Lauren Turns 12!!

How can it be that my baby girl is growing up. One more year before she is a teenager. For her birthday this year, Lauren invited her friend Macy over for a sleepover on Friday night and then on Monday for her actual birthday the whole family went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 4 in 3D on the IMAX screen. It was a great movie, but we had to watch it from the front row because we got to the theater late. We also played some Rock Band together, had a yummy BBQ Rib meal and had plenty of cake throughout the weekend.

A visit with Mom/Nana for her birthday and Mother’s Day!

Mom came up for a week-long visit and it just so happened she came on her birthday and was here for Mother’s Day, too. It was so special – we never usually get to be together on those days. We had fun celebrating Nana’s 65 birthday with dinner out at PF Changs and a homemade cake covered in rolled marshmallow fondant in a quilting theme.

Unfortunately, I had recently broken my foot and so was on crutches so we couldn’t do some of what we had planned. However, we still managed to get into Seattle and did a bunch of shopping, too. Lauren had a volleyball game, so Nana got to watch her play – and she did GREAT! We even went to see Water For Elephants together (she had recommended the book to me). Mom and I ended up having the whole theater to ourselves! :)

It was a great trip – it just ended too soon.

 

My favorite picture… taken on Mother’s Day.

 

Ashley didn't want to be taller than Nana. ;)

 

My and MY girls on Mother’s Day…

and my Mom and HER girl on Mother’s Day.  :)

 

Fun at PF Changs.

 

The most AMAZING cake EVER!!!!! :D

Easter Brunch at the Ducoing’s

Walt and Tami invited us over for their traditional Easter brunch and egg hunt. There were TONS of people there this year – it was so much fun. :) Couldn’t imagine Easter with out this tradition anymore.

Tami – the “hostess with the most-est!”

Annual Family Egg Dying

Every year we dye eggs for Easter and every year it seems we do it later and later. This year… the night before!! Well at least we did it. ;) We were together and we had a fun time – what more could we ask for?

Aftershock

For the spring volleyball league at the boys and girls club, Lauren played on the same team of girls as she did in the fall with the same coach – Coach Joy. Their name this time is Aftershock! :) It has been a fantastic season for them – they are really learning to play the game well together. Lauren has grown a lot and we have really enjoyed watching her play.

Kurt’s New Motorcycle

Kurt decided to save on some gas driving to work that it would be a good idea to get a motorcycle. He ended up trading in his quad for a dual sport bike so he could still go out on “man-cations” with his buddies, but be able to use to bike for commuting, too.

Since Lauren never got to go quading with dad, he promised her the first ride on the motorcycle. She loved it of course! :)

Deception Pass Birthday Trip

For Kurt’s Birthday this year he decided he wanted to take a camping trip to Deception Pass. It was a great trip, but was a little hard for us all. The last time we came to Deception Pass we had Buddy with us. Having recently lost him we were all missing him a lot. The weather was beautiful, though, and we enjoyed being outdoors even if it was really cold and windy.