FR-- The kids first beach experience!

For their first time in their lives, my kids got to experience a beach. It was a Washington beach so it was pitiful and pathetic but it was still a blast for them. Demare, my cousins wife, called me up one day while my parents were both working and invited us to go with them. I was so grateful to them for thinking of us. It was great to catch up and meet new 2nd cousins that I hadn't met.

The park was great, there was a stream that led to the water in the middle of the beach that the kids first played in, but once the tide went out they were all over the sand, seaweed, and sea shells.

Emeri and Brooks hanging out on the blanket. It was cute to see these two interact. Brooks has the bluest eyes ever, and he is so stinkin' chunky.

Cool Uncle Samuel came with us. Lookin' good in those shades Samuel. 

 Showing off their treasures. Isaac found a whole sand dollar. People kept asking him where he got it from. One person in particular who had a lamed dog was practically shoved into a ten minute conversation about what happened to their dog. lol She just laughed and said she had never seen kids with such great communication skills before. HA HA is that what it's called?

Emeri starting standing up all by herself when we were in Seattle. About time girl. HA HA never mind.....I don't encourage my kids to walk anymore...I know it will happen....happen way to soon. And they will never not walk again. -tear- and also -panic- lol

Here is Andrew trying to pose with Emeri for a picture. Don't you just love the arm on the shoulder thing he does? HA HA

Smiles!!

Family Reunion -Before people arrived

Beautiful Seattle at last! Here are the kids and I having a blast at my parents house. It was so neat to watch my kids pretend, play, and have fun doing the same things I did as a little girl at the exact place. I remember playing war with my siblings and cousins in our front yard. I remember picking raspberry with my siblings, and climbing trees with my cousins. It was such a wonderful experience for me and for the kids. 

I also felt like the kids grew so much during our trip. They got to do so many new things and see many new places that were so good for them to experience. For instance, my parents house is practically a mini farm. My mom had everything growing there from kale to strawberries. Plus, my father is the best fix it man I have ever met. He has redone our entire house, built all the sheds in the back yard, and made our own basketball court for us growing up. Let's just saw it was so great to go back down memory lane; especially with my kids.

During the first few days after our arrival, Isaac and Andrew got to have great bonding time with their new cousins Josiah and Kimball. It was fun to see Kimball and Isaac play pretend family while Andrew and Josiah played super heroes. The kids favorite game was when uncle Samuel joined in the fun for some hide in go seek pine cone throw! 

I had forgotten just how beautiful it was where I grew up. Loved the reminder.

 So, most of you had heard or seen that my kids were terrified of dogs! Andrew was so bad that once he thought there was a dog in a house that we were visiting (there wasn't one) that he screamed and ran under the bar of the counter to hide. But!!! miraculously Jersey was the solution. When we first got there Andrew wouldn't go outside or even get down from his chair without me forcing him to. After a day or two with Jersey though, they had completely lost their fear. Isaac and Andrew even started giving her commands and playing catch with her.

Cuties playing in the "deep dark forest" (according to Isaac)

Grandma Ralph is such an example of work. She was forever watering, weeding. cooking, cleaning, folding, or teaching something. Love you mom!

Emeri was absolutely in love with this vent. We only have ceiling vents in our house so this was super fun for her when the AC kicked on. (see video)

Hunter our cat was loved and adored by Isaac. All he wanted to do was hold him and play with him. Unfortunately he was super old, like so old that I saw him being born when I was just a little girl. So after about 2 days of playing with him. He never came back. We are pretty sure he went to die somewhere. My kids still to this day ask to see Hunter and Jersey.

Water balloons were a hit with these kids. Oh yeah, who is the coolest Aunt/Mommy in the world? I totally deserve that praise after filling 100 water balloons up for these never ending squirts.

KITES!!! Our boys got their first exposure to some great kite flying. My parents live on about an acre so there was plenty of room. The boys faces lit up when they were successful. It was one of those treasured moments I won't forget. Even Andrew got his to keep flying for several seconds.

Cousins on the swing! w/ cool Uncle Samuel

On our second day being at Grandpa and Grandma Ralph's house we took a walk to Aunt Becka's house. In her neighborhood was a gravel filled play ground. Isaac took one step onto the play set, tripped, and biffed it onto the gravel. It was an awesome battle wound.

Grandpa Ralph pulled out his fun toys for the boys to ride on. Going 4 wheeling was an all time favorite growing up. I am glad my boys got to experience it.

Grandpa Ralph also took them for a spin down the road in Uncle Ben's 370 Z.

Here is little Emeri showing Aunt Becka and her grandparents her climbing ability. She is getting crazy good. Don't you just love her pose?

 I am so glad that my children were able to get to know my siblings a little bit better. Andrew grew a special relationship with his Aunt Becka and Uncle Samuel was able to show his nephews his sweet moves up to bat! (Oh yea Samuel!! Oh is the best now?)

 I think my boy's favorite thing to do at Grandpa and Grandma's house was pick and eat their own blackberries and raspberries.

The Airplane Ride to Seattle

So the boys had their first real experience on an airplane on our way to my parents house. Isaac carried his own backpack and suitcase all the way through the airport. It was cute, he helped so much. Once we got into the airport it was crazy getting through security. We were a little stressed because we hadn't realized how many people fly on Sunday evenings. Once we were through security we let the kids free to get their wiggles out. The first large window we walked by with a visible airplane the kids were instantly there. The boys thought it was AWESOME! Emeri of course was just glad not to be strapped in the stroller.

The hardest part was learning that I had three different flights to take before we arrived in Seattle. By the time we got their it was 1 o'clock in the morning. It was a very VERY long day. 

Here are the boys reading their books on the airplane. They did really well for the first flight. The only time they got scared was when the plane turned direction. Andrew grabbed me and with fear in his eyes he told me the plane was tipping over. lol Super cute. lol

 Here was our last flight departing at 11 o'clock pm. It was a two hour flight. Andrew fell asleep even before we got onto the plane. HAHA That was interesting. Imagine a tired crying 1 year old, an out cold 2 year old, a too eager 3 year old cutting the line so that he got on the plane way before me, and myself carrying two backpacks and a purse while trying to fold a double jogger stroller. HA HA Yeah CRAZY!! Once I got on board though I couldn't find Isaac. Once I got Andrew laying on an empty row and Emeri in my arms I saw Isaac in the Captains cabin holding the microphone for the intercom. Apparently, the kind pilot was letting Isaac speak throughout the whole plane over the intercom. He was saying hi to me and saying that he loved me. I was too frazzled to notice. It broke my heart. At least I got to see his over joyed eyes still while he was standing next to the Captain. Heavenly Father does send you angels when you need help. After that flight, my boys were fast asleep, and that same pilot helped me push my stroller with two sleeping boys all the way to baggage claim while I held Emeri who was sleeping like a rock.  I will never forget his kindness!