Jammin it up!

Last weekend my mom, sister in law Carolyn, Alice and I made strawberry freezer jam. 

We made 180 pints jam in just about 3 hours. We worked like a well oiled machine! I was pretty proud of our efforts, not only is it delicious jam but we should all have enough for the year! 

Mailey was so good and slept the whole time we were making jam. She is a really good little baby! 

It was around 90 degrees that day which made for a perfect excuse to send all the kiddos outside to play in the water. Nick and Garrett did a great job keeping them in line so we could make jam. 

These 4 you pretty much had to pry out of the water! Cute little water babies! . 

Lunch time! From left to right Carys, Ally, Jared, Libby, Casen and Kenna

Ally

The little plastic pool sprung a leak at one point so Nick went to the store and found a bigger and better one for the kids.The kids were very excited

Libby

Jared

Carys

Kenna

I made cupcakes for the kids to decorate. They thought that was pretty cool too! 

It was a great day! I think the cute sun-kissed babies would say that same! 

Weekend in the Harbor

A couple of weekends ago we took a trip to Gig Harbor to see Nick's family we had a lot of fun! Makenna LOVED playing with Amie and Taylor and being the princess at Grandma and grandpa's house. We killed a few birds with one stone that weekend as well. Nick had to take a few exams that were on the west side of the mountains and he was able to do them while we were there too. I'm happy to say that Nick is now a certified EMT and he has passed his firefighting physical test. He also now works as a reserve at our local fire department. That basically means he can cover shifts to fill in for the career guys, can work as needed and he gets paid! I am so proud of him! He has worked really hard the last 8 months or so and he is now one step closer to becoming a career firefighter! 

Taylor and Kenna playing. He is so patient and sweet with her. She loves that he will do whatever she asks! 

Amie, Makenna and Taylor watching dumbo :o)

We took a family picture to send to Nick's brother Brook who is in Rio De Janeiro serving a mission to wish him a happy birthday. Kristin and Ryan couldn't make it so we drew their faces on paper plates. Lol! Me, Kenna, Amie, {Ryan}, Taylor {Kristin}, Larry, Sherrie, Mailey and Nick.  

Sherrie found this bed tent for Makenna. She LOVED it! 

We also made a trip to the zoo! Here are a few shots from our day there. 

Thank you for a wonderful weekend! We love you guys! 

Graduation

I'm a little behind and so I am now playing catch up. I'm going all the way back to the second weekend of June. It was a very special time for 3 members of my family. My nephew Jared (5) graduated from preschool, my Grandma Judy (yes I said Grandma) graduated with her first ever bachelors degree and my brother Mitchell graduated from CWU with his Masters degree. 

My grandma Judy fulfilled her lifelong dream of earning a college degree. She is a wonderful example that it is never too late to get an education! 

Most of the day was spent watching graduations. Mitch walked in the morning and my grandma in the afternoon. That was a lot of pomp and circumstance to listen too. :o) After graduation we threw the graduates a wonderful party! We had tons of food, family, friends and fun! 

Ally and Kenna wearing Mitchell's graduation cap. They thought they were pretty cute! 

This is what I made for the party, graduation cupcakes. Thank you pinterest for the idea. They turned out adorable! 

Mailey was passed around all over the party. Everyone was happy to hold her and give her kisses. Here she is with great grandma Helen Gene. 

The graduates! 

Makenna being a poser. 

Uncle Mitchie with his nieces and nephews minus Libby and Casen. From left to right Makenna, Jared, Ally, Mailey and Carys. Mitchell earned his masters in family studies. He has a full time job and will take a year off school but will return next fall to get his PHD. I'm so proud of him for all of his hard work, I don't know how he can stand that much school!

Mitchie and my pretty girls 

My parent's and Mitch 

Mitch with his friends, Jackie, Kendra, and Janie

Kendra, Jackie, Mitch, Janie, Lizzy and Ally

GW and Mitch

Sweet little Grandma Dorothy and Mitch

Mitch, Grandpa Pinky and Grandma Judy

Grandma and Mitchell's announcement picture. 

I'm so proud of all of the hard work you have put in to make your dreams come true. Thank you both for being such wonderful examples of hard work and perseverance!