Growing up in Lewiston = a love of rodeos

I always wanted to be a rodeo princess when I grew up (I think teaching is pretty close to that!), so I was thrilled when I got to go with Bernie and the Schuerman crew to the Spokane fair & rodeo last night, and we had a blast! It was the kids' (and Kelli's) first rodeo and I think it was a success. Rece, who IS a cowboy (hence the outfit and recent cowboy birthday party), told me that he "will do what the cowboys do, but with two hands cause he's 4".

The rodeo was a great way to end a fun and full, first week of first grade!

It's over already :(

I really don't know why summer has to end...

but at least we did some fun stuff and took pictures to remember it by when there is ice covering all of Spokane:

Some people played so hard they fell asleep while they were eating lunch! We golfed (yes, WE).

We conquered Silverwood.

We enjoyed Jason & Anna's wedding.

We played Bananagrams.

We spent time in Leavenworth & Chelan with Keith's family, and even got to see The Sound of Music, it was amazing (and cold).

I got a surprise visit from Jenna! And we played.

I saw Kenny Chesney with my friend Ali, "who makes things happen!"

And we went to LA with some of my college roommates and their husbands...

We also finished some yard projects, didn't finish some home projects, and read several books.

It was a good summer.

I already can't wait for next summer!

Oh my!

We had a bazillion viruses and junk on our computer, but we didn't know it! YIKES! Luckily we have a friend who is a GENIUS, and fixed it for us (he easily spent 15+ hours working everything out! THANKS Eric!). After killing all the yuckies he ended up having to reformat our computer and now it works better than it did when we first had it (we just aren't sure of all that we might have lost yet). Therefore we have been computerless for over a week. At first it was nice, you know, we actually had couple time without a screen in front of one of our faces! But then we started having withdrawals---this is definitely an addiction :) Needless to say we are back into our computer routines and securing all our passwords and not downloading anything without triple checking it's validity (and probably calling Eric every other day for a while!). Now we are just hoping all our pictures are safe online, and that our music can be recovered somehow---fingers crossed (anyone know if there is a way to get music from an iPod back on to a computer???). We are on vacation now and will have new pictures to add soon.

Bumpits & Bows

It's no secret that I love infomercials. It doesn't matter what they are selling, I'm totally hooked and, of course, NEED the product. Keith worries leaving me home alone with the TV because he may return to find I'm purchased some amazing juicer, or exercise machine that promises to trim and slim in just minutes a day! Ever since I saw the "Bump-it" I've been dying to have one. I was a skeptic, especially after I saw Jenna Fisher (from the office) on the Ellen show trying it out---it wasn't looking like it really did the job. However, this did not dampen my spirits, and when Marissa and I heard they made it to Walgreens we went on an unsuccessful hunt all over Spokane for the "Bump-it". Fortunately they were in stock over in Longview and Marissa bought us both a set!!! I need some practice still on how to perfect the art of "Bump-it" but Marissa will guide me--her hair is always stylish! In addition to this new hair accessory, my friend Leah made me the cutest stinkin' headbands for my birthday!!! Leah I love them, they fit perfectly and really complete the look. Here Marissa and I are modeling for you.

Newest addition to our life

Our friends, Cary and Adam, have gone and done it again, and made an absolutely adorable baby boy!!!! We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Aiden Gregory Strate---is he not sooooo cute???

Born July 7th, weighing in at a whopping 9lbs 15oz and 21.5 in. long! That's a lot of baby! Cary you are a CHAMP! We love you, and are so happy for your new little guy :)

Summer so far...

My flowers are in full bloom in our back yard right now---I love spending time with them! Our mischievous Aslan was found high above us in search of food (he's not really happy about the diet we put him on!)

Celebrated the Ross family summer birthdays up at Deer lake then went back up a few days later for the 4th of July with the van Anrooy crew. I made "Cake Pops" without the "pop" part for both events and they were a HIT! This is a picture of the patriotic cupcakes I made before they melted in the car :(

And of course we did Hoopfest (we meaning Keith played and I watched)

Mom Williams comes to town!

She had to come visit her Grandkitties!!!

Here they are enjoying their new sleeping perch behind our couch :)

And she wanted to see Marissa too!

Girls night out at TWIGGS!!!

I was so grateful to have her help me in the yard! It's beautiful mom, I couldn't have done it without you! Thanks for coming to visit :) We love you!!!

Gondola Ride

As Spokane "Natives" the Spokane Falls Gondola ride is something we haven't ever experienced...until today!

Before take off

Still pretty full after all that darn snow!

Monroe St. Bridge

Keith and Mom
We made it back safe and sound from our short little trip over the falls.

Toe DRAMA!

A little over a month ago we got some new carpet, which meant we had to basically pack up like we were moving, and then we had to move it all back again! I had the genious idea that we should be a "no shoes" house with the new carpet and quickly took my shoes off mid furniture moving. BIG MISTAKE!!!! I was walking backward, then I stopped, but unfortunately the dresser didn't, and off came my toenail :( I dropped to the floor in PAIN as Keith ran to get a towel so the blood wouldn't get on the new carpet. Anyway, it didn't actually come all the way off and I've been waiting for it to fall off or reattach or something!!! I've already had one infection in it and I'm really hoping to avoid that from happening again! Recently it decided to start growing UP and therefore it was time to trim is down (again). I'm so sad that I can't get a cute summer pedicure, and that there is a chance I never will have a cute toenail ever again. Sad day :( But hey...now that it's short I can wear tennis shoes again maybe I'll start my summer workout plan!

Here it is waving hello to my blog readers :)

Leah and the kids make a quick visit

Maddy is movin' and groovin' all over the place--we quickly realized our house is NOT baby proof! Thanks for helping us clean up Maddy :)

Grandpa came to pick them up but not before a trip to River Front Park! Nothing like a little ferris wheel ride in the rain!

Maddy is a dancing queen!

Schuerman Kids are Cute!

Alli and Jeter after Alli's dance recital

Baseball trip to Lewiston

Rece is an important part of this umpire/coach meeting!

I introduced the kids to Sharps Burger Ranch and the really cool horse saddles!

Back in Spokane at Jeter's baseball game



Rece is helping Keith and Alex move our couch down to the basement. He "helped" the entire way!!!
Quincy turned ONE!!!