Ocean Shores

Yesterday after much debating over what we should bring and when we should leave we were finally on our way to what we all call the "real beach" Ocean Shores.

After an hour and a half on the road there were complaints of hunger pains, so dad pulled into Taco Bell and got us all a few burritos. We wanted to arrive before the fog and wind rolled in so instead of stopping we ate on the go, not a good idea concidering the roads you have to travel are long and have a lot of winding and curves. After a while we all felt pretty ill, but all bad things come to an end and we were all relieved when the sand and water came into view.

I had a lot of fun taking pictures, then Daniel set up the camera for some group shots.

When the last picture was taken we all ran off to do what we came to do, swim in the freezing cold water.

It's one of our traditions to see who can stay in the longest, and of course you have to get all the way in, yes even your head.

When we had all dried off, mom and dad went for a walk so we children all played baseball. After catching the ball 8 times, Isaac came to the conclusion that we could only have one logical reason for wanting him to play with us... " because I'm the best."

After everything was all packed up we headed home, and arrived at 9:30 with a van full of sleeping, sandy, ocean scented, children, and a lot of good memories.

Bowling with Dad

This morning during chore time we got a call from mom and Dad having just finished up Dad's doctor appointment, they told us to meet them at the bowling alley. We all got ready, hopped in our speedy red van and away we went.
We haven't been bowling in 6 years so the first game we were all a little rusty, but the second game oh boy!
With 2 spares (half the pins the first time and the rest the second time) and 5 strikes( getting all the pins at the same time) I came out in first place with a score of 135.
The children all had a great time too, and Isaac with his score of 85 was one of the best!
Everyone had a great time and after Mom and Dad get home with stuff for Ice-cream fudge sundaes, we're heading out to swim and play volleyball at the beach.

Fun with Dad

It's been so wonderful with dad here, we have done so many fun things!
And best news of all, we get to keep him for an extra week, because he has a few doctor appointments for his back.




Monday, we went swimming on Fort Lewis then went over to the Ng's house for dinner.
















Tuesday, and Wednesday we took the Young's kayaks to the Sound and had a picnic in front of some millionaires house.

Thursday Dad, Mom, Daniel, Stephen, Kenneth-Lee, Casey and David Rowland, Christopher, Daniel, Michael, and Zachary, Berkompas went Kayaking down some other fast moving river, I stayed home with all the girls so mom could go, so we walked down to the beach and had a picnic, when they all returned home we played volley ball and had pizza.

Friday Dad took us all to the beach, then went to Wal-mart to get some ice-cream, and other fun food after which we all played Volleyball, and Badminton.

Saturday, the guys loaded our bikes on the trailer and off we went to a bike trail in downtown Lacey, we had only biked for about 9 1/2 miles and the children were done.

Birthday Celebrations

All last week after Dad got home, we have been very busy with preparations for the Celebration of my 18th, and the twins 9th Birthdays.
We have all had a lot of fun planning and we have been putting ideas together since February.
We all wanted to have an English Country Dance so next we had to figure out where to have it. I like outside parties and we have a very nice yard so that's what was decided upon, we figured that weather would be no problem since August is supposed to be the most sunny part of the year, but when we checked the weather the week before the party, much to our surprise everyday was sunny Except the 16th. It seemed that it was just a test of faith as it only lightly sprinkled for about 45 minutes, and the rest of the day was absolutely beautiful.
We practiced some dances before our musicians (The O'Briens) got there, then officially started.
Almost everyone knows the dances but a lot of people who didn't caught on very quickly and I was impressed.
After a few dances Dad made a speech then prayed over the meal. We had a dinner buffet line, and all the Gentlemen served the ladies and parents.
After dinner we did two more dances, then Daniel made a speech, after which came the happy birthday song, cake, ice-cream, and a few other desserts.
While everyone was enjoying their dessert Daniel took the children all to the backyard to try and break the pinata that mom, dad, and all the children had made.
After one final Dance the party was over and everyone started to leave at around 10:00.
It was a wonderful party everything went as planned, and so far as I've heard everyone had a great time.
After clean-up and putting the children to bed, not wanting the party to end Dad, Mom, Daniel, Tim, Sill, and I, all stayed up rather late talking about the events of the day, and we all agreed that it was a great success and one of the best parties we'd been to.