Dash Pt-Jedediah Tueller's 3rd Birthday

Our Friends the Tueller's are back in town from Alaska. Their youngest Jed had his 3rd birthday and they invited us all to come over for a Green Birthday party. It started out with a "short" hike to the beach. It was just a mile and a half and the kids showed us this natural slide that had been made from a tree. We all had to take a turn, It was awesome and very steep and fast!

Along the way we found these little berries, Salmonberries that look like under ripe Blackberries varying in shades of orange to red. I was told they are Salmonberries-Wendy & John liked them, but the rest of us found them a bit tart. They are quite pretty.

We finally made it to our hike destination: Dash Point Beach-and despite the stinky and not so clean water the kids and dogs were out in it. Well McKenna, Eli & Lilly were in it, Tyler was dancing next to it and Tate was filling it with rocks. A great Time was had by all!

This is Victoria, Alison's 4 year old daughter-Happy to play in the sand

McKenna still loves to roll in the sand

Back at camp we opened presents, had hot dogs, and then cupcakes (spongebob, or as my kids call him Cheddar the Cheese). Jed's favorite color is Green so it was a green party. Very Fun!

Tate was right by Jed's side-taking notes, practicing for his party I guess, but loving every minute.

Alison and her son, Timothy

Everyone got a few hits with the pinata, always great fun!

A very Happy Birthday Boy-Jeddo Tueller

Many Faces...

The girls wanted to catch on film their different emotions and faces. See if you can figure out which face goes with which emotion. It'll pry be a good guide for me for the future.

A Day at the Tracks with Dad.

Saturday John set up a special little Daddy Date with the kids to the race tracks. Jenny is a jockey at Emerald Downs.

The girls were thrilled to be up close & personal with the horses. They LOVED being able to feed them. Tate loved them, just not so closely. Although every morning he wakes up asking for Daddy and the "Horsy".

There was even a little dancing-a little something the horses taught Tyler when he was asking for more food.

Daddy's Little Helper-

Although he didn't make an appearance on film for the horse visit. He did however stick close to his daddy to help him with clean up in the yard.

Such Good little workers

Showtime

As we settled at the dinner table McKenna excused herself to go to the bathroom. A short time later the floor was vibrating and the air filled with...music as the concert began. We heard songs such as "rain rain go away" and something about "money". As this little girl washes her hands she belts out the music at the top of her lungs. It's fantastic! Wish you could all be here for the show.

Benches-check!

Just an update of the benches-installed.

They look fabulous and so...comfy? Tried them out and love them!

Thanks & Good Job John!

Daddy Daughter Date-Tacoma Raineers

Maple Lawn Elementary had a night out at the ballgame with the Tacoma Raineers Friday night. When McKenna learned about it a month ago she was soooo excited and begged her dad to go. After talking it was agreed that if she worked for the money they would go and for the past month McKenna diligently cleaned out the Chicken Coop for $2 a week to earn enough money to go the ballgame with her dad. (What kind of date makes you pay for your own ticket? :))

She's did a great job and was rewarded and thrilled when the big day finally arrived last night (3rd). With her Football jersey on, her tennis shoes on and her baseball glove in hand she was ready to go when her Dad walked in the door.

I think they had a good time, despite the horrible traffic and lack of parking which meant a lot of time in the car.

*As a side note, Johns said that after the lil dinner of hot dogs, chips and soda that came with the tickets-McKenna was still hungry. She wanted Popcorn, but changed her mind when her dad told her she would have to clean the chicken coop another 2 weeks. I think she's starting to understand the value of a dollar. :)

While John and McKenna were out-I was working on another masterpiece for a friend. Strawberry cake with Strawberry Mousse filling and Whipped White Chocolate Ganache frosting. Same cake as Memorial Day-except this one was frosted, and let me tell you-the frosting was Fantastic! Even John raved about it when he tasted it-and I hardly ever see him get excited about food, let alone frosting. If I could be a lil more consistent and prepared I think I could really get into this baking thing. SO fun!

Memorial Day 2011

Oh it was a busy day-a very good day because we got so much done! I'm still not sure what your supposed to do on Memorial Day when you don't have your loved ones grave sites nearby-but I did get several opportunities to try and explain what Memorial Day was McKenna who wondered why there was not school and her Dad was home. Hope that one day it sinks in and she truly understands what it means and how thankful we as her parents are for those who have and are serving to preserve and defend freedom.

John celebrated by surprising us all by making a couple of benches for the lower deck. They've been stained and we're just waiting for it to dry so he can install them. They are beautiful and look fantastic on the deck!

The Jackson's whom John met through work have become good friends and mentors to our family. Tom is teaching me to become a master gardener-sharing in his wealth of knowledge and plants. Him and his wife Helga came over to celebrate and we planted 15 tomato plants, 8 yellow squash plants and there is more to come.

We then had a BBQ and picnic on the deck-eating Helga's most delicious rolls, some BBQ Chicken and I got to test out a recipe for a strawberry cake that was surprisingly fantastic. Not the prettiest of cakes, but something to work towards.

Of course there was more chicken chasing as Tate has figured out how to open the chicken coop-poor chicken-chased and followed by all 3 kids.

It was great day-one that took me all day Tuesday to recooperate from. :)

Out and Runnin'

The chickens are getting a little bold-I got pecked today while changing their water. I actually dread the day I have to chase any chickens because they've escaped-so to prove a point John let a couple of them out for a little freedom and time and to show me how to get them back in.

The girls don't mind chasing or picking them up-and I got a good kick out of it.

I couldn't help but record a little of the action.

Eventually there was success

Luckily Tate was in watching a show or this could've have been really fun!

Mommy's Newest Lil' Helper

We all wanted cookies and this lil guy wanted to help. He's a big hands on kind of kid-and well this went surprisingly well. He loved being able to turn the mixer on and off, and eat the dough off the beaters.

He even does dishes!

We love our Goofy lil Tate!

Addictions

When I was in college I worked at a gas station-Conoco. I remember the day I realized I was addicted to caffeine in the form of Dr. Pepper. It actually wasn't a pleasant realization and there were a lot of headaches involved as I took myself off the caffeine.

John and I have been talking and realized there are a lot of addictions in our family.

John is addicted to being busy-which works with his current life style.

Mel-chocolate (sugar & caffeine: the lack of produces headaches)

McKenna-her blanket & TV

Tyler-John says her mother, I think she loves learning, pleasing others and eating.

Tate-Binki (goes without saying) although the blanket & Tv are a close 2nd.

Now it's just a matter of where do we go from here....

The Priesthood is Restored

Tyler gave her 1st talk in Sharing Time on Sunday. Since her Dad was going to be down and out for a week he had willingly signed up to help her. Tyler fought an inner battle between wanting to shine and do her talk and her overwhelming shyness. She practiced her talk and knew it pretty well and when it came time to give the talk...

Well the shyness won the battle. John and I stood at the podium (I was conducting) and with Tyler's head buried in my stomach John gave a wonderful talk on the Restoration of the priesthood.

It's a little scary up there-it's taken me 3 years in the primary to be able to conduct, so I totally understand. Proud of her for preparing and getting up there and trying.

She's such a great little performer that I can't wait til she decides to shine for an audience.

Family Home Evening

I'd like to say Family Home Evening is a special time that is filled with spiritual learning for both parents and children, but honestly our goal currently is to hold it regularly and well it's pretty quick due to the short attention span...or the anxiety of losing control. John usually does the lesson and we all take turns with song, prayer and treat.

We didn't have it Sunday night due to a pleasant surprise visit from Tom & Helga Jackson-who came bearing gifts-tomato plants. Tyler and I decided to do the lesson ourselves-I've read and heard of families having kids do the lessons and was inspired to get my kids more involved.

Monday afternoon Tyler and I sat down with The Friend and read about 4 articles and then she decided which story we'd share. McKenna came home and made caramel corn for our treat and since the story came with a scripture, she was also able to show off her new reading skills.

I have to say it was really a great experience for all of us, a new tradition that we'll do every week.