Happy Birthday, Jodi!

We celebrated my sister's birthday with a family dinner and lots of great food. Happy Birthday, Sis!

I love this pic, because Sydney looks alot like baby Jodi. So CUTE!

Peery Reunion

We had a nice afternoon visiting with family. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Peery for hosting the event. Here's a few pics of the fun!

Derick's first Sleep Over!

What a fun weekend! My sister's kids came to spend the night on Saturday and J2D2 had a blast. Derick was so excited to share his room (and his toys) with his buddy and cousin, Cooper. We played in the yard, made block towers, built a train track, raced hot wheels cars, and spent some time at the local park. Everyone slept pretty well, and ate enough to keep on playing. Jeremy and I enjoyed Sydney and her cute coos and baby babble. It was nice to remember the 9 month old baby stage. The world is so new for her. Darla did pretty well, considering her mama was holding another little one alot. Here's a few pics of the fun that was had by all.

She reminds me SO much of my sister as a baby. So cute!

The boys, making tracks in the sand box.

Syd loves to walk, but can't quite get there on her own yet. It won't be long, though....

Bike races!

I know this pic is blurry, but I just LOVE it. Jeremy was practicing his coaching skills and the kids were into it, for a little while. So cute!

Action shot; playing the 'dragon' game.

I Heart My Kids

Derick's first swimming lessons

Thanks to Nonna and Papa, Derick is enjoying his very first swimming lesson (all by himself). The classes started on August 2nd, so we are in the second week now. He is such a fish and I love to watch how comfortable he is in the water. He's learning to blow bubbles out his mouth and nose; how to float on his back; how to use his legs to kick; and how to use his "ice cream scoop" arms to paddle. I'm so proud of him! We are enrolled in lessons at the Coal Creek YMCA as program members. I just love the facility and wish we could have a full membership. It's a good goal to work on for the future. For now, we are enjoying being there for swimming lessons. Go Derick!

Derick back floating.

Derick's class on the edge of the pool.

Big kickers!

More back floating.

Splash!

Derick jumping in at playtime.

Congratulations Josh and Nikanne!

Jeremy's brother Josh and his lovely fiance tied the knot this past weekend. Jeremy, Derick, and I were part of the ceremony. It was a beautiful day and a gorgeous wedding. We had a lot of fun getting all dressed up and standing witness to their love and commitment.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Girls out on the town!

Last night, we celebrated Nikanne's impending nuptials with a fun girls night out. Nikanne was a good sport and wore a shirt that I made, along with a tiara and some wedding themed necklaces.

Us, picking up Nikanne and ready to head out in the party van!

We started our night with a delicious meal at Bahama Breeze. The food and drinks were soooo yummy! And our conversation was light and fun.

Dinner party: Nikanne, Jill, Clarissa, Jordan, Becki, and Rachel.

Then, we said goodbye to Clarissa and we piled into the party van and headed down to Enchanted Village for some rides. We met up with Theresa and headed into the park. I had SUCH a good time bringing out my inner child with the girls. Nikanne was brave enough to ride the big wooden coaster, Timberhawk, with me and I screamed with joy as we zoomed over it's tracks. It was definitely the highlight of the park for me. What a rush! We also rode my favorite ride as a child, the parasols. I felt like bird on that ride as you glide through the trees. I enjoyed it as much last night as I did when I was a child.

Our first ride, the Octopus.

Us after getting soaked on the Lumberjack Falls ride. Theresa and Jordan went twice!

Nikanne and I on the parasol ride.

Jordan, Rachel, and Theresa on the Pirate Ship ride.

Becki and Nikanne about to ride the Pirate Ship!

Then it was back in the van and on to Cheesecake Factory for dessert. YUM. I got the White Chocolate Carmel Macadamia Nut cheese cake. It was bliss. I must have been busy eating my cheesecake, cuz I didn't get very good pics there.

Nikanne, I had a fun night celebrating with you. I am blessed to have some really great sisters-in-law! One more week and I'll officially have one more!

July is here and so is SUMMER!!!

Whoo, Hoo! It's warm and sunny in Seattle, finally! We had a pretty wet spring and early summer, but mother earth is making up for it now. Last week, we were in the 80's and 90's and loving most of it. We did spend two nights sleeping in our AC'd basement, but it's a small sacrifice for warm and dry.

We celebrated the 4th with a camp out at Papa Lonnie's. There was lots of riding, eating, and visiting. We always have a nice time with the family down in Glenoma. My parents visited us this year, it was nice to show them around and let them watch Derick (and the rest of the family) enjoy the dirt bikes.

Darla giving me her kissy face. I love this face!

Derick riding the three wheeler all by himself. Jeremy did put a throttle stop on it, so it can only go as fast as he determined. Derick was awesome on it!




Then, it was time to celebrate my Mom's birthday. Nonna and Papa brought in some yummy eats from T&T and we had cake and sang. It was a relaxing and enjoyable visit. Mom, you don't show your age at all. I know it's all a state of mind, and I hope to be doing as much as you when I'm 59. *wink*

Here are some pics of the kids enjoying the warm weather this week. I bought a new pool this year, and I hope it stands up to the kid abuse and the deck a little better than the old one.

Derick's new shades....he picked them out himself at the West Seattle Street Fair. Adorable boy!

Here's to some fun summer days ahead!