Partying in WA with the Grandparents

While Clay is gone and across the world, Laura and the kids take the opportunity to go and visit Nana and Papa. It is fun spending time with the Grandparents - they spoil us by taking us on rides on the motorcycle, four wheeler, or the furniture dolley (pulled by Papa...the boys were in heaven.), we also went swimming, spent time with Aunts and Uncles, saw Shane dance in a dance festival, celebrated Father's Day, and shot off fireworks for the 4th of July! It was a full, fun filled trip.

Preston's Little Apprentice

Preston loves his baby sister and has made it his duty to instruct her in all the finer things in life. Laura found them in the hall like this...our beautiful baby girl holding a gun that is bigger than she is....and loving it! Poor girl..with 2 brothers, she doesn't have a chance. Bye, Bye Barbies, hello cars, truck, tractors, and guns.

Deployment #5

Here we go again...the beginning of June began deployment #5. As much as we like deployments (NOT!!), we are not sad to say that this should be the last deployment for a while (fingers crossed). We got the news that we got an assignment in Columbus, Mississippi for Clay to be an instructor pilot (which means, he shouldn't deploy!). We head off the first of September for training in San Antonio! So, until then....come home soon Clay, we will miss you.

Boys and puddles

There is something about boys and puddles...I just can't seem to keep the two apart. It doesn't matter the size of the puddle..the boys are in it playing, stomping, etc. The bigger the better, of course, so when we got a nice rain storm which created a nice HUGE puddle right in front of our house...the boys just couldn't resist...even the little kid inside my big boy couldn't resist! Yes, Clayboy even got on a little bike and was having a blast riding through the puddle. Laura and Aparri had fun staying under an umbrella and taking pictures and laughing as the boys stomped, rode and splashed their way through a good time!

Family Time Pre-Deployment

Yes, it is that time again....deployment #5, so before Clayboy heads off, we are able to spend some good family time together - playing on the trampoline, exploring Manito park here in Spokane, going through all Clay's flight equipment (one of the boys favorite things...they like to be pilots just like Daddy!!).

Snow in May???

No, it is not snow - but it sure looks like snow - our yard was covered in white. These are apple blossoms from our apple tree in the back yard. The blossoms were gorgeous - we took some up close pictures - however, once they hit the ground, they turn brown and become a nusiance, and attract bees and silk worms like no other. Here are some pictures of our "Snow" "Snowball fight" and beautiful blossoms.

Rice cereal....yummy (NOT)

None of our kids ever liked the baby cereal,whether it was the rice cereal, oatmeal, plain or combined with fruit...you could just see the look on their face and know they are thinking "There has got to be better food than this...what are you feeding me?" Well, Aparri was no different than the boys, she tolerated the oatmeal and detested the rice cereal. Here are a couple pictures of her first moments trying to gulp it down.

Good Big Brothers

CJ is a good big brother. He takes good care of his little sister. Preston loves Aparri too, he just doesn't quite know his own strength yet...but we are learning to be more gentle!!

Preston our lawnmower

Preston LOVES to mow the lawn!!! He asks at least once a day if we can mow the lawn...on the days we actually say yes, He enthusiastically puts on his ear protection, laces up his shoes, grabs his little mower and off he goes. He will follow the real lawn mower all around the yard until it is completely done....we can't wait until he is a little older and he can push the slighly larger lawn mower that is full of gas and actually cuts the grass...that will be a great day! But, in the mean time, we are sure enjoying the help and company of our little lawn mower!!!