MosesLake from the eyes of Kali

Kali is a trooper. She has been to more baseball, basketball, football games then most girls will see in a lifetime. She has moments of great patience and then well, not so much. The one thing she does love is when these games brings us to a Hotel! She LOVES hotels. Something about her whole family staying in one room, going out to eat and swimming makes her sooo happy. She's even able to tolerate a couple of extra baseball games knowing there is a lake or a bbq after. Here are a couple of pictures of Moses Lake from the eyes of Kali! Swimming in the Lake. This trip brought us a new and improved swimming Kali. With the help of Dory, Kali really came out of her shell and became quite a little fishy!! She never liked to put her face in the water before...now she's got it in more then out!!
Over the last several years I realized that in order for me to watch a whole game I needed a bag of tricks to keep Kali...and the rest of the kids busy! Works every time!

Our room at the hotel had this giant closet...Kali quickly converted it in to her very own room! It worked like a charm!! Here she is with Duke watching a movie!

Another moment hanging with Duke in the shade...

And yet another coloring opportunity!!

She had a great time...already asking when we are going to the hotel again!

MosesLake State Baseball 12u Tournament

As per my new norm...I'm once again playing catch up. On the 2nd weekend in July we headed over the mountains to MosesLake to participate in the State tournament for 12u. Jake and Taiji have been playing on the Lynden Allstar team since they were 9. It's been a great run, placing 3rd each year. This is the last year for them in the Cal Ripken league and they were hoping to best their 3rd place finishes. It is a great group of boys and with some blow outs and a couple nail biters they took 2nd place. It was a lot of fun!! Opening ceremonies....The Lynden Allstars!
Taiji up to bat!

Jake up to bat!

Exhausted from a long day of baseball!

The norm for our room...video games and a ton of boys!

Taiji running the bases

Jake running the bases

Kinda a cool picture of my boys! 24 and 2!!

The trophy

It never fun to lose...but these boys were able to do it with grace...they played hard and are winners in our book!!

The Lynden Allstars!!

2nd place 12u

Rockstars!!

Happy Birthday Day America!!

After finishing up the Stars and Stripes tourney with a victory (see post below) we decided to celebrate by getting a few fireworks and creating our own show in the backyard. The kids were excited!! Here is Jake below showing off some of the loot! And Miss Kali showing off her sparklers...which she called sprinklers!!
Of course no fireworks show is complete without a little concert....Shane chose AC/DC. Not my first choice...but it went well with the banging!!

Kali showing of her Sprinkler!!

The set up! I of course enjoyed the show from the warmth and safety of the Deck and fire pit!

Jake and Taiji doing some lighting!

Dad and Kali checking out the show!

This was Kali's spot for most of the show!

Jake doing his victory pose!

It was a great night!

4th of July Tournament Champs

The boys have been playing a lot of baseball...in fact over the last two weekends they have won two tournaments. Pretty Awesome!! We are now getting geared up to leave for the state baseball tournament this week....hopefully we can win that one too!! I'll keep ya posted!! This was the boys right after the win!
Me and my 12's!! (I do want to interject a side note for all those not living here in Washington...note what I am wearing...3 or 4 layers, this picture was taken on the 4th of July)

Taiji walking up to get his trophy

Jakes turn!!

The 2010 Stars and Stripes tourney Champs!!

An Ice Cream Surprise

Kali and Shane made some ice cream the other night. The Hypothesis was that when Truman came home he would want some ice cream and we would send him out to the garage to get the ice cream and then he would scream...because his new ride would be sitting there...well, the ice cream was made and he did indeed go out to get it, what we couldn't count on was the fact that he would not pay attention to what was sitting in the garage and walk right back into the house with out even seeing it....DORK!! The Ice Cream Makers.....
Trum heading back in the house...we redirected him and sorta got the surprise look!

Trum in the new VanDalen ride...not Truman's car...but the car Truman will be driving!

What I love about it...it's safe and reliable!

Watch out Lynden...and if you see this rig driving too fast or irresponsibly PLEASE call us and let us know...we would equally appreciate phone calls telling us what a GREAT driver he is!

A Seattle Get Away

Every June 30th New York Life Seattle GO invites us down to Seattle to celebrate the end of their council year. This year we found a great hotel in the U district called Hotel Decca. They were awesome enough to lose our reservation so we landed the suite on the 16th floor. Check out our view...AMAZING!
You gotta love Seattle!!

Space Needle...it was a beautiful night!

Of course with no one around we had to take a self portrait....if I was taller you would have seen Mt Rainer in the background...not the roof tops! Oh well, it was a fun night!!

KOA Camping...in Lynden!! ;)

I'm not feeling very wordy tonight...so the pictures may have to do the talking. A couple of weekends ago Kate and Rolf talked us in to joining them at the Lynden KOA for a weekend camping trip. We aren't much of campers...but with Rolf and Kate's help we managed to have a wonderful time. Jake and Truman were both going to be heading out for a week so they came for the afternoon and were able to fish and hang out...they are both counting the days until they can join us there.
Thanks to Dean and Linda we were able to live in comfort in their cozy RV. Us on the right and Rolf and Kate's Trailer on the left. It was a great spot!

My fisher boys!

and my cute with Fisher girl, with cousin Luuk!

The Girls! What a bunch-o-cuties!
It really doesn't get much cutier then that!!

There was lots of coming and going on all these bikes!!
The Lynden KOA is quite the place. They have the pond for fishing, putt putt golf, swimming pool and play ground.

Saturday the Hendricks family joined us for a little BBQ. Great food + great company=Great Time.

After two days of begging...the parents caved and bought a boat!
They had a ton of fun tooling around in it.

The Final day and the last boat ride!! What an adventure!

I will have to admit...I would love to do it again....the sooner the better!

Thanks Rolf and Kate to pushing us to step out of our box...we had a blast!

Truman Turns 16!! YIKES!!

I really can't believe it!! You kinda talk about it when they turn 13 how 16 is only 3 years away...then 14...15...but for some reason you still aren't prepared for 16!! It's the beginning of independence...learning to let go and trust them to remember everything you taught them and actually use it. We are proud of Truman. He is a good kid with a good heart. He did well in his Freshman year and is now a busy with summer ball (FB, BB and Basketball). He has a summer job and is proving himself to be more responsible then we thought, which is a blessing! Last week is passed both his written and driving tests and now has his licence. So watch out for him on the road....and feel free to call with a driving report!! LOL!! Here is the gang celebrating Trum!

He's pretty easy to shop for...either champs certificates, Itunes or anything xbox related and you are usually good to go!!

Showing off the new game!

Kali loves her Truman and they have a fantastic relationship!! Here he shows off the cool rainbow drawing she made for him!! Too cute!