Last few weeks of sweet summer

This picture was not taken at the end of summer, but I couldn't remember if I'd put it on the blog yet...and it's one of my favorite pictures from this summer! Rece is hilarious!

AJ and I are supporting Keith in his golf tournament

Here AJ is learning the fine art of golf---his Dad, Uncle, and Grandpa must be SOOO proud! Not to mention Keith :)

Marissa was in her 1 millionth wedding this summer---she is one HOT bridesmaid, and SO good at her job. Riss I think you are a superstar and such an amazing friend. I'm happy we got to come and play with you at Amy's wedding! You are so beautiful.

I swear I dress nice for weddings! It was just so freaking cold I had to put on my jean jacket OKAY! Keith and I were so lucky to get to go back to Camp Spalding for a few days this summer, while my dad was the speaker at Family Camp. The bonus to spending lots quality time with my parents and getting to be in my favorite place on earth...was getting to see some of my favorite Lewiston friends and families. Kelly was my youth group leader from my high school days...but now she is my friend and I loved seeing her and getting to know her sweet kids. We also enjoyed staying up late and playing cards and laughing at crazy poop stories!!! I would have taken more pictures but my camera battery died. Maybe if I get some from other people I'll put them up. Like the ones from "Water Wars" where they had giant floating blocks covered in duct tape and the moms and dads had to run across them---believe me it was hilarous! Have you ever seen the show Wipe Out? As if we didn't get to see enough white stuff this year---we had some MAJOR rain and hail storms this august! Here you see the unmelted hail looking very much like SNOW. Please...I'm NOT ready for winter again! I think it was this same day that Ingrid and I went on a run. We thought we had missed the craziness but apprently not because on the way from my house to hers we got caught in the storm. We are talking like can't even see because the rain is so hard, getting splashed by cars driving by, 10 pound wet shoes sloshing, pants barely hanging on due to the weight of the water, sort of rain! The people in their cars were giving us the "who are these idots" look.

Keith's Mom's annual trip to Stoneridge now includes a day at Silverwood. I've convinced the kids that the Tilt-a-Whirl is the ultimate ride! Truth be told I sorta really think it is. I mean the Aftershook is cool, but nothing compares to the thrill of a good Tilt-a-Whirl ride! We couldn't get enough.

A sun bathing BEAUTY! Alli was in her own little world here warming up in the sun and singing to herself---isn't she so cute?
Bolder Beach has a great toddler water park and all three kids just love it---Rece was so fun to watch running through all the water!

What I tell you???This is sorta how Rece looks during the whole ride, but he swears he loves it!My Hero.

So I know for sure that Keith will be a good dad because the other night we got home after a really long day to find Aslan about 50+ feet up in our neighbors tree. According to our neighbor he'd been in the tree for at LEAST 6 hours, but potentially could have been like 12!!! Keith, not a big fan of heights, climbed right up...but we didn't think we could get the poor cat down, who has a hoarse meow at this point (and don't call the firemen like you see in movies or in books cause they just laugh at you). After over an hour of debating the best option, Keith, being a genious, got a backpack on and climbed the rest of the way up, while his mom, our neighbor, and I held flashlights on his butt, praying he wouldn't fall out and break his arm, or head, or entire body. Aslan started purring the second Keith was in reach---they have a special bond. He dove into the backpack and Keith zipped him up and climbed back down. What a great rescue!

Last but not least....I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!

I am teaching 2nd graders this year and I already love them! This is my favorite picture Keith took of my room after we all spent every waking hour of our Labor Day weekend getting ready. I've survived the first week and I'm really looking forward to the year!

Camping in Mt. Rainer

About a week ago we went on our annual camping adventure with the van Anrooys and Strates---it was fabulous as always! A beautiful setting, great weather, yummy food, and some pretty awesome company as well :) Here are a few of the pics I got before my camera died---perhaps there will be a part two if I get some other greats pics sent via email---hint hint hint!

This is the view from our camp site! Great pick guys! If it weren't glacial water we may have spent more time here, but a few refreshing splashes was about all we could take. Who needs to shower on a 5 day camping trip? Not us!

Silver Falls was our first hike (or fun walk really)

Mt. Rainer---and we actually saw (through binoculars) people hiking really close to the top!!!

Hike #2 (the one I pooped out on---read my tag) a little longer, colder, brighter(sun reflecting on snow--ouch!), wetter, and way more difficult. Keith and I turned around at this point and spent a lovely time at the visitors center. Our much tougher friends made the trek and said it was incredible.

I almost read my whole book!! I might have even finished if I was harassed so much---come on guys reading is cool---socializing round the campfire is totally overrated! (don't worry mom, my eyes are fine, I had a reading light hooked on the book!)

Tagging is spreading like wildfire!!

I knew it was bound to happen as I've watched so many get tagged in recent days...we were just "tagged" by the Naslands---thanks Karissa and Jeff (and Maddie)!

Here are the rules to the tag:
(1) Link back to the person who tagged you
(2) Post these rules on your blog
(3) Share 6 things about yourself
(4) Tag people at the end of your blog


And here we go:

1) I can't get enough TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack---I can't even bring myself to purchase clothes that are actual retail price in normal stores. I like to convince myself (and Keith) that it's okay to shop as much as I do because I always get "such a great deal" :) --hence our new strict shopping budget.

2) I really desire to be a tough outdoorsy girl ---I even got Chaco sandals for my birthday and we have a ridiculous amount of camping/backpacking stuff...truth be told I am just not that cool. Just ask the van Anrooys and Strates about my amazing hiking at Mt. Rainer! HA!

3) I wish I was as organized in reality as I am in my mind---if my great ideas could be implemented and sustained I would have a tidy house and so much more time in each day!

4) One of my favorite tv shows is John and Kate Plus 8 (I like to watch the marathon days and get all caught up at once). Second only to So You Think You Can Dance--- which I look forward to all year! You guys, seriously, it's THE BEST---man I wish I was a dancer!!!

5) Dusting is my least favorite chore. Someday I hope to have enough money to have my house cleaned for me (I wish!) ...just thinking about cleaning it makes me feel a little angry inside (maybe I'm just lazy---I don't know)

6) I try to complete one Sudoku puzzle a day.

Tag you're it: Leah Hoogland and Katie Boggs

Vegas Baby!

Keith and I just returned from our big summer vacation to Las Vegas!!! Thanks to two timeshare meetings much of our trip was paid for which always makes for an enjoyable time (fyi if you ever have a timeshare meeting don't tell the lady who gives you the free stuff that that is the only reason you are there---makes her a little angry). Even though we didn't "win big" :( we still had a great trip! We stayed at the Sahara which is pretty far from the main strip area so we did ALOT of walking and man it was HOT! Average temps in the low 100's although it was "cool" for this season being that it had rained before we got there, once during our stay and was mostly overcast. The last day was the only full day of sun which was perfect because we had seen all the sights and spent all our money so it was a great "read by the pool" sort of day. Here are a few of the pictures from our adventure.

city of sin...here is a strip club (one of many)... I had no idea (to Keith's embarrassment) as I was taking a picture of this fun cowgirl on Fremont street.

France and Italy all in one shot!

Of course we played our fair share of slot machines (but Keith mostly stuck with the poker tables and I totally got hooked on keno)

Fake Trevi fountain

I loved Caesar's Palace best because it reminded me of Rome!

Absolutely EVERYTHING has sparkling lights in Vegas!

Secretly Keith wishes he was a street performer---he could watch them all day and be completely happy. Here he is after watching this man make spray paint art (he actually wanted to buy one but they didn't have any golf scenes).

My favorite part of the trip was the free water shows in front of the Bellagio! I would be completely happy just watching them all day :) Water is so dramatic, especially put to music! (I just added a link to my side bar that has a video tour of this cool fountain!--check it out!)

This was taken our first night in Vegas just before a water show---see that gold "O" on the right side? That is the Cirque du Soleil show was got to see on Wed.---7th row!!! It was fantastic! They did all this crazy air and water acrobatics and diving, it was so worth our money!

Chocolate fountain and Bald Eagle display at the Bellagio---yum! The current theme at this hotel is America and I love a good patriotic tribute but couldn't really capture it on my camera.

In front of New York New York. I REALLY wanted to ride the roller coaster here but it cost $14 per person for one ride!! Keith promised to take me to Silverwood later this summer and I can ride all the roller coasters I want :) Isn't he the best?

MGM Grand Lion Cubs

Quick visit

I made a quick visit to Lewiston right before hoopfest to visit one of my favorite people ...LEAH!!! Her parents might be moving in the next year so I have to take every opportunity to visit her when she comes up. We also got to have breakfast with our dear friend Lindsey.

Rylan is kissing his baby sister

Hoopfest 2008

Another hoopfest weekend accomplished! It was sooooooo HOT this year---record heat in fact---high 90's!!! Keith's team won two games on Saturday, then lost two games on Sunday. But we still spent most of both days downtown cheering on all our friends teams. The two teams they played on Sunday were tough to beat---first one was much better than you would expect to find in the rec division, and the second were literally giants! They said their combined weight was over half a ton!!! Keith looked like a 3rd grader in comparison and Jon looked like an average size guy :) All in all it was a fun weekend and we can't wait for next year when all the boys will be able to play with the 30 year olds---perhaps a little more laid back in that bracket. Here our some of our favorite pictures. Keith looks so intense here!

Here are some of the giants---didn't get a good one of the largest giant though.

Sunday night we went to Brad and Julies for a hoopfest bbq and poker night

Here Olivia was being silly in the cooler!

Yosemite

After our visit with Grandpa Dave we ventured down to Fresno to see Keith's Grandpa Bernie, and on our way back to Oakland we drove through Yosemite National Park. It is pretty incredible to see those HUGE trees (and we didn't even get to see the biggest ones!) and all the beautiful waterfalls. There were some major fires near by making the Yosemite valley very smoky and difficult to see some of the great views---darn, I guess we are going to have to come back someday! Here are a few pics from that fun day.