We Picked 13 lbs. of Raspberries

The cutie's went raspberry picking today for the first time. Nanny Rach wasn't too sure how they would do -- thought they would just eat their way through the place! But they did a super great job picking. Rachael filled the big bowl, Carson filled the medium one and Ruby filled the small one.

GOOD JOB KIDS! ENJOY YOUR BERRIES.

Good Morning World

This is what 5:50AM looked like this morning.

(thanks Snowy for waking me up so early!)

FUN!

First carousel ride! Whee, woo-hoo, yeah team!

Concentration

NOW THAT'S CONCENTRATION!

BIKES! YIKES!

Somebody got big-kids bikes! Can't believe my little babies are

ready to ride bikes!

Casey sent me this photo from his cell, so it's not the greatest, but you get the idea!

Words I Don't Want To Forget

1) Carson was eating a graham cracker, sitting on his Grandpa Bill's lap. After carefully munching the cracker, he held up a piece of it and announced

"This is shaped like Oklahoma!"

(and he was right -- it had a pan handle)

2) I fixed french toast for the kids and asked if they wanted boysenberry syrup. Ruby asked for

"Boysenberry, girl syrup".

3) Carson was sitting quietly this morning and looking out the window at the tall trees on our hillside. He said

"We need to get someone to cut down the trees

and make me a log house so I can live near you."

4) Well, maybe I do want to forget these words, at least when she turns 14.

"Ruby, don't give me that attitude!"

"Grandma, it's just a little attitude, not a big one!"

4th of July Evening With the Fam

The weather was perfect on the 4th of July. We ended the evening with a bar-b-que on the deck. Our neighbor must have bought out 1/2 of all the fireworks that were for sale and put on quite a show. Carson wasn't too afraid, but Ruby held her ears. MY GIRLS!

Casey thought dinner was finger-lickin-good!

Glad you liked it!

Auntie Kat gave Ru a pedi and mani and she felt like a princess!

"thank you Auntie Kat"

(PS -- that's a pretend tattoo on Kat's arm)

Random 4th of July Weekend Fun

Fun at the Bainbridge Island Waterfront Park.

I have become the "Popsicle Grandma" to the kids!

(although Carson still asks me to warm them up for him!)

This marble game was hand made by Aunt Stephanie's father for Kristin. I have been saving it till I thought they were old enough to play safely with it. Kristin remembers playing with it for hours (and Kat, too). The twins thought it was pretty cool!

Showing Grandpa Bill the crab legs they found on the beach.

One day while walking on my beach I found over 20 golf balls. Obviously someone had hit them off their back yard into the water. I gathered them up and saved them for the day when Casey remembered to bring his driver with him. He had a great time hitting them waaaaaaaay out into the water.

July 4th Family Beach Walk

Happy 4th of July EVERYONE!

We are heading down to the beach for a walk and to explore. The weather couldn't be more beautiful -- about 70 degrees, lots of blue sky, with a light breeze.

This is the same rock that Kristin and Carson were standing on a few days ago. He was confused as to why he couldn't get to it. This tide thing is bothering to Carson. Last night as we ate dinner on the deck he was sad because it was high tide and there was no beach at all to walk on.

Casey was trying out the rope swing to make sure it was strong enough to hold. The kids both enjoyed it.

Carson wanted to go really high!

Bill was taking pictures with his I-phone. Carson spontaneously picked up a rock and proceeded to take pictures with his I-rock!

Bainbridge Island Park and Pool

Battle Point Park on Bainbridge Island is one of the best parks for children that I have been to. There is so much attention to detail throughout the area. Carson couldn't wait to get to the digger. He had been talking about it all day long, and sure enough, he made a bee-line to it. You can see how much effort he puts into it in the second picture. The third picture is the stand-up digger.

(PS. Rachael told me several weeks later that Carson told her "Grandma made me a digger park!" Wow, such power in his eyes. I LOVE it!)

Contemplating which digger to use........ So many diggers, so little time!!! Ruby wasn't so sure about walking on this tight-rope bridge, but with a little assistance and encouragement, she did it and was so proud of herself. She also realized that falling off only meant a few inches! Picnic lunch at the park before setting off for the Aquatic Center.