All the News - wrapped in one post!!

Most exciting -- we are now the proud owners of a little motorcycle! We absolutely love it!! I love it as much as the kids -- why didn't we get this toy years ago?!?! As we wait to get to the store to puchase a helmet, we ride in first gear around the back yard -- Dale is not very happy about the lawn being made into a track, but hey -- we can't get enough!


For Memorial weekend, we decided to get away! We took the kids to Park City on Saturday and stayed overnight! We had a great time -- swimming and shopping! (Rett actually despises shopping - so we only hit three stores, but shopping is shopping, right!)



We planned to get up on Sunday morning and catch a ride on the Alpine slide and take a nature walk -- our plans were quickly changed when we woke up to rain. Home we go!

As luck would have it, it was nice and sunny by Sunday afternoon. So -- we went to see the ducks! We didn't take any bread to feed them, because, yes -- I admit -- those ducks are very scary when you have a bag of bread with you! They are aggressive little guys!

We had a great time walking around and seeing the new baby ducks!

Rett is loving lawn mowing season -- he followed Dale around the entire yard with the Fisher Price guy! I hope he loves it this much when he is old enough to handle the "manly" mower!!


We just can't get enough of the nice weather!!! This is the boys favorite!! Water in the sand box -- it doesn't get any better than this!! Lots of laundry for Mom!!

SURPRISE!!

Daddy's Home!!! Tradition still holds -- whenever Dale drives to the job, he likes to surprise us and come home unexpectedly. So -- yesterday was the day! I called Dale around 5:00 last night and I kept thinking "He is driving home. . . " So, I asked him and sure enough he said, "I'll see you in three hours!" We decided to keep it a surprise for the kids.

The kids and I were invited to dinner at our neighbors house (Lisa's) last night. All of a sudden I realized it was 7:30, so I told the kids, "We have to hurry home, American Idol is coming on." As we were walking home, Cole decided to run ahead of us. Just as he turned the corner of our driveway, he stopped, turned around -- his eyes as big as silver dollars -- as yelled "DADDY'S HOME!" Sid and Rett ran faster and all three kids ran in the house to find Daddy waiting! I couldn't have planned it any better! What a great surprise after 6 weeks he is finally home and just in time for Spring Break with the kids! It is going to be a great weekend

A Weekend for Two!

It has been such a long time since Dale and I have had a little get away! Dale has been in Seattle for four weeks now and I decided to go and visit him (minus three kids) for the weekend!! Serene and Brigham traveled with me to go and see Kyle (my brother). We had such a great time - it was a "no schedules" weekend!


We did everything we wanted to! My favorite was the ferry ride! We decided to take the ferry to this little island 35 minutes out. The weather was perfect. This was the first day Dale had seen the sun since he got there! He even saw Mt. Rainer for the first time while I was there! It was so relaxing to sit on the back of the boat and watch the water and see the skyline! Picture perfect!

We decided to go to Pikes Place Market on Saturday -- big mistake. I did get to take in all the tulips -- they are my favorite and I decided if I lived there, I would have a fresh bouquet on my table at all times -- how could I resist a bouquet of the biggest tulips you have ever seen was only $10.00! It truly was so crowded we couldn't see anything to shop, so we decided to walk to the Space Needle. We walked everywhere -- I definitely got my exercise time in!

We only saw rain on Thursday -- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were gorgeous, sunny days. Just what we needed!

On Sunday, before we had to catch our plane out, we decided to go and have breakfast at the Salish Lodge. This is a little Lodge and Spa getaway place. We were seated for breakfast right next to the windows that overlooked the Snoqualmie Falls. A perfect ending to a weekend date with my husband!! Ahhhh . . . when can I go again . . . . (This date was made possible only with the help of Grandma Lynnea who watched three kids for 4 days!! Thanks Grandma -- hope you have recovered!!)

Time to GET OUT!!

We have been stuck in the house for the past four days!! AHHHH! I thought I just might go crazy!! Rett got sick on Tuesday morning (yes -- the yucky throw ups and runs) and then Sid caught the save virus on Wednesday night. Cole and I have made a pact that we are going to be strong and avoid this monster!! I have done at least 20 loads of laundry, mopped the floor twice, washed all the rugs twice and even organized a couple of closets this week. All in the name of sanitation!

Today -- both Sid and Rett were feeling better, so when Serene invited us to the zoo with her and Brigham -- we couldn't pass up the opportunity to GET OUT! Dale and Kyle have gone to Seattle to work on the sealing rooms there -- so it is just me, Serene and the kids for the next 4 weeks or so! It was a great day to be outside (other than the start of allergy season and the CROWDS of people at the zoo). Our favorite part of today was the elephants -- they were eating when we saw them -- it was fun to watch them in action!


When we got home - -Sid and Rett took a little walk to look for the signs of nature! I hope next week we will back to our normal work and school routine :)

She Keeps on Growing . . .

Slippin' though my fingers all the time . . .

Sid is officially entering the world of womanhood. We are getting into the Spring weather (YEA!) and I told Sidney last year, that this year I would let her shave her legs. Poor soul -- she got stuck with my hairy legs -- long, dark hair. She was so embarrassed last year playing soccer, swimming, just wearing shorts! So -- Sid decided she wants to wear shorts to school tomorrow -- you know what that meant -- the hairy legs had to go!! How could I say no -- a promise is a promise . . .

Sidney may not have any boobs, but she now has clean shaven legs without one nick of the razor!

Yep -- we're still here!!

Happy Valentines Day everybody!! I think Rett likes these socks from Grandpa and Grandma Anderson more than Sid!


We spent our Valentines evening at Cabella's this year -- blue suckers and all! No - Cole isn't mad at me, he is just a 7 year old who can't smile when you ask -- only pull as silly of a face as possible!



Finally -- if you haven't seen Brigham for a while -- I had him with me a couple of weeks ago -- he just keeps on growing!

It seems like time is just flying by -- I can't even believe it has been a month since I have updated you all! Sidney started practicing for spring season of soccer this past week. She has been practicing outdoors three days a week and then plays indoor "futsal" once or twice a week. WHEW! I forgot how busy life gets running her around! It is all worth it and she loves it!

Cole is becoming quite the mathematician. He has been learning how to add and subtract large numbers. I am amazed at how well he can add and subtract in his head! Maybe he will be our accountant someday!

Rett, Rett . . . .need I say more. He is different than Sid and Cole in so many ways! He wears m out -- or I am getting seriously too old for his energy! He is such a momma's boy and makes sure he knows where I am at all times. The other day while driving to Grandma and Ernie's house, he was sitting next to Sidney in the backseat. He started to sniff and said "I smell Sidney. You stink Sid!"

Dale is getting ready to go to Seattle for six weeks. He has been home for so long -- I think we are both feeling a little apprehensive about this job. We won't complain though - we'll take work as long as it keeps coming!

For any of you readers out there -- if you haven't read any of Jodi Picoult's books -- go get one and start reading. In order for me to love a book it has to be intense and keep my interest the entire time. That is exactly the kind of author she is. I am reading her book "Perfect Match" and I can't put it down. I finally let Sid have her Gameboy DS back and traded it for this book!