Harper's Ferry, Cookout, and Good bye's

Saturday was mom and dad's P-day, so they took us down to Harper's Ferry. Harper's Ferry is where John Brown tried to start an armed slave revolt by seizing a United States Arsenal at Harper's Ferry in 1859. Brown's raid was defeated by a detachment of U.S. Marines led by Col. Robert E. Lee. We had a great time. The weather was pouring down rain the whole way there and for about the first half hour. We were pretty much drenched and then a few minutes later we were dying of heat it was so hot and humid! Crazy weather. I am officially grateful for the dry heat we have out west and won't complain about it being too hot!


Black smith shop


Crossing the Potomac River. Tricia and I swear we crossed that river on our way to W. Virginia, but on our way back to the airport we went a different way. Same thing happened in the fall when Hayley and I went back there. We went two different ways too. There are way too many highways and freeways back there, I don't know how people get anywhere with out GPS. Mom says they don't! She says the people don't know how to get to Baltimore, or D.C. back there in W. Virgina, and it is only 2 1/2 hours away! They never go anywhere!


This is Jefferson's Rock. Thomas Jefferson said when he came to this rock that the view from here was worth the trek across the Atlantic.

This is the view from here. I can imagine in the fall it would be beautiful!

Dad stayed down below. He had already been here and it is a little hike to get up there. So much fun to go with mom and dad, whenever a member of the church recognizes them, they stop and talk to them. That day they talked to two women from Utah, a girl who had just returned home from a mission to Brazil, and a scout group.

Monday night we had a cookout with all of mom and dad's neighbors. It turned out to be a great success and they were able to get to know some of their neighbors better. They kids all had a great time playing with all the other kids.

Evie and a cute little girl. I forgot her name

Tuesday we woke up bright and early so we could leave to head back to the airport. Mom wouldn't get in the picture since she didn't have her hair done yet!



But, I caught some of her...

I love this picture with Cooper and Chase trying to give her a hug too.

Mom is going to kill me, but I love it! Tricia and mom Boohooing!

We cried when we arrived and we cried when we left. Luckily they don't have any pictures of me! We are so grateful for mom and dad's sacrifice to serve the Lord and the people of W. Virginia. They are the being great missionaries! We were not surprised to hear from everyone back there how much they love mom and dad. They think they are the best! It doesn't surprise anyone back home, everyone knew they would be great missionaries.

Relay for Life

While we were in W.V. we were able to participate in the local Relay for Life.


Dad wore a purple survivor shirt.







Dad talking to a friend. Everywhere we turned mom and dad knew someone. They are making the rounds around the community.





There was a purse auction. I convinced mom to bid and she won two! After that I had to glue mom's hand to her pocket. She was getting a little too quick with the wave motion! I know mom hasn't been purse shopping in a while and I think the excitement of a new purse or purses was getting to her! The purses were filled with all sorts of stuff. That was the high light for the night. Evie and Allie loooved all the treasures inside the purses.




We had such a fun night supporting a great cause. My dad is a two time cancer survivor! Go dad!

Mission Field

The middle of June Cooper and I headed on a jet plane out to the mission field to see Grandma and Grandpa. Coop had been asking for months and months when he was going to see Grandma and Papa on their mission. He was soooo excited to finally go. Tricia and her kids decided to go with us. We had blast with all of them. Thank heavens they came because little Coop would have been really bored with all us old people. Tricia has most of the good pics, so I am waiting for her to post...

All the kids at the Cookie Tin, a yummy, yummy cookie place. That was first on my list of things to do!

Grandma and the kids walking.

The kids had so much fun visiting Grandma and Grandpa and seeing what they do everyday. Everyday was packed with things to do and people to visit.

They loved finding bugs. Grandma may be on her mission, but she still has stuff stowed away in the back closet, thanks to having a dollar store on every corner.

And at the end of the day, somehow the kids all eventually ended up looking like this!

It's back!

Hayley has been telling me for awhile now that wall paper is back. How could wall paper be back? I mean, it finally left and now it is back? That dreaded stuff everyone would rather kill over than take off. I put my dues in taking that stuff down with Tricia, and it was brutal! Finally I asked her to tell me what website she was looking at and I took a look for myself. I was smitten the moment I laid my eyes on it and could not stop thinking about all the places it could go in my house! I finally ordered some for my office. That was the first room I wanted to do. When it came in the mail I was very disappointed because I thought it was more gold than green. I decided to put it in my powder room instead. And now I kinda wish I would have put it in the office I love the print so much!


I really wish the "wall paper queen" (my mom) would have been here to help me out. I needed some expert help!

Stayed tuned for more wall paper adventures to come...

Mariners

On Wednesday we loaded up the crew and headed to watch the Mariners play. I don't know who was more excited the boys or me! I have very fond memmories of going to the Mariner's games as a kid with my dad. The last time I had been to a game was when Cooper was
a little over one and mom and I took Tricia's two boys and Troy's younger boys. We had awesome seats about 5-7 rows up in between first base and home plate. It was a sight to behold. Let's just say there were no kids around us and those four boys plus Cooper were a sight to behold. Mom and I left exhausted!!

Yeah, we did get there early, but not that early. I had never seen so many open seats there. There was no one 3 rows in front of us and 3 rows behind us the whole game! The nice thing was the usher lady would not let anyone come down and sit there either.

Sam and Brenden. Sam was kind enough to get the tickets for us. Every one loves Sam. Dad, Sam said to tell you he misses you and it is time for you to come home!! He said he will still even rub your head!!

This is for you too Mom and Dad proof that Griffey really is a Mariner again!!

At the beginning of the 3rd inning they announced you could go get your picture with the Moose at his den. I jumped on it! I only took Cooper since it was quite a walk and I could see those two running away from me. Coop was a little scarred, but I will take it! He is sooooo much better than he used to be. This is a big step!

Next stop was the playground. (Well, after he talked me into that new M's hat). Cooper looved it! He had so much fun there and it was really nice to just let him get the wiggles out.

After the game we headed straight home and arrived home around 12:45. The ride home was very peaceful with both boys sound asleep. We try to avoid hotels at all costs! They are horrible and will never settle down. Brenden and I get so frustrated that we always say we could of been home by now sleeping in our own beds! I don't argue with Brenden anymore about hotels. I say it definitely easier to drive home. Plus I am not the driver and I sleep too!

Memorial Day

We had a fun day celebrating Memorial day in Othello. The boys were so excited to go. They had been asking for days when we were going to Grandma & Grandpa's house to see BOBBY! They loove Bobby.



Wendy and cute little Faith



Rachel cute as can be

swimming in Grandma's hot tub!

The boys waited all day to go down and see Grandpa's mules

Cason acting a little shy the first time on Jackson

They loooved ridding Jackson and cried when they had to get back in the car.

Jackson is a miniature mule. His dad is a donkey and his mom a Shetland pony. I think.

Feeding Jackson "horse candy" They thought this was so fun. Cason lost one of his shoes in the wheat field earlier in the day when the boys went with grandpa to start the water.

Daddy Checking out his horses

The horse in the middle is Brenden's pride and joy. He raised this horse and thinks this is one of the best horses he has ever had . He only wishes he had more time to ride him.

The newest addition to High Country Mules. Little Johnny. Little Johnny is a small mule like Jackson also. He is a little bit bigger than Jackson, but not by much.

Feeding Lil Johnny horse candy.
The boys ask everyday if they can go back to Grandpa's house and see Bobby and the mules. Thank heavens for Grandparents, they are the best! Afterwards, we headed into the cemetery to visit Brenden's grandparents graves. My Camera went dead so no pictures. On memorial day it was his Grandma Amy Kent's 100 birthday!! I wish I had a picture on my camera of Brenden and his dad at her grave. We took one with Grandpa's I-phone, so hopefully you grandkids can figure out how to get it off this summer!

Idaho

A couple weeks ago Brenden was headed to Idaho to meet with some customers, so the boys and I tagged along. We always have such a fun time staying with aunt Krissy and family. Cooper and Cason had so much fun playing with cousin Devrie, but some how I never took any pictures of them.

Here we are at Bear World. We went last year and had such a good time, that we went back again. I don't know who likes it more the boys or Brenden???


Funny picture of the Grizzlies

A white elk

There is much more to see at Bear World, besides bears. Lots of deer and elk and my boys are just as excited to see them as the bears.

Cute little bear cub

This is the petting zoo Cooper actually did pet the deer, but I never got it on camera.

At a look out on the way home. Brenden's new favorite way, Crater's of the moon. I personally do not like it since there is only like one gas station to stop at for 3 hours...

And better than Bear World was this heard of elk along the freeway on top of Cabbage before we started down the hill. I have never seen that many animals so close to the road. We had a great time. It is nice to get away once in a while and then come and realize how great being home really is.