Graduation

following up on a long time away makes me think that Facebook has taken over the world.  It is so easy to post a pic and a short blurb and update your life.  I still feel like a blog is worthwhile and I like going back in time and seeing what is happening.

Sierra is just getting to be such a cutie pie.  I think she knows it as well and that is something that we will have to keep in check.

James finished up kindergarten and got to hang out with his best bud Gunner.

I thought it was time to take the old café racer out of the barn and out of the garage and get it in the hands of someone who could actually enjoy it, so much to my dismay, I sold it.  I learned a lot while building this bike and have gotten so many compliments on the seat and finishing of the bike, but alas, it was time to let her go.

James wanted a football birthday and although I did not dress up like a referee (like he wanted me too), he did get to have a bunch of friends over and had a good time.

He was given the lego technics set and put the entire thing together himself.  I have thought for sometime that kids need more and more responsibility at younger ages than society says they should and if you ever watch a kid put legos together, you will see what I am talking about.  Kids are way more competent than society gives them credit for.

Summertime in Spokane is high time to hit up the splash pad.

James and I got a chance to go out to a friends house and ride around his property.  He did great and only asked for a break once his throttle hand got tired.  Sometimes you just get so darn proud of your kids it is hard to contain yourself.

Brenda and I got a chance to go on a quick motorcycle ride to Palouse Falls for the day.  unfortunately two days later a man fell off the cliffs while taking a selfie.

Sierra just being Sierra.

And then she tries to drive a broken down model T.  She will one day drive one.

I took a day off and while James was finishing up school, I took Mathew out to the lake for some fishing.  we could hardly keep the line in the water without getting a bite.

Of course Brenda had to go to Manito Park to look at a lilacs during the peak bloom

Then it was James' turn to go fishing.

And time for him to race again

Then it was time for the big day.  He had a great time in kindergarten and I think he is learning a lot.

James and Matt had the great idea to make some money by selling their toys at a garage sale...on a Tuesday afternoon...with one sign on the corner.  Well, they did not sell anything and a few of the items were a bit overpriced, but I think they had fun.

Tim for the pool at the end of the slide.  I love the heat of summer and I think this one is going to be a good one.

The boys went with mom and Grandma to flag day and the big parade.  The next day, I find them when I come down in the morning and find the kids counting the candy.  They are big into candy, but always ask before they eat them. 

Sping break part 2

Vacation part two starts.  And it started with the Monterey aquarium.  We borrowed some guest passed from some friends because that place is so darn expensive.  I could not believe what they were charging to get into that place.

When we were eating out behind the aquarium Matt dropped some of his sandwich on the ground.  At home we have a 5 second rule and he thought the same would apply at the aquarium as well.  When he put the sandwich up to his mouth and took a bite, I could see a foot long black hair hanging off the sandwich and in his mouth.  I almost lost my lunch.  Kids.  Matt of course could not care less.

Off to Myron and Andrea's and more fun with kiddos.  James really loved playing with Jacob and Myer. 

Although it was crazy with all of those kids all of the time, there was some small lull's each and every night when the kids would settle down and act cute.

We had promised the boys that we would go mini golfing sometime at the beginning to the trip.  Now was the time.  At the end of the golfing you have a chance to get a hole in one and if you do, you get a and Icee.  well, out of our group, we had 3 and all of the kids loved it.

Then it was time for some go kart for kids.  Even four year old kids get to drive their own carts.  The cars go so slow it is not dangerous in the least, but they had a fun time as well.  After karts, we did adult karts and then inside to the video games.  On one game where you whack a ball James must have hit it just right and won the 500 ticket jackpot.  It was quite a day.

Look at all those kids ready to go.

On final picture before we headed off for the final destination of the trip.

Back into Ripon for a night and a big celebration of my grandmas 90th birthday.  Sierra also got to hang out with Tyler...she was out weighed by quite a few with this matchup.  That kid is a tank.

My grandma is doing great for 90.  I think it was quite the day for here and it was nice to catch up with all of my uncles and cousins.  After the party it was time to head back to Spokane.  We thought it through and decided t leave at 7pm and drive through the night.  What a better way to travel with kids.  We only had to stop 4 times and 3 of those were for gas and the other was out of bathroom necessity.  The rest of the time the kids were sleeping.  If we had drove during the day, we would have had to stop at least 8 or 9 times and a couple of those would have disciplinary stops.  I was so glad to travel at night.

Back in Spokane we were just in time for our annual Easter egg hunt.

There were too many eggs and in so many directions.  It was an ADHD kids dream.

I always hide a couple in a really hard spot and James spotted it.  He really had to work for that one.

Kids in the bath.  They are so excited and so much fun together.

We received a bubble machine for friends that were up here visiting and man can that thing make bubbles.  It saves all of the hard work of blowing.

Lastly we will end with the amazing and talented Sierra.  I think she will be ready in no time.  Maybe we will wait till she is at least 2.  Matt rode solo when he was 2 and women mature faster then men, so stands to reason she should be ready to go by next year, but 1 may be a little young.

CA or bust- Spring break 2017

So it was time for spring break and boy did we need it.  This winter has had the most precipitation on record for the inland northwest and I for one was sick of it.  Sure I like the snow and rain, but my jobsite is a mess and trying to burn soils at 900F when it is pissing rain all day every day makes it all the more harder and more expensive.  I needed a break and really wanted to get time to just hang out with the fam.  That meant it was time head south for our bi-annual trip to see friends and family in California.

 

I see a trip to California as severing two purposes.  One is to get out and see some sunshine and enjoy the weather, the other is to remind me why I moved to Washington and make me thankful I don't have to line in California.  I know Cali is great, it has great weather and some good people, but man is it full of crazies, traffic, exorbitant pricing, and of course taxes.  With all the taxes you would expect exceptional government services right...of course not.  But that is the price you pay to live where it has only two seasons instead of four.

Loaded up and ready to go.  We decided on the way down that we would stay the night halfway and it was a good thing. Driving with kids is tough.  I was able to find out I can drive and reach back and grab one by the throat though and that is something new.  And you thought driving while texting was tough, try driving while parenting.

 

we stopped at the Froese's and Brenda's old school to see some friends and the kids had a great time.  The boys love to wear shorts anyway, so California was great for them. 

We had to hit up the Santa Cruz boardwalk for some rides and ice cream.  James tried to get into the Giant Dipper, but got turned back.  Brenda went with Karen later on and said it was a good he got turned away because she would have been freaking out with him on it next to her.  I am sure he also would have hated it, but wanted to see his reaction anyway.

After the beach we were off to the Schenk's.  They have access to a house in Monterey and they were able to get it for the weekend.  It has plenty of room for both of our families and was very fun, plus it was free.  If you know me, that is a price I don't mind paying.

Of course we headed out to the see all of the sites.

We were able to have a kid take a picture of us.  As usual or dads (or at least me), this is about the only picture I am in for the whole vacation. 

The weather on day 1 was so nice we headed off to the beach.  I think it was about 75 and barely any wind.  perfect for catching a few waves.  I brought my wetsuit so I headed out as well and was able to catch a few waves.  I really enjoy the water.

I don't think that Matt had a plan on what we was doing except that he wanted to see what would happen when he poured water into a hole.  Kids need to explore and find things out on their own and it is way more fun that way anyway.

I think he may have been a little cold after running into the 50 degree water.

Photo bombing kiddos in the background and the boys, well, acting like normal.  When you take a picture and tell a kid to act normal...you then remember what normal is, and normal is not really what you wanted.

Sierra also had a great time.  I think we were seeing sand in her diaper for 3 days after the beach, but I have probably said to much about that already.

Hudson and James had a great time out back of the house.  James was not sure how to play Hudson's game and Hudson did not know what game James was trying to play, but they figured it out eventually.

I guess it is a thing to go see this bagpiper play at the golf course, so we did it.  We me up with some of San Jose CRC friends as well.  There is a restaurant there that the corking fee on a bottle of wine is $25.  It is a dream of mine to have enough disposable income that I bring my own wine to that restaurant and pay that fee, and they uncork some 2 buck chuck for me.  I think it would class that place up a bit.

The last day at the house we headed to the tide pools for some fun.  I was a little worried Sierra would forget how to walk since the Schenk kids carried her everywhere, but she remembered and all was well.

Matt showing off his starfish.

James and Brookie also found a few things they were not scarred to touch

Next installment of this will chronicle the trip to the aquarium, central valley, and my Grandma's 90th birthday...and the trip back home.

Chiefs game and Sierra is Walking!!!!

These two boys amaze me each and every day I see them interact.  They are so different in just the right way.  I know they can fight and don't always get along, but when they do get along it is amazing to watch and give you hopes that they will continue to play nicely and become lifelong friends.

Coloring on the table.  Of course anything they do has to be near an adult and they have a hard time staying in their own space, but these days are so precious.

 

As a Life Group we went to a Spokane Chiefs game again this year.  One guy in our groups works for the chiefs and I texted him during the game that we needed Boomer in our section.  He did not disappoint and while Matt was watching the game Boomer came and sat right next to him.  Seeing his face light up was so much fun.  James is a little hesitant with people in costumes, but Matt was mesmerized and loved very minute of it.

Look at the excitement on his face.

When I walk through the door at the end of a long day there is no telling what I am going to see.  Superheros, legos, and of course some wacko trying to cut me with a saw.  I love to be greeted at the door no matter what they are dressed up as or what they are acting like.  There is only a few years when you are greeted like this from your kids and I want to take advantage of every day.

Sierra is right on her way to walking.  it seems that in the last week she went from hesitant to confident and is walking all over the place now.  Brenda says she is taking a lot of naps as well and I can only assume it is because the is covering so many miles in a day on those two little legs.

Brenda and I got a night out the other weekend.  Now the Brenda's parents live so close (they moved only 1 miles down the road), we are starting to take advantage of the free babysitting.  There is nothing like a little bluegrass to make your feet stomp and give you hope for the future.  Every time I see bluegrass musicians, I really wish I knew how to play the mandolin.  There is nothing like the sound of live music...having a good looking woman sitting next to you is icing on the cake.

Here is proof that our youngest has reached the ever important walking milestone.  Next up is riding the dirt bike, but Brenda thinks I am jumping too far ahead.