Celebrating 8 Amazing, Crazy Years

Vacation in a nut shell (I tried to make it short and sweet)

Brian and I got to take an amazing vacation to the San Juan Island for our 8th wedding anniversary from Friday to Tuesday! 5 DAYS! Amazing!  The kids were very well cared for by our whole family!  Jaron went to the Friant farm.  I was nervous about leaving him with anyone but I knew my mom was the most comfortable with babies and they were very capable of taking care of him.  All the teenagers, especially Jordan, are familiar with his seizures and I left a very detailed schedule of his feedings and medicines.  They did great!  I could honestly go and relax because I knew they were doing well!  The big kids got to spend time with everyone else.  Auntie Katy spent the first day and night with them at home.  Then Papa and Grammy Albaugh had them for the weekend.  On Monday morning, Lukas and Hannah went to Uncle Jer and Auntie Christy's, and Haylee went to Great Papa and Gammy Creamer's until Wednesday morning.  The big kids went to Barnes and Noble to get a few new books, Red Robin, the farm for an evening movie, the Pumpkin Patch (they each carved a face in one pumpkin), church on Sunday, Chuck E. Cheese, a couple parks, and Haylee visited the Senior Center too!  Plenty of adventures for all!  Meanwhile, on the island, Brian and I stuck close to our map and traveled every major road of the 55 square miles.  We visited Roche Harbor, Friday Harbor, the American and English Camps, Pelindaba Lavender Farm, the Alpaca Farm, the San Juan Vineyard, Lime Kiln State Park and every named beach or bay on the map.  We went to the Saturday Market, the Whale Museum, almost every restaurant and coffee shop in Friday Harbor, the book store, the toy store, the Hot Sauce Shop...  On Day 3, my brother Josh and sis-in-law/college roommate Abby, joined us on the island.  We went in our hotel's hot tub, sauna, and swimming pool, cruised the island in our rented black Dodge Charger, went kayaking along Haro Strait (saw jelly fish, bald eagles, kelp beds, harbor seals, dahl porpoises,  and the sea-side of the lighthouse), and wandered a little at the state parks and along the gorgeous docks of the harbor.  All sandwiched in between an hour and a half, beautiful ferry ride from and back to Anacortes.  Amazing!

"He's really special to me"

Jaron was especially happy and active this morning, kicking his feet, waving his arms, smiling and making sounds!  The kids were so excited to play with him.  I told them to be quiet so we could do a video and so they sat down and this is what Lukas and Haylee wanted to say.  I didn't prompt them at all but it was so cute, I had to share!

Golf is in the family

My brother Josh started it!  He took Brian and Lukas golfing early this year.  They were both hooked.  For his 6th birthday, Uncle Josh and Auntie Abby got Luke a set of golf clubs.  Auntie Melissa got him 4 golf lessons and Daddy found him some cool golfing shoes!  He's totally into it!  He's done 2 lessons so far and wants to go everyday.  The instructor even let Haylee hit balls and she left the driving range kicking and screaming, literally.  We told her she may not get to practice with Lukas the next time, she didn't like that news.