Washington & Oregon Coast Vacation

I know it is a miracle but I am actually updating my blog, I got a new laptop and it is motivating me to get back up to date. It is amazing how time flys by, summer is almost over with, and soon my boys will be back in school. So we just got back from a wonderful vacation, we went up to Washington to go to a wedding reception to a family we were very close to when we lived in Washington. Next we stayed at Grandma's (Brian's mom) house for a few days and had lots of fun swimming and relaxing. Grandma took us to an amazing hotel/waterpark in southern Washington called Great Wolf Lodge, my kids loved it!!!!!!

Next we traveled down to the Oregon Coast, we stayed in Seaside and had fun flying kites and getting in the freezing cold ocean water (around 56), but my kids were so excited they didn't care. We also went to a small aquarium where we were able to feed seals, it was amazing.

The following day we went to my favorite beach, Cannon Beach, which was only about 5 minutes away. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the temperature was perfect not too hot, but I spaced putting sunscreen on my kids because it was cold in the morning (great mom I know), and they all got sunburned. We took a picnic along and stayed from 9:30am to about 6:00pm, nobody wanted to leave. In the morning when the tide was out we found all kind of creatures around Haystack Rock, starfish, crabs, fish, sea anemone, sea urchins, and things I have no idea what they are called. We then built sandcastles (not the giant one in the picture, someone was nice enough to leave it for us), played in the water and rented sand bikes. It was so fun and relaxing, exactly what a vacation should be!!

We were so sad for our vaction to end, I could have stayed another week. On our way home we stopped at some amazing waterfalls including the Multnomah Falls which is 620 feet, the 4th tallest in the US. The Oregon Coast is so beautiful, and family vacations are the best, I can't wait to plan our next one!!

Ethan's New Teeth

Yeah, Ethan finally got his new temporary teeth! The poor kid has been to the dentist way too much and we finally are done for a little while. Here is a picture of the cute big boy!

Brian passes the CHT Exam!!!!!

Brian passed the CHT exam after a lot of hard work, and a lot of studying, Brian is officially a Certified Hand Therapist! Our little family could not be more proud of him, there are only 36 in our state and you have to be practicing for 5 years before you can even take the test, I know I am bragging but he deserves it!

Ethan's Birthday & First Day of School

I can't believe it but it is true, my baby turned three. He was so excited to open his presents.
His brothers were as excited as Ethan was to help him open presents.

He had his first day of preschool on his birthday. He looked too little to be going to preschool, but I am hopeful it will help him begin to talk and get his development caught up to what it should be. I didn't cry dropping him off for preschool but he rode the bus home, which he LOVES, and I started crying when I got him off!

Sledding in January

My poor boys have a big dork for a mom, but at least we have fun! Showing my boys how it is done. Logan trying sledding backwards.

Reasons Not To Shop In December

So the last few years I decided to get Christmas shopping done early (usually by Nov 1st, I know I am crazy), so we can do fun things as a family. I absolutely love not shopping at all in December, I don't like crowds nor shopping and I love spending time with my family instead. We went ice skating, to Thanksgiving Point to see Christmas lights, took along some donuts and drinks and had the best time driving around! Also, we had to go see the Big Guy, Logan telling Santa what he would like for Christmas.
Spencer can't remember anything he wants.

Ethan trying to convince Santa that he has been good, that will be a hard sell.

We also made gingerbread houses and it was a lot of fun. Logan and Spencer were being so careful decorating the house.
And of course Ethan started eating part of the house, destroying their house. I guess that is what little brothers are good at, destroying things but they still love him to pieces, which is what big brothers are good at.

Thanksgiving Fun

We had lots of fun over Thanksgiving and the boys were so excited to have lots of visitors.Spencer made Turkey Leg bowling, and we had lots of fun playing. Spencer made up the rules as we went, he gave everyone lots of turns except Grandpa Sam, he only got ONE turn, no more.
Spencer setting up the pins.

The boys loving on their cousin Noah.

He is so cute!!!! I love his fat rolls, they are ADORABLE!!!

I thought Ethan might be jealous of his baby cousin but he just loved on him. Spencer was the one that got jealous, he told Brian, "Mom is just paying all her attention to Noah, and not to me!" I asked him to play a game with me, and he totally forgot about being upset, that is how 5 year olds are.

He is sticking his tongue at his Auntie Kim, he is a smart boy!

Look at that smile!

Logan being a good cousin reading to Noah.