DYLAN is 10! June 16, 2011

Somehow, are cute little dude has made it to double digits!

Because of a couple of snow days that had to be made up, he actually had to go to school on his birthday this year.  I think he was OK with that, since his mom brought his class Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Here he is, still into Pokemon cards on his birthday:

Then the weekend school got out, we took a couple of his friends and went to a fun bowling ally and had a great time.

Heres Dylan with Adam and Zack:

Big Als is a very nice place- the kids did great bowling and they were all glad we had the bumpers on!

I think by the looks of it, Zack didn't win?!

The others seemed to be happy with their score.

While we played we ordered dinner and the kids all ate and watched music videos. 

Here the boys are watching Justin Bieber.  They were pretty into it!

Then we were off to open presents and go to the arcade-

The longest part of the night was picking prizes with their tickets!

The next night we got to play with the Mathison kiddos!  They were heading this way to go to the temple and stopped by to say hello and party with us!

 I love this picture of Lance and Montey- they don't see each other alot but they sure have fun together.  They remind me a lot of Caleb and Dylan.  We miss Caleb.  He was such a good friend to Dylan- they were kindred spirits, those boys.  I hope as each year passes for Dylan he will remember what a special friend he had, and that each day he needs to remember is a blessing and he needs to live it to the fullest and always choose the right to honor his friend Caleb.

One day they will play together again!

Here's Dylan at school playing foursquare with his friends.  He does have a great talent for making good friends.  We love you Dylan boy- Happy 10th Birthday!

June 2011- School Talent Show

Makayla has been playing piano since we moved to Nebraska.  For her last talent show at Union Ridge elementary- she decide to play a song.  She did a great job and got many compliments!

Here she is waiting her turn and practicing on her book.

Lance kept busy playing with friends- it was getting hot in the gym!

I was busy getting video of her playing and didn't get a still picture, so here she is all done!

Makayla had a great year in 6th grade!  Her teacher was wonderful- Mrs. Barbouletos is a teacher she will always remember.  What a great way to end her last year in elementary school.  Makayla is such a great big sister and we think she is very talented in many things she does.

Zip-Line- May 2011

We have lived in Washington for a year and a half, and Quinn has finished this tree house that he worked so hard on!  Before it was finished, it was decided the tree house needed a zip line, going from the top on the fort out through the forest.  So, Quinn, Mike and Larry got to work and put it up.  The kids were thrilled when dad called after school and said- come try it out!

If you look closely- you can see Dylan flying through the trees:

Even Mom gave it a try- it looks much higher when you're up there!

And- somehow the kids got Grandma Draper to give it a try!  We were so proud of her- she doesn't even like to go to the top level!

Makayla LOVES the zip line, and the tree house, and the forest, and playing with Squirt, and just being outside- especially at grandma and Grandpa Drapers forest!

Allie and Lance both took a turn too.

And lastly- Quinn showed us his muscles by holding on to the handle and zipping all the way down.

He is one talented daddy.  And pretty strong too!

Allies the dancing Queen- June 3rd, 2011

Allie has been doing dance again, and goes to class every Friday morning.

This was her second recital and she was pretty sick at the first one- so she was looking forward to this!

Her cousin Whitney is also in her dance class.  Here are her brothers and Dylan watching the recital.

Here's the girls class:

The first song was "drip drip drop little April showers".  And they danced ballet.

Lance LOVED the show- really sat up close and watched every dance.

The second dance was "Rockin Robin" a jazz number.

Grandma and Grandpa Draper came to watch, and at the end they got to pick a treat from the treasure box.

Her teacher is Michelle Pecora at dancers unlimited.

Memorial Day weekend- May 2011

We went with some friends for a hike in the Columbia River Gorge on Memorial day.  The day started of cool, but it warmed up and we had a great time with some fun friends.

Heres all the kids before we take off on the hike.

And the army takes off.

The Hansons, Harmons, Bergs and Drapers.

Allie posing at the first water fall.

The hike led us to this noisy water fall.  So pretty!

Then at the bottom we had some quiet time to throw rocks and play.

Kyra, Haley, Emily and Amy:

Then we made it back to the cars for a picnic lunch.

And off to see the fish hatchery- this is one of the big sturgeon.

Feeding fish:

And we went up the freeway to the next exit for these giant ice cream cones.  They are not a big secret, everyone must know about this place because we had to wait in a big line for the ice cream!

You know you had a great day when the kids crash in the car coming home.