Fancy Fun

 Last week was the perfect excuse to party!  We love the PBS period British drama Downton Abbey and the movie was released in theaters last weekend.  So we invited friends and dressed up and enjoyed fancy dinner and a movie.  It was so much fun!

But first, I couldn't pass up these free balloons on facebook marketplace, and the kids wanted to have  a party, too, so we had a tea party Friday.  It was fun and after school when the kids arrive at different times, so we just let them have a play date and eat in a staggered way.  Next time I'll have everyone sit down at once.

 When I got this table last year, Kristen told me to name it The Downton because we could host such a crowd at it.   How fitting to host a Downton party here!

 We had to set up a couple extra table because we had a great turnout.

 One of the best parts of the night was the help.  Avery, Tate, Hope, and Soel were the maids and footman.  They really stayed in character and were so helpful!

 I cannot get over how period perfect and fantastic everyone looked!  Look at these sparkly dresses and headpieces!  Here's Becca and Emma's friend (sorry,  I forgot her name!). 

 Jake, Nissa, and Dawn.  The other amazing part of the night was the food these friends brought!  Nissa brought the giant amazing salad and Dawn made such a good ratatoulle!

 Here's Carly, who had most of the awesome outfits people borrowed, and Michelle and Molly.  Michelle made such a beautiful trifle that I never got a chance to taste, booo, and Molly brought this fancy cheese and cracker and nut and veggie tray thing that has a fancy name I don't remember.  Can you tell that food is my love language?!

Greg and Carly!  Greg made the coconut banana chocolate layered cake, which was also delicious and beautiful.

 Here's the beautiful Kristen, my co-consipirator, and Chad, the birthday boy. 

 What a handsome footman!  So cute. The gloves!  He agreed to help out if I paid him with a piece of caramel.

The whole gang!  I wish that I had made people take photos in small groups as they entered so you could truly appreciate these outfits.  I still cannot get over it!  This shot was after dinner as we went to the theater all gussied up and took up a couple rows.  It was a good movie and the whole night was just really fun.  I really have the best of friends here!

Now to think of an excuse for the next fancy dinner party!

 Some of the cutest little fancy girls at the tea party - Cinna, Daphne, and Finley.

Playing Catch Up

Pretty sure that I forgot to post about Kennewick this summer.  We went as soon as school got out in the beginning of June.  Then, we returned in July en route to Portland.  I think that's what these pictures are from.  A little fun at grandma and grandpa's home and then some frozen yogurt before headed back home.  I love summer and traveling back to Washington.  I love family time, too!

Hand on Hip

Finley's relaxed pose includes this sassy little hand on hip that I love. 

Last week Ralphie got into the bathroom and emptied my make-up into the sink.  Then he hopped into Henry's bath water with all his clothes on.  Finley could tell that I had my hands full as I took care of the situation.  She sat on the pot and announced "I have to pee, but I don't need privacy." 

She told me in the car ride to the Y last week that "stinks one of my problems.  It makes me grumpy."  She's such a funny kid.

Scream

The other day I was looking for something under my bed and as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I thought I saw Avery hanging upside down from the other side of the bed smiling at me.  But she was creepy and unblinking and last I checked she was on top of the bed watching cartoons.  All these thoughts led to my blood curdling scream because "how and why was Avery doing that?!".  I was too freaked out to look again at what could only be some decapitated upside-down head under my bed so I made the kids look.  They didn't see anything scary and just smiled at me like they felt sorry for their mom who finally lost her mind, although there was no surprise in their expressions, which I would appreciate because they're not supposed to know how near I am to insanity, but I digress.  When I finally summed up the courage to peek under the bed again, I recognized my own face on a rolled up large print from a couple winter ago.  Imagination, you old tease!

Neighbors

 We are blessed with amazing neighbors.  Sad that Avery's buddy, Hope, and her family are moving in a couple weeks.  We love the Brewers who moved in a bit ago (2 years?) have kids the same ages as our youngest 3.  Ralphie rode a couple blocks in the double stroller with his buddy like this.  It was so cute.  He just liked to have his arm around his friend.  Finley and Lilianna wanted to be princesses with their new crowns the other day.  Cute little gals.

2019/2020 School Year

So it begins again!  As usual, summer flew by. I started summer with apprehension about having all the kiddos at home all day.  Next thing I know they're gone and I'm not ready.  We were thick into our summer groove, but so life goes.

Summertime Creatures

 As I drove home from the Y on the south end of town, This buck posed majestically for me.

 We ran into the Larsens heading out from the trail we were about to enter for some family photos.  Kyle sent us this picture of the bear they spotted, but mr. bear had left by the time we hit the trail, thank goodness!

 Squirrely, spying on us from the tree in our yard.

 This squirrely girl was tired one night and crying hysterically as we were preparing for Avery to say the family prayer by listing things we love about her.  I figured we'd skip Finley because of her fit, but she surprised us by screaming through her tears, "I love Avery because she's nice to me!". It was really funny.

And then there's this boy who can get out of his crib with ease.  He's growing so fast that I'm sure I'll blink and he'll have outgrown my spiffy blue tennies.

Avery takes pictures of Tigger whenever she finds him in a cute position.

The Boys

Let's talk about some funny things these boys have said recently.

Henry is always planning and studying the calendar.  Tate used to obsess over maps.  Anyway, Henry insisted we celebrate his half birthday last week with a treat.  The morning of, he asked  me to let his speech therapist, Keri, in on the occasion so she could bring a gift.  I had to explain that we may be the only people who celebrate half birthdays and that we don't do gifts. lol.

There was a recent news article about a 17 year old boy who went blind because he only ate 5 unhealthy foods for most of his life, like white bread and french fries.  I told the kids about it as a warning because our kids are such picky eaters.  I was talking about it while driving home and when we arrived, Henry, who had been in the back of the car, was crying because he didn't want to "go flying".  Apparently, that's what "going blind" sounded like to him and he was afraid he could float away!

Eric saw Tate's wallet on the ground, so he hid it to teach Tate a lesson about putting his valuables where they belong.  After Tate searched for days, we told him what Eric had done. Later he told me that when he has a kid he would do the same lesson and Henry agreed.  Apparently they respond well to tough love!

Day Camps

Here's a couple snap shots of our day camps we've tried this year.  It started over spring break for some fun and to give the older kids some leadership opportunities.  We had a bunch of friends over and a different theme for each day.  I can't recall each theme, but my favorite was medieval day because we had some good books and a cool castle to play with.  These pictures are from the one camp we did this summer.  Just for a few hours in the afternoon we would have the older kids read books to the younger ones, and then serve snacks and do a craft and play some games.  This one was a gaming edition where we split into groups and played games, focusing on good sportsmanship.  It's always loud and chaotic and super fun.  Parents who drop their kiddos donate some money for the big kids to split and they've really enjoyed that! 

Family Reunion

 My generous cousin let us stay at her cabin in McCall a couple weeks ago for our family reunion.  It was the perfect space.  It was perfect weather.  I have a perfect family.  You get the point.  I look forward to this every year!

 Ty and Ash rented a pantoon and took us all out on turns one day.  Here's 2 year old Davin loving swimming in the lake all by himself with just his life jacket.  He is a real thrill seeker!

 A gaggle of cousins having fun.  Bre and Tony rented jet skis one day, which was also super awesome.

 The view from the house! love love love

 Tate got up on the paddle board, which is harder than it looks.

 Avery and Ian enjoying the paddle board together.  They were two of the cousins on the lake for the longest I'm guessing.

 Enjoying the sandy beach.

 The diving line-up.  Nice form, Ashley!

 Ember pulling Davin in the tube.

 My personal favorite-the kayaks!

 Ian, Lydia, and Ember out for some evening fishing.  It was so windy that Ian ended up fishing on his knees to keep from blowing off the dock!

We saw lots of deer by the house.  This guy was bidding us adieu as we packed up to leave.

It was just such a fun week spent with my favorite people.  The cousins get along so well.  Dad had a couple fainting episodes and had to be taken to the hospital one night.  They ran tests which gave no answers and sent him home with a heart monitor to record whats going on should he faint again.  Nothing has happened since then so we don't know what that scare was all about.

Ashley knows the area and took us to some restaurants and a great ice cream joint.  We went on a hike to a waterfall.  Travis brought the movies and fixed our Wii, which has Henry on cloud 9.  The first part of our drive was windy for hours and the 3 youngest puked.  Kristen advised I find some medicine and it was amazing.  It knocked all the kids out for the ride home and we were puke-free! 

 Bumper boats! Presenting: All the cousins-in order!