Adventure in the Emerald City!

Last Friday, Mishelle and I set off to have some fun in Seattle with all seven of our kids. By the time we made it to the hotel, there was just enough time for some of the kids to get in a quick (literally a few minutes) swim in the pool and eat some pizza before heading to bed. It did take quite a while to get them settled in since they had all taken "naps" in the car.

The next morning we walked to the Space Needle and picked up our City Passes, definitely the way to go if you want to explore what Seattle has to offer. Garrett was so excited to see the "Space Noodle" before we corrected him between chuckles. After our ride up the Space Needle (my first time, by the way) we headed to the Pacific Science Center where the kids had a great time in the Water Works, Body Works, and Animal Exhibits. Garrett was a little freaked out by the Dinosaur Exhibit at first, but finally realized we were telling the truth and the dinosaurs weren't real! We hit an IMAX movie before heading down to the docks to catch a cruise around the harbor.

I think the boat ride had some great scenery, but was a little stressful trying to keep track of all the kids. We had hoped to hit the Aquarium next, but it was closed by the time we got there so we headed over to Pikes Place. They were closing down so after a quick walk through we trekked back to our hotel. The kids were such troopers, it was at least 10 or 12 blocks and we didn't hear one complaint. Even from little Lauren who held Mishelle's hand all the way back.

We really wanted to eat at the Cheesecake Factory so we all jumped in the suburban and headed out to eat. It was somewhere between 9:30 and 10:00 by the time we got seated and the kids were pretty tired. Mishelle and I were doing our best to keep everyone under control. A lady finally tapped on my shoulder and told me how well behaved our children were. I just about busted up laughing, but she was totally serious. I have to give the kids credit though, they did awesome. We got our cheesecake to go and headed back to the hotel, where there was not a parking spot to be found. After driving around for what seemed like forever (during which time we saw two hookers and lots of other crazy people) we finally spotted a space from the street so I jumped out and held our spot until Mishelle could make it back around (and boy was she quick). The kids were all OUT at this point, but we managed to get everyone into the room and out for the night.

The next morning we ate and headed for the zoo. We somehow made it out of there will all of our kids. My poor stroller had a casualty, while pumping up the tire that had been leaking air, we managed to pop the tube and give half the zoo-goers a coronary. Then, when we tried to leave, Mishelle discovered that a light had been left on and we had a dead battery. Thanks to a cute security officer we were on our way shortly. ;) We finally made it to the Aquarium and finished off our trip rushing back to the car so we wouldn't get a ticket for an expired meter.

We really had such a great time, seven kids and all. I had to laugh every time we got that look from someone who thought we were crazy carting all those kids around. We made some great memories and I'm so glad we were just crazy enough to brave the city with all our kids. I want to thank Mishelle for showing us such a great time.

(for more pictures of our adventure, visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=114459&id=521129925&l=c5d96a2870)

Ready To Go

Everyday when Garrett gets home from school, immediately Lauren takes over his backpack, lunchbag, and even his shoes and tries to head out the door for school. So cute.....but she's got a long two and a half years ahead of her!

Labor Day weekend

I'm in a blogging mood and although I still have much more to catch up on I thought this was a good start. Although it is getting late so let's hope it all makes sense! We had a great Labor Day weekend this year. We started out Saturday by cleaning out the garage, doesn't sound so great, but it REALLY needed to be done. It's not completely organized but it looks 100 times better than it did. Sunday evening we headed to my mom's for my neice, Shelby's, birthday party. We had so much fun just hanging out with my family and Becky's family. We ended up staying the night over there so that mom and I could can some pears the next morning and we could hit the annual Community Day's celebration. We got 14 quarts done and headed to town.

The parade was short and sweet as usual. We were near the end of the parade and Garrett and Lauren were the only kids right there so they got quite the stash of candy. Then we headed to the park for food and visiting with family and friends. The family was camped out closer to the playground this year so the kids were able to enjoy that and we weren't so worried about where they were all the time. Lauren, however, spent most of her time parked right here:

on Grandma's lap. She was my mom's little shadow from the moment we walked in the door on Sunday until we left, and even then she begged for Grandma to come home with us. This girl loves her Grandmas!

They had lots of activities going on and this one was not far from where we sat. Many of my family members (brothers, uncles, cousins) are involved in trying to get a demolition derby going back in town and this was a fund-raiser for that. You could pay $1 to hit the car 2-3 times with a sledge hammer. I don't know how much money they raised but they were busy the whole time we were there! At first Garrett didn't want anything to do with it, but eventually he came and asked me for $1. He hit the car twice before realizing that everyone was watching so I jumped in and helped him with the last shot. He also got to write his name on the car.

We made it home not long before Garrett had his first soccer practice. I stayed home with the girls, but Todd said he did great! Our little boy is overcoming some of his shyness and I can't tell you how happy that makes me.

All in all it was a great weekend spent with family. I came home and canned and dried more pears that week for a total of 16 quarts and 13 pints of canned pears, and about 26 cups of dried pears total! Whew! No more canning for a while.....at least until it's time to do apple pie filling. Yum!

So long, friend....

we'll miss you. You have been there for us all summer long, but the weather is turning cold. So it's time to say goodbye.....for now.

So long, friend. Until next year...

Little Big Man's Big Day!

It's a strange feeling, sending your firstborn off to Kindergarten. All day. Every day. You begin to wonder....did I teach him enough? Did I prepare him enough? Teach him not to talk to strangers? To be nice to everyone? Those and a million other questions ran through my mind as I walked home after dropping him off in his classroom Tuesday morning. Can you tell he was a little nervous? He was acting very shy (BIG surprise), and would hardly leave my side. UNTIL! His buddy Jake showed up...then all was right with the world. He was still acting very shy, but at least he had Jake and another friend, Gunnar, to rely on. I knew in my heart of hearts that he would be absolutely, completely and utterly fine.....so why was I letting myself doubt? All day I thought about him, worried about him. Again, so many questions flooded my mind. Is he scared? Is he going to eat enough? Is he going to listen to his teacher? Is he going to be OK on the bus? We got home and both girls decided to take a nap. Great! Then I had nothing to do BUT worry ;). We eventually made it to playgroup and the store, and by the time I got things put away and the girls settled in it was almost time for him to be home. The bus was running a little late, but he finally made it home. He ran in the house and started gulping down water straight out of the faucet, guess he was thirsty?! When I finally got him to answer my question, "How did it go?" He replied, "It was so cool!" I can't tell you what a RELIEF that was! He was already telling me what he wanted for lunch the next day and how he was going to ride the bus in the morning, that I didn't need to take him. Again, HUGE relief, and yet....... just a twinge of sadness. How my boy is growing up! Sniff, sniff!

The details:

Teacher: Mr. Klepec

Backpack: Transformers, Optimus Prime OF COURSE!

Lunch pack: Spiderman, with a turkey sandwich, cheez-its, applesauce, and a juice pouch.

Favorite part of the day: P.E. and coloring!

Day #2 today and he's still loving it, and ready for more. Yay!