4th of July in Richland, WA

On Thursday, July 3rd, we left Seattle for Richland, WA. My mom grew up there and we headed over for a 3 day Allred family reunion with her brothers, & sister, and all my cousins and their kids. It was fun to drive from Seattle and see a good part of the state of Washington.
In the afternoon of the 4th, we took a bus tour of the city. We saw all of the Richland hot spots, houses, and hang outs that my mom, aunt and uncles took part in and were a part of. It was a "history tour" of their family in the city. It was fun and gave us a good feeling of what their lives were like in a small town 50 years ago. I believe that it must have been a great place to grow up and it made me want for a simpler time and way of life.
Kate with her cousin, Ashlyn.
As part of the history tour, we visited the grave site of my grandparents. My cousin planned for the children to do brass rubbings on the headstone. It was a wonderful way for them to get involved a feel a part of their great grandparents whom they did not have the opportunity to know.
After the bus tour, we had a big barbeque at my cousin's house. This house happens to be the same house that my mom grew up in and that my grandparents lived until they passed away. It was a fantastic family party, and it brought back a lot of fond childhood memories for me. I know that my grandparents were smiling down on the festivities and loving that their family was all gathered together in that very place.
Jeff was one of the first winners at BINGO. It was a struggle to pick between the Richland Bombers t-shirt of hat. He went for the hat, sorry no picture, and I hope he doesn't regret the decision :)
After Bingo, it was time for an at home fireworks display. My uncles came prepared with hundred of fireworks. Brooke got to light one of the big ones and my kids thought that it was pretty cool because we've never done them at home before.

The kids got gigantic sparklers to celebrate with.

It's Always Fun at Grandma's House!

Buzzy was thrilled when we got to my parent's house. More birthday presents! I have a feeling that he thinks this birthday thing is going to last all year!
A new light saber from Grandma and Grandpa, and it turns green and red (depending upon your mood you can either choose the "light" or "dark" side. I have a feeling the red bulb will burn out long before the green if you know what I mean). Grandpa was a good sport and let Buzz attack him.
After all the light saber play, and playing with the Wii Fit (which we don't have so the kids were thrilled!) they were all tuckered out. At least we thought they should be, so we sent them to bed..............which turned out to be the biggest party of all.
6 kids in a small den with two big aero beds is a recipe for fun! Thanks to my parents for loving it also!

Off to Seattle!

On Tuesday, July 1st, we left for Seattle. The kids are so easy to travel with now, no strollers, car seats (because I cheat and don't take Buzzy's), so the "getting there" is actually kind of fun. We went to see my parents, family, and extended family. The kids were really excited, they've been looking forward to seeing Grandma & Grandpa and their cousins for a long time!
I am usually a really nervous flyer, but as I got on the plane, I said to myself, "Let it go!!! This plane is not going to crash and if it is what good has it done you all of these years to worry and cry mid-flight? None!"........so after this talk, I actually enjoyed myself. I watched for landmarks out the window. It was great to fly by Catalina and the Channel Islands and not be thinking that I was going to certainly land in a watery grave (which is normally what I would be thinking). I think that I am cured!!!! at least for now...............
Love it when this happens!
This is in the Seattle airport, it is a subway that takes you from terminal to terminal. I had a flashback moment when we boarded this to when I was 10 years old and we flew to Florida and I rode in this same subway and thought how fun it was. Random memory.

Happy Birthday to Buzz!

I can't believe it, but today is Buzzy's 5th birthday!   He celebrated his birthday on Thursday with his friends from pre-school and church.  He had his party at a place called Wowzille in Laguna Hills.  It is a really cool place that has three party themes, of course he chose the "Race Zone". He and all the kids were able race Nascar (I think Buzzy has a little redneck in him) cars, they all had a really good time and it was fun to see him celebrate with his friends.

Buzzy in Race Mode, notice the intensity.

Kate racing, not so intense!

Jeff taking a spin.

Brooke and Kate patiently wait for the pizza and cake.

Buzzy receives an award for "Racing Excellence"

Evening Picnic and Beach Trip to Strands

Yesterday evening we met Jon & Lou Ann and their kids at Strands. We love the evening trip to the beach on days when it is warm. Easy parking, no crowds, no sunscreen, easy to keep an eye on the kiddies, etc.....It is just the most relaxing time! We brought down dinner from Jack in the Box, so no cooking for the moms, making it all the more relaxing. The kids had a great time, cousins are the best!

Buzzy and Luke, so happy to eat chicken strips on a Spongebob boogie board, does it get better than that?
The "Big Kid" table, no Spongebob boogie board......boring!
Just out of the water.
Buzz heading back in at the most beautiful time of day.
Hanging out in the big pit, beautiful craftsmanship by these sand sharks!

Backtrack to Father's Day

In reviewing my past posts, I realize that I left out Father's Day. Since I don't want to bore my reader's (all two of you) with more pictures of us at the beach, where we have been everyday (except of course Sunday) and because this blog serves as my digital scrapbook, I will rewind to June, 15th, Father's Day.
The morning began with breakfast in bed (chocolate/chocolate chip pancakes from Trader Joe's) and the children singing "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home"
Kate made Jeff this at school, it says "A chip off the old block", cute idea and so true, they look so much alike!Brooke gave Jeff the gold that she panned for at Knott's Berry Farm (how many of us remember doing that?), the vial it came in broke, so a plastic baggie was used. Yes, that is Ronald Reagan on Jeff's shirt. It is Jeff's favorite t-shirt of late, it says "Save Trestles" (Jeff's favorite surf spot)on the back, he wears it so much that we feel like Ronnie is part of the family!

I gave Jeff portraits of the children. A friend of ours is an amazing photographer with a beautiful studio, and he took these. This is the ultimate "picture of a picture", they really are much more beautiful, but I thought I would share.

Back to the Beach Chair

Today we officially celebrated the beginning of summer. Buzz still had school yesterday, so today was the first day that all of the kids were off. Hmmmmm, what should we do? Call the cousins and have them meet us at the beach, sounded good to all of us. I got so excited while I was packing the car that I actually screamed in the garage, I was giddy, summer fever hit me then and there.
We went to Calafia State Beach in San Clemente, one of our favorites. We got there at 10:30 and left at 5:30. The kids had so much fun with their cousins and the water was warm for CA standards so they were in and out the whole day. Did anyone get bored? No. I did not hear "can we go home now? or I am bored"once. They would have stayed longer if I would let them and if Pedro's Tacos wasn't beaconing them to dinner.

Buzz and his cousin, Luke, checking out the sandcrabs in the bucket.

Brooke and her cousin, Corrie, taking a break on a boogie board and reminding me that the teenage years are not too far off.

Kate(right) with her cousin, Curran (left) about to take off.

Buzz and Luke throwing sand on a boogie board, they are both 4 years old and being able to throw big clumps of sand and not get told to "stop" is obviously very liberating and fun.