Portland Trip

Updates on Clifton and McKay -
Its been a pretty good week for these two.  Playing well together and happy.  Being helpful and fun.  I love weeks like this.

They helped stain the fence with me ... yes I let them do this and they were covered in stain.  But hey it was a great experience!

Playing with Stanley and keeping him happy while I cook dinner or shower.

My favorite work out buddies!  Being active with my kids is by far my favorite thing to do with them.

Updates on Stanley -
He had a good week as well.  Happy and cuddly.  Still no interest in crawling or really moving around at all.

His new favorite thing is to shake his head no.  And we think its absolutely adorable, at least for now!

This week for FHE we talked about the Sabbath day and how its different then the rest of the week.  We do different things.  I gave a scoop of ice cream to each kiddo and had different toppings out including maple syrup, ketchup, mustard, etc... We talked about how though some off the toppings are not bad but are not good on ice cream.  Just like Sundays.  Then they had to name a good activity we can do on Sunday to get yummy toppings on their ice cream.  Best FHE ever.  They have never listened and participated so well.  I guess I need to involve ice cream more often.

Tuesday we had play group at Manchester Beach.  They had construction on most of the beach but we were still able to play.  The tide was really low so they kids had fun exploring finding crab shells and jelly fish.

Stanley had a little friend who took good care of him :)

That night was the beginning of one of my favorite time of year.  Soccer time!

Alex and I get to coach again.  Love love my team already!  So excited for the season with them.

Thursday we got to explore.  Not far from our house is a garden that has a cute little hobbit home. 

The kids loved it and begged me to make one for them.  I wish I could!  It was a cute place.  Then we walked the garden and talked about all the different plants we saw.  A simple but super fun outing.

Friday we went to Portland.  

On our way we meet Grandma and Grandpa at the Clark County Fair.  My old stomping grounds, yes I was a carny!  It was a ton of fun.  Alex and Clifton's favorite part was the demolition derby.  McKay and my favorite part was the sea lion show.

That night we spent with my brother Justin and his family.

The have an invention box for Jack and he gets to make things out of all sorts of material in his box.  The cutest idea and Clifton loved it.  Making one of these boxes for Clifton right away!

Saturday I talked most of my family into doing the Bubble Run.

What a fun run to do with the family.  

It was so fun.  It turned more into a Bubble Walk... there were so many kids and strollers.  I was super worried it would be a flop because it was cheap for a run and the kids were free.  But it was wonderful and I would totally do it again with my family!  Maybe another tradition but this time with the Stanley gang?

Alex Turns 31!

Updates on Clifton  and Updates on McKay -
Nothing new with these two kiddos.  Keeping me busy reading and playing all day long.

Love them so much  :)

Updates on Stanley -
He is loving eating.  He wants to eat food all day and prefers it so much more than a bottle.

I turned my back to grab something off the shelf and Stanley stole McKay's cookie.  That face!  He was mighty proud of himself and approved of the yummy cookie.

7 months old!!!!  My goodness he is so dang cute and growing up way too fast.

For FHE activity we had a water balloon fight.

Fun times :)

Tuesday we had play group at the Harbor Fountains.

It was a little chilly but we had fun playing anyway.

Wednesday we went blackberry picking with the Nielson's and we had Evan for the day.

Such a fun morning out.

 Blackberries!

Stanley approved of the blackberries and the mess he made.

Thursday Alex turned 31!  He was headed to Scout camp for a couple days (yes Alex is that awesome that the went to help at scout camp on his birthday) so I made sure he let us celebrate him a little before he left.  He slept in while we decorated and made yummy blackberry pancakes breakfast and cake.

We love Daddy he is the best.

Saturday we got to go to the temple.  I had a family name to take with me.  It was awesome doing the genealogy and taking it to the temple.  Now to find more family names!

A huge thank you to Brandon and Rebecca for watching all three of our kiddos while we were at the temple.

Cousins are the best play mates!

Sunday we went to Alex's parents house to celebrate August birthdays.

The crazy Happy Birthday singing captured.

 Cousins are seriously the best!

 Peterson's wiffle ball.

Cheering for Team Daddy!  Another fun time at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Water , Water, and More Water!

Updates on Stanley -

He is finally sitting up! And he is quite happy about it.

 Man he is cute!

 Sitting up in the bath is so much more fun!

Sitting up and helping mom do some laundry.  Ok maybe not helping but making it way more fun to do.

Updates on Clifton  and Updates on McKay -

They have been getting along pretty well.  Of course not perfect but they sure enjoy playing with each other more.  Which makes me very happy.  I hope it continues and they realize they can be friends forever.

These two!  

Monday for FHE we went to Clifton's soccer league clinic.  

Soccer is starting soon and we are so excited!

Tuesday our primary had a water party.  The kids were challenged to pass of 310 Articles of Faith (together as a group) and they did it.  So to celebrate we had a water party!

 At the end the kids got to choose between teachers and leaders to dunk water on if they hit the bulls eye.  They loved it! It was mighty cold water.

My kids were super soaked to do this and of course choose me.  I think Alex enjoyed it the most.  He "had" to help them.  A super fun evening with wonderful people.  I love my calling and love everyone I get to serve with.

Wednesday we meet our wonderful friends at the zoo.  Our first time this year.

What a fun afternoon we had together.  

Thursday we went to the Harbor Fountains to play in the water.

Fun afternoon playing together as a family.  Being a mom is so fun!

That night I got to go have a ladies night with my friends.

Paddle boarding in Poulsbo.  It was my first time and I was so dang scared.  I love the ocean/bay but am a little afraid of being in it.  By a little I mean a lot.  Thank goodness I didn't fall in.  I feel in love with paddle boarding.  What a beautiful view out on the water and there was mommy and baby seals out soaking up the sun.  Plus I was with some awesome women talking about whatever we wanted.  Best night!

Love Kathryn to pieces.

Friday we got to go play at Charlie's birthday party at a fun bounce house play place.  It was a ton if fun.

It was a HOT week so we played in the water most of the week.  I finally got a little pool to play in and it has been a huge hit this week.

Daddy scored some cool points by putting the pool under the slide.

They had so much fun!

Saturday my mother in law came over and watched they kids (thanks Tessa for helping with the kids too) while Alex and I went to our first Sounders game this season.  It's Alex's birthday next week and I got tickets for his present.

 Ferry ride over. I love the ferries and where we live so much.  A beautiful ride!

 Dempsey gave me a thumbs up!

We had some pretty awesome seats.  We were so close.  Alex was holding me back from jumping down there and hugging them all.

Alex's best Mad Dempsey Face.  We had a blast.  Sadly we lost, Sounders are having a rough season. We still love the Sounders and hope we can get out of this bad streak.  An amazing night out together with my hubby!

Sunday we meet family in the park and had dinner.  We got to meet up with Alex's cousins too.

What a great evening out with family.