We love our deck!

There is nothing better than our deck in the summer! This night we roasted hot dogs and had smores! It is great family time! And much better than camping for me since I still have all the amenities of home..namely a potty!

What, do I have something on my face???

The festivities of this night were too much for these two!

Makenna and her bedtime entourage. She has so many things, babies, and toys that are needed to be with her for this big event that I have no idea how she finds room for herself!!

Brandon turns 31!!

W0w, is it possible that the 18 year old boy I met 13 years ago could possibly be 31??? Where has the time gone? We have definitely grown up together in a sense but I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else! Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

Our best gifts on any birthday!! (Although that doesn't mean I want to forgo any gifts;) )

She loves her daddy....and he is quite found of his little princess!

Ok, please take note of the birthday cake Brandon ordered for himself. Yes, that is a baseball cake! On the way out of Costco everyone was asking Ben and Brayden if it was their birthday and they kept saying "no its for my dad" with Brandon standing right there with us with a huge grin on his face! Brandon took pride in this special cake!

How does he do it? So many candles so little time! Happy Birthday Brandon! I look forward to many more come!

These boots were made for walking...

Honestly who doesn't cook like this??? Here in Washington you never know when those rain boots are going to be needed! And yes for all those wondering...she does get this from her mom :)

Victory!!!

I'm just going to let you soak in the size of that trophy and grin for a minute..... :)

This was the pine wood derby race for Awana. Both boys made a car with their dad. They were identical except for color but somehow Brayden's got the luck of the draw. I really can't tell you who was more excited Brayden or Daddy! Brayden won overall in speed thus the enormous trophy that will have his name engraved. It was a long car ride home for Ben but he was a great sport and I think next year will be his year!!

This ribbon was for Brayden memorizing 33 bible verses this year in Awana. We are so very proud of him and his ability to do this. He truly amazes us!

That is Brayden's car getting ready to race in the blue lane :)

That there is the not so lucky car :( But at least he is still smiling! Plus he has the amazing memories of doing this project with his dad, regardless of the outcome of the race!

And the winner is.....Brayden Stoddard!

Day at the beach...

One of our favorite spots here is Birch Bay when the tide goes down. The kids run off and explore, dig for clams, find shells and sand dollars, and play in the water. We could stay there for hours! Another one of my current favorite pictures!

She loves having her picture taken! Good thing or she'd really be sick of me by now!!

And they are off!!

She tends to only want to bring home the shells with living creatures still inside!

I've heard of 'Daddy's girl" but I really had no idea!! She absolutely adores him!

Exploring in water with seaweed and slimy things isn't really up my alley but the boys love it!

Digging for those blasted gooey ducks. We haven't caught one yet. They spray water up about 3 feet in the air while you are walking and then the boys start digging. Kind-of scared to see what they actually look like!

Vancouver Aquarium

So this is the biggest thing we did with Shannon and Jack here. It was SO worth the drive to Canada to do. My boys and their oceanlife, no better combo!

Amazing how close they come to scope you out

Ben seriously took atleast 3o pictures of these dolphins, he was in heaven!!

This would be called "sloth finding" LOL

Ok so I have alot of favorite pics but this one is at the very top of the list!

She has her death grip on Jack because he wants no part of this kind of loving today :)

Ben with the Bulguga whales. He would've been fine if I just left him there for the rest of his life!