Grass Angels?

There is something about fresh cut grass that says summer. Kids all ages love the smell and the feel of cool green grass in the summer. Some of us though find even more. We were on our way back from dinner the other night when Hannah spoted a patch of freshly mowed green grass. She begged us to let her walk on the grass. So we said yes. She sat down then laid back on the grass and next thing you know,she is making grass angels. Silly girl! I love how she thinks and the potential she sees in everything. :)

Catch Up

Hi Everyone,

We've been so busy I have neglected the blog. Well, it is now up to date! You'll want to read down to the end and then click on the "older posts" link to see the rest of the posts I added today.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer!

Fourth of July 2011

We were invited to a Fourth of July picnic at our neighbors house. Tara and Jim are great neighbors and they know how to throw a great party! We had an awesome barbecue, sno cones, smores and even drinks for the grown-ups.

We topped off the great day with all kinds of fireworks. Originally, Dad said no to fireworks because buying fireworks is like burning money. But when Hannah told him how we were invited to a barbecue and that there would be fire works and how much fun it would be, he relented and we purchased some fireworks to augment the neighbors' cache. She loved it! We did too. Thanks Hannie for getting your non-social parents out of the house, we all had a great fourth. :)



Sno cone in the sun.


John enjoying the Fourth of July picnic at the neighbors.


Hannah's first time roasting marshmallows.


Look mom, it's perfect. Not bad for my first try.


Yummm..... smores.


No more smores.


All American Girl


Three sparkly girls.


Good idea Jim, small children with shooting sticks of fire should go over there.


Before.....


After. Oooh, Aaah.


Only in America do they celebrate equipping small children with sticks of fire.


Sparklers!


Three tired little girls - Emma, Hannah and Maddy.


Happy Fourth of July!

Kindergarten Graduation

See how we've grown was the theme of this year's kindergarten graduation. It was so cute. The kids sang and then each one received their kindergarten certificate and a cross to wear. Hannah was so thrilled to be graduating! They really have grown so much and seemed like a completely different group of kids to me as head off to 1st grade.

The teachers put together a fantastic slide shoe of pictures of the kids taken throughout the year complete with music. It was so fun to see pictures showing how much she had grown and changed.

This was a fantastic first year of school. Her teachers told us she was such a joy to have in class and that she was every one's favorite in school. Hannah learned so much this year. She can now read, add and subtract numbers, find several countries on a world map, and so much more. Thanks Mrs. Dowling and Mrs. Matthews, we couldn't have asked for better teachers and because of you our little girl loves school!

Congratulations sweetie! We are so proud of you Hannah.Love you more than you know!

Love,

Mama and Daddy


The procession - Dustin, Hannah and Connor.


Mr Nelson, the school principal giving the graduation address.


The graduating class of 2011.


The kindergartners after they got their graduation certificates.


Lindsey, Hannah (Hannah's buddy) and Hannah.


The graduates, Hannah and Audrey with their flowers.


Hannah and Connor.


Daddy, Mommy and our graduate.

My Buddy's Graduation

St Mikes encourages the kindergartners to attend their 8th grade buddies' graduation. Hannah was so excited to see her buddy Hannah graduate and attend her very first graduationceremony. I don't think it hurt either that there were rumours of a big party afterward. :)



Ava and Hannah waiting to see their buddies.


Hannah and her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Dowling.


Hannah with her other kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Matthews

Summer Birthday Parties

We were invited to Sam's birthday party a couple of weeks ago. Hannah had a ton of fun. Sam had a bouncy house, a tree house and there was plenty of treats at the party for the kids to munch on. Add treats, candy from the pinata and a cake and you have 19 little kids on a sugar high. She was just a tad wound when we got home but she had a great time. Thanks Sam for inviting us.


Trapped in a bouncy house.


Cuteness


Checking out the licorice.


Waiting for a turn at the pinata.

My Buddy

Hannah's school assigns an 8th grade buddy to each kindergartner at the beginning of the school year. The buddies welcomed the kindergartners at the beginning of the school year, came to their classroom and helped them with various projects throughout the year, gave them little gifts and always had a hello and hug for them whenever they saw them in the hallways. Hannah's 8th grade buddy was named Hannah and her buddy always told her she had the coolest name! Buddies are great and they sure helped ease any big school fears the kids had.

At the end of the school year the kindergartners had a big send off for their buddies. They each made their buddy a picture and wrote down what they thought their buddy would be when they grew up. Hannah decided that since her buddy is very athletic and good at balancing that she should be a circus performer. Cute, but the funniest one was one little boy that thought since his buddy was so good at cleaning up that he should be a garbage man when he grew up. :)


Hannah, Lindsey and Hannah.

Circus with the Stars

Hannah loves to arrange little spontaneous parties. The theme is not always clear but there is always something for everyone to enjoy. This impromptu party out on the deck at 9:30 at night was a gaze at the stars, concert - circus party.

She certainly is an ingeniuos little girl and quite creative too. She made her own telescope to check out the stars and then used the telescope to do a balancing act for the circus. We had great fun especially Dad who had a dance AND singing role. Never a dull moment with this little girl around.


Dad's party outfit.


Hannah observing the stars through her homemade telescope.


Daddy and Hannah performing.


Balancing Act.


Look at this trick Mom.

Finally Summer!

It is finally beginning to feel like summer around here. It was a warm sunny day so we headed to Tacoma to have dinner on the water front. After dinner we enjoyed a walk on the beach before heading back home.


Looking for sticks to build a sand castle.

Portland Fun

We went down to Portland to visit Matt that last weekend of May. On the way, we stopped off at Mt. Hood to enjoy a little time in the snow. It was cloudy but we had a good time in the snow making snow angels and building snowmen. To warm us back up we headed to Henry's for dinner.

The next day we enjoyed a nice lunch at the old Kennedy School House pub with Matt and his girlfriend Sarah. Good times with family and friends.


Matthew


Sarah, Hannah and Matt.


Dinner with Dad.


Hurry up Mom, the sun is shining in my eyes.


Enjoying the snow.


Dad and Hannah building a snowman


Looks cold out there Dad.