Tacoma in a Weekend

The last weekend in August we loaded up the family for a quick weekend trip to Washington. Well, actually, the kids stopped in Boise and Landon and I went on to Washington with his mom, Diane, and brother Eric. We left for Boise on Thursday night and stayed at my parents house. Then Diane and Eric picked Landon and I up in Boise on Friday and we returned on Sunday. Since it was such a quick trip and such a long drive we decided to leave the kids in Boise with my brother's and parents. Thanks to them for taking care of them while we were gone.

We went to Tacoma for the wedding of Landon's cousin Ryan. The drive was actually fairly enjoyable. Without the kids we watched grown up movies in the car, I worked on posting my grades, and my favorite, I read. I was given the series "The Hunger Games" before we left by some friends, and devoured the first book on this trip. It has been a long time since I have done that and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

We were lucky enough to stay with Landon's Aunt Esther and Uncle Marty. They were gracious hosts and we had a great time. Since Landon and Eric are allergic to cats they had to camp in the neighbors yard, so as not to die from throat closure. The first night there Esther, who is a teacher, and I got to talking about online gadgets and teaching things. We shared some fun things we knew about with each other and discussed secrets of the trade. Landon was bored, but I had a ton of fun discussing professional stuff with someone.

The first day we were there we went down to the pier to a wooden boat show. While there they were having drum boat races. I have watched these on TV but have never seen one in real life. It was really interesting to watch each boat having a drummer pounding out their rhythm. I think it would get confusing and you would really have to train yourself to your own drum. If we lived anywhere where they did these, I think I might want to get involved. It would be really great exercise.


This boat was a two man paddle boat. Four guys took it across the Atlantic Ocean with someone rowing non-stop. Really cool story. This boat is sooo small, I can't imagine living on it for as long as they did.

Landon and I standing in front of one of the boats on the dock.

The people who man the boats were there, all dressed up in their pirate garb, to answer any questions we had about the boats. We learned some really cool new stuff.

Esther and Marty, our gracious hosts.

Esther, Diane, and Marty.

Landon, Katie, Eric and Diane.

Landon and I realized in the middle of this adventure that we were much more relaxed than normally we would be. Then Landon figured out why. We had no kids. Normally when we go to things like this we are chasing kids, yelling at them not to touch things, and trying to catch what we can without loosing a kid over the side. It was really interesting to get to leisurely look at the boats and enjoy our time. (Although the kids would have loved it.)

Landon, Katie, Esther and Marty in front of a car boat.

A closer look. Esther told us a story about seeing one of these in action when she was a lifeguard.

That afternoon we went to a Rose Garden in Tacoma for the wedding of Ryan and Joelle. It was great to get to see the Ladwig family again. We really don't see them very much. The last time was two years ago at Grandpa Ladwig's funeral. It was nice to see them on a happier note.

Landon and Eric talking with his cousins Adam and Misty.

The Happy couple, Ryan and Joelle!

Their wedding was absolutely gorgeous. I think this was one of the best planned, prepared, and just absolutely timeless weddings I have ever been to. From the invitations to the wedding programs to the decorations, everything was perfect. We had only met Joelle one other time when we came up from the funeral, but she and I have kept up with each other a little on facebook. She is one of the friendliest most genuine people I have ever met. From the moment I met her I knew that we could be good friends and I was so happy to be able to go and share in this day with them.

Look how happy they are!

Landon and I after the ceremony. Landon couldn't be out down by Ryan, although it was their day to be in the spotlight.

The reception was in Ryan and Joelle's backyard, which is gorgeous! The have the most fabulous garden and landscaping. They had decorated it with lanterns and pretty table decorations and even a dance floor. The food was good, the entertainment was fabulous including a rendition of the Napoleon Dynamite dance by the bride and her friends, and the dancing, well it rocked! You can tell what a fun group of friends they have because from the moment the music started the dance floor was packed. Joelle has got to be the most hard core jammer I have ever seen. I loved it!!!!

Diane and Eric dancing the night away.

Marty had some pretty serious moves of his own.

We stayed and partied for a long time into the night, but then decided we had better head back to the house to get a good nights sleep so that we could head back to Pocatello the next morning. Once back at the house we all got ready for bed, including Landon and Eric to their tent. On their way out to the tent they passed one of Esther and Marty's neighbors and said hello to him. As they went into the neighbors yard, they could hear this man on the telephone calling the police and telling them that two men in hooded sweatshirts just ducked into the bushes. They went out and tried to talk to him, but all he would do is tell them to "Stay right there!" Eric came in the house and got Marty and Esther to come explain to the neighbor who they were. (In this man's defense, two years previously there had been a murder just down the street.) After Mary and Esther explained he finally believed who they were, but it makes for a fun story to end the trip!

First Day of School

That's right! My Bouca girl started Kindergarten this year. I have to admit, that I wasn't sad to see this day come. I was really more excited. Much of that I am sure is due to the fact that this girl has been ready for a long time.

A couple of days before her first day we were able to go into her classroom to meet her teacher and some of the kids in her class. She loved playing with all of the activities that were set up on the tables. We had to do each one. We were one of the first ones to get there and were the last ones to leave.


The night before Ella was so excited I was afraid she wasn't going to go to sleep, but she managed it. Leave it to me to sleep in the next morning. It has been a long time since we have been up and ready to leave for anywhere by 8 a.m. I made the mistake of only setting one alarm for myself and slept in. Luckily, Ellen woke up at 7:30 and came in and got me. We were rushed, and were a little late, but we made it.

After getting her dressed and me dressed I drug the boys out of bed and we headed outside to the horror of no van in the driveway. Landon had taken it to work leaving me with the truck and no car seats. (He forgot Ellen started school that day.) We buckled the kids in the back seat of the truck, my praying that Levi wouldn't figure out he could escape, and headed for the school. Once there, I pulled all the kids out and headed for the school. Since we were late, the kids had already gone to their classes. (I might add that we were only a couple of minutes late. The second bell hadn't even rang yet.) One of the school employee's met me at the office and offered to take Ellen to class which I was grateful for since both of the boys were standing there with dazed looks on their faces and in their pajamas. But before he did he proceeded to lecture me on getting my child to school on time. I wanted to scream at him, "It's the first day of school and her first day ever. Give us a break!" I refrained, took it in, and then kissed her goodbye.

After I got home I broke down crying to Landon that I was the worst Mom ever and totally screwed up Ellen's first day of school. He just laughed at me and then hugged me and made me feel better. Truly though, what did I expect. I was never on time for school, or if I am honest anything else in my life. Why would her first day of school be any different? I am proud to report that she has not been late since that first day.

We took most of these pictures after she got home from a very fun day for her. She loved every minute of it. One of the girls in her class was in Kindermusik with her so she already had a good little friend. Of course she drives the teacher crazy sometimes because she reads and insists on things being done exactly as the instructions read. She enjoys doing all of the projects in class and especially loves her specials, Spanish, Music and P.E. (Library is still a little boring for her because they won't let them check out books yet.) We are so proud of our little girl!

Happy Birthday to Katie

For my birthday my spectacular husband had the brilliant idea of going to the beach for a bonfire. He knows that the beach and the water are where I truly find relaxation and peace. So, away we went for a BBQ at the beach with friends and family.

Levi enjoyed playing on the beach. Much more than at Bear Lake when he had a double ear infection. I think there was sand in every crevice when the night was done.

Our good friends the Olsen's joined us. This is their son Reed.

I love this girl!

My sweet sister, Annie, decided to bring out their boat. They boat my Dad's boat from him a couple of years back, so this is the boat that I know and love and always have my best ski's behind. We had Jason take a picture of us at the beach and he decided that the boat needed to be in the picture. The boat looks great, but you can't really see our faces. Just know we had a good time.

Maggie Porter

Annie and Jaycee. Aren't they babes?!

Braiden had a rough time, but this is not completely unusual. He had stellar hair though!

Miles Olsen

Definitely my favorite part of the night. This was the first time I had really been able to have a good ski (with a good ski boat and on a good ski) in a couple of years. Landon says that I am a snob when it comes to skiing, and I probably am, but it makes such a big difference to have the right equipment. I felt more free, more alive than I can remember. After that was the first time I have heard Landon say that we should really look into buying a boat. Maybe even before a trailer. (That is huge for him.) Thanks Anne for giving me the best birthday present ever!

After my ski, we decided it was the kid's turn. Ellen wouldn't do it, but Trevor said that he would. After throwing a fit about getting in the water and me forcing him in, he loved it. I used to ski on the front of my Dad's ski's when I was little, and Jason has gotten really good at it over the years. Trevor wouldn't put his feet down so Jason ended up holding him up the whole time. (Good thing Jason is such a big guy.) Once they were up Trevor loved it!

His triumphant ending!

Slip n' Slide

On a hot summer day in August Aunt Audra invited us over to slip 'n slide in their backyard. When Eric and Audra built their house they decided to put a tiny hill in the backyard so that their kids could sled on it in the winter and it makes a wonderful slip and slide hill for little kids.

Grandma Ladwig was with us and she has a slip and slide and so does Audra, so we had two of them going and the kids could not get enough. It was a lot of fun to see them running and sliding all over the place.

Audra hadn't planned on Adasyn playing, but while we were setting up the slides Adasyn changed her mind. We couldn't keep her away from the pool at the end of the slides. So inside the house went the Mama and out came this adorable little swimsuit for her. Such a cute little ballerina to play in the water.

The boys decided that they wanted to try to do the slide with goggles. They thought it might make it so that the water didn't get in their faces as much. Here is Trevor showing how wonderful his fit. (They were sliding all over his face.)

Trevor making one of his spectacular trips down the slide.

While the other kids were all having the time of their lives, Levi was not. He didn't like the water and I couldn't entice him closer to it in any way. We finally just gave up and put him down for a nap while the other kids played.

Ellen flying down the slide. She didn't ever go on her belly or bum, just ran down it. She was happy that way, so who cares. Carson had started saying, "1, 2, 3, let's do this thing" before he went down the slide. I think this was to work up his courage since he was going head first on his belly. Ella took up the saying as well and would say it each time she "flew" down the hill. It was a good summer activity.

Grandma's are the Best at Reading

Aren't Grandma's the very best at reading stories? At least they are at our house. If either Diane or Kitty are around indefinitely my children will be running with books to have Grandma read them to them. I think Grandma's make the story a little more fun.

Grandma Ladwig's specialty in making books fun is eating the food that is in the book. This book was perfect for her. The kids got it from the dentist for not having any cavities and it is called, "Now I eat my ABC's." They have loved it from the moment we got it, but Grandma added a whole new element of fun.

They started this game at Bear Lake, reading the book and pretending to eat all of the food from the pages. My kids love it. They all get so involved, even Levi. After the book is done, they sing the alphabet song and at the end change the words to "Now I ate my ABC's. Next time won't you eat with me." It was such a quintessential Grandma Ladwig moment, I had to blog it!