Grandpa Larry Nielsen

Grandpa Larry was an excellent Grandpa to Jake. We took a quick trip to Utah last weekend for his funeral. He is greatly missed!!!! This picture is from last years Avila Family Reunion where Grandpa Larry made the most excellent BBQ ribs ever! Grandpa Larry has made us all want to be better people: parents, spouses, and friends.We are comforted in our faith that Families are Forever and look forward to our reunion with Grandpa Larry.

We went to the Beach

We are super lucky to have a lake nearby. It isn't the cleanest lake but it provides sand and water and was not crowded on this particular sunny Saturday!

Bubby stirring the mud.

He is a little scared because a ladybug landed on his head.
 

His favorite thing was jumping off the side of the dock.

Kait giving us a pose or two.

Jake enjoying a good book.

and me... there's the belly in case you haven't seen it. It is even bigger now. Just promise to ignore the stupid bunching maternity pants and the large thighs...!!! Jake did take the picture from his seat which isn't the best angle either.

I have to admit we didn't stick around too long. I get too scared the kids are going to drown and we forgot to bring life jackets- I actually thought it was going to be too cold to swim. I don't know why I thought that- everyone knows that it is never too cold for kids!!

Kait.....

......found the camera. At least they are cute pictures! She also tried to take a video but the memory card was full after a few seconds! Guess I better add the camera to the list of things I hide at night so she doesn't get into them.

 

The Zoo

One of Jake's projects at work is the windows on the new addition/entrance to the Woodland Park Zoo! He was given two free zoo passes and so for Kaitlin's 6th birthday we took a trip to the zoo with Michael, Heidi, Amelia, John, & Melissa. It was perfect weather for it too. The animals were out (I'll try not to bore anyone with too many animal pictures!) and the kids really enjoyed it!

 

Lunch time!

Ryan's favorite thing was riding the carousel - he is still talking about going back to the zoo to ride it again.

Swim Swim Swim

I put the kids in swim lessons for the last few months. I'm happy I have the kind of kids that just jump right in! I'm glad Braden grew out of his fear of the water and now loves it! This month we have had classes at the same time as their friends and that has been really fun too! Mostly for me because I get to hang out with my friend! The only downside is how HOT it is in there ~ even Ryan is sweating so it's not just me being preggo!

Date to Seattle

 

Jake and I were super lucky and my sister (thanks Melissa!!) watched our kids so we could take the weekend off! 

 

We headed down to Seattle and managed to go to Pike Place during the Cheese festival! Yum! 

We had jam filled croissants for breakfast from a French Bakery ~ Le Panier! They were wonderful!

We stayed at the Edgewater Inn and went to bed with just water outside our sliding glass doors and woke up with a cruise boat unloading! A cruise is our next big dream vacation! The hotel bathroom was awesome- Jake has big ideas about tiling ours in the near future. It was fantastic to get away just the two of us before our family grows to 6!!

Do I Dare...

Try to blog again?! Just don't be surprised if I blog backwards in time some as I go forward also. But this is today! Well the pictures are actually from Monday since we celebrated early... but anyway... Happy 3rd Birthday Bubby!


Ry's favorite color is Green! He is a smart little thing!
He likes to play board games by "his" rules. He loves snuggles and his Daddy! He also thinks he has a baby in his tummy like me. He prefers to be outside and is a fast runner! He is always trying to tell me what to do by saying that it must be done *first* - he can't take a nap until we pick up the kids *first* and other such plans. He wants to do things by and for himself. He is a super slow eater- I'm not sure why. He is really into counting right now- his food, the stairs, toys, etc. He loves sugar like his mom and loved his cake!
The kids only have 4 days left of school! I need a plan to help them keep up their Spanish.
I don't have one yet, but I have 6 days left to make one... right??!!