April 2016

Here are all of our pictures from April 2016!

We had a surprise party for Jennie's 40th birthday at Sur la Table.

Cooking class date night!

My sisters and me!

Claire helping Brian in the backyard.

It was an exciting morning when we saw a hot air balloon outside our house!

It was so close, the balloonists could actually hear the kids yelling hello.

It was a beautiful sunny Sunday...perfect for ice cream outside!

There isn't much better than the sight of siblings playing together.

Sydney did this project at school. I thought it was cute she admires her cousin, Lydia.

Watching Wes play baseball.

There he is, up to bat!

Sleeping Claire.

Ruth got her Anna Bear all set up for a nap.

We took a family trip to the Botanical Gardens.

Cute siblings.

Then we went to Menchies...it was messy!

First water fun of the season!

Claire helping water the plants in the backyard.

Trampoline basketball.

Wes advanced to Bears.

Wes opening his birthday presents.

Wes was super excited about the Zelda games he got for his birthday.

Claire and Dad cuddles at Wesley's baseball game.

A Zelda Triforce cake for Wes' 9th birthday.

Claire and Dad cuddles in the backyard.

Miss Independent helping herself to Wes' leftover birthday cake.

Crazy-hair Ruth.

Cute baby Claire with her pacifier.

Selfie at Scouts.

Bleachers become a table when you're not quite two.

Starting the 21 Day Fix!

Wes finally achieved his goal of buying himself a Kindle!

A cool leather bracelet I had my friend, Becky, make for me.

Claire helping Brian fix the lawnmower.

Friday Family Fun to Bowl of Heaven.

Special Mom and Dad outing for Wesley's birthday.

Claire "fixing" the door with a screwdriver.

The girls played with the soap and water in the kids' bathroom. There was standing water on the floor.

Cool cheese face from Ruth.

Making the Cub Scouts do some exercises.

Sydney didn't like what we were having for dinner.

A Mother's Day note from Sydney.

MCO rehearsal with the orchestra.

The babies were left unattended with markers.

Claire and Ruth snuggling with Grandma Swensen.

Spring Break in Seattle

For Spring Break we decided to head to my parents' house in Puyallup. I drove the kids and myself there and then Brian flew up and drove home with me.

This picture was taken as we were starting out. I couldn't decide if I was crazy or not. Luckily, it worked out fine thanks to modern conveniences like iPads and DVD players. And also, I do have really great kids.

/

We took a break at a rest stop to get the wiggles out.

Wes and Sydney asked me to take a picture of them on this special monument at the rest stop.

The kids were thrilled to get crowns from Burger King! Ruth actually had been wearing hers two seconds before I took the picture...of course.

As we got close to Puyallup, we were greeted by a rainbow!

Part of my reason for going to Puyallup was to pick up the rest of my stuff my parents had been storing for me for the last 15 years. It was fun to go through my pictures. I found these gems of my cute nephews, Nathan and Danny, who are now teenagers.

Relaxing with my Ruthie girl.

Claire getting Grandpa Swensen figured out!

You can't take the sun in Seattle for granted. Lunch outside? Of course!

Grandpa Swensen was so nice to play catch with Wes.

Majestic Mt. Rainier. My favorite.

Dinner with my high school bestie, Jessika. No trip to Seattle would be complete without chatting with her for hours on end!

Claire helping Grandma Swensen do her family history. :)

Ruth lounging in the sun.

Cute baby Claire getting some bitey-bites.

Sydney was a great help when we loaded the trailer to take my stuff back to Boise.

Not only was Ruth glad to be out of the car, she was thrilled to find a trampoline set up in our backyard, thanks to Brian, Mom and Dad Hanks, and - indirectly - Uncle Kevin and Aunt Naomi!