Super Heros

So lucky to be living with a bunch of superheros!

Camping with the Hudsons

We were able to go camping with our friends the Hudsons at Scenic Beach State Park in Seabeck, WA. Because we decided to stay for the reveal of the makeover house we got a late start and ended up setting up camp in the dark. Nothing like roasting marshmallows and eating smores over a campfire. Though I could do without the kids hopped up on sugar who won't go to bed at midnight. Jackson was the worst. Brandon ended up driving around until we were sure Jackson was asleep. But he slept like a champ until he woke us up at 6:30 in the morning.

Then it was time for the camping breakfast of champions: bisquits on a stick, precooked sausage on a stick, hot cocoa and oatmeal. And if you were really creative pigs in a blanket.

Sam and Tyler making their own breakfast. I think these two could pass as brothers. They look more alike than Sam and Jackson... at least from the back.


After a short walk through the woods where Corwin spotted Big Foot, or Big Flip according to Sam, we reached the beach. There were hundreds of oyster shells and rocks to skip or throw into the water. Brandon won the skipping rocks contest, but Sam was the best at skipping the oyster shells. Farrah was the best at weighing Corwins pockets with pretty shells.



Eventually we let Jackson out of the backpack so he could join in the fun. He was in heaven. The kid loves rocks. He loves to throw them. He loves to hold them. He loves to stick them in his mouth. He was so amused throwing the rocks like all the big kids and I was lovin' not having to worry about them landing in my grass or flowerbeds. After replacing half the beach back into the ocean we meandered to a park and let the kids play duck duck goose and run around. Jackson played so hard he zonked out on the way back to camp.

Extreme Makeover

Our ward was able to participate in an amazing home makeover for a fellow ward member. You can see the before and after teaser news reports here. We also made the 6:00 news the night of the reveal, but they don't have an online link.

Sam and Allie

Every year, Brandon and Jake head to the Drag Races. During this time Nicole and I get to chat and the kids get to play. We love getting together with the Woodhouses!

Swimming Break

While Steve and Cindy were in town we got together for a swimming break at Michael and Bekah's. These are the photos I got of our cuties.

Portland Trip

Every year Sam has a check up with Dr. Sussman at the Shriner's Hospital in Portland, Oregon for his club feet. We had originally planned on making a weekend of it, but had to cut our trip short due to a tight deadline for work. Sorry Forreys! So instead of the weekend camping and hanging out with college buddies, we made the six hour round trip journey with a two hour rest stop at the hospital.

Over the last year Brandon and I have seen a significant change in Sam's feet. After we stopped using the Dennis Brown boots his feet were pretty straight. Now a year later, they are very noticibly turned in. Sam has a tendency to trip over his feet and fall down a lot. I know all kids trip and fall, but I watch Sam trip over his own feet. We were hoping that the doctors would do something to help correct it before it becomes a serious problem and not just one that slows him down.

Diagnosis: Sam will have surgery again. This time the four hour surgery will loosen the tendons in his heels and across the top of both feet and loosen the joints in his heels. He will be in two full leg casts for 6 weeks. Sam will get to cruise around in a wheelchair unless we get a jogger before then. We don't know the date of the surgery yet. But it will most likely be sometime after the new year. We will find out about 6 weeks prior to the day of surgery. We have also been put on a short list (not determined by our height) in case there are any cancellations prior to our scheduled surgery date.

To double the duty of the trip we were able to ride down with my parents and sisters, so my dad could pick up his new riding lawn mower in Portland. Gotta love craigslist! And we all love the new John Deere.

4th of July

We started off the day with the ward breakfast and kids' bike parade. Sam still needs some more practice, but by the end of the parade he was starting to get the hang of it. Only to be distracted by the fire engine that came to visit.

After naps for the kids we headed up to Brandon's Uncle George and Aunt Linda for an afternoon on Lake Washington with the family. We tried tubing, but the water was so choppy. Sam took his turn on the tube with dad, but preferred watching everyone else get thrown around in the water.


Jackson on the other hand took advantage and took a nap with Grandpa Jan.

After a fun filled day we headed home with the intention of putting the kids to bed and watching fireworks. But somehow Sam conned us into buying and setting a few fireworks off ourselves.

Swimming

Happy Birthday Sam!

My big boy is now 4 years old. Sam decided he wanted a monster truck birthday party with his friends. He was so excited to have his friends come over and super excited about the pinata.

Jackson was just excited to get a lollipop out of the pinata.

Our new family tradition is to have dad sing Happy Birthday with the ukulele and we love it.

Sam-
I can't believe four years has flown by so fast. You have grown so much and I can't imagine loving you anymore than we do today.

Happy Birthday! Dad, mom and Jackson