The Adventures of the Gross Family...Stories and Pictures about my Unique Family.: September 2010

Lauren and Mason's First Day of School 2010

This year Mason is a big 4th grader and Lauren is a big Kindergartener! Such exciting times!

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Lauren's First time riding the best (I found out after she got home that she sat with Mason, so cute!)

My kids are growing up too fast!

Our Trip to the Idaho Panhandle

At the end of August we traveled to Idaho for a Gross Family visit. We visited Grandma Gross and got to spend time with our cousins. We camped in Moyie Springs, ID in the panhandle. Beautiful country and lots of fun. The kids had so much fun with their cousins!

We made a stop at Stone Henge in Maryhill, WA (We were looking for a restroom). Most everyone cooperated for a picture...you can see who didn't :)

Here are some pictures I took of the kids playing in the small lake where we camped

(Twin Rivers Campground)

James and the kids playing on the dock

Brooke showing off her treasure

Mason (I can guess that he is rethinking about his decision to get in that chilly water!)

Cousin Cameron and Brooke

Mason and Cameron, goofing around!

James in the middle of the lake

Brookie bob-ing around in the water

Lauren says "BURRRRRRRR!"

James, Mason and Cameron

Brooke and Cousin Madelyn, looking at rocks

My girls trying to dry off and warm up!

Mason doing what he does BEST! :)

We ♥ Our FAMILY!

Great End to the Summer!

A Special Sleep-Over with Grandma Linda

Lauren and Brooke got to stay the night with Grandma Linda in August. She surprised them with a trip to the salon for manicures and pedicures. They got to pick their own nail polish color. They really enjoyed their treat...a memory with grandma that they will treasure!

Brooke's Pretty fingers and toes

Lauren's Pretty fingers and toes

Forest Fire

We had another forest fire very close to our home again...the third fire in 12 months. This one wasn't as scary as the one we had in October of last year (2009) when we had to be evacuated. The fire burned for almost 2 weeks. There was lots of helicopter and plane activity over the house. It was interesting to watch the planes drop the bright red fire retardent over the fire.

(The pictures are taken from our backyard)

Summer 2010, Mason & Lauren & Brooke

We did all kinds of fun stuff over the summer...Here are some fun pictures of the kids having some summer fun!

Esther Short Park, August 2010

Playing at the Park, August 2010

Mason's 9th Birthday

On July 24th,

Mason celebrated his 9th Birthday with family and friends. We so enjoyed getting everyone together! We have learned so much about what is important in life in the last year and we realize that every moment spent with the ones you love is so precious...Mason felt so loved and was very thankful all of the wonderful gifts that everyone brought for him! I am so blessed to have a happy, healthy young man...Happy 9th Birthday to Mason Ryan!

I laugh so hard everytime I see these pics of all of us singing "Happy Birthday" to Mason...we must have sounded awful, because Brooke has her ears covered in every picture! :)

Mason and Grandpa Kip

Mason and Derek

Aunt Veronica giving AJ a belly-rub

Stan, Heidi and Derek (Caleb was running around somewhere!)

Grandma Linda and Brooke, enjoying a YUMMY Chocolate cupcake

Present TIME!

The L & B Lemonade Stand

The girls served Lemonade to all of our party guests. They had been waiting for weeks to set up their stand. They served "PINK" lemonade :) As you can see they were pretty proud of themselves!

Where do I start?

I haven't updated my blog since James' birthday in June...so I feel a little behind. Here are some fun things that we all have been up to!

JUNE

James, Mason and I climbed Silver Star Mt. The summit is about 4,300 ft. and climbs in elevation very quickly. We had fun but, it was a challenge in my opinion! Great memory though and so beautiful! Here are some of the pictures from our hike.

Mason and I at the start of our hike...we still have smiles on our faces :)

Starting to climb in elevation...as you can see the trail is getting pretty steep!

About this time in the hike Mason informed James and I that he was turning around and going back to the car...and he felt good about his decision!

Sturgeon Rock

Still lots of snow on the mountain...perfect timing for a snowball fight!

Almost to the summit!

All of us at the summit! WE MADE IT!

James and Mason preparing an MRE for lunch...vegetable ravioli...actually wasn't too bad!

The summit registry...of course we added our names!

Beautiful wild flowers

Dad and Mason taking another short break before we start the big decent.

We completed the 9 mile round trip hike!

James' Hike to Mt. Adams

James hiked Mt. Adams in late June. There was still a lot of snow for their hike as you can see in the pictures. We were very proud of him! Here are some of the pictures from his trip:

James the first day of the climb

Hiking to the false summit of the mountain

Their camp at the false summit...waking up to the make push to the actual summit

The Summit of Mt. Adams

James taking a break and having a snack

Finally made it!

Zach and Cherish Thiessen's Wedding (Harstine Is., WA)

In July, James and I got to attend our dear friends' wedding in the Puget Sound. It was beautiful! We were kid-less for a couple of days...IT WAS WONDERFUL! We are soo happy for Zach and Cherish. They have great family and friends, and we felt very fortunate to be a part of their VERY special day! Just a beautiful wedding...