these days. Ken worked the day shift (great for the 4th of July) so I took the children to church and surprised them with a visit to a local park afterward. The weather was overcast, so swimming was a cold adventure for my boys.

Kennedy tried juggling at one of the booths. I was impressed that she picked it up so easily.

Jack and Harrison raced up and down the hills during the xylophone concert.

We returned home for Mikey's nap. Kiki put the finishing touches on our patriotic treat.
The results of our 1st annual Independence Day Coloring Contest. The winners received Tic Tacs for their prizes.

From our front porch, the children watched the fireworks show in the eastern sky.

Jackson's Half Birthday

For those of you who are counting, we are half way to Christmas. I know because two of my sons celebrate birthdays on both sides of the holiday. Michael's birthday is the day before Christmas Eve and Jackson's is the day after Christmas. Jack's half B-D happened to fall on the same day as the Rock N Roll Half Marathon, but that didn't keep us from celebrating.

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After we arrived home, I took the children to the library, only to find out that a festival was taking place right across the street. The children and I had fun visiting the booths, listening to music, and making tiny origami baskets. Sorry, no photos.

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When we arrived home, my super-fun husband jumped in the car and we went on a geo-caching adventure. Our new GPS had arrived in the mail and he was ready to use it. We plugged in the coordinates for a local geo cache and off we went to find our bootie. Unfortunately, we marched along in the sun, looking under bushes, behind trees, around fire hydrants, but did not find the geo cache. This was our second unsuccessful attempt at this new (for us) activity. We tried on Father's Day with the GPS we gave Dad, but in the pouring rain, we were not able to find that cache either.

We were disappointed but not discouraged. Now we are even more determined to find the geo-cache on our next attempt.

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We arrived home and celebrated our precious Jack with his choice of ice cream cones with sprinkles. At least we didn't have to go searching for those!

Eleven Months Old!

McKinley turned 11 months old on the 20th. I keep wondering where the last year went. I remember waiting in slow motion for her to be born. But then once she arrived, someone pushed the fast-forward button. And somehow we ended up here at eleven months. I wish I could set life on pause for a while and just enjoy her as she is at this fun stage of life. Ten months was a busy time for our little McNugget. You may recall that on the first day of her 10th month, Mickey learned to crawl. And since then, she has accomplished so much more.

• waving


• pointing
  
• clapping
  
• playing peek-a-boo


• getting around in a baby walker
  
• pulling herself up in her crib and elsewhere
  
• sitting in the front seat of a grocery cart
  

She continues to be a wonderfully mild-mannered baby with a gigantic toothless grin. We are wondering if month eleven will bring a tooth or two.

We decided to get her started on some real "solids," regardless. She has enjoyed eating toast, banana chunks, and "Mick-a-roni" and cheese.

These show another first; McKinley's first time playing out on the grass. I love the final photo as she looks up to Daddy for reassurance while she leans on his strong frame. Precious moments, indeed.

Priceless

Yesterday was one of my favorite days. Ever. I ran the 2010 Seattle Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon with my dad and did we ever ROCK it. Our goal was a ten minute mile with a finishing time of 2:10. Instead, we finished at 2:03 with a 9.25 min. mile. Yep, we are basically ROCK STARS!

Ken caught up with us around mile 3 and 7 as well as at the finish line. Here we are passing through Seward Park.

Just crossed the finish line.

My little sister, Kayce, made this sign for us. She stopped by the finish line to root us on before heading off to pick up her wedding dress with a couple of her bridesmaids.
Love the bling!
My dad raised money for the National Cancer Society for his spot in the race. We both ran in honor of my great aunt who has been diagnosed with cancer. The red ribbons bear her name.

My cousin, Kelly ROCKED the race, too. We are a lot alike. After a lifetime of being a non-athlete, she decided in her adult life to make a healthy lifestyle, including healthy eating and fitness, a priority. For me it didn't happen until I entered my 30's. Kelly made the change in her 20's. She has gone down four sizes since her lifestyle change. I am so proud of her!

Who gives us our strength? That's right, the Lord God Almighty.
We had some fantastic support along the race route and at the finish line. Here Kelly is with her siblings at the finish line. They made the signs for us.

My sister and Gram were there to cheer us on, too! Angie has been one of my biggest supporters in all my events. She is a ROCK STAR in my book ,too!What would I do without my wonderful hubby to support me?
Three proud athletes. One great time!

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My Facebook status Saturday night:

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Registration Fee: $75.00

Rock N Roll T-shirt: $30.00 (thanks, Dad!)

Blister resistant socks: $12.00

Babysitter: $75.00

Crossing the finish line with my dad:

PRICELESS!