Fishing Derby

We took the kids to a fishing derby yesterday morning. It was so fun. They have a little area called fishing school where they teach the kids to fish and guarantee that they will catch one. You might wonder how this is accomplished. Well, they dump 500 trout into a 10 x 10 netted area and that is where the kids fish from. If you ask me, it doesn't really teach the kids much about fishing because in my experience, patience is the most important skill in fishing, but that is beside the point. The kids absolutely loved this. In about 10 minutes all of our kids had reeled in a great catch. Unfortunately, I left my camera in the van in our rush to get in line. That really was too bad because we missed some priceless moments. Chance of course loves fishing. He is always asking to go fishing. You can tell from the picture he was in heaven. Cait reeled a 12 inch trout in immediately and was all smiles. Cody was a doll in her pink and camo bass pro shops hat. She really didn't want to have them gut her fishing for eating. She wanted to take it home for a pet. She is starting to lean toward vegetarian these days. I am pretty sure that has something to do with living in Washington. Anna thought fishing was fun until they put her fish in a bag and wanted her to hold it. She wanted nothing to do with that wiggly fish. Colten drooled in anticipation of catching a fish. When he landed his fish it was love at first sight. He wouldn't let go of that fish. When we handed the fish to the cleaning station, he cried as they cut his fish open. In the picture you can see him starring at his fish in amazement. He was one proud fisherman. All day long we had to keep telling him to go put the fish back in the fridge. He wanted his fish to go everywhere with him. After dinner he went to the fridge looking for his fish, but they were no where to be found. It was a mighty tasty dinner.

Two

Once again, I wrote first and then added pictures, so the story is below.


Let's finish that french toast and cupcake off with a candy necklace and balloon, more of Colten's favorites.


Look at the the fish!


Up and over!




Cute little toes!


Nothing like a mountain of sand to play on.




When it snowed a couple weeks ago Colten ran to the closet and put on his own hat and mitten and headed out for some fun.

My baby turned 2 yesterday... I love him so much.

He is so sweet and ornery, independent and dependent, a laugher and a crier, a mama's boy and daddy's little man, a lover and a fighter, oh so guilty and yet so innocent, my perfect baby boy.

We were blessed with gorgeous weather yesterday and I couldn't think of anything else that Colten loves more than sand and water, so we headed down to the river. We enjoyed a very relaxing time playing in the sand and the icy river water. When we got home, the neighbor had given him (and the rest of the kids) a "slip 'n slide." His style was more of a run and slip. That was worth a good 30 minutes of laughter. For dinner we had his favorite - french toast. After 2 1/2 pieces he fell asleep. We let him sleep for a little while and then had to wake him up because we were all anxious to share his cupcakes with him. Despite being half asleep, he was a good sport while we sang happy birthday and urged him to blow out his candles. I had to run off to a meeting and as usual, when I got home, he was still awake. He came running up with a "mama!" and a extraordinarily big bear hug. I could tell he knew it was a special day for him. I asked him if he had a happy birthday and he earnestly nodded yes! It was a good day!

Grandpa's Party

Grandpa turned 90 this year and had a big celebration. We were able to drive down for the party and had a great time. Grandma threw a great party, there was a jumper for the kids, good food, Aunt Kym gave all the kids horse rides, and it was a beautiful sunny day. Grandpa is so much fun to be around. He tells great stories, gives great hugs, cracks funny jokes, and in general just makes you feel plain old good. I selfishly hope he lives for another 10 years.

Anna had just kissed grandpa and got a little embarressed afterwards.


It took quite a while to pull out those ninety candles and even longer to light them.


The morning after the party, we took some pictures, I like how relaxed everyone was in this one.





Grandpa getting ready to blow out the candles. Good thing he had a bunch of great -grandkids standing around to help. (No way I was having a piece of that cake.)

Cody getting some Grandpa lovin'.

Chance thoroughly enjoying his ride.

Colten had no fear, he was quite happy to get up in that saddle....That's my boy! Kym must have walked in circles for at least two hours giving the kids rides. Thanks Kym!

I love these two guys.

Cait doing her best to follow Kym's instructions.

An airplane flew by while Colten was visiting with Summer. I can't believe that horse is almost 30 years old. I suppose that is the beauty of Arabians.

Mint Green Gem

Aunt Dee Dee, sent Caitlyn her old snowsuit. Everytime I see it, it makes me giggle. From the mint green suit itself to the mint green goggles to the braided green ear-warmer. Sadly she did not wear the braided ear-warmer today, I will have to wait for a photo of that. I am pretty sure this snowsuit is straight out of the eighties. Caitlyn has absolutely loved this, especially with all the snow we have had this winter. She will play outside for hours with this on. The rest of the kids are jealous of her mint green gem. It snowed here again last night, so I quickly snapped some pictures of Cait in her fine attire. On a side note....Yes, that is our cat out there playing with the kids in the snow. She is a crazy cat, the kids absolutely love her and she enjoys being with them.

This will be one of those pictures that Cait will want to kill me for someday.

Cody getting ready to launch a snow ball. Too bad Cait is well protected in her snowsuit.

Proof!

I was talking with Grandpa the other day, telling him about all of Colten's Antics. When I was done going down the list, Grandpa chuckled and implied that I was surely exaggerating a little. Grandpa, I assure you I was not. So I set out today to supply you with some proof. These do not include the two other times he discarded his diaper, the pee on the floor, the spilled soup at dinner time, and the 4 times he came up to me with a cup and the jug of milk. Warning!- The first one is a little graphic. Aaron was taking pictures.



How about some bread and butter. Yes, that is a whole cube of butter! Also take note that he is no longer wearing his pants in this picture. There is a diaper under there, but he is constantly removing his clothes. Sometimes he comes out wearing only mittens and socks.


Ahh, I can't wait to brush my teeth tonight. Who knows what he did with that tube of toothpaste before he smeared it all over the floor! yuck!


He gnawed through the bag of brown sugar like a little mouse. There was sticky sugar mess all over the walls and him.


Then there is the never ending battle to keep the cat safe. I have never met a more patient, tolerant cat. Even after all this, she will go cuddle with him while he is sleeping!

Finally dragged her out.

Loving her to death, literally.

I'm not sure who is biting who here, but when she does, it is never hard.

More Snow!

I don't understand, we woke up this morning to this. MORE SNOW! Isn't this the first week of spring? I officially have a love-hate relationship with Washington. I love it when the sun is shining and hate it when it isn't. Why can't you be like Arizona and have the sun shine while it rains. Someone please let me know when the economy picks up in Tucson. I will be on my way home.

Kevin and Kristyn Visit

Kevin and Kristyn came to visit over Valentine's weekend. The kids were so excited to have them come. They couldn't wait to have Uncle Kevin throw them in the air. We went on quite a few little excursions and really enjoyed seeing the sights around the Seattle area. I know it's a lot of pictures but I had a really hard time narrowing them down. I love seeing all the sights around here. It is still so amazing to me how green it is here, even in the winter.

Poulsbo - pretty little tourist town.


Caitlyn desperately trying to feed the seagulls.


Chance, thinking he is pretty tough for climbing this rock.


Colten doing some kind of warrior dance at the park.

Liberty Bay in Poulsbo - I'm sure this is much prettier in the summer. Notice the nice toxic shellfish sign. Good thing we didn't eat here.

Cody on the front of the ferry with the Olympic mountains in the background

Still trying to feed the seagulls, incidentally Aaron did finally get one to eat out of his hand, but of course we had all quit watching by then.

Anna aftering braving the frigid Puget Sound waters.

Crazy kids- first thing they did is take their shoes off and jump in the ocean.

Aaron and Kevin playing on the driftwood.

Bridge at Deception Pass

Musicians at Pike Place Market- Colten really enjoyed them. They were actually pretty good.

Pikes Place market pig. I don't know why we didn't put Colten and Anna on the pig. Maybe next time.

Deception Pass Bridge- The water was so pretty.

Pikes Place