Another Milestone

Colin decided that riding his bike with training wheels was too slow. We took them off and in just a short time he was off and going. We were really impressed with how fast he learned. Now he can keep up with the big kids. Way to go Colin!

Look mom, no training wheels.

Getting started.....

and he's off!

I'm just using them as bombs.

Here is another funny Colin story.

The other day I hear Brian say "does mom know what you are doing?"

Colin walks over to me and in his hand he was holding a tampon. I told him that those were not his to play with and he said that he was just using them as bombs.

I have to admit I thought it was really cute and imaginative. I was surprised that he didn't throw a fit when we had to empty the "bombs" out of both of his pockets.

It all comes out

Austin had surgery yesterday to get his "hardware" taken out of his leg. I was so impressed with him, he wasn't even nervous. I think he was just so excited to get it out. Especially the plate in his knee that a tendon was rubbing over. His leg is now very strait and aligned and we get a break from surgeries for a few more years.

Austin before the surgery.

We were stuck in this little room for 3 hours because the surgery before Austin's took longer then expected- so Brian decided to entertain us.


Austin after surgery. He's still a little out of it.


Here's his full leg bandage. He keeps this on until Friday.


Here are the screws and plate that were in his knee.

Here is the screw that was in his ankle.

Austin is doing great and is already getting bored from just sitting around. I'm sure he'll be up and around in no time.

Movin' On

The end of the school year always brings on a mix of emotions. I feel anxiety (how to keep the kids busy all summer), sadness (that time passes so quickly and they are growing up so fast), and excitement (for the new school year to come).

This year is especially hard because my "baby" boy will be starting a new era in his life-Middle School! Austin is excited and Brian and I are as well, but I can't help but feel this knot in my stomach when I think of him going off to Mt. Baker. This will be a whole new adventure for us.

Here are some end of year pictures of the kids and their activities.

Colin's last day of preschool at the Super Jump Zone. He will be returning to Miss Cindy's school next year.

Rylie and her teacher Mrs. Swanson.

Last soccer game where Rylie scored 4 goals. Way to go Rylie!

Austin's end of year orchestra concert. We were lucky to have Grandma Tew here and be able to come to the concert.

Camp Auburn for all the 5th graders. Austin had an awesome week and wants to return as a counselor when he's in high school.

Cabin where Austin stayed.

Graduation of the DARE program.

Austin had a 5th grade graduation party and he and some friends went to see King Fu Panda and then back to our house for a sleepover. Here they are doing their karate moves on the trampoline.

David, Nick, Mar'yea, Corbin and Austin

We can't forget about Sienna. Poor girl is dragged around to everyone's activites and she is great about it!

Whistler, B.C.

While my parents were in town for Rylie's baptism we took a little weekend trip up to Whistler, Canada to check our where the 2010 winter Olympics will be held.

The kids got out of the car while we were waiting to cross the border into Canada. The Canadian flag was made out of flowers.

Driving up to Whistler we passed this bear on the side of the road. The kids thought this was so cool. It was much better than anything we have seen at the zoo.

Whistler has a fun village square with lots of shops and restarants. I was supprised at how big it was.

Here we are in front of one of the Gondola's. If it had been bettter weather we would have taken it to the top of the mountain.

Austin had fun climbing this rock wall.

The town is getting ready for the 2010 Olympics and is already selling souvenirs. We went to the Olympics when they were in Salt Lake City and loved them so we are hoping to bring the kids back to Whislter to see some of the events.

Rylie's Special Day

This was a special day for Rylie because she has turned 8 and was able to get baptized. Grandma Tew and Grandma and Grandpa Larsen were able to come from Utah to help celebrate this day with her.

She had a soccer game Sat. morning that all the grandparents were able to watch. This is a special treat because they live so far away it doesn't happen very often. That afternoon we went to the church for the baptism. Rylie was beaming the whole time and you could tell that she was feeling very special indeed! We are so proud of Rylie and the decisions she makes. She is a sweet little girl that we love so much!

Grandma Tew

Grandma Larsen

Grandpa Larsen

Rylie's friend Kaylie was also getting baptized so it was fun for the girls to be doing it on the same day.

Rylie was exhausted by the end of the day and fell asleep in Dad's lap. I think that was the best part of the day for him!

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day Weekend camping up in Carnation with some friends. The kids always get so excited to go camping. Their two favorite things are sleeping in the tent and roasting marshmellows on the fire. We had a great time with family and friends.

Luca is about 6 months older than Sienna and they were either loving each other or fighting.

Saturday was a perfect, sunny day and we spent the afternoon at the river.

What is it with boys and fire? Austin and the other boys spent lots of time trying to start a fire with wet wood and 1 match. Colin just loves sticking things in the fire.

What is camping without a good game with the marshmellow guns.

You can't tell from this picture but we had lots of dirty faces, hands and clothes. That's part of the fun of camping. Getting dirty!

On the way home we stopped off at Snoqualmie Falls. We had so much snow this past winter in the mountains that the waterful was huge. We've never seen so much water before.