Passing Through

Last Thursday Jen, Jack, Luke Grace, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Jeannie, Jeannie's sister Elaine and her husband Steve had a long layover in Seattle on their flight up to Sitka.  We picked them up at the airport had dinner and went to the beach.  Ryan had been waiting for this day for quite awhile.  He kept saying things like, "I really miss Jack and Luke" at random for months.  He was so happy to them.  All the kids were thrilled to see each other, and had so much fun together.  It was so sad it had to be such a short time.  But we were very thankful we got to see them at all.

The kids had fun watching a game of shuffleboard at the restaurant.  The two "kids" playing were so good to let them watch and play along.

Taking in the shuffleboard game.

Luke loves babies!

Happy Girl!

Jack and Ryan getting a shuffleboard lesson.

Auntie Jen and Natalie.

All the kids were so happy to get to the beach and run!  They found salmon berries, threw rocks, teeter-tottered on the logs and giggled like crazy.  They had so much fun together!  It really was so great to see everyone.

K sporting her B-Town sticker.  

Jack sharing salmon berries with Kendall.

Sisters.  Jeannie and Elaine.

Miss Grace.

Life's a beach!

Giggle monsters.

Mr. Luke.

K throwing rocks.

Cousins.

Charlie, Jen, Jeannie, Natalie and Goldy.

Steve, Elaine, Charlie and Jeannie.  The 4 travelers off to Sitka for 10 days.

ONE!

Happy Birthday Sweet Natalie!

We love you so much!

You are one smiley little girl.  You have brought us so much joy over the past year, and many sleepless nights!

The Ninjas Are Back

These two.  All morning yesterday they were screaming at each other because one of them was looking at the other one funny (or something similarly ridiculous).  And in the afternoon as they were taking a break from the terribly hot sun (not really, but that's what Ryan said), they played and played for 15 minutes so quietly and cooperatively until they emerged looking like this:

They giggled and giggled when they came up with this idea.  Around their heads are pieces of racetrack.  And they insisted on holding hands when I took the picture.  Why didn't I try harder to capture that in the photo?

And then the completely decked out "Ninja's" joined me in the kitchen.  How hysterical is this?  Bracelets, ankle bracelets, masks?  I love when their imaginations run wild!

It seriously kept getting better and better.  Ryan was so proud of himself! 

After dinner, I went out to mow the lawn and they insisted on wearing them outside.  I couldn't say no.  Our neighbor could not figure out what they heck was on their heads?  It just made me laugh.  They totally made my day!  What a bunch of goofballs.

Little Climber

Natalie's favorite thing to do these days is CLIMB.  She's up on everything.  You can't turn your back for a second and she has gotten herself into a unsafe situation.  It makes her SO happy, though.

A Walk in the Rain

We walked through Discovery Park with Auntie Mel a couple weeks ago.  It was a typical summer day here in Seattle - cool, rainy and windy.  Despite the weather it was still a great way to spend the morning.

Even though it rains much more than I'd like, Seattle certainly is a beautiful city.

Torture Chamber

There is nothing these kids love more than tickle Torture Chamber with their dad!  So many cute giggles!!

The Last Game

Ryan's last baseball game was on May 23rd.  He was so sad.  We were, too, sort of.  We made some great new friends that we'll miss seeing twice a week.

Ryan had two great hits, and did awesome in the field in his last game.  It's been so much fun to watch him grow and develop over the season.  He is already looking forward to coach-pitch next year.

Ryan playing right field.

Kendall and Ameila watching their brothers.

Miss Natalie doing what she does best...climbing!

I'll try to post video at some point.  I'm still trying to figure out how to edit, so don't hold your breath!