Emerald Downs 2009

Every year around the 4th of July we go to Emerald Downs for the 4th of July Firework Spectacular. It never actually falls on the 4th but that's what we are celebrating. With the 4th falling on Saturday this year Derek and I both had Friday, July 3rd off, which is when it was scheduled for. We packed up the camper, got some food and headed up. We had to get there early to park the camper in two spots. Addie was still asleep so we pulled out some beers and hung out for a bit. We got in right in time to watch some horses head up to the track. Addie thought the horses were the coolest thing ever. Ethan had just gotten his DSi so he was entralled in that until I finally took it away and made him join the real world. Addie watched every single race and her Grandpa was more than willing to take her down right next to the track to watch each and every race. It was a great time.

After the races we waited for dark for the firework show. The show is always amazing because they set it up all the way across the track so it is just cool. Addie, it seems, still does not like fireworks this year, although it was better than last year. last year she sobbed the entire time. This year she started crying right off the bat but I was able to soothe her and as long as her ears were covered and she was glued to me she would watch the fireworks. I just had to keep reminding her how pretty they were. Overall it was a great night and of course I got some fun pictures.

Ethan is waiting for the horses to come over to the track
Here is the family unit hanging out by the horses
Addie LOVED the horses
And Grandpa loved watching Addie love the horses
Addie was trying to figure out which horses to bet on
Ethan is trying to see the horses coming around the track
My little cheesy girl. Always a ham for the camera
Why walk when your daddy can give you a lift?

Relay for Life

I just want to share some of my pics from Relay for life. Most of these pictures were taken before I really started walking. I wish I would have gotten more pics of all of Ethan's rock star-ness but my camera was put away by then. This was an awesome experience. Here are the pics.

Addie hanging out in our little area.
A couple of my friends...Cyndi and Ina
The sun was out and Addie was just too cute not to take a million pics of her.
Emily and her sister Serry during the survivor's lap
Serry and family as they kept doing laps during the first hour
This my friend Gina. She is currently battling Lymphoma and yet she walked 22 miles.

Addie was ready to do some walking. Derek was able to come out for a little bit even though he was on call.
There was lots and lots of of fundraising on the field. Here were a few girls that were painting people's nails for a dollar. I couldn't resist getting Addie's nails painted. there was more paint on her fingers than her nails and I ended up doing a lot of the work but these girls were so cute trying to do their part to raise money for cancer.
The kids went crazy playing on the field during the walk.
Addie had an obsession with this grate of all things.
The kids wanted to walk a lot but would get tired. So we pushed them in a wheel chair and pulled them in a wagon some of the time.

My very last post for today!!

So, after out skydiving trip we had to run home Sunday morning in time to go to my church's grand reopening after nearly a year of construction. I made Derek come with me and he didn't pout too much. They were giving out fresh cookies for everybody and Addie made a giant mess. Afterward we played a little bit for Father's Day, first with a BBQ place down the street. the food was awesome, the BBQ stunk, and they made beer. It wasn't crowded and it was just a nice lunch. Afterward we went up to a park in the area called Wonderwood Park. I had never been but I had heard about it from Laura, and Derek had found it a couple weeks before. So we walked around there with our friends Dave and Leanne and their little boy Adam. It was a great day. So here's some pics from Sunday.

Addie was trying hard to help Adam up, but I think he weighs as much as she does so she was having a rough time.

Addie loves to play with Daddy, especially when it involves throwing her around and spinning her in circles.

I love this!!

They have some great woodsy trails with lots of old trees and stuff.

Weekend at my parents' house

Here are some fun pictures from when we hung out at my parents' house this past weekend. Our skydive was in Snohomish so we thought we would do some Father's Day celebration while we were up there. We got up there Friday night and worked on emptying my dad's keg so that Derek could take the kegerator home with us. I was an awesome wife for Father's Day this year. Beer and skydiving. You can't beat that. So now the keg is empty so that Derek can put in some Fat Tire. We drank, hung out and played pool. Same as always. Then Saturday night Alisha made homemade tortillas, my mom made carne asada and I finished it off with homemade fried ice cream. I have to say...it was all absolutely delicious. So here's some pics from the weekend.

Addie doesn't like to hit the balls, she likes to collect them.

I think my mom and dad still like each other after all this time.

Silly, Silly Addie Pat (By the way...she claims this as her name and will often correct you if you call her Addie. "No! Addie Pat!!")

Ethan was eavesdropping on Dan's conversation. He got caught just a few minutes later.

Addie was having a hard time making this work but kept trying. There are a few large bumps here in the driveway that are hard to get over.

This was pretty funny. Derek taught the kids about whip cream canisters so Addie had whip cream all over her mouth. So, I was trying to get a picture but Ethan wanted pics of him too. It became a real battle for the camera. I have such big hams for kids. I guess that is what happens when you take so many pics of your kids.

The kids didn't used to be allowed to play on the table but lately it has been allowed. It makes for some fun pics. Ethan is doing the robot in some of them. He's really good at it.