Sweet Summer's Eve

I'm not positive, but this might be the last day of nice weather this summer.  So we spent it with tons of friends at the sprayground, came home and took a really long nap, then headed back to the park for a picnic dinner. 

These two melt my heart.

Kite Festival 2010

The Kite Festival has come and gone and we had so much fun.

I am a little embarrassed to admit...

I didn't even get my camera out until the second to the last day.

Therefore very few pics were taken...

Caitlyn is a 'camping queen'...

which is just one more thing she did NOT get from me.

Ashton was also a great camper... until it came time to sleep.

He wasn't sure how to fall asleep without his crib.

The beach was a tad bit too cold for my littles, they were not interested in the sand or the waves. In fact the only thing they were interested in was being held by me, so we napped in the sand and then headed back to the camper before the kites were even in the air.

I might not have been voted the 'camping comedian' or even nominated for the 'gummi bear award'... but I'll tell you what!!!

I for sure won the most stylish camper with this smoking hot, vintage red sweatshirt, gifted to me from my mom (est.~1985).

Here's the whole camping gang after our tournament of champions.

(Caitlyn was super happy to be included in the pic.)

This year was probably one of my favorite years at the kite festival, and although I don't really have the pictures to prove it... my kids and everyone else loved it too. 

Fun in the Sun

These past few days have been

in the 90s here in Western Washington.

The second we saw the forcast, I called my Aunt Cindy to let her know I was bringing the kids over to keep cool.

My cousin, Larissa, loved to take pics of the little ones, the above pic is one of my absolute favs!!!

Caitlyn was introduced to arm floaties and about two seconds afterwards... she could swim independently.

She loved swimming so much...

another thing she loved... applying sunscreen independently... she's got the technique down, turn nozzle directly into face and spray into eyes until they foam... she was done after that...

and decided to steal her brother's bink and take a two hour nap in the 90 degree heat with her blanket.

after she awoke... she skinny dipped... totally cute.

Ashton all of a sudden couldn't get enough of the camera.

I've got about 30 pictures of him posing next to the monkey bars, each one cuter than the last.

Seriously... he's too cute!

I'm only posting this next collage for one person. 

There are 2 things that would've made this collage more complete.
1- if Tiffany was right next to me performing these highly dangerous dives

2- if my perfectly posed tripod was caught on camera.

I ♥ Summer 2010!

Caitlyn Leigh Turns 3!

Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet daughter, Caitlyn Leigh.

We celebrated, luau style, on Sunday with all her favorite people.

Caitlyn has been talking about her 3rd birthday ever since Ashton turned 1. So I was a little surprised when she turned shy for present opening. Thanks goodness little Miss Avery was there to help her along.  Even though everything about the cake was NOT what I ordered (except the pink Hawaiian flowers), it was still a crowd pleaser and brought about many many blue laughs (see the pics below).

The party was everything I imagined for my 3 year old daughter.

There was family and friends

and lots of love and laughter.

I even surprised myself by holding it all together unless you count the three times I cried in the morning getting ready, the one time while we were opening all the cute clothes she received for presents and as I pictured her wearing them on her way to preschool, or the one last time I laid in bed with Ashley talking about the perfect day and I leaned over to turn out the light but instead grabbed her 'Welcome to the 2010-2011 School Year' packet and lost it again.

It was a great day. 

On her actual Birthday, Ash took the day off and we started with cinnamon rolls, lots of play time, lunch at Red Robin where we were joined by Auntie Scarlet.  After lunch, we all headed to the supermall to ride the carousel, came home watched two movies, ate dinner and headed to bed early.

Another great day for a great 3-year old. 

I know that this year is gonna be a big one.

She begins preschool in less than a month and I already know she's gonna l♥ve it!

Just for Fun

Cousin Brian, Poppy and his girls visited Washington during their way too short trip to the USA.  Caitlyn and Ashton absolutely LOVE Myranda and Kassidy. I wish they were here everyday!

Fun times were had by all... as they always are when Brian visits. We miss him and all his girls already.  We rocked the West End Karoake and man did it bring back some memories.  We went out just with our family and I can't even remember the last time I was able to relax and simply hang out with such fun people.  Although we have our ups and downs (as most families do), I LOVE each and everyone of these guys.  I couldn't help but remembering my Dad always saying when we were little (and he still says it to this day),

"Friends will come and go... Families are Forever!"

Oh, what a fun night.

The kids and I also traveled a little North on the 5 to visit Mandy. Ung-King Jon was able to get off work a little early to join us for a dip in the pool.  We had a blast and plan to do it more often... thanks Ung-King Jon and Mandy for such a great time.

♥

Handsome Haircut

Before...

During...

After...

...and after...

....again...

this time without his sister stealing his sucker

♥

♥

So stinkin' HANDSOME!!!