Dad's New Birthday Present

Other people spray their weeds, or they pull them by hand (like I do)...Not James...he Nuc's them!  James got a weed-burner for his birthday.  I don't think he sees burning weeds as a chore... :)  Thanks Grandpa Kip!

Trip to Mt. St. Helens...30 years after the eruption...

James and I decided to take the kids on a day trip to see how much the area around Mt. St. Helens has changed.  The last time we visited the area was almost 10 years earlier and it has changed a lot.  Much more trees and vegetation.  Still very unbelievable to see the destruction that the mountain caused.  We visited several of the lookout points and stopped to take a hike at the Johnson Ridge Observatory directly across from the crater.  We visited on a perfectly clear day, the mountain was so beautiful!  I have a few memories of the day of the eruption (I was four) but started to remember a little more when I saw pictures of the ash...I can remember it lining our street and being in the trees.  The kids were very interested in all of the exhibits that were in the observatory.  Lauren loved the seismograph and how it recorded her jumping on a graph.  I am glad that the kids got to learn about northwest history and how the earth is alive and changing just like they are!

Lunch at the 19 Mile Resturant...yummy...nice way to end the day!

Around Our Garden...

Since we have had relentless rain for months...a break in the sun gave me a few minutes to take some pictures of our yard and garden.  The kids walked around the yard with me to explore and see all of the new life that is starting to sprout!  James and Mason got to mow the lawn together :)

Memorial Day Weekend

This year we stayed around the house and spent time with family for Memorial Day.  We worked and played around the yard, had a bonfire and had lunch with Grandma Linda and Joe, Shari and the boys.  Couldn't think of a better way to spend the holiday knowing how much others have sacrificed so that I could have this time with my family.  We put out our beautiful flag out and enjoyed a bit of dry weather.  Here are some pictures of us on Memorial Day weekend:

Saluting the Flag...Brooke just looks like she has a headache!

Beautiful evening sunshine!  Glad the kids could enjoy it!

Sitting by the cozy bonfire...

The fire got bigger as the evening progressed...James doesn't do little fires :)

AJ our dog very patiently waiting for a pet from anyone...

Still waiting...

Finally got one :)

Kitty Rex even enjoyed the warm fire!