Twin Birthday!

 

This weekend we celebrated Emma and Olivia's 7th birthday!  I dug through photo's and blog posts and found this super cute picture of the girls with their Daddy.  This photo was taken 5 years ago when Marc was hoping to go to work for Avista. The girls were just two years old.  Now 5 years later the girls have grown and Marc is working for Avista.  The ironic thing - this past week the power company had some problems and Marc ended up working 80+ hours almost missing his girls party.  Luckily he arrived before it was time to open presents!  

 The birthday girls helped their Nana put together the cupcakes for the towers.  The party theme was pink and purple.  The girls favorite colors.  Nana brought the cake, cupcakes and party decorations. 

 Marcus checked out the decorations....

 "What Grami?  I need to test the homemade lemonade!"

 Just a lick of the Popsicle pinata.  

 I tried to get a photo of the girls with their cakes - photo bomb by Tucker!

 Photo bomb by Marcus!

 Photo bomb by Poppi!

 We decided enough was enough so the girls posed behind the table.  Super cute cake and decorations!

 Before we left for home this morning I asked Emma and Olivia to model their new clothes - it took them a few minutes to choose an outfit and fix their hair.  Super cute dresses!

 Jean shorts and tank tops. 

 Bicycle shorts and neon (my favorite)

 By this time the girls were enjoying the modeling.  Changing hairstyles and adding accessories.  The birds on their fingers are balance birds.  The birds balance on the tip of your finger. Super fun!

 The last outfit - nice job girls!  I loved seeing all the new clothes, sun glasses, necklaces and of course the hair-do's.  Olivia and Emma had a great time at their party with their friends and family.  Lucky grandparents on both sides were able to attend and help with the party. 

This morning Marcus was hanging out in Marc's irrigation pipes and gave us a thumbs-up as we pulled out the driveway.  Great visit and great party! 

New Stuff

 It has rained for the past few days - this morning I checked out the garden.  Taters are up!

 Back patio is put together.  Flowers are planted.

 New patio set with a gas fire pit! 

 The antique creamer we bought at an estate sale.  Bruce built new feet I added an old railroad bucket and planted it.  The bronze plaque says Lewis and Clark 1905 Exposition Portland, Oregon.  I'm pretty sure 100 years ago a housewife was thrilled with this new appliance!  Bruce was tempted to take the creamer down to Vegas and have American Restoration restore it.  I talked him out of it, we don't have any cream to separate and we don't need another big item in our living room!  It fits nicely on the patio. We do have some milk cans to add to the display but need to put a finish on them. 

 These are my solar cattails.  Fit perfectly by the creek! 

 On another note, I just received the hard copy of my blog.  I have been blogging for 5 years and have printed each year in book form. 

Each year the book is a little bigger just like our family.  The changes from the first year to this year are amazing. I'm so glad I have these journals to look back on.  Have a safe Memorial Day. 

Camping trip to Potholes State Park

We went on a weekend camping trip to the Potholes.  This state park is  near Moses Lake about a 90 minute drive from our house.  The sprinklers were going when we arrived.  The water was like a fire hose - all the kids were in awe. 

Sophie was the first to get sprayed - Baylor had no fear at all. 

After the camp was set up Gia has some Poppi time.  Baylor checked out the camper. 

We all took a walk down to the reservoir formed by O'Sullivan Dam.  The Canadian geese with their goslings were bedding down for the evening. 

This is the boat dock.  The skies looked threatening but didn't produce much except for wind. 

Saturday morning Baylor was busy trying to get Poppi's attention. 

I tried out a new treat I saw on line - Popsicles made from yogurt cups.  Super yummy and so easy. 

Marc brought firewood so we could have a s'more feast.  Olivia was the first to help carry the wood. 

Elle was second! 

Sophie helped pack the heavy wood.

Even Gia and Baylor chipped in. 

Sophie and Emma stopped for a picture.  The cousins all get along so well together. 

Marc showed the kids how to build a fire without smoke.  Start with very dry cedar....

Baylor couldn't take it anymore he took Olivia down.  Baylor is having so much fun this spring - he knows he's a big boy!

Who wants s'mores?  We all do!  Including a little girl from the neighboring campsite.  The campground is a perfect place for socialization. 

Marc and Colby made Jiffy Pop over the hot coals. 

Roasting marshmallows - the neighboring campsite was a friend of Marc's from work with his wife, his mom and 3 little girls.  It was fun getting to know them.  The cousins enjoyed having more kids to play with. 

Sweet!

Yummy!

Emma and Olivia received an early birthday present from their Sheets cousins. 

The wind finally died down on Sunday so the boat was finally taken to the water. 

Tracy and I walked to the dock stopping to see this Killdeer nest of eggs on the way.  The nest was flagged by the park rangers and the Killdeer pretended to have a broken wing to lead us away.  I loved the bark nest and the lucky clover surrounding the eggs.

The Roemers got the first ride on the boat. 

All aboard!

Pretty day on the water. 

Kimmie and Colby brought a watermelon but had to leave before we cut into it. Ceci showing us her sad face....
Happy Ceci!

Gia said "Yum"!

Sophie is getting so grown up she wanted hers cut into bite-sized pieces.  Such a little lady!

 The bag in the background was a birthday present for Gia from the Oergel cousins. 

 The sprinklers came on again - Ceci and Gia put on swim suites and got wet. 

 This morning Sophie and Ceci volunteered to clean up after breakfast.  What a treat for Grami and Mom!  The camping trailer worked out perfectly - it's so nice to have somewhere to stay.  As usual there are no pictures of Tracy, Tracie, Kimmie or me in the post.  That is because we are always taking the pictures... but everyone stopped for a moment so we could capture our family in May of 2013. 

We are so blessed to have such a great family.  Bruce and I thank our lucky stars that our kids want to do things with us still.  Next camping trip is planned for June - Lake Wenatchee!  Your all invited!!