2nd Grade Field Trip

The 2nd graders got to take a field trip to the Zoo this year. (and Ava was able to join us). Cristian said, and I quote, "This was the best field trip ever!" He got to ride the bus for the first time, ever. (just one way, because he rode home with me after the field trip :). We really did have a great time, and the weather was so pleasant. Each parent was in charge of 3 kids (and I had Cristian, Ava, and one other little boy). My friend Lana and I buddied up, and went around the zoo together with our groups. Here are the 6 kids together at the entrance.
We are used to saying peacocks at the zoo, but it's pretty rare that we see one with its feathers fanned out.
A cute little white fox
The kids watching the polar bear swim and play
He was so cute to watch!
Trey, Ava, Cameron, Cristian, Carlos, and Hayden standing by the Polar bear art work.
A Puffin
petting some Otter fur
Standing by the camels
Cristian feeding the budgies
Ava feeding the budgies
Holding 2 new budgies
Trey and Hayden with their bird seed sticks
I thought this owl was so pretty!
Lunch time
Cristian telling his teacher all about the things he'd seen
After lunch we played in the fun zone for a while
Cristian in the middle
a lizard
The kids and Lana checking out the lizard
some of the very cool Moms who were also chaperoning :) sitting down waiting for the show to start
Lana and me
I think this was a bobcat
another interesting looking animal, not sure what this is, maybe a badger?
A black bird in flight
Ava watching the show
The kids checking out the Elephants
me and my kids
Lana and I (picture taken by Ava)
The Momma Tiger
The two baby cubs, getting so much bigger. I think they are almost 1 year old now.
In the shark's jaw inside the aquarium
My friend Nicole and her two girls went to the zoo that day too, so they hung out with us for a short while.
Ellie, Emma, and Ava
Cristian with the girls
Ava sitting in the birds nest
Lana and me, again :)
Ava and Emma
Sun bathing girls!

F*R*I*E*N*D*S

Our friends from Arizona, Nicole, Emma, and Ellie were in town for a week to see Nicole's youngest brother (and the girls' Uncle) graduate from High School. It was great seeing them again! The kids enjoyed spending time with them while they were here visiting! We're so happy they're coming back to WA in 2 more weeks for another family function!!

Toddler Gymnastics

I sure have enjoyed my Monday mornings with Carter at Toddler gymnastics! We have just 2 more classes (June 13th and June 20th) until we're done for the summer. We're going to take the months of July and August off, then he'll start back up again in September. (but, it won't be the same, because this will be the last couple of times I get to participate with him. Once he's 3 years old, he gets to join a "big boy" class, and I will just watch from the stands).
climbing up to jump into the foam pit
Big jump!
Good job Carter!

Happy 35th Anniversary

Happy Anniversary!! Hope you're enjoying your trip to Scotland, celebrating 35 years!

Lovin' The Sun

June 4th marked our first day over 80 degrees in 2011. We welcomed the "heat" by setting up our water slide!
Cristian was the first to head down the slide, braving the cold hose water.
Weeeeee... SPLASH!
Carter's turn
I'm not too sure about this
Ava's turn
Yay, so much fun
Ava
Carter going again
Climbing up all by himself
We ate dinner outside
Played a little soccer
and painted Ava's toe nails
Stylish girl
And a hot air balloon flew right over our house. We're looking forward to many more summer days just like this one!

Ari's birthday party

Ava had so much fun at her friend Ari's birthday party. They really lucked out with the weather! It was the hottest day of the year so far :) What a cute group of 5 and 6 year olds!!

School District Fun Run

Cristian participated in an all school district Fun Run. This was his first organized race, and I'm guessing it will not be his last! They split the kids up by grade level... the Kindergarteners and 1st graders ran a 1K, the 2nd and 3rd graders ran a 2K, and the 4th and 5th graders ran a 3K.
The 2nd and 3rd graders ran together. Here is Cristian with his friends Hayden and Peyton.
While Cristian was getting all the race instructions and lining up for the race, the kids helped me make a sign for Cristian.
Each Elementary had their School color shirt for the race. (how appropriate for my family that our Elementary school colors are purple and white, and we're the Huskies!) :) There are 8 Elementary schools in our district.
My parents came to cheer Cristian on too!
On your mark, get set, GO!
Here they come around after their first lap
Go Cristian... 1K done, 1K to go!
Here he comes racing toward the finish line!
Here are some of the Maple Lawn Elementary Running Club members (it was a track program offered to 2nd-5th graders, they met every Tuesday after school for 45 minutes), and their coach, Mrs. Weber (who was C's Kindergarten teacher)
Yay Huskies!!
Mia and Aunt Tricia came too!
They did a ribbon ceremony after all the grades completed their race, and Cristian ended up taking 4th place in the 2nd grade boys 2K race! I'm not sure how many total 2nd graders ran the race, but I'm guessing somewhere around 100.
Great job Cristian! Cristian has really developed a love for running this year, I'm excited to see where he wants to go with it from here!

Mariners game 6/3/11

Beautiful night at the ball park!
Carter making his "you can't make me smile" face :)
Cristian and Ava on the big screen
Justin Smoak tossed Cristian a ball between innings
The Moose was on the loose, getting ready to celebrate a big Mariner victory! Yay Mariners!

Playdate

We met our friend Natalie (and her mom Tara) at one of the local jump places last Friday. Ava absolutely adores Natalie, but doesn't get to play with her as often anymore since she is in Kindergarten (well, soon to be 1st grade). So we took advantage of Natty's morning off and let the kids play. Tara and I think Natalie looks like she could be Ava and Carter's big sister. They all three have big, beautiful brown eyes.
Carter having fun
Ava standing on the slide