Fr-amily BBQ's are back

We love to spend time with people. We love to eat.  That's why we have been doing Fr-amily bbq's out at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a few years now.  Last weekend was our big kick off for the summer season and we had a great time.

 There were adults and kids and animals and food everywhere.  It was awesome.

 There were games of tag, fishing, crawdading, remember when-ing, and rafting everywhere.

 There was tether ball and horseshoes.

There were dirty feet and dirty faces.  There  were old friends and new friends.

Bring on summer!

Gentle reminder

There are times that you just get to witness/be a part of some pretty neat things.  Those are real teaching moments in our lives and this last weekend we were blessed to be a part of something pretty special.

At church there are some adorable girls who are being raised by their Grandmother, Reggie. She is a incredible woman who has lived through Hitlers Germany, had her first piece of chewing gum from the actual candy bomber and  who, despite getting up there in age, is spunky and positive to a fault. 

Two Sunday's ago, Caitlyn, her grand daughter who is Braley's age invited us to a *surprise* birthday party at the church for her Omi.  We figured that she had some helping in planning the party until we got a call asking us to set up some tables and chairs.  Later in the week, I asked her who was attending the party all she said is: " I can't tell you or it wouldn't be a surprise, but there is going to be a cake!" Caitlyn has Aspergers and can be pretty particular on how things are done and man alive, this was going to be a surprise and she was keeping her lips tight. Her little sister Riley wasn't talking either. 

We got to the church early, decorated some tables, set up a birthday girl chair and waited.  Reggie and the girls arrived at the same time at the other guests and the birthday cake.  It took a little funny-work but the cake made it into the room with Omi seeing it.

When the room was opened and Reggie realized that the balloons, decoration and cake were for her reaction was beautiful.  She had tears of joy and happiness.  In some was the moment was sacred.  Here you have these 2 precious girl who are being raised by a woman who knows how important it is to teach them to be good and strong and smart.  Even with the struggles they face, they think the world of their Omi.

My favorite line of the whole day was "We had to have a party Omi because it's your last year in your 60's!"

I am thankful for the reminder these girls gave me that it doesn't take much to show someone how much they mean to you.

Baby octopus

We had sushi the other day.  Jason and the kids ate baby octopus.  I, did not.  Nor will I ever. Which is basically why I can never be in Fear Factor, Amazing Race or Survivor.  I've made my peace with it.

The rest of my family though?

They could be real contenders.

(I think I just threw up in my mouth).

"Can we get a baby?"

Or...

"Can we get a little kid?"

Ansen asks this a lot.  Like we can just run to the LittleKid store and pick one out.

Thankfully for him (and the girls), we have a 2 year old who is a riot, that lives next door. She is over a lot because Braley's best friend is her big sister.

This past week was facial and hair week with Rachel.  She is seriously so fun.  She just lets herself in the front door and starts yelling, "Annnnnnseeennnnnn!" or "Come here Rammmmmmy."

Another 2 yr old hung with the kids while we were in the Dominican Republic:

Kiely is our niece Steph's 2 year old and the kids adored having her come play for a week....which has fueled even more "Can we get a little kid?" questions from our peanut gallery.
Think they'd settle for a hamster?

Happy Memorial Day

We are grateful for this country, for those who serve it and for the freedom we enjoy.

Thank you to all who defend our nation.

God bless America.

Birthday wrap up

Last Sunday we did have a family birthday party just to tell that 9 year old of ours how much we love him.  He choose a barbeque dinner with chicken, ribs, coleslaw, biscuits, mashed potatoes and gravy.  This kid knows what he likes.

 Don't let his pj's fool you.  It's only like 2pm but since we have 8am church we all tend to climb back into our jammies when we are done with church.

 Since his frineds gave him fun gifts the day before, we gave him practical gifts.  Booooring, I know but he didn't seem to mind at all.  His favortie for the day though?

His very own carton of blueberries that he didn't have to share.  I could go broke keeping blue berries in the fridge for this guy.

Like I said a week ago, 9's going to be great!

Speaking of football

Kahau has been dying all season to get her hands on a football because both Braley and Ansen are having the time of their lives playing.  Last Saturday Braley's team was down a man and Kahau got to play!  She was so excited!

She had so much fun playing with her sister.  And to think she didn't even want to get out of bed that morning.

Football camp

 After school last week the high school put on a football camp.  I probably don't have to tell you but Ansen was in running back heaven.  It was so hot out and yet you couldn't get this boy to slow down or take a break.  He loved it.  Can't wait til this fall when the real fun begins!

District Music Festival

These two song birds had a district music festival the other day and it was great.....and really, really, REALLY hot.  But mostly really good.  The ladies did an awesome job singing.  One was really excited and spent the afternoon getting pretty and the other rolled out of her "Tuesday sweats" and begrudgingly got dressed into something appropriate.  I'll let you guess who was who.

Can't leave out Oregon's only high school mariachi band:

After the concert there were some 8th grade shenanigans happening...

Great job Kahau and Braley!

One more middle school concert to go for the school year!

Missouri

Jason was in the land of old people and entertainment last week.

No, not Orlando, Florida---Branson, Missouri.

Appeartly if you are from Oregon, like he is:

And you go to Missouri you have to eat like this:

I don't even know what to say about the pile of bacon on his plate other than....that's nasty.  Honestly, it's a heart attack waiting to happen.  I didn't even ask if he finished it.  I don't want to know.

Guess where he is this week?

Missouri.

Everyone---start praying for his health.

Please and thank you.

Selfie

Almost everyday of the week I can check my phone and find a new pic of Braley.

She is the queen of selfies.

She's dang good at them so I'll just keep letting her take them.

WACA

The world can breathe a sigh of relief.

Kahau got into her top pick for high school.

*whew*

All is right in her world.

9 years old

Oh my gosh. How is he 9?

I mean the math makes sense but really?!?! 9???

Ansen did his very best to celebrate all weekend long.  He started by inviting a few of his friends to a fun day of games at Bullwinkles.  The weather was supposed to be cold and rainy but by lucky happenstance it was sunny and beautiful out.

They started on the the bumper boats:

 They came off soaked and they loved it!

Next, the ropes course:

All the kids were so focused on getting thru the course I think they almost forgot to have fun.  Then there was Ansen.  He was running, leaping and just plain screwing off up there.  The crazy thing is that even with all the dorking around he still had impeccable balance.

The rock wall was a hit:

Besides being a hit I think this wall wore these kiddos out.  They tried and tried to get to the top and a few almost made it but alas, no one did.  It was too hot out there anyway to be hanging onto a piece of plastic!

We headed inside to get out of the heat for a while and let the crew play laser tag:

(learning the rules)

I'm convinced you can never go wrong with a group of kids and laser tag.  After each game they came out all smiles.  You'd never know it from the above pic though!

Before we left the kiddos decided they needed one more shot on the bumper boats:

 The guy running the boats didn't have anyone else who wanted to get on so he let the kids stay on forever.  They came off even more wet than the first time.

 Back to our house for a little cake and ice cream.

Happy 9th birthday Ansen!  We love you and can't imagine our family without your crazy personality to be our exclamation point.  Last year was awesome, you did so many great things and learned so many new and interesting facts. We are proud of the amazing boy you are and we know THIS year is going to be incredible!

Happy Birthday!