Day 2 pics

Katie and TJ at Point Defiance Beach Katie, TJ, and Delilah
Katie and TJ to excited about the water to look at the camera
Me, dreaming I am in Hawaii
Just a cute pic of TJ picking up rocks
Katie with her flowers

Hiking in Point Defiance Park Pretty flowers
Katie, Lilah, and TJ during out hike
She loves her big brother

Katie looking under Old Mother Hubbard Shoe

Lilah not amused at Point Defiance Park
Looking up at Point Defiance Park
Katie playing in Neverland Park
TJ plaing in Neverland Park


TJ refused to look at the woman I asked to take our picture

Katie and TJ in trees at Point Defiance Park. I love the sun in this shot
Driving through Point Defiance Park
Entrace to Neverland Park
TJ playing in NeverLand Park

Katie resting with a book after a big day TJ playing outside at the hotel

Am I insane?

So, since Scott had to leave at 5:40 to catch his plane to Arkansas tonight we ate very early so I decided to fill our night I would take the kids to see Horton hears a Who. BUT I also agreed to watch my friend's 3 kids over night. Therefore, I took 6 kids to see Horton Hears a Who!!! Lilah acted up a little, but TJ was the big problem, because as soon as an adult gets up he seems to think he can act up and run around. Anyway, that was my night. Now I am sharing a bed with TJ when I thought I would get a bed all to myself tonight. Darn!

Day one pics

Scott in our hotel in Tacoma My sweet little kitchen
Our sweet ride for the week
TJ getting in bed in Tacoma
Katie not wanting to go to bed

Day five

What a crazy busy day. Today is Scott's birthday! And so ends my 29 days of torture.

We got up an headed off to our friend's house, or so I thought. I had all of our mapquest directions in a folder in the order we would need them. Unfortunately, I had the directions to Scott's aunt and uncle's house right behind the directions to his cousin's house in case plans changed for some reason, we were prepared. Well, we were half way there before I realized I was following the wrong map. Our friends Ann and Josh moved to Seattle about 4 years ago and we haven't seen them since. So, we were excited to spend a lot of the day with Ann and their daughter Abby. We went on what I have dubbed "The Ann Drive" We did a lot of island hopping. I was really pretty. We stopped at a beach for a while. We stopped at Fort Casey, which Scott really enjoyed. He especially liked the disappearing guns. We came home on a ferry. Then we were able to spend about 5 minutes with our friend Josh before heading to the other end of town to meet up with a different friend for dinner.

Our next stop was our friend Louie's. Louie was in our wedding, but we only saw him once or twice after that. He is now living in Seattle and has a very sweet girlfriend, Shelia. She got our approval! We felt pretty bad, because the kids were not in the best mood by the time we got to his house. We have pushed them pretty hard this week and especially today.

Day four

Today was a special day. We got to visit with Scott's aunt and uncle at his cousin's house. Scott hasn't seen his cousin, Kevin, in about 15 years. Kevin is married and has 3 kids. Amaya is 4, Cyrus is 2, and Sataya is 7 1/2 months. All of the kids had a pair. It was really cute. Katie and Amaya quickly became best buds. TJ and Cyrus were both shy (and sleepy) at first, but were soon playing together. Even the babies enjoyed pulling each others hair and napping together. It was fun to see Katie put together that Scott's aunt Susan was her Grammie's sister. When we left Katie was crying and asked "Am I ever going to see Amaya again?" It was very sweet.

Then we headed to the hotel and let the kids play in the pool for a little bit before bed.

Day three

Today is the day we pick up Daddy. It is very overcast, I hope I get to see the mountain. I am not sure how to get there since Mapquest sent me to the other side of the park that is closed. I am meeting Scott t 3:00. It is a two hour drive so, I think I will leave at noon.

Well, we had a lovely drive even though it was overcast. The trees here are just so big. I feel like all I have been doing is driving today though. The drive took longer than expected. It is a good thing I left early. It took two hours to get to the park, but it was another hour to where I was meeting Scott. I got worried when we got there, because the area was so big and there were so many people. The kids and I went to check out the observation deck and gift shop. TJ threw a major fit up there! I saw a group coming down and thought it was them, but it wasn't. After about half an hour inside we headed back to the car to wait there. Sure enough Daddy found us. They didn't make it to the top. They only made it to 13,300 ft. But the pictures were amazing! It was so cloudy I didn't even know in what direction the mountian was. It was pretty funny after I picked up Scott I asked "So, Rainier is over there right?" (pointing) And he said "No, it is over there" I was off by about 90 degrees. Opps! On the way out of the park I made Scott take pictures since I zoomed by everything on the way in not knowing how far I had to go. Realizing it was getting late and that making dinner in the hotel would make for a late dinner. We stopped at a really fun looking burger joint made out of and old train. The kids though it was pretty cool.

Oh, I almost forgot, Lilah got her second tooth today.

Day two

Scott got up at 5:30 to climb Rainier. Everyone else was up shortly after. It is 8:30 and it seems like it should be around 10:00. Lilah has been down for a nap for an hour already lol.

Wow, the baby was pooped. It is 10:30 now and she is still sleeping!

Well, once Lilah finally got up . . . at noon! we got her fed and changed and we headed off to Point Defiance Park. With the intent of going to the zoo. When we got there the zoo was so packed I couldn't even find a place to park. Therefore, I figured I wouldn't be able to rent a stroller either. So, I left thinking I was going to have to head back to the hotel after getting lost trying to get there. BUT I happened upon the beach, so we parked and hung out there for a while. The kids loved throwing rocks in the water. Then going further we found a park for the kids to play in and we took a little hike. We then headed back to the hotel and watched 27 Dresses while the kids played on the patio.

Day one

Today started early. Lilah got up twice in the middle of the night, but it paid off. She has a new tooth. Her first tooth even. I found it while we were waiting at the gate. TJ asked "Is she not a bay anymore?"

After asking many times before we left, TJ had to go potty before we even got to I25. We worried about how we were going to get all 8 bags/car seats in. So, Scott dropped me off with the girls. He and TJ then parked the car and met up with us. It went well. Everyone thought the kids were so cute.

They liked walking over the bridge to the concourse where a couple of planes drove under us. They liked the moving sidewalks, but the escalator scared Katie so, we had to go find an elevator and meet the boys at the bottom. While we were waiting on our plane we watched another plane back up and take off. The pilot of that plane waved at the kids. They liked that.

The flight was fine. The kids thought it was pretty cool. They kept asking (loudly) if we were going to crash. It was pretty embarrassing. The woman sitting next to me didn't look like a big fan of fling as it was. They colored and had juice and snacks on the plane. They were pretty entertained by the map on the seat backs. Katie liked the "bump" when we landed.

We got a Dodge Grand caravan. It isn't too bad. I love the power windows. Even the back pop out windows are powered! TJ loves to open the door with the button.

Our Tacoma hotel is nice. There is a small kitchen so, we don't have to eat out with the kids. We have a separate living area with 2 roll away beds for the big kids. The baby is in her pack n' play in the bedroom. We even have a small enclosed patio so, the kids can play.

We went to REI to get Scott's snowshoes. Then we went to Albertson's to get groceries, a Red Box movie, and hit the ATM.

Fox Stalking Prey

Scott took this footage on Rainier

On our way to the Space Needle

Night Bridge

Sorry, this one is dark and blurry at the end

On the ferry

Watch out

Island Beach

Going over the bridge

BFFs

Kids swinging

TJ swinging

Beach at Point Defiance

TJ's dance

Hey, there are a ton of photos I need to go through. Please be patient. To hold you over I will be posting video today though. This one is of TJ dancing in our hotel in Tacoma the first night.

Estes Park

Wow, I am behind on posts. Well, a couple weekends ago Scott, I and the kids went to Estes Park for a retreat with a class we are taking at church. I wasn't planning on going since it was the same weekend as my sister's birthday and therefore I had no one to watch the kids all weekend, but on Friday Ty called (class officiator) to say there were a lot of people who couldn't go at the last minute and there would be room to bring the kids. Since I was not particularly looking forward to a weekend along with the kids followed by Scott on a 3 day business trip. I decided to go. I am glad I did. The children were angels. It was absolutely amazing. The nights were a little difficult as Lilah is not used to sleeping with anyone so little noises woke her up, Katie kept falling off her sleeping pad or hitting her brother in her sleep. That was rough, but the days were great. We saw elk, deer, and big horn sheep. I would love to go back to Estes some time. The cabins we stayed at were so nice the kids asked if we could move there. lol

Daddadada

Your results:
You are Superman

Superman 75% Robin 70% Supergirl 65% The Flash 60% Spider-Man 55% Wonder Woman 55% Hulk 55% Green Lantern 55% Iron Man 35% Catwoman 20% Batman 15%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

You are the Riddler

Your results:
You are Riddler

Riddler 50% Mystique 48% Poison Ivy 44% Dark Phoenix 44% The Joker 42% Mr. Freeze 36% Dr. Doom 35% Venom 33% Catwoman 32% Green Goblin 28% Two-Face 28% Lex Luthor 25% Apocalypse 17% Magneto 14% Juggernaut 12% Kingpin 11%

Riddle me that, riddle me this, who is obsessed with having a battle of wits??

Click here to take the Super Villain Personality Test

Happy Earth Day

I honnor of Earth Day TJ and I planted an apple tree in our back yard. TJ loves working the hose and playing in the dirt. We now have 3 trees! Of course, only 1 is over 4 foot tall, but that is ok. Happy Earth Day!

Summer Baby

Break out the sunscreen, we are ready!

Public Service Notice

When you stop breast feeding, your hair falls out. You would think by the third kid I would remember this before hand, but no. Keep an eye out, I am posting a cute video of Delilah soon.

Trip to Dallas

Delilah and I got on a plane this weekend and headed to Dallas to suprise my best friend from high school at her bridal shower. I worked undercover with her mom and baby sister to sneak out there without her knowing I was coming. Her middle sister also snuck out from OR to suprise her as well. I wish I could have spent more time down there, but I really enjoyed my trip. The next time I visit will be in the winter. It was HOT.

Delilah did terrible on the flight out. She cried almost the whole way out there, but did MUCH better coming home. We had a very nice hotel room. It was a small suite with a kitchenette and large closet area where I would have put her crib, if they had it for me when I got there.

Delilah playing in the hotel room very happy to be off the plane

Delilah all dressed up for the shower
Jen totally suprised Reunion Introdcing Delilah to JenOh, wait, we have one more suprise!

GIFTS

Lil' Hawkeye Fan

Easter

Katie checking an egg

TJ loves eggs
TJ coloring on an egg before dying it
Almost done
Katie is very proud of her egg Easter morning
Lets dump the basket

I knew that!

You Are Most Like Charlotte!

You are the ultimate romantic idealist You've been hurt before, but that hasn't caused you to give up on love. If anything, your resolve to fall in love is stronger than ever. And it's this feminine optimism that men find most appealing about you. Romantic prediction: That guy you are seeing (or crushing on)? Could be very serious - if you play your cards right!

Which Sex and the City Vixen Are You?

Sleepless with 3 kids

You Sometimes Don't Get Enough Sleep

You're often more tired than you'd like, and you're probably not getting enough quality sleep. Sleeping a little more could make you a lot more energetic and happy. Try having a bedtime, keep your bedroom cool, and only eat fruit before bed.

Do You Get Enough Sleep?

Puzzle Quiz

You Are a Jigsaw Puzzle

You are a complex person, although at first glance you seem quite simple. Your personality is comprised of many interesting and distinct pieces. You are captivating and often visually interesting. You can be seen from many angles.

What Kind of Puzzle Are You?

Birdie Sex Change

Many of you know Buddy as my ornery Quaker Parakeet. Well, this morning we have decided to rename him Bianca. Quakers are monomorphic meaning both male and female look exactly the same. Although you can have blood work done to determine the sex, I never really saw the need to put him through the torture or spend the money. I have worked for 2 avian doctors, one of whom is very renowned and I have never done or seen this procedure done. Hence, when I was working for Pet’s Mart all the animals were “Buddy” when I decided to bring our “Buddy” home the name stuck. Well, last I was looking in on him and discovered he had plucked out all his belly feathers!! What was that about I thought? Knowing he is a plucker, I didn’t worry about it to much. Then this morning I got up, feed the kids, let the dog out, and grabbed the trashcan and fresh paper towels to clean his cage. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but an EGG. I was totally shocked!! The kids thought she had a baby when I showed them. I explained that she hasn’t been around any boy birds so it was just an egg. That satisfied their curiosity. So, from this day forth Buddy shall now be known as Bianca.