This 4th of July was extra special with Doug home from Afghanistan. We had a big party and lots of fun. The kids had a silly string fight.

Right before we left for fireworks downtown Sarah and Jason came over and shared their fireworks with us. It was a grand show.
All the kids were given a very in depth safety class and then they helped out with the show.
It was great to have Cita home again. It has been too long.......


Now that is a sourpuss.
Always the glamour girl, that's Gracie.
Helping Taylor get ready for girls camp. We bedazzled her pants. She got glowing reviews.

Some shots from our hike to Mineral Ridge. This is a fun three mile hike that the little ones love doing. This was Gracie's first hike and she did the whole thing on her own two feet. She was a trooper.

It is always a good place where you can just let out a yell if you want to.
Yah there is a family resemblance for sure.
You rock Kirsten!!
Lunch at the top. Tay did the hike with a hurt foot, poor thing.


Jared rode like a champ the whole way. He is so mellow and easy going.
The old folks enjoying their lunch.
The boys playing with Uncle Jeff. They sure had fun running and hiding and scaring us all.
Beautiful! Oh and the view is nice too.

Summer Fun. I have a ton of pictures to share. We had a GREAT summer!!!! I don't think these are in order but as crazy as life is, well, too bad. Having a house full of kids has been hectic and crazy, but lots of fun too. We sure love the kids, both big and small. Papa loves to take the kids out for ice cream, just like his Dad used to. They sure enjoy it.

Ah, so does Papa. He is just a big kid too!
Another fun summer activity is going on "rides". Here were a few at the park in downtown Spokane.



Kobe is getting so grown up. He wanted to ride all by himself. I was not too sure but everyone else said let him and he LOVED it. I guess I have to accept he is getting more independent.

Those little kid loves sure are worth it.
This was the summer of the bike. Granny wanted each of the kids to have bikes and she got them. They are thrilled. Bike rides to the ice cream store are one of the favorite activities now. I am putting all these pictures in several posts so they won't take forever to load.