Happy 6th Birthday Regen!

Regen was a lucky girl for her 6th birthday. She got to have a 'friends' party at a gymnastics center and then a 'family' party where she got to eat her favorite meal ever - mac n' cheese. She also received what she has been asking for for the last 6 months - a Nintendo DS. She has been saving her money that she has earned from her marble jar, and money that she begs for from unsuspecting relatives, and mom and dad chipped in to buy the rest of it. She was SO excited!
I think a good time was had by all.

Happy birthday my sweet girl. I can't believe that you are 6 years old. I love how sweet, artistic, funny, silly, helpful, and intelligent you are. I look forward to watching you grow up into a young woman.

Regen's Friends party at Northshore Gymnastics Center

Listening to directions!


Playtime




Snack and Cake time


My home-made (from scratch) flower garden cupcakes. I have to say, I was impressed with myself.


Present time




Regen's Family Party

The day started out with a little squabble between the girls. Claire really wanted to open the gift that she got Regen, and Regen did not want her to.



Regen won the battle and Claire got Regen Pocahontas 1 and 2. Regen was a happy girl!


They made up


Bouncy house UFC


Mac n' cheese and silly faces




Regen's strawberry cake - again - homemade, I am on a roll here!


Cake and Silly Faces


It started to rain so I sent my dad and Colin out to deflate the bouncy house - and this is what happens


Anthony giving a DS tutorial


And,really,Chase was there - see him in the corner on my mom's lap?

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's day to my wonderful husband who is an amazing dad!! We spent the day at the Museum of Flight - with a WHOLE LOT of other Dad's because it was pouring! This is the first time we have gone with the kids and it was fun. We are looking forward to taking them back someday when it isn't so crowded.

Colin's day started out with Me and Chase heading to Starbucks and the grocery store at 6:45am because the little stinker woke up early. We bought coffee and donuts for the whole family and I got stuff to pack a lunch for the museum. We came home and I packed lunch and set out the breakfast items. Everyone got up around 8am and we gave Colin his presents, a new baseball glove and the biggie - a NEW TV. We headed to the Museum then came home and while Claire and Chase took their naps, Regen and I headed out for some shopping so Colin could have some quiet time of his own. Then for dinner we got thai food and all ate in the living room while watching a movie. Now, I ask - besides the baseball glove - do you think I benefited pretty well from Colin's father day?!?! ha! I promised him that next year I would actually cook meals since I won't have a very clingy 9month old to hold on to every second of the day.





Happy Father's Day Colin - thanks for all you do!

NW Aerials Dance Recital

Saturday the girls were in their very first dance recital. They have both been taking a Ballet/Tap/Gymnastics class the whole year and this year we decided to put them both in the recital. They had quite the cheering section and they both did wonderful. It was fun to see their little personalities come out on stage. Claire seemed to give up her routine half way through and thought it would be better to get a reaction from the crowd if she just looked cute. Regen didn't crack a smile once because she was concentrating on her routine so much.

The venue


Regen doing Kitty Rock




Regen is the one on the far right. (for some reason blogger is cutting off some of the video, so double-click and watch through youtube)


Claire doing Pretty Ballerina




Here is Claire's performance. She is the 4th from the left. (for some reason blogger is cutting off some of the video, so double-click and watch through youtube)


All the performers



After the recital they were showered with gifts from their fans and were required to take many photographs and even sign an autograph for Nona.


We want to Thank Nona and Bubba for their generosity in helping to pay for this experience for both us and the girls.



Mom and Dad with the stars of the show


The best shot of all the kiddos


Grandma and Papa


Omi and Grandpa


We went out for Ice Cream after the performance

Last day of school - summer please start!

Regen is officially a first grader. I got to attend her end of the year party (thanks Sus, for babysitting the other two). I got teary during the slide show - but I guess that shouldn't be surprising since I did the same thing for preschool. I have to brag a little because Regen got her report card and got the equivalent of all "A's". Now, I know this is just Kindergarten, and we have LOTS of school years ahead of us, but the teacher comments made me get all weepy. It will be interesting to see if the trend continues throughout her school days. I sure hope so! Now Claire - that will be another story.

Hopefully the weather will make a turn and we can enjoy all the fun things of summer!

Regen and her first BFF - So sad that Autumn is moving to Oregon.


Her very last bus ride - until high school, but I am sure by then it won't be so cool!


Regen is very excited for summer break - but she is very sad that Mrs. Scott won't be her teacher next year. I never thought that as a parent that it would be so sad to leave the teacher behind. I hope that Mrs. Scott is Claire and Chase's teacher.


A look back - Regen on her first day of Kindergarten - oh my how times have changed in 9 short months.

Opposites

The UP side of having two older sisters....




and the DOWN side of having two older sisters....

Farewell Friends

I have a hard time even printing the words "the Hovey's are leaving". I knew the day would come.. but I convinced myself that something would happen and they would stay. The chances of them actually getting to WA state was such a slim chance, that when it happened I figured they were destined to stay. Well, the day has come and I have to face it. They ARE leaving (can you hear me crying??) Hopefully they'll be back in 8 years when Major Dad retires from the USMC, and that is the thought that I will hold on to. Until then, we'll be visiting them in Monterey and Virginia, and hoping that they make some trips up here to see us too. Oh - and hopefully Mrs. Major Mom will update her blog a little more frequently.

Saturday we had the gang over here to say goodbye. We'll all miss you Hovey Family!!

The girls - lets see, in 8 years they will be 16, 14, 12, and 11 - now that is SCARY!


I won't even type how old we'll be... but the little ones will be 9 - OMG!!


The whole gang.