Happy 6th Birthday Samantha!

Today is Sam's birthday. I can't believe she is 6!

Here she is all decked out in her tutu that Aunt Tiff made.
My sis-in-law is starting a new business (http://positivelyperfectparty.blogspot.com/) making birthday party/shower invites and decorations. She made all this cute stuff for Sam's party:

The invites:

The banner:

The treat tags (the tag is at the bottom of the ice cream lollipop - perfect party favor for a "Sweet Treat's Summer Birthday")

Cute party hats:

A birthday crown for Sam:

And the cute cup cake toppers:

Because we were doing a summer theme I made cupcakes in these ice cream cones then frosted them to look like ice cream. Don't worry there is a marshmallow hidden in there to give the appearance of TONS of ice cream/frosting. Next time I think I'll cut the marshmallow's in half so that there won't be as much frosting, but the effect will be close to the same

Sam and her cup cake (it actually fell over right after I took the picture and we had to re-light it so she could blow it out)

Bring on the water. We have been have record high temp's these past few days. My house is an oven, so the kids were excited to get out of it and into the water. We played a few water relay games, tossed water balloons, "swam" in the kiddie pool, went on the slip-n-slide, played in the sprinkler, used the water shooters, and ate popsicles. Not bad, huh? The kids had a blast - definitely the easiest birthday party I've thrown!

Kimber, Alli, and friends in the pool

All the girls:

all the boys:

Don't worry she wanted to be squirted. . . . .

Sam said she had a great time - so I think it was a success! She has requested chicken nuggets for dinner, guess I should throw them in the oven! (yeah - another source of heat :( )

Happy Birthday Sam!

Mariner's Game and Sam's Family Party

Each baseball season, my entire family attends a Mariner's game - thanks to my wonderful parents who get us all tickets. Yesterday was the day.

We actually rode the new lightrail to the stadium. It was a fun experience for the kids, but really not worth the money. We decided to take it b/c there was a Sounder's game at the same time and we knew parking near the fields would be a nightmare. The girls were beyond excited to be riding a on a train. They were all smiles!

We lucked out that it wasn't 95 degrees like it was originally forcasted - luckily it only got into the mid-80's or so. It was very warm, I think we may have died had it been any warmer! We stayed some-what cool by bringing frozen Capri-Suns and eating them with spoons like a snow cone. Yum! I brought close to 30 and all but 1 were gone by the time we left --- it was really hot!

The kids got antsy b/c it was so warm so there were lot's of walks around the stadium and up to the 3rd level just to get out of the sun. I'm sure we were quite the sight - 13 people sitting in 8 seats (babies and 3 year olds were all sitting on laps) - no wonder my parents had us sit a few rows back from them :) Of course they came and visited us and eventually when the sun got the best of everyone around us they moved up by us for the rest of the game.

Grandpa Clay and Sam

Kimber:

Natalie sporting a great hair-do - gotta love sunscreen in the hair!

After the game we headed to my parents for Samantha's first of 3 birthday celebrations. She has been counting down the days and was very exited.

opening presents: yeah - a super soaker!

Sam had a hard time deciding what she wanted for her birthday treat - brownies, cookies from Costco, cake - she finally decided she wanted a cupcake cake that was red and blue (her new favorite colors). Here it is:

getting ready to blow out 6 candles:

Now the countdown to her regular party - which is on Thursday. She can't wait.

We also get to go on our first camping trip of the summer this coming weekend - can't wait! I can't believe we waited so long this year!

I Was Wrong

In my post yesterday I said that I am a much better mom when I workout first thing in the morning. I've changed my mind. That has nothing to do with it. I am a good mom when we have something to do - down time kills me!

My poor children. I realized I feel that if we are home and not doing anything we should be cleaning/organizing/cleaning/organizing/etc. Then I get grouchy at them for not doing it the right way. The only upside is that my house looks somewhat picked up on those days.

So - it's not the workout at all. We need plans people. We need somewhere to go. Something to break up our day. Something to look forward to. Something to keep us all entertained.

So I'm sorry to my children for the days when we don't have anything to do - luckily their friends saved the day today! Yeah for friends on days when I am a GROUCH! (I guess I should have kicked and punched a little harder today during KempoX....maybe some of the grouchiness would have went away!)

Also - a random thought - I find it very funny that Kimber, Alli, and our neighbor Aleigha are out swimming in our 12 -inch deep swimming pool when Aleigha has a 3 foot deep one at her house. I guess the shallow one is warmer so it won! Funny girls!

We Need a New Post

I don't think we did anything "picture worthy" this past week - so no new pictures.

We did have a pretty decent week though. Full of friends, sun, and water. With a little bit of the stomach flu thrown in :(

Kimber, Alli, and I (along with my sister and her family and a friend and her family) all got the stomach flu this week - it was obviously very contagious - be glad you didn't hang out with us towards the end of the week! Yuck! Luckily it's gone now (hopefully) and we are all feeling much better.

Konrad figured out a good title for my occupation (a mom) - a Schmoozer. I spend all day trying to make my "clients" happy - planning out itinerary's, meals, and entertainment. So just like my dad "schmoozes" and makes deals on the golf course - I "schmooze" at home. I like it.

Konrad was the best dad in the world today - he painted 3 sets of toes and 2 sets of hands (I helped out with one of them). He also made dinner tonight - and not b/c I'm dying or anything, just b/c I jokingly said "It's your turn to cook dinner". Note to all the wives out there - keep making that comment - eventually it will work!

I just found out my niece is in the hospital today b/c she had a really bad seizure - I hope she is okay! Macie if you read this - send us a quick update! We'll be praying for all of you!

I haven't let it be public yet b/c I was afraid I'd back out and be a "slacker" but I am doing P90X with Konrad. I've made it two weeks and only missed one workout (out of 12) - I actually really like it. Some workouts are tougher than others. I really like the strength training ones - except for the pull-ups that are involved. My goal is to be able to do at least one (or two) "real" pull-up/chin-up before the end of my P90X days....I know - a pretty sad goal, but hey, when is the last time you could do a pull-up? :) I haven't really been able to incorporate a ton of strength into my workouts in the past - so it's a nice change. I'm also getting better at getting up earlier to do it so I'm done by the time the girls get up in the morning. I am a much better mom if I've worked out in the morning. All though it is fun having them 'workout' with me - Sam especially loves to do it.

This week we are planning on going to Renton River Days on Wednesday (great for kids - and pretty much free (I think completly free, but I'm not 100% positive)) and Redondo Beach (for the tide pools - I've never been there but my friend Darcy heard it's great) on Thursday...anyone interested?

Another random blog post. . . . . sorry! :)

Shrine Circus

I picked up some free kids-get-in-free-tickets for the Shrine Circus at Super Walmart last week. So we invited some friends and off we went.

Looks like Samantha overcame her GIGANTIC fear of clowns - yeah! (no more screaming hysterically or running away and me having to chase her - this all for clowns (or anyone in costume for that matter) that are 20 feet away)

We saw some amazing acts like these trapeze artists:

These dancing elephants (who could also walk on two feet and do a 'hand'stand)

There were plenty of reactions like this:
and this:

Yeah for the circus!

AAAAHHHHHHH

Enough said.

(any suggestions????)

4th of July Weekend

I just realized I forgot to post these pictures of our wonderful 4th of July weekend. It was great having a 3 day weekend - I like when the 4th is on a Saturday and Konrad get's Friday off as well.

We went to Lake Washington to jet ski on the 3rd. You will all be interested to know that I actually went on the jet ski for the first time. Yes, we've owned it for 4 years this summer and I finally rode on it. It's not that I was against going on it, it just never worked out. It was fun though. We'll see if I actually work up to riding it on my own :)

The girls had a great time on the jet ski as well as in the sand (two of them literally were 'in' the sand!)

Samantha in her element:

Kimber was not so willing to get dirty and spent most of her time reading or eating (don't ask about the bandanna thing - I tried, trust me!):

Alli in the sand:

The girls had a blast riding the jet ski out of the water:

The morning of the 4th Konrad took the girls to Point Defiance while I stayed home and cooked, went to a baptism, and went thrifting.

Here are some pictures he took:

I love this one:

We went over to Konrad's parents for a BBQ and fireworks. The girls love playing at Gma and Gpa Crabtree's - trampoline, swimming pool, and swing set.

This pic cracks me up - Alli's hair, Kimber's air, and of course cute Sam

Grandma protecting Sam from the noisy fireworks

Alli and a sparkler

The girls made their own sparklers and did a dance in the dark - such girls!

Happy 4th of July!

Tubing Adventure

We joined some friends on a tubing adventure yesterday. I hadn't tubed a river since high school so I was a little nervous. More just worried about the freezing cold water. It was freezing, but we all went numb soon enough and then it was glorious. I decided it's the best way to "lay-out" - I never got hot - there was always a change of scenery - as well as a little adventure (barely escaping the branches snagging your hair, limbo-ing under huge logs, kicking and paddling furiously so you don't end up in the same "cave" as a friend, riding the 'rapids', getting caught on a rock and having the freezing water rush over you until you can free yourself)! Thanks for the invite Tami!

A Fun-Filled Week at the Crabtree's

This is what we did this week:

Monday was a little chilly so we spent the day at home - playing with friends and doing laundry. Went walking that night.

Tuesday we went and saw the Hannah Montana movie - very cute. We also went on a family walk/bike ride.

Wednesday we went and saw Wallace and Gromit for free. Played at the 'baseball park'. Walked to the library - I'm not sure the kids will want to do that again (all though the treat from Foss' at the end might be incentive enough). That night the girls played at Crestwood while we walked.

Thursday I had an interview with an 8 year old from church who was getting baptized. Then friends came over. A walk/bike ride to Lake Meridian with friends. An interview with a boy turning 12 from Primary. A baby shower and baptism that night.

Friday (today) we went to Steele Lake in Federal Way. It was a bit windy so the girls thought it was too cold to get in the water. They loved the playground and sand though. The girls are currently at the neighbors waiting for their pool to fill up. Tonight we are babysitting for our babysitting swap.

Tomorrow will be nice so I'm sure we'll doing something in the sun - maybe a hike or something.

I'm sure the next 6 or 7 weeks will be pretty much the same. Lot's of fun stuff without spending a dime (other than the .99 I spent on treats from Foss)(oh wait, I paid 4 dollars for us to see Hannah Montana...still 4.99 for a week of fun - not too shabby!)

I love summer! (but I do miss school - both my girls going to it and me teaching it....)

I Finally Did It

I've been wanting to make chore charts forever. I finally opened my C.M. StoryBook Creator and did it today.

I should have made the girls each their own color scheme, but decided to be lazy and just change the name and some of the chores.

I can't wait to pick them up at Costco and then laminate them! Whoo-hoo for digital "scrapbooking"!

Bear Lake - Williams Family Reunion

Here are some picture from our Reunion - I wrote about it in a previous post. Unfortunately I didn't get out the camera very often, so I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked :(

All the Crabtree cousins (kids of Konrad and his 3 brothers) - Keep in mind that Kimber is the oldest at age 8...
Sam and Weiland on a hike

Alli decided this trip that she likes to pose for the camera - here is one of many

After the hike

Kimber and her best bud Libby. Libby is Konrad's youngest cousin, she is about 6 months older than Kimber. I wish we lived closer b/c these two get along so well!

Quinton, Sam, and Wei - Sam wishes she lived with them! I wish they'd come back home!!! :)

After the reunion ended we went with Grandma and Grandpa Crabtree to get shakes. We sat in this little covered wagon and froze (the wind came straight through it), but the girls couldn't pass up the chance to sit in a covered wagon!

Let the rest of the trip begin...this is where the girls sat for the rest of the 3,600 miles. Alli only had one 45 minute melt down (at around 2,800 miles so I think that's allowed). Other that that there were no fights, not very many fits, and only one restless night. They all ate really well as well (which most of you know isn't always typical at our house) b/c they were so hungry from swimming everyday. Thank you DVD players, books, and cheap toys!