Army of Armstrongs: 2013

First Day of School

Travis had surgery right before school was supposed to start so we headed to Bellingham to stay with his family. This way we'd have help, I could start school with the older two, and Travis could be more comfortable in a one-story house, rather than a two-story house. Our first day of school for 2013-14...

Katiree started second grade. Tate started first grade. Zane is preschool and Kezia is two.

Zane Turns FIVE (2013)

Zane couldn't wait to turn five. He was forever asking when his birthday was coming, how many more days... and just was an eager beaver to celebrate! His birthday fell on a Friday, so we celebrated together at home together on Friday (complete with donuts for breakfast, mac and cheese for lunch and corndogs for dinner). He certainly knew how to pick meals we wouldn't usually have!

Katiree wanted to buy him her own present with her own money! So sweet!

Tate and Zane with Zane's basketball.

LEGOS

Zane wanted a Sprint-Cup Racetrack cake with Sprint Cup cars. Only issue - he doesn't like cake. So this is the best one can do with icecream.... an icecream cake made into a Sprint-Cup Racetrack.

The wall of "advertisers" made for the Sprint-Cup Racetrack. I had fun with this! Each one represents a family we had over or our own kiddos - Tatertot's Towing, Tiree's Tires, Zaner's Wrecking, Blickenstaff Oil (Jackson and Henry)

Kezi's Car Repair, Armstrong Auto Detailing, Stuarts' Scrap Shop (Henry and Harrison), Penuel Fuel (Juliana and Collin)

"Happy Birthday to you..."

He's FIVE!

And then as the song ended, Kezia raced across the table to blow the candles out. She was SO FAST, Travis almost couldn't stop her in time! We were definitely laughing over this one!

Seeing Great Grandpa Smitchger

One of the most important parts of going to the NWWF is to see Great Grandpa, who travels from Meridian, Idaho, to Bellingham to see his daughter (Travis' mom).

Tate has a special love for his great grandpa. Not that all the others don't love Great Grandpa to pieces, but Tate cannot wait to see Great Grandpa at the fair! Here's Great Grandpa with his four Armstrong great-grandchildren!

The Smitchger/Armstrong crew

Aunt Chanda also made it in time for pictures! So here we all are!

The Northwest Washington Fair - 2013

Every year we head to Lynden, Washington, to see Great Grandpa Smitchger who comes for the Northwest Washington Fair. A few years ago, there was "Penelope" - she did face painting for FREE... beautiful face painting. Katiree loved her then... so she was thrilled that "Penelope" was back. Kezia and Zane joined her in the face-painting fun!

Kezia the puppy-dog and Zane the Tyrannosaurus Rex!

Katiree wanted a pony and flowers.

"Penelope"

Kezia rode the merry-go-round MILLIONS of times...

With Travis not able to ride the rides, Grandma stepped in to help out! What fun!

Tate and Zane on the merry-go-round.

We met "Auntie" Amber there too!

Mama and Katiree on the ferris wheel. (This was the least crazy ride Katiree went on this year.)

Fun with Cousins at Hovander Park

After family pictures, we enjoyed the playground and lunch at Hovander. It's been years since we've all been together at the same time! Our kids sure enjoyed hanging with their cousins! We sure love our family - and are so thankful for such wonderful cousins!