Delaney Turns 3!

Birthdays are so bittersweet!  Delaney has always been my 'baby', even after Quinn.  Maybe it's because she is so itty bitty?  She was SO excited to turn 3 that it was hard not to be happy all day.  But I am sad that she is growing up.  Then I remember I still have another one to potty train, de-binky etc...but I do know that time is fleeting so I am trying to enjoy all the ups and downs before they can throw too much attitude back at me!  Nana Kathie was in town on her way to a wedding in Sun Valley, she got to spend the whole day with us.  We headed straight to Build A Bear where the girls picked out...dogs (?).

 Quinn finally decided to start walking...2 days in and she is a pro.

 Get her dog stuffed and fluffed.

 She wasn't quite sure about the whole process.

 After Build a Bear we were off to the last day of swim lessons which is game day.

I think this was 'Get as many ducks as you can'.

 Delaney won, mostly because you can't lose on your birthday.

Celeste has been the girls swim teacher this summer.  They LOVE her.  She also babysits, speaks 3 languages and is going to college.  I kind of love her too, she is great.

 I don't ever remember getting to play games or use any 'floaties' at swim lessons!  I mostly remember shivering and crying.  Times have changed!

 Back at home we finished off the famed princess cake.  The homemade variety.  I saved all the towers from a cake we had a few years ago.  Next time I'll just buy the d(*& cake from someone else.  The girls did have a good time decorating.  Especially Delaney who decided to suck on the tube of frosting.

 We had a little family/neighbor dinner to end the day.  The girls got some new markers which are a huge hit with the wrong kid.  Quinn likes to suck on them which is just super.

 Checking out the cake...

 Forced smile much Delaney?  Pretend you like your old mom.

 Family picture attempt #98747

 Telling us how it is.

 Present time!

 Hopefully we can grow some butterflies.  This is what we ended up with after Jesse shot down my goldfish idea.  I'm not sure how butterflies will be easier?

 Quinn trying to get in some early frosting nibbles.

 Lighting candles

 Delaney likes to tell Meredith whenever she is doing something wrong.  Not sure what was going on here..nothing good I'm sure.

 Grammy Dana get stuck sharing with Quinn.

Happy Birthday Delaney Jane!

End of July - Poor Showing!

Wow, what a sad state of affairs!  I have 3 pictures (not even good ones!) to share from the last couple of weeks.  I took the girls up to McCall last week for an extended stay.  I didn't have any extra hands so that explains the lack of pictures from the early part of the week.  But we had our good friends the Kearneys and Karen join us for the weekend and I don't have one picture.  What gives?!  I must be pictured out after the big wedding earlier this month...

Delaney and Meredith played with a dead fish on the beach for a loooong time.

 All the kids swimming out to the buoy.  A fun new trick Meredith learned...

A couple weeks ago at the Botanical Gardens.  Eva and Delaney hamming it up with huge Co-op cookies. 

July 2011 - Week II

I'm trying really hard to keep up on blogging this summer.  We have been really busy the past few weeks, sorry for the bad editing!   This weekend we packed up (again) and headed to McCall with our friends Meggan and Jerry Dunn and their cute kids Hudson and Kennedy.  We had a great time with them and with our other friends that were in town as well.  On Friday we gathered the crew for some beach time.

9 kids, 4 moms and 1 poor dad (Jesse).

Jesse wasn't digging the chaos at dinner time.  He must not have noticed that box of wine on the table.  Gets me through every time!

 

 Eli sandwich.  Nice jammers Sam, they look familiar.  At leat they were blue!

 Trying to get the kids calmed down.  FAIL.

 Quinn hasn't met a juice box she doesn't like.

 A little tubing

 Eli was not happy about Adam pulling the kids in the tube.

 Jet ski tubing!

 Hudson and Quinn discovered yet another food they like...uncrustables.

 Sharing!  I'm sure that lasted 2 seconds and I'm sure Quinn either hit him and scratched him.

My appologies to all our friends kids!

 A little surfing on the beach with Taelor.

 Delaney and a...stick?  Not sure.

 Still not walking but trying VERY hard!

Spokane Part III - Uncle Scotty got married

Not only did we travel (by car!) to Spokane to visit grandparents, we also attended my brothers wedding.  We are so happy for he and Stacy.  They are both super cool, fun and they just plain love each other!

Meredith and Delaney got to be flower girls which means they got to go practice at the rehearsal.

Scott and Stacy were SUPER excited for the big day!

 The wedding was at Beacon Hill which is newly renovated and so pretty!

 My parents hosted the rehearsal dinner at Stacys parents house.  The weather was perfect.

My mom did a great job with the decorations and the food from Twigs was great!

 Yummy wine from Walla Walla

 My Dad read a few quotes from Scott that my mom had written down when he was little. 

I forgot what funny things he used to say!

 Polo club.  Nate, Uncle Wayne and Jesse

 Smores dessert was divine!

 Meredith family!  Uncle Bob, Uncle Dave, Papa Jim, Aunt Caroly and Aunt Brenda

 Thank goodness I brought this silly walked with us.  Quinn can toddle around but really likes this thing.

 Some of the kids of some of my cousins (I have a lot!).

I'm not sure why we decided to take a picture with my brothers car.

 Me and my Meredith cousins, minus 2.

 The big day arrived and we got their early to get ready.

Meredith hit the dance floor right away.

 The cute alter complete with bikes and lots of ribbon!

 Getting warmed up on the dance floor.

 It was a 'bike' themed wedding, so fitting for my brother and Stacy.

 Right up my alley, Jelly Belly favors.

 Brides bouquet was lovely.

 My new sister in law and her sister!

 Program/fan

 Quinn had to hang with me and Jesse while her sisters did their flower girl duties.

 Waiting for his bride.  Stacys brother in law Steven is a pastor and married them.

 My mom and dad, 40 years married this month!

 Here they come.  I knew Meredith would ditch her sister...

 Red Vans for the guys.

 Binky and walker kept Quinn happy for a while.

 Mr. and Mrs. table.

 Mother + Son

 Meredith and Isabelle practicing for Jr. High mixers

I guess this is where I stopped taking pictures and hit the dance floor!  It was a great wedding.  The dance floor was never empty and the party went on into the night.

Congrats Scott and Stacy!