Aunt Alisha

We have loved all the visitors lately.  We seriously can't get enough.

Alisha arrived the day after Grandma Sharolee left.  Gwenevere and Grace were so excited to pick her up at the airport.  Big hugs were exchanged and lots of talking took place on our way home from the airport.

Waiting for a call from Aunt Alisha

Wednesday we took Alisha to the Tacoma Art Museum. We rode the Link (train) downtown.  Gwenevere was happy to sit next to Aunt Alisha.
 We thoroughly enjoyed the art but Gwenevere's favorite art piece was the big dog.

At the top floor of the Art Museum they have an art room with several art project ideas.

We went around the whole room and Gwenevere decided she wanted to try Print making (Jill would be so proud).

(movie)

James even joined in on the fun, his prints are the ones in the middle.

Grace enjoyed dumping out the crayons and yelling scissors 

Thursday we decided a trip to the zoo was in need.  I forgot to bring my camera but Alisha brought her's.  I must say the animals were crazy that day.  I have never seen them act so strange.  First the wolf cubs were playing tag.  It was fun to watch.  Then the Walruses were bumping into each other, swimming backwards and pressing their faces to the glass.   It wasn't their normal "loop around the pool" kind of day.  It was a bit creepy but very entertaining.  Then the Penguins were having swimming races, two or three at time would jump into the water swim really fast act like they were  catching fish and then jump out of the water and then do it again.  It was truly an entertaining day at the zoo.

Friday Alisha took a bus trip to the Lakewood town center for old times sake.  Then we went Swimming.  Gwenevere has talked about going swimming with Aunt Alisha ever since we found out Alisha was going to come visit.  So this may have been the highlight of the Alisha's trip for Gwenevere.

Alisha keeping us entertained as we drive to the swimming pool

great teeth shot

Saturday we went to ballet came home and had some friends come to play.  We enjoyed hanging out and relaxing.

Sunday we went to Church, and then had friends over for dinner 

Monday Alisha took pictures of the girls while they rode their bikes in the parking lot.

then later that night Alisha and I had a girl party while we watched the Bachelor and ate cookies.  

Tuesday morning we took Alisha back to the airport.  She was excited to go home and see how her basketball girls were doing.  She's hoping they will make it to state this year.  

Tuesday night for dinner James and I were already planning the next time Alisha could come to visit.  hehehehe  Thanks for coming and spoiling the girls.  Gwenevere loved her birthday presents.  And we loved having you back in our home.  It was fun to visit with you again.

Saying grace

Grace said her first prayer today.  It went like this

Heavenly Father

Thank you for Papa

Done

Amen

Primary

This little girl is so happy to be in Primary.  She was getting pretty bored with Nursery near the end.
 I was worried about being in Primary with Gwenevere, mostly just because I didn't want to be that Parent who favors their kid over the other kids.  (I probably already do it, but I'm trying hard not too.)

Well, today after Gwenevere was ready for Church she came up came up to me and said "I hope I get to give the talk today in Primary."  I have never felt so proud of my little girl.  I too have looked forward to the day when Gwenevere will give her first talk.  I told Gwenevere that her friend was giving the talk today, but maybe someday she would be called to talk in primary.  Secretly I'm praying that day will come soon.  I want her to always feel excited to share the gospel.

I can already tell Gwenevere is learning so much about the gospel in Primary.  She asks me questions throughout the week about Heaven, and Earth and the plan of Happiness.  It's so precious.

Today in Primary we where singing "Fallow the Prophet"  in the chorus of the song it says "Fallow the Prophet, Fallow the Prophet, Fallow the Prophet, Don't go a stray."

When we finished the song, Gwenevere ask the singing time lady "Why we can't go straight?"  She had the entire primary presidency laughing.   I'm so glad to know my little girl can sit still, sing songs, and learn about the gospel.  I know I have a terrible singing voice but I truly believe the Primary hymn book is the best tool for teaching children the gospel.  Gwenevere is trying so hard to learn the new songs in Primary and I will sing with her now matter how terrible it may sound.

Gwenevere, I love you.  Thank you for teaching me so much.  Thank you for being patient with me as I strive to be your loving mother.  You have given me growth beyond what I thought was possible, forever I will love you.

Grandma Sharolee came to visit

Sunday evening Grandma Sharolee, Austin and Dan drove up for a visit.  We where all excited to have them come.  We enjoyed Sunday evening hanging out making jokes and playing together.  Grandma brought everyone birthday presents, we are so spoiled.  Grandma gave Gwenevere a very fancy tea set (thrift store find!!!)  She gave Grace a baby Elmo which Grace LOVES.  And to top it off Grandma gave James and I some fancy chocolate. 

Gwenevere's favorite part was having Grandma sleep in her bed with her.  I'm not sure how much sleep Grandma got but Gwenevere had someone to help her keep her covers on so she slept great.

James stayed up late  playing computer games with his brothers.  He thoroughly enjoyed the male bonding time.  Being in a house full of girls, it's not everyday that he gets to shoot at things and have someone with him enjoying it as much as he does. I know he enjoyed spending time with this brothers.  

Monday morning we made a wonderful breakfast.  Gwenevere requested that Grandma bring her waffle makers. It was a genius idea.  I still don't know why we haven't pick one up, I guess we're too cheap to buy a new one and I haven't see a nice waffle machine at the thrift stores in forever.  

We then took off to show them some  sights of Tacoma and then we went to the North West Trek in hopes to see some Moose.  Indeed we did.  It was awesome.  I must say we love having visitors (wink wink)  And here are some pictures to prove it.

Oh and how can I forget,

Grace fell in love with her Uncle Austin, his phone and his drums.

She fallowed him around the entire time

When Austin left, Grace kept asking "Where's Austin?"  and calling for him "Austin, come.  Come Austin."

Gwenevere asked me to take a picture of her by the moose table.

Very lovely Austin

Some of the animals

It was cold but we all had fun.  Thanks for visiting.

little quotes

Eating pets

Gwenevere:  "I want to eat Wolf.  Mom have you ever had wolf?"
Me:  "No, but Papa ate dog once."
Gwenevere:  "I want to eat dog."
Me:  You'll have to go to the Philipines, it's illegal to eat dog here."  (not sure if that's true but I thought it was a safe bet.)
Gwenevere:  Why?
Me:  "Because dogs are pets here in America and we don't eat pets."  Pause to rethink what I just said.  Then continue on  "except for pet bunnies and pet chickens."  (James hopes to someday have both to use for food.)
Gwenevere thinks for a minute (She's been promised a pet dog someday and she's sure it's going to be a poodle names Pearline.)
Gwenevere:  "Let's not let Papa eat Pearline. Okay?! She's going to be a good pet."


Not eating

Grace: "i'm hungey mommy."
Me: Okay what do you want to eat.
Grace: "food"

Great Wolf Lodge

 For Gwenevere's (and Papa's) Birthday we decided a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge was in need.  The night before Gwenevere's birthday, Gwenevere stayed up late to help me make a star rainbow cake.  We cooked 6 cakes and put them all together to make a fun rainbow cake.

Gwenevere showing me she's turning Four

3 of the 6 cakes cooked and it was time for Gwenevere to go to bed.

The next morning James took Gwenevere and Grace for their wellness checkups while I packed for our vacation.  We met Jenni and Preston at the REI in Tacoma and then we took off to the great wolf lodge.

Can you tell the kids are excited.?

 The fearless leader 

 The happy co-pilot

We got to the Great Wolf lodge around 2:30 and our room was already so we got to check in early.  This made it perfect.  We went up to our room, unpacked our groceries, assembled the birthday cake and met up with Max and Rebecca.  We then got on our swimsuits and went to explore.

I started to assemble the cake but James said I was doing it wrong so he took over.

Gwenevere was his assistant so she could taste test the frosting as she needed.

Here we all are ready to PARTY

I didn't take the camera to the water park the first day but we had a blast.

We first played in the Toddler swimming area; exploring water slides and jet skis. 

Then James, Preston and I went down our very first water slide.  It had two big bumps and that was the end of Preston's water slide with a tube experience.  Gwenevere was 4 inches too short to do any of the water  slides with tubes but she didn't seem to mind.  We also tested out the wave pool and enjoyed watching the 1000 gallon bucket tip every 10 minutes.

When Tummies started to growl we decided to head back up to the room for dinner and birthday cake.

Rebecca brought a delicious home make Mac and Cheese casserole to share.

Preston and Gwenevere disappeared for a while as they played together on Preston's computer.

Grace and Charlie played/picked on each other while us big kids visited with each other.

After dinner it was time for Cake.

The Birthday Kids

 It was a pretty impressive birthday cake if I may say so myself.

Then it was time for presents

After dinner we cleaned up while the kids played.

Then Max and Rebecca watched the kids while James and I had a little date night at the water park.

BEST PRESENT EVER!

We may be getting older but we still party like we're young.

James and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together.

We got back to the room by 8pm 

Grace and Charlie where asleep so Max and Becca took off to a little water park date while we watched the kids.

Preston fell asleep quickly but our little Gwenevere was so excited about her birthday she fought sleep.

James enjoyed relaxing at the end of the day

For the most part everyone slept well.

And we woke up to a beautiful sunrise.

We ate breakfast, packed, put on swimsuits, made sandwiches for lunch and check out of our hotel room by 

10am

Morning sunshine and the toddler area.  

I spy Preston

I Saw this sign and thought of Grandpa Roemhildt

I just love this picture,  (wish it wasn't so blurry)

Grace loved her Life Jacket,

 it was hard to get her to take if off for lunch and when we where leaving.

"Everyone get Uncle Max"

the Splash area in the toddler section was

Gwenevere's favorite place to hang out.

Charlie in the splash area

Preston's favorite place to hang out (at least the first half of the day.)

Grace is our adventure seeker,

Here she is taking papa down the slide

Now she wants me to go down the slide

Charlie going down the slide

the large splash area

Max, Becca and Charlie getting the bucket dump.

Gwenevere loved pulling all the ropes and dumping water on everyone

 

Several times throughout the day Gwenevere would come up to me or Papa, give us a hug and kiss and repeat: "This is the best birthday."

I'm so glad we did it.

Throughout the morning Becca and Max, and Me and James switched off watching kids in the toddler area and taking turns going down the big slides.  Max and Becca made this trip complete.  I don't think we would have had as much fun if we did this trip by ourselves.  Thanks Becca and Max for coming with us.

Going up to the BIG Slide

Grace just laxing 

Playing in the wave pool

Right before lunch Preston came up to me and said he was ready to go down the Red Slide.

We'd walked up to the top of the line a couple times but he wasn't ready so when he said he was ready I didn't really think he'd do it.  But this time he was ready.  He jumping in line and went down no hesitation.

So cool!

He went down three more times and would have gone again but I told Preston it was time for lunch.

One Happy Boy

Grace waiting for lunch.

Beautiful Ladies 

Lunch time!

And then back to the slides

Gwenevere waiting at the bottom of the slide for Preston

A terrible picture of the red slide Preston went down over and over again.

At the end of the day we finally got Gwenevere to try the big slide,  She flipped around so many times that once was enough for her.

Finally tummies started to growl again and only then where we able to get the kids out of the water.

We changed our clothes, picked out penny souvenirs, took a couple of last minute pictures with my camera and then went to Mac Donald's for dinner.

Happy Birthday Gwenevere