Birthday and Canada

Well this boy thinks it's time for me to post and would I argue with this?????

I thought not! Justin (poor forgotten parents who also get birthdays) had a birthday too the month of Feb (a little behind) and Bonnie was here to celebrate by heading up to our neighboring country of Canada. This is when he realized he's halfway to 40! AHHH!

Thanks Bonnie for the delicious cake that you made for your oldest son and I somehow consumed the most of...why does this always happen?

Canada was a lot of fun. Fast trip all done in one day but we had a good time looking around some fun shops and doing some good people watching. (my fav) The market we were at had some fun food displays, who wouldn't want to buy these strawberries?

Family shot on the pier.

Family/Grandma shot.

chasing birds

Oh Bonnie I do love your visits. :)

Little poser.

Had a great time with these.....ha ha ha

Then we went for Spartacus.......

This was our view while we waited for the border crossing back home, pretty lucky to see that so close to home.

We had some other fun things that week with Grandma and then quickly had to head to Wendy's cause baby Brooklyn decided she wanted to come a week early! Stay tuned for babies.......

Grace's personal hero

Grace had an assignment last month to research and study what a hero was, then they were told to pick one and write a book about them. She interviewed and asked lots of questions but we didn't actually see what the end result was until we went to the presentation of the books in class where the hero (if available) could come to meet the students and be shown off a bit. ;) Well Grace picked Great Grandpa Frank Ellersick and Dad was the closest she had to filling in for him. :) I took a video but the sound didn't turn out too well so I took pictures of the books pages so you could see what she wrote.

The camera work is not great because I had someones trouble maker 2 year old wanting cookies while the crazy mom was trying to film! Come on parents watch your darn kids! ;) (in his defense we were there a LONG time being VERY quiet listening to ALL the kids read......and right NEXT to the table filled with cookies no less, mom forgives you Gavin)

So keep in mind he had passed away before she was even a thought in her Daddy's and my mind but did a very nice job. :) She had lots of worthy people to choose from this was a hard one. (i was shocked at all the kids who chose siblings and parents.....were we not worthy of the title????) Alright we'll let Grandpa take this one......he earned it!

We didn't have the heart to tell her this was all one plane. ;)

Job well done Gracie, he would be so honored to know that he's so admired and loved I'm sure of it!

Haylee's 7

Haylee had a very eventful weekend, turned weekday birthday celebration! We got lucky that it fell right after their mid winter break at school so we had a nice 4 day weekend then her birthday that Tuesday night with Grandma (Bonnie) flying in that evening. She woke up (early as usual) to her decorations and presents (i was in bed, dad does the early morning i stay up & do that late night). She was talking about her 6th birthday for weeks and waking up to the house being decorated so no pressure right?

Her birthday shirt and breakfast of pop tarts which she BEGS me for on a weekly basis and I refuse to buy!

Ready for school.
Grace made her a balloon look alike. ;)

Gavin and I joined her for lunch at school, she was surprised and very excited. :)

That night we drove to Seattle to pick up Grandma and ate at the Rain Forest Cafe. Her fun new Aunt Jen outfit that we look forward to every year. (no pressure Jen)

They sat us right next to the elephants and Gavin was a little unsure of all these moving creatures so close to our space.

The whole gang.

The volcano birthday cake.

The sweet, sweet birthday girl!

The two things Haylee wanted was to go to Chuck e Cheese (i really tried hard to get out of this one) and horse back riding lessons. Chucke's was first on that list and why we chose a 3 day weekend to go is beyond me but we learned our lesson and I think even the kids are done with this place for a while.

This kid sat here for probably 30 min moving that marble around in there.

It really is so fun to be their parents and we do have such a great time together, just wish we could branch out on our choices a bit.

Ummmm not going to say much about the cake but that I don't do cakes so now it's just a running joke with my family to see how BAD I can mess it up! It's the thought and taste that counts anyway right? So this is the "horse" cake. ;)

She was having a fun day!

So intense......

Had to get the kids a few tickets. ;)

Lastly she got her horse riding adventure at a half day horse camp. Boy was that fun news that not only would she get a lesson but a trail ride, other girls her age, and she got to help wash, saddle, and feed the horses as well. :)

She didn't want to have to ride a pony when we were on our way out there but when she actually got up next to the horses she changed her mind. ha ha I think it turned out to be a perfect fit for her though and she was so confident on there I was SHOCKED that this was her 1st time on a horse. (pony)

She hopped right off without help and led it over and tied it up.

Haylee and Kermit the pony

Grace was having a hard time being here and not riding but we got a fun day off of school and did lunch and shopping while waiting for Haylee. (for Grace she still would trade that for horses.....i try)

We really need some land and a horse of our own someday.........sigh!

So that was Haylee and #7, I think I got everything. She really is coming into this wonderful, responsible young lady that we couldn't be more proud of. She is still our lover and cuddler though and we wake up every day with notes and pictures or treats that are all saying how much she loves us and how wonderful we are. ;) That will be a sad day when she grows out of it. Love you Haylee babe we are so lucky to have had you now for 7 fun year! :)