Finally

This gorgeous couple just got engaged!

my boys are excited for their rockstar uncle

jackson plays drums just like him

sam wants to rollerskate like him
and max is already making faces like him

seriously, our nieces and nephews are going to be so cute

Field Trip: Puyallup Fair School

Sam's kindergarten class to the Puyallup Fair School. They "attended" three "classes" to learn more about farm animals, garden vegetables and fruits and grains and the process of making pasta.

sam and hayden petting an angora rabbit

 

petting a baby goose : alpaca

grinding wheat

Sticky

mom, look at what my sticky hands and feet can do!

bedhead : in need of a haircut

10 months

separation anxiety

loves to eat

wants to be in the middle of everything

climbs stairs

four teeth

walking along furniture

balancing

mama's boy

loves to play

signs more

loves baths

reorganizes cupboards

likes to swing

 

 

always on the go

Mother's Day

ah, the joys of motherhood

Pirate pARRRRRty!

In celebration of Brandon's second authored and illustrated book, Pirates of the Sea, being published we threw together a last minute party. Pirate style. 

 

walk the plank : eye patches for the lil' buccaneers

new framed art

sam and jackson helped make decorations

I had a lot of fun with the food and the nicknames for each item. Brandon was laughing at me as I made them up late one night. I thought I was so clever and he just thought I was crazy.

cannonballs : oreo truffles

landlubber bars : chocolate and coconut pecan cupcakes

my awesome friend kim made cookies, brownies and the seaweed doughboys

peg legs : seadogs

grog : homemade root beer : shiver me timbers

austin the monkey : max as smee

 

smee was a crowd favorite : he left his eye patch on long enough for pictures

big thanks to molly and the gehrings 

Last minute scare : We had given our only copy of the book to a friend in NC and didn't receive the anticipated box of books and overnight order from Amazon. Here we are throwing a party for Brandon's book and didn't have a single copy. The stores didn't have them in stock yet and we were lacking the proof that it had been published. Dundadada! The Gehrings saved the day. They brought two copies, theirs and a friends'. Our heroes. 

brandon had a hoarse voice after three readings in pirate voice

koontz siblings

Our little house was filled beyond capacity. The lil' pirates jumped ship and flooded into the backyard. I think we had a tree full of monkeys at one point. Thanks to everyone for your friendship and support. And a very special thanks to Kim, Jillian, Melissa, Mom and Molly. 

Easter

the easter bunny was kind

Since the little boys and I were out of town on Easter Sunday we convinced the Easter Bunny to make a special visit to our house the following week. He had extra exciting baskets for these patient boys who had to wait a little longer so their mom could have her photo op.

jackson went straight for the chocolate

 

max had fun exploring all these new things : he even tried eating the easter grass

 

the easter bunny had some really good hiding spots : the boys loved their treasure hunt

After all the Easter bunny activities we headed to church with my family in Enumclaw. Since I am in the family we couldn't pass up a family photo. But one was about all the boys could handle, so no photo of just our five this year.

missed you nicole and jamie : the next one is for you

grandpa jan needs to work on his funny face

can't get enough of those blue eyes

melissa twirling in her skirt : jackson the copy cat

me and my gorgeous sisters : Rachel and Melissa

After a delicious dinner, we took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and walked off what we ate. Down to the "Silos" and back, cows, llamas, horses, miniature donkeys and bike tricks. What more could you want?

poppin' wheelies

grandpa, sam and jackjack poppin' wheelies : love

Christopher dared Brandon to jump the puddle. He did. He just didn't account for landing in the puddles just beyond it.

rides with jeremy : christopher

Uncle Jeremy entertained the crew as Jordan played the Easter bunny in the backyard. Just a bunch of basket cases.

 

 

easter hunt #2 : tricky jordo : jackson and meena