More 2013

Spring family hikes are the best!

This trail to Twin Falls is less than 10 miles from our home. So beautiful!

Stella's Pre-school Graduation... Yay!!!

There was so many summer family adventures, I think we knocked off about half of the bucket list we started with, which is pretty darn good.

Issaquah Farmer's Market

Aunt Sara... WE LOVE YOU!!! We always have a blast every time you come over!

This is Joey the morning he was leaving for his week long canoeing Scout trip... looking good!

The cute Laurel girls I teach surprised me on my birthday with a "Heart-Attack". They are amazing girls, and way too much fun!!!

This video speaks for it's self. I will say this is one of about 100 similar videos we have from the last 2 years. This girl is passionate about her dancing!

For Joey's 13th birthday we did a surprise room make-over. It was so much fun for Joe and I to design a bedroom that fits this incredibly creative and funny kid. Below is the giant chalk board wall..... yes all of that is chalk!

This is the awesome painting Joe did for over his bed.

Can you tell his favorite color is green?

As a side note... this is at Joey's party, I just want to forever remember how Townes would eat cupcakes.

Stella & Ronan... the cutest of friends!

Activity Day Camp

More summer adventures...

Fourth of July on the Ridge is no joke! The community parade and party was so much fun!

No summer is complete without a couple of camp trips.

Joe's been teaching the kids how to golf a little.

2013

Audrey's first Ski trip. Joey's 4th. He's been schooled by Grandpa, so we couldn't keep up.

Cookies I did for our Young Women's New Beginnings.

Audrey's 5th grade class had a "Colonial Tea" for Valentines Day to go with their curriculum, and so of course we did some awesome tea-pot cookies!

I think the laundry hamper was Townes' favorite toy in 2013... this day he had his nap in it too.

Cousin Max turned eight and got baptized, here are the cupcakes I made for his special day.

Here are some quick snap shots of Easter 2013.

We miss you Maddy!

My cute brace-face!

This is an epic series of catch up posts....

We saw this in a card shop, and I felt like it was a good start for this quick catch up series of photos.

It's a real mixed bag of what our family has been filling our lives with. But to be honest I only remember to capture a fraction of it in photos. None the less, we love our distant family and friends and this remains the easiest way to keep updated. (We're gonna stick with the low profile on Facebook for lots of reasons.) Thank you for always asking about the kids and their lives and being so patient for the picture proof.  :) We send you our love!

These pictures remind me of the incredible joy and blessings that our family enjoys thanks to the generosity of our Father in Heaven. And also of the wonderful experiences life and this planet has to offer this curious bunch of go-getters! They really are the best!

Quinn Turns SEVEN

Quinn Porter McNames. What a boy! This is such an important next year for Quinn as he's preparing for Baptism, and a time in his life that I never want to forget. Such a bright mind combined with a tender heart. 

I love the way Quinn is growing and maturing. 

His passion for music and bow ties continues. The tooth fairy has been to visit him a lot lately. He's caught the reading bug and blows us away with his Mad Math skills!

Quinn I love being your Mom! I love that you get along with everyone and make friends so easily. I love your deep chocolate eyes. I love how red your ears get when you're hot, just like your Dad's. I love that you are willing to try anything at least once. Your courage is an incredible example to your younger and older siblings. Let that audible soundtrack in your mind keep playing on!!!

 After seeing the girls room makeover, Quinn knew exactly what he wanted for his birthday.....

A Lego Room!

 It worked out in our favor again that the two boys that are sharing a room have their birthdays in the same month. Karoline, Karli and Joe deserve huge props for this one. We literally pulled an "all nighter" to finish in time for the unveiling. Again, my weak photography skills aren't going to do this cute room justice. 

 Joe found these hilarious prints that we framed.

 It's amazing how a few mouse pads strategically placed and some high gloss paint can make a wall resemble an over sized Lego brick. So fun! The contact cement we used to attach them..... not so fun.

 A huge thanks to Nana for sewing this cute panel with the transparent pockets. 

 Oh yes.... those are solid chocolate Lego bricks!

Townes Turns One

Slightly apprehensive...... looking to Mom for the green light.

"Pinch me .... am I dreaming?"

"Oh ya! This is happening!!!"

Life is good.