MLK Weekend in Bothel

Martin Luther King Weekend

We were able to get away for the weekend and go visit Micah, Becky & Valerie. It was alot of fun, because A. we got to see them and B. I took the kids on the train to get up there, and only Kolbie and I had been on the train before.

We got there around 12:30 pm and settled in and got acquainted with the new house, which we had never seen before. It was absolutely gorgeous and the kids loved the space.

On the train ride the kids got to watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which they also had never seen before, and that helped in what was seeming to be a long ride after the excitement was starting to wear off.




Kolbie had to keep control of her babies as well on the train ride. She changed them, played games with them, took them on walks and most importantly fed them. I am sure you may know, but if not, she's a breast feeder. Yup you heard me right. Everyone was quite amused by this and were in awe of how I can keep a straight face while helping her to cover up for privacy. I thought the guy next to us was going to choke on his peanut M&M laughing.


We also got to visit a park nearby the house and go some great shots of the kids playing.
We were able to meet up with other friends as well for lunch and the park, and the kids were very excited to have kids to play with.


They climbed on rocks, up trees, all over the play ground, went exploring and searched for fossils. I bet you can't figure out what kid that was. LOL!


Kolb's was in on all the action as well. She says she can do what they can now, because she is an adult. Yah right.....keep on thinkin' that, and while your at it, get a job.

Valerie even got to walk Samson a little. She loves walking and gets very excited while taking each step.

This is Malakai, Hana & Mikaelah (SP?) They were great to play with and had so much engery.

Even the guys got in on a game or 4 of b-ball.

It ended in a draw - 2-2. Maybe you can pick up where you left off boys when we visit again.

Samson taking a breather at the park. It didn't last long, with all the kids running around and the other dogs that began to show up.

One scenic view of the park as you go across the bridge and around the bend.

Sadiyah posing on the bridge. How gorgeous is she!

Kolbie could swing literaly forever. We have to pry her off usually and convince her that the rest of the playground is fun too.

Valerie got to find out what was so fun about the swings with Kolbie. She was a little skeptical at first, but soon realized the fun that everyone was having. She also tried out the slide for the first time.

Oh my goodness how fun is this!

So excited and happy, she slid over and over.

Kai was swinging the "how high can you go game" and eventually tuckered out.

Takin' a breather.

Getting ready to cross the bridge with Mak and play in the fields.

Mak sliding down the slide right before she had to go for the day.

Then we walked home.

The kids really enjoyed the space in the new house, and liked to climb the stairs over and over. This is some thing they don't have a home, as well as the multiple bathrooms and big rooms still open to play in.

Valerie was happy to share her toys and her house with us and we loved on her and her parents a bunch.

Even the kids got in on the action of taking a few shots of one another.

Say Cheese!

Kolbie even tried to make carpet angels in the house.

Kai was excited to find that he had "Blaze" the cat in his animal bin. He brought it on the train and didn't let it go the whole weekend.

Valerie did alot of playing this weekend. She even can stand and walk along things, which was quite amazing. She can get far fast. Hold on Micah and Beck, she will be a busy one. :)

We had a wonderful weekend and great food and fellowship. Aunt Becky even made homemade pizza with the kids. Even down to the dough. Big ups to her. I watched and helped in the topping of the pizza, but I liked giving the kids the ability to make their own dinner and spend time with their auntie.

At night the adults - minus Kolbie :) got to soak in their hot tub in the rain. I know wierd, but it felt amazing. Micah and Becky also taught us the game Mexican Train Dominoes and well now it is a favorite in our house too.

I loved sharing this with all of you, but now I must go and make some dinner for the fam.

Peace and Love,

~Steph~

Snowballs, Suckers, and Hot Cocoa

Here are pictures from our "snow storm" this year. It came quickly, caused lot of driving problems around the city, but we were home and the kids had a blast.

This year I opted out of freezing my cheeks off and so Sahaan went out side and built a snow man with the kiddos. I was inside faithfully preparing the house for the strip down of all the wet clothes and the need for hot chocolate.

Our neighbors, Scott and Caroline, faithfully pass out suckers to all the kids on the street daily. They are allowed one sucker per day, and the snow would not hold them back!

Sadiyah is faithfully pulling together many snowballs for the current snowball fight happening.


Kai was helping to clear the neighbors car off for his snow balls. After all it's about speed and efficiency.

Kolbie didn't know what quite to do in all of it, except run around and follow every one. She was just excited to get to play outside and run around in the street.

The fight continuing down the street, we had to advance to the culde-sac, and to the playground that is off to the right from this picture.

Again more of the battle. They had alot of fun, but after around an hour and running Abbie up and down the street after her soccer ball, we called it a day and went in to warm up.

Love,

Steph

Back in ACTION!

HURRAY! Hi everyone! I get to do a blog, it's clear back from Christmas time, but hopefully now I can catch up that I got my pictures put to a cd. We have been very busy through December and January. We have had 8 or 9 birthdays in Sahaan and my families. Crazy huh? We have also potty trained our youngest child and we are 75% there. No accidents, just still prefers a diaper in certain instances. :) We had 3 Christmases this year, one with McKelvey's, ours, and one with Pilgrim's. Hope you enjoy!

Here is "Tink" kissing big sis. How cute.


This is grandpa Greg playing happy birthday for Taliyah - the kids cousin on the McKelvey side. She turned 3 on the 10th of December.


Kolbie adoring grandma Connie's miniature nativity scene people.

Auntie JuJu (as the kids call her) needing a little R & R after dinner and presents.

Uncle "Mogan" with Tara. We were so happy that they were able to come down this Christmas and didn't get held back by yucky weather. And she got to meet Sahaan finally, so that was good - it took only 2 years. LOL!

Here is Valerie admiring the many things on Uncle Sir that all the kids adore.....the bling around his neck, the urban gear he is rockin' and most importantly- the blackberry that sings all the music entertainment. So adorable.

Here is Sadiyah with her new skateboard.

Kolbie with one of her many babies, but this one is the CRAWLING BABY! This is very important to know, when talking to her about the specifics of her babies.

Kai excited about one of the many lego sets he received this Christmas. He is getting very good at putting them together himself as well! Praise be to God!

The ever important Christmas story that we have to read before opening presents. We have to do the small child version, for interest sake and time. They don't sit still forever. Kai did learn the truth about Santa this year, however Kolbie is convinced he is her best friend.

UGH! So here is a picture of me and Sadiyah. UGH being for the awkward positioning of my head, but oh well, if I didn't get this one in, I wouldn't be in any of the holiday pics. :)

Here are Santa's little helpers. Because Kai can read now, he was able to pass out the presents at the McKelvey Christmas. He did a great job, but only those wearing the hats, can pass out the presents.

My traditional homemade sweet potato pies for Sahaan and Sadiyah.

Uncle Micah, Kolbie and Valerie posing for a fun picture at our house. They were able to stop off for dinner on their way to Grants Pass. It was fun and the food was great.

This year we were a little late in getting our tree up. Mainly because I won't put it up unless every member of the family is home to participate. So we finally were all together the weekend before Christmas. They had fun anyway, and we listened to Christmas music and had hot cocoa to top off the night.

So that was our Christmas blog, but we have many more to come. Especially the snow fight, the many teeth being lost weekly. the MLK weekend in Seattle, and much more.

Love you all,

Be blessed until next time.

~Queen-SAM