Who's Turning 6!

Every year, Matthew get's to pick what he wants for dinner on his real birthday. This year, he wanted to try the local moracaan resturant, but they were closed. So he chose Milfords Seafood. Yummy!

Usually we have his birthday party in our backyards. But, September was so rainy, we thought we better be safe and have it indoors. So, a swimming party at the YMCA. Ironically, it ended up being absolutely beautiful out that day. Here are a few photos, unfortunately, we were swimming with the kids, so no photos of the fun part!

Clair and Blue showing off their blue mouths from the frosting!

Matt opening presents.

Clay and Chase....is that cup cake good?!?!

Bike Racing Time

Every September, Group Health hosts a series of free bike races for kiddos. Matthew loves to participate - rain or shine!

Maryland for Grampy & Grammy's Wedding

Our first day in Maryland was spent at Margee's dad's house prepping for the wedding that was to take place that evening. About two hours before the wedding, Curt finally got the bride and groom together to ask what they wanted him to do the in ceremony - as he was going to marry them. They hadn't had a chance to make plans. So, Curt had two hours to prepare a ceremony, which turned out to be wonderful.



Kyra playing around before the ceremony started.




She's getting bored during the ceremony and was doing yoga poses. See the underwear she has on?!? She snuck a pair of Matt's undies and wore them for most of the wedding (two legs through one leg hole, so that they would stay up!)


Curt, the celebrant!

The couple.

Margee and the kids after the ceremony. Oh, the wedding and reception were in Martin and Barbara's backyard. The dinner was actually served on a floor installed over their pool.

The following day was swimming and boating fun for all who attended the wedding. Matthew is standing in front of Barbara's monster basil and rosemary. Oh, we wish our herbs would grow like that over in Spokane. The basil was delicious.

We were very excited to have Margee's Uncles and Aunt from Ohio join the wedding festivities. It's been over 8 years since Margee has seen them (they are Margee's mom's brothers and sister-in-law). Pat is on the right, Martin (Margee's dad), then Johnny and Darwin.

OK, one of the brother's was missing in the first photo, Roger, who is Pat's husband.

Uncle Steve from New Zealand and Vietnam (Barbara's brother.) And Grampys dog, Cappy, who adopted Steve while he was visiting. Hmmm...does Cappy know that some folks in Vietnam consider dog a delicacy?? One of Steve's friends dogs was stolen and sold to a local restaurant in Vung Tau, Vietnam.

Hmmm....soda pop please! That Matthew is always flirting with the pretty girls.

Margee and Martin (her dad)

A day of boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, Margee couldn't join the crew because Kyra was still napping.

The Naval Academy.

Boating on Grammy's motor boat. Isn't Kyra cute! She didn't really like the lack of mobility that occurs when wearing a PFD.

Aunt Julia (one of Barbara's daughters.) It turns out Margee doesn't have any pictures of Aunt Becky, the older sister. Matthew loved hanging out with his Aunties. They caught a turtle, drew pictures, went out on the dingy, and played and played and played. Matthew even had sleep-overs on Grammy's boat with the girls. Boy was he spoiled. He called them "young adults." As if his parents are ancient!

Kyra was able to escape out the back door. Which isn't a good thing with water front property!

We spent a day in Baltimore and visited Fort McHenry (wher ethe Star Spangled Banner was written) and at the National aquarium. Those cannons are huge!

It's hot out mom!

Don't do this at home!!

Nice view of the south end of Baltimore Harbor.

At the aquirium, a replica of what was thought as the largest shark in the world, the Megamouth?????

An ibis in the Austrailia exhibit.

The dolphin show.

Matt catching crabs off of Grammy and Grampy's dock. He spent hours out there catching things.

A neighborhood water snake that likes to hang out on the dock.

Trip to Maryland - Ocean City and DC

After the wedding we spent a few days playing in the Atlantic Ocean, at Ocean City, Maryland. We love going to the beaches over here. The wildlife is very different than on the Pacific. Matt is petting a horseshoe crab. The come ashore in the summer to either mate, lay eggs or do both. They are pretty amazing creatures.


Curt and Kyra splashing in the waves. She wasn't too thrilled about it.



Matt, Curt and Margee all had a blast boogie boarding. We decided that our next vacation had to include more boogie boarding. Hmmmm...Hawaii next???

Wild horses on Assateague Island, one of our most favorite places in the world. Unfortunately, we only had about an hour to play there, and then had to hit the road to get to DC!

Kyra flying a plane at Matthew's most favorite museum, the National Air and Space Museum. He's been there three times now!

"The Eagle has landed" and Kyra decided she was going to crawl on the display and check things out.

Mom on the mall.

Kyra had a blast at the botanical gardens. Hmmm....how does this water fountain work?

Having a quick snack!

Grampy took the train down to DC and we had a tour of the capitol building and spent the day at the National Zoo. Unfortunately, Margee forgot to bring the camera.

First Day of Kindergarten!

Matthew's walking to his first day of kindergarten at Holmes Elementary School.


Waiting to go into the school with mom and dad and neighborhood friends.

Preschool Graduation at the YMCA

At the end of August, Matthew's preschool held a graduation ceremony for the kiddos going into kindergarten. Matt had a blast!