Hiking at Klemgard Park

I was called to help out with Achievement Days a couple of months ago. I went to one the beginning of May, then I skipped the next two. The second one in May, I had a doctors appointment out of town and then the first one this month, I just plain forgot about it! Oops. Well we had our last one for the summer last Friday. We went out to Klemgard Park, went on a hike and then had a picnic lunch we all packed. I had to take all three boys, but luckily they were easy to handle since I didn't have to contain them outdoors. I was a little nervous on the hike that Quinn would get too tired and want me to hold him. I had to carry Winston the whole time, along with my camera and camera bag. I only ended up with about 20 pictures because of doing it all one handed, and not being able to do both.

Malcolm and Quinn were "buddies" for the hike. Malcolm of course found a walking stick first thing.
We had to cross two bridges like this. I was a little nervous, since I couldn't help the boys do it.
At the top we stopped for a spiritual thought. Winston was grateful for the break from mom's arms. I love how Malcolm and him are holding hands. Winston loves his brothers so much and really tries to be like them.
Malcolm found this leaf and thought it was so cool. I just happened to be taking his pictures and he was trying to show it to me. What an awesome picture for not being planned!
After the hike the boys were so excited to eat our lunch I packed. There's a great playground there as well, but they were only able to play for about 10 minutes, since the hike took longer then planned.

I Hate This Stage!

Don't let this cute boy fool you. He's a stinker!

Winston has been at the stage of throwing stuff away. It's been going on for several months, but cooled off for a while, and has started up again. We've caught everything he's thrown away and if we didn't catch some stuff, well it wasn't of much importance.

Well a couple of days ago, I think we missed something. Something that really can't be replaced right now.

My iPod!

Seriously!

I use my iPod as a flashlight when I read at night, and Matt is going to sleep. I usually put it up on my bookshelf when I'm done, but for some reason put it on the floor with my book, not thinking about it. It was after midnight, I don't even know why I was up so late still. Winston ended up being a booger and just as I got to sleep, he woke up and would not go back to sleep. Needless to say, I didn't end up going to bed until 2:30am. In the morning, I stayed in bed an extra hour or more. First, Matt brought Winston in the bed when he woke up, thank you very much when I was up with him in the middle of the night, and he wondered around the room. Apparently he picked up and was playing with my iPod, Matt thought he only had it around his side of the bed. Well it's no where to be found. I'm assuming it was thrown away!

It's been over a week now and still has not been found. I keep a pretty organized house, and I totally cleaned it also, under beds and closets, under cushions and furniture, in hope of finding it. No such luck! The little stinker!

Issues!

Obviously I'm having issues. I have not posted in a whole month, A WHOLE MONTH people! I'm quite sad that I didn't have the time or energy, mostly energy, to do it. I hope to get caught up in the next few days, weeks or maybe months! We'll see, I'm not making any promises right now.

P.S. Don't be offended by my lack of blog reading. I've been neglecting my computer and my camera.

UPDATE

I did lots of catching up, but cheated and back dated them. It took me a whole day and a half, but I feel much better. I realized how terrible I was at picture taking and I'm very sad I missed documenting some fun family times. I vow to be better!!

Pop's Birthday Weekend

Last Thursday I had a Dr. appointment in Spokane and as we were getting ready, Matt got a call to go into work Friday at the nuclear power plant in Tri-Cities. So we packed really quickly in an hour (I OVER packed, after our last visit) and headed to Spokane to my appointment. After the appointment, we ate a quick lunch and then went on to Moses Lake.

It worked out great, since it was Pop's birthday that day. So we got to wish him a happy birthday, and Quinn spilled the beans of what we got him for his birthday! We weren't celebrating it until Saturday so we got to spend the weekend taking in the festivities. Matt went to Brianne and Tom's Thursday night and came back Saturday morning for the partying.

Thursday afternoon, Mom came home with a little kiddie pool for all the grand kids to enjoy. Malcolm and Quinn reaped the rewards right away while I was getting my hair done at Mel's. Friday cousin Emma came to play, and they got to play in it again. Emma was not one bit scared of the pool!

Love this face when she gets to the end of the slide. She would go under and it would not phase her. Even if she did end up swallowing the water.

Winston was scared if the boys even splashed any water outside the pool. He just hung out on the back step the whole time. He also has yet another battle wound. He climbed up on the the bench next to me while playing at the park at our apartment complex, slipped in between the back and the seat of the bench and scrapped and bruised his chin really good.
I think this picture is hilarious for some reason!

Emma kept getting so excited she'd throw her hands up in the air. It was so stinkin' cute!

Emma trying to slide down the side of the slide. Much easier then needing mommy to help you every time.
Isn't she just adorable? I could keep her as my own if her mommy and daddy would let me!
Winston got adventurous and went the opposite way of the water. Pretty funny that he didn't care for the pool, since nothing else phases him!
After the pool playing, we headed out to see Up in 3D. I left Winston with Cynthia (Thanks!!) and went with the boys, Mom, Leisha and Emma, and Holli and Grayson. It was cute, but not worth the 3D. The boys loved the previews with everything coming close to us, but the movie didn't have anything that jumped out. Malcolm asked me a couple times why there wasn't anything coming close to us.

Saturday all Pop wanted to do to celebrate his birthday was go to the aquatic center. It was a lot of fun since all the family was there, minus Landon. We picnicked and ate lots of crap and swam. Winston was not a fan of it, but we did make him venture in and if he was held close, he was okay with being up to his tummy. It'll be a work in progress. It is nice that he doesn't love it as much as Emma and Reed that we have to fight to keep them out of it! I of course didn't take any pictures again. Water plus camera doesn't usually go together very well. Next time I WILL venture out and take some pictures though!!

After the pool, we had cake and ice cream to celebrate.
Jayni, Quinn, Mason and Malcolm helping Poppy blow out his candles. Pop gave them instructions prior to the candle blowing on how to blow on the cake without spitting. Ha!
Very impressive cake for a half an hour of decorating. Mom made it half chocolate and half white cake. It was wonderful as usual, and the boys loved the Star War guys. Don't you love the saying Mom put on it. She also mentioned putting, "You are not our father", but I didn't think Pop would appreciate that much. Maybe she can save that for the Father's Day cake, haha, I'm just kidding. Pop you are our father, and we love you very much! Thanks for being a great Pop/Poppy to all of us! May you feel the force through this coming year!
Our gift for Poppy that Quinn was sure to tell him about the minute he saw him. Every time Mom and Pop come to visit, we eat at Cougar Country. It's really our favorite burger place, even restaurant, here in town. Pop loves it so much and requests it so often, we bought him a shirt!! Also we actually call it Cougar Chunkies, because whenever we would drive by it, Quinn would ask for Cougar Chunkies! Ha!