Payte's 5!! Dak's 3!! Wooohoooo!

Happy birthday to these two Buccaneers!

Payte's and Dak's birthdays are August 24th and 27th respectively.

Arrrrrgh!

Dak, Dak, Dak.......I love this boy! He melts my heart.

His smile is as bright as his scowl is scary. His greatest love in life is probably his sister Payte. He copies her every word and action, literally. If Payte accidentally trips and falls, Dak voluntarily face plants alongside her.

Payte has the most endearing personality! It is impossible to not love her.
She has a special ability to enjoy people of all different types and ages. She is very confident and comfortable with herself, and others can in turn feel comfortable around her. I honestly haven't seen anything like it. She can make AnYoNe feel loved.

Dak wrapped up in his new Thomas towel.

This is a shot of Payte opening up her pirate sword. She was so excited....obviously.

A Bouquet of Newly Sharpened Pencils

Does anyone know where this post's title comes from? We had an interesting first week of school. Here's how it went..........

Two excited girls on their way to the bus stop

Uh-oh, Payte looks a little worried. Actually, she was really excited to start Kindergarten. The bus came little earlier than expected and she didn't like being rushed to the corner as the bus nearly whizzed past us.

The second day of school was cancelled due to threats of Hurricane Fay. She never hit us. It barely even rained that day. We were slightly disappointed we didn't get to see more action.

Tay fell during P.E. on the real second day of school and broke her nose.

Thursday went smoothly. Yeah! But then came Friday......
..Reese, Tay, and his parents left Friday afternoon for Alabama to attend Lila's baby blessing. We dog sat Chief, my in-law's dog. I love him! We also had Jackson, a jack-russell puppy that Tay wants to adopt. Funny that I got stuck with him while Tay was gone. Minutes after Reese left, Tagg threw up all over me. Dak and Payte soon followed suit, and I ended up tending and cleaning up after dogs and sick children all weekend. I actually felt more sorry for Payte than for me. It's her birthday today and she feels miserable. We will be celebrating her another day.

In Seattle

We spent the first two weeks of August in the Great Northwest. I was about as nervous to go as I was excited; Nervous because I was afraid I wouldn't want to go back home; and I mean really seriously NOT want to go back home. My apprehensions turned into reality upon our arrival in Seattle. It was cold and rainy. Ahhhhh, my kind of weather! We had a SuPeR GrEaT time! We hit Cow Chip Cookies, the XXX root beer joint, and of course Starbucks several times for hot chocolate. Starbucks does exist in Florida but the experience is just not the same.
I flew out with the three older kids and Reese came out with Tagg a couple days later. Reese had to get back to work so I was going to have to fly back with all four by myself. YUCK! Linda Krulish, a friend from our Sammamish ward found this out and bought a ticket for her 18 year old daughter Amanda to fly back with me. What a lifesaver Amanda turned out to be! Reese taught Amanda in seminary before we moved so it was fun for him to have her around too. We love you Amanda and hope you come back soon!

Dak throwing rocks in the river at Snoqualmie Falls

Reese and Tagg at a beach on Lake Washington

We went to see the Blue Angels fly. We had never been before. I didn't take this picture; that would have been impressive. They flew right over our heads in this formation. It was super cool!

Tagg and me at the city center

My kids loved exploring off trail on the way to the waterfalls. We were all grateful to breath in some fresh crisp air.

With Friends

(Sigh) How I wish we still lived in Seattle. I had a lovely time visiting old friends. We kept ourselves on the go as we bounced from house to house. I didn't take my camera everywhere we went so I don't have pics of lots of people we saw. I felt like I was back home. There are people there that I love like family.

Our dear friends the Paxman's had a little dessert party for us at their home, allowing us to see lots of friends at once.

Not pictured are the Salmon's. We went to their house one night. They took such good care of us while we lived there. Lori was out of town:( so we skyped her and got to see not only her, but Kath and Tim's new baby twins!

Also not pictured are the Cardon's. I got to hold Dana's beautiful new baby Daniel and go to Cam's eagle court of honor.

I went out one night with the ladies from my old dinner group, Rachel, TeriAnne, and Jen, which was a blast. I saw Chantalle and three of her kids. We also went to the Hansen's new home and spent an evening eating, talking, and boating. I had to cancel a play date with the Jessica Forsgren to take Tagg to the doctor:( He had a bad case of croup.

This is Audrey Elison and Tay. We stayed with them the first two nights. Her mom Tracy is one of my best friends and my old jogging partner. I have a TON of admiration for her. We went walking at 5:30 in the morning, just like old times, and yes it rained (grrrrrrrrr).

We went to dinner at the Ranck's one night. Michelle planned a whole fish-themed party for us. We had SO much fun! She gave the kids fish cups, and let them whack a fish pinata. There was also hat and cookie decorating with lots of rainbow goldfish to eat. (Sigh...again) I miss you Michelle. You are so wonderful!

The pinata fell off the rope so Jeff bravely held it while my kids beat it up with a bat. Becca finally busted it open.

Tanner Paxman and Payte. My kids LOVE Tanner! He graciously played with them many many times. Dak asks me several times a day if we can "go to Vicki's."

Pictured above are Vicki, Tanner, and my kids. We stayed with the Paxman's several nights.
We LOVE them! I don't usually like to talk on the phone but I can spend hours talking to Vicki. It makes my day when she calls. I'm so comfortable with her. She is down to earth, funny, and genuinely loving. I keep trying to come up with a way for someone in my family to marry someone in her family; probably won't happen. I love you Vicki.

I forgot to bring Tagg's pajamas so I put him in one of Dak's T-shirts and Vicki put these huge socks on him.

At Ryan and Angi's

We spent the week after Cody's wedding with Ryan and Angi. I LOVE those guys! Brady and Julie were there too so it was double the fun..... and triple the diapers. I MISS MISS MISS living close to them. I am always amazed at the strength of Reese's family. I could go on and on but I'll just say that they are the BEST........yep, that pretty much sums it up.

Here we are at the International Water Bowl in the Seattle city center. The kids had a blast!


Posing atop an old stump on a hike at Whidbey Island


Thys is the oldest of the grandchildren on the Reynolds side. He is a wonderful kid! I love hanging out with him.

Josie, Ryan and Angi's youngest. I have the most beautiful nieces!

Taking the ferry to Whidbey

Mia and Tagg. She's a sweetie!

Angi made homemade raspberry lemonade. I didn't even get to try any because they sold out so quickly. Payte was in charge of the candy sales. It was amusing watching her trying to convince people they needed her candy.

Tay and Mia, best cousins.

Slip-n-slidin' in the backyard

Mia, Anabelle (did I spell it right Julie?), and Tay

Cody's Wedding

Cody married Jessica Gibb two weeks ago! We are SO excited for them. We can't wait to get to know Jess better and are SuPeR excited to have her in our family. I love weddings! They are SO much fun. I would love to get married all over again........to Reese of course.

The happy couple cutting the cake.

Payte watched out for Dak and made sure his bow tie wasn't crooked.

I love this pic of Tagg though it is a little blurry.

Cody's Angels from left to right, Angi, Morgen, MaShay, Jess, Me, and Julie