Happy Birthday Dad... and USA!

We were fortunate enough to be able to spend almost a week up at the beach house over the 4th of July. My dad celebrated his 65th birthday in style with a massive firework display.. just for him! The next day friends and family all came to the beach to really help him celebrate!

We feel so lucky to be able to have such a great place to be able to spend time at. I love that my kids get to have the exact same experiences as I did playing at the beach. We had great weather while we were there. We caught and ATE lots of delicious crab. We took boat rides, played in the sand, took walks on the beach, and we even had a few days of LOW LOW tide to explore.

Papa and Claire


Regen writing in the sand


Claire having fun in the sand


Regen and one of her sand shrimp buddies


all of us having fun..that is Guinness' tail.. he was too happy with his ball to get his picture taken


The ball is right below the camera.. happy happy doggie


Regen trying out her new kickboard... it will be much easier in a pool


Regen and mommy cuddled up to watch the fireworks


Regen and Abi having fun in the tide pools


Brave little kids touching big crabs


the one and only sea star we found


Sand Angels


Claire having fun in the tide pools


Regen and Anthony


Anthony taking us for a ride to get the crab pots


Looking at the millions of herring and we saw some flounder too


playing in the water at sunset. She was SOAKED by the time she was done playing

Parties, Parties, and MORE Parties!!

WHOA... June is an insane month for Birthdays. First it was Nona, then friends; Anna, Ella, Sophie and Julia, then Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Cameron, then Regen, then the BIG 50th wedding anniversary, then today Omi (Konni). Now we are finally in July where it settles down a bit. But first, we have Papa's 65th Birthday on the 4th of July. Here are some pictures of our parties. Then, I am off to bed.
(and those of you who are wondering, Claire is still not completely walking, although she takes more and more steps every day. She is still VERY proud of herself.)

Regen's 4th Birthday Party at Farrel McWhirter Park

Regen riding Penny the Pony... her favorite


Claire got to sit on Penny too


Regen and her friend Emily


The 14 Piglets were quite entertaining


Regen opening her presents



Regen's actual birthday with family in the backyard

It's my BIRTHDAY!!!


everyone singing...


mmmm, chocolate frosting!


Claire liked the chocolate frosting too!


The princess opening her princess packages...


Happy Birthday to me...


OMG, a Mermaid kickboard! Perfect...



Nona and Bubba's 50th Anniversary Party

Regen the flower girl


The ceremony


..and the bride and groom finally kiss


Nona, Bubba, and Greg the friend, neighbor, and officiant


the Family


Just us


Champagne anyone?


Dinner time


enjoying the backyard BBQ



Play time with the parachute


Singing and Dancing to her own tune

Baby Steps

Yes!! Claire has finally taken her first steps. I figured she would just start running, but alas, she is proving to be VERY cautious when it comes to walking. She takes a couple small steps and sits down. She is just so dang proud of herself when she does it though. This is the best video I have of the milestone so far. She only shuffles one foot.. but you can see the pride in her face. TOO CUTE!!

Happy Father's Day

The sun actually came out for Father's day. I don't think we got so lucky on Mothers Day.. but who is keeping track? Not me?!?! We had a fun day at the NW Brewfest with friends and family. Regen had fun at the kids area (yeah, that is right..a kid's area at a brewfest!) Claire had fun crawling and attempting to walk. I am praying about 15+hrs a day that the weather holds for Regen's party on Sunday, and more importantly Nona and Bubba's 50th wedding anniversary next Saturday.. please, if you read this.. send some good SUN vibes our way!! PLEASE!!

Here are some pictures of our Fathers day and other fun things we have been up to.

Daddy and his girls (don't worry, the glass was pretty much empty!)


Regen taking Claire for a walk


Claire's first time playing, oh, I mean, eating playdoh


Regen sliding at swim class


Claire's last swim class for the summer


Dolphin Dives with Daddy


Regen performing her circus act at gymnastics



Trip to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium


Regen and the Hovey kids watching the Beluga


Fun watching the otters


Regen loving Daddy's RED tongue


The Hovey Family

Full Circle

I started this blog on Regen's first day of preschool, and here it is, Regen's LAST day of preschool...tissues please...
We have had a few sunny days sprinkled in between the torrential downpour days. Today is a torrential downpour day and it was supposed to be Regen's end of year picnic for preschool. It was of course, canceled...more tissues, please...
We have lots of activities going on this summer to keep us all occupied, but it really needs to stop raining. (Can you tell I am fed up with the rain???)

Regen and friends coming in from recess


Regen with her turtle buddies


Regen and Teacher Leslie and Teacher Lynne.. they will be missed!