LifeHouse & Daughtry- Here we come!

So, Todd and I are Chris Daughtry fans.  When we saw that he was coming to the area in May, we decided that we would go as our combined birthday presents.  We really wanted to go to Seattle for his concert, but it was on a Sunday.  So, we ended up going to the beautiful town (ha!) of Yakima. 

We left on a Monday morning and had fun talking along the way.  When you have 4 kids, it’s hard to have long conversations without being interrupted.  It was about a 3 1/2 hour drive.

 

We checked into out hotel, got ready, and went to dinner at Outback…

And then headed over to the Yakima Sun Dome.  It was a sight- let me tell you.  But we didn’t care, we were just excited to see Daughtry and LifeHouse.

 

 

Cavo was the 1st opening band.

 

 

 

They were pretty good.  They had everyone with any type of light (ipod, cell phone etc.) turn it on, it looked really neat…like stars.

 

Then it was time for LifeHouse.  They were awesome.  Jason Wade even walked into stands, all the way up to the top.  They were really good in concert.

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time for Daughtry…  They were fantastic!

It was really neat- with our new camera, I was able to video A LOT of the concert.  I finally ran out of room, but it was worth it.  We were able to come home and show the kids half the concert.  We also called them during the concert so that they could hear.   At the end, when Daughtry was singing Coming Home, he brought Jason Wade out and they sang it together.  It was really cool.

We had a nice hotel room with a view of the river.  We got up Tuesday morning, had breakfast, sat in the spa, and got ready to drive back home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a really fun time together.  It sure went fast- but it was nice to have a whole 24 hours alone.  We love our kids tons, but really treasure the time we get to spend alone together.  It just doesn’t happen often enough.  Thanks to Pam for watching the kids while we were gone- we really appreciate it!

Nathan

Nathan is such a character.  The other day we were sitting in the car watching Tyler’s baseball game (it was freezing outside).  Nathan was sitting in the front seat with his arm out the window.  This is the conversation…

Nathan:  Mom, when I am a parent and I am living with you, I’m gonna need to borrow this baby.  (Said as he taps the side of the car)

Me:  Um, when you are a parent, you won’t be living with us.

Nathan:  Yes I will.  And I’m gonna need to borrow this baby.

I just looked at him and laughed. 

Nathan:  What?  You can use the green van.  (The green van is 12 years old by the way)

Me:  When you are married and have your own kids, you are not going to want to live with us.

Nathan:  Yes I will.  Plus, I really like money.  And I don’t want to spend my own money on a house.

He is convinced that he will want to live with us forever.  He is so sweet.  Every time one of us leave the house, he stands on the steps of the garage and waves at us.  He even crouches down and waves all the way to the ground.  If one of us leaves without him waving, he gets really upset.  We are enjoying the attention and celebrity status with Nathan.  Because I know it won’t last much longer.  And as Todd says, soon he won’t even care when we leave- just like the rest of them.

 

A little milestone has happened to Nathan.  He has lost both of his front teeth.

                                                What a smile!

My “baby” turns 16!

 

It just seems weird.  I don’t feel old enough to have a son old enough to be driving and dating.  My 6 foot tall “baby” is now 16 years old.  Wow…Time sure flies.  It seems like just yesterday he was a colicy little baby that cried every time we set him down.  Now he’s starting Driver’s Ed and going on first dates.  It feels like when you are going through the crying baby stages, that it will never end.  And then “POOF” before you know it, they are growing, literally, before your very eyes!

 

First, we had our family get-together.  Trevor asked for money from all of his family because he has to pay for half of Driver’s Ed- which costs $385, just so we remember years from now.  (I need to have that documented so that ALL brothers know that they will also pay for half!)

 

This is a re-enactment picture of Trevor opening his card.  The original was  blurry.  Isn’t he funny…

 

 

 

Grandma decided that she wanted to get Trevor a “Cars” themed cake.

 

That is the only “Car” he will be receiving for his 16th birthday.  Sorry Trev.

 

 

 

His friend Megan made him this cute Birthday card.

 

We wanted to come up with a fun theme for his party.  We finally decided to do a Hawaiian Tiki Party for Trevor’s 16th Party.  Trevor helped make the “beach” cupcakes, which were too cute if I do say so myself.  

 

Here’s Trevor making the Tiki’s for the cupcakes.  Noni and I decorated the cupcakes- they were WAY cuter in person.

We spent the whole day decorating for the party.  Thanks to Annette Carter, we had plenty of Hawaiian decorations…

Brandon was in charge of anything to do with tools and fire starting-

My Hawaiian friend Leann and her daughters came over to teach the kids to Hula.  It was really fun, they did a great job.

There were war chants…        And Hula-ing

 

And Lilo & Stitch Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride              And Limbo

                       

And a fire                              And cool cupcakes for dessert

          

And gifts, food, and……………      fun with friends! 

         

Happy 16th Birthday Trevor!

                                  

We love you and are grateful for the wonderful young man you are becoming.  We are very proud of you and the good example you are to your brothers.  We are so blessed that you came into our family 16 years ago.  Happy Birthday Trev, We love you!

Family Sledding trip

We decided to go up to Mount Spokane on President’s day to go sledding.  We have not had much snow here in Spokane (just a few inches) so we thought it would be fun.  Apparently there had not been much snow up there either.  The hill was wet and sloshy but they all still had fun.  After watching them ring their gloves out, I decided to just be the photographer.

                                                      Brandon looking cool  

                                                   Nathan & Todd at the top of the hill                                                                                            

                                                    Trevor flying down the hill

   

                                               Tyler on his way down

                                                                                             

                                                                 

Everyone had fun and got really wet and cold.  Well, everyone was wet but me…

  But I did get some fun pictures.

Tyler’s 10th Birthday

Tyler decided that he wanted to have a sleep over with some friends for his birthday.  Since we already have a house full of boys, we decided that we could only take so many.  So, we just invited a few boys.  Here’s the clan…

 

Gabe Romney, Austin Tomlinson, Tyler, and Ryan Hunter

 

 

 

A birthday just wouldn’t be complete without the Hunter’s and duct tape.  This was nothin’ compared to last year.  Ryan decided to wrap a box, with in a box, with in a box.  Then Tyler opened to find a zip lock bag filled with Brownie mix.  The gift was inside the brownie mix…

It was a night full of pizza, games, ice cream sundaes, smiles, noise, and tired parents. All in all a fun night.

    

                        

Then came the family get-together.  His brothers made him birthday cards.  Nathan drew a picture of him and Tyler together with a heart.  And wrote a note that said, “Dear Tyler, I love you and you are awesome.  Love, Nathan”

 

 

 

Tyler got a DS with money he saved, and from all his birthday money.  We snuck his money out of his wallet and surprised him.  He was very excited.

 

 

 

Oliver sat around and enjoyed the festivities.

Happy Birthday Tyler!

Trip to California for Braden’s Graduation

 

  The end of May, I flew into Oakland and Connie and I went to San Francisco.  We went to our favorite 3 story Ross, went to the Cheesecake factory for lunch, went to Pier 39, and got crab sandwiches for dinner.  Then stopped back at the Oakland airport to pick up Brittany.  It was a super fun day.  I have the best sister ever!

 

My parents arrived and we all went to visit Braden at his job at Cold Stone.  We even got to hear one of his original songs.

 

 

Brittany, Braden, and I went to the “Taco Truck” where Braden got and devoured the biggest burrito I’ve ever seen.  It was so much fun to get to spend time with them.

We had a fun girl’s lunch at Red Robin.

 

 

It was a blast.  Braden surprised the crowd by performing a graduation rap (we all knew).  I can’t even imagine missing it.  He was awesome!    Congratulations Braden!  I was really happy that I was able to be there.

              

I was able to see one of my “oldest and dearest friend’s”, Karen while I was there. We had fun shopping at DD’s and having lunch- just like old times. I sure miss her!

 

A quick family photo before we left.

 

 

And a few games of Rock band to finish off a super fun trip…

 

 

 

 

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful sister, and I miss her and her family like crazy!  I am so grateful for my family, and to my sweet husband for staying home with the kids so that I could be there for that special “moment in time”.