Fair and Family

We go to Bellingham mostly to see family. It's a bonus when the Boise family (Great Grandpa, Aunt Linda, Aunt Julie) are there as well! They usually go to Bellingham for the Northwest Washington Fair. So... we get to enjoy that, as well!

 Kezia's first ride. She loved it as long as Mama was sitting on the horse with her! Katiree joined us for this as well, but was a happy camper going on all the "big kid" rides. Ugh... Mama's tummy would probably not handle those too well anymore! So, Auntie Chanda and Daddy got to do the big rides!

 The boys enjoyed the carousel too, but later they also joined in some of the big rides.

 Auntie Chanda and Kezia at the fair!

 Great Grandpa Smitchger with one grandson (Travis) and four of his great grandchildren!

Great Grandpa with his daughters (Aunt Linda and Janet/Grandma) and the Armstrong crew.

Just a Fave....

Travis took a picture of Kezia and me at the fair. I love it... had to share!

The Demolition Derby - Lynden, WA

It's Demolition Derby time!!! Everyone was looking forward to this. Grandpa, Aunt Linda, Travis, Katiree, Tate, Zane and I were all going... well, that is until Grandpa got toppled by a 1,200 pound steer and ended up going to the doctor's office instead. We were sad he couldn't join us... but if you ever get to Lynden during the Northwest Washington Fair, the Demolition Derby is a show to behold.

 

Travis, Zane, Katiree and Tate await the start of the first round! The cars are lined up for them to see!

 Katiree picked this purple and pink one as a favorite. Hmm... wonder why!

 The boys liked this green one (Might this have to do with the fact that it sort of looks like Chick Hicks from the movie, "Cars"?)

Let the smashing begin!

 Katiree was amazing at picking winners. She picked 3 out of 4 winners for the 4 rounds. However, this nervous, anxious look is what we noticed as she watched them pound away at each other. The relieved look and the excitement when her "pick" won was also priceless.

The boys were much more relaxed than their sister. They were thrilled to see the cars crash! We had a wonderful time at the Demolition Derby!

Cedar Springs

Unfortunately for us, I didn't use my camera much at Cedar Springs. We stayed there for a few days while up in Bellingham area. The beauty there is AMAZING! It's also just so peaceful. Plus, we were able to see Auntie Jeannie (she lives at this retreat center) as well as her son, David, and his family, who are missionaries in Turkey. They have five children, all of whom our children ADORED. The pictures below are just of outside our cabin. I wish I had pictures of the lakes, grounds (most gorgeous flowers) and especially of the people we love to see!

Bellingham Family

We have family in Bellingham. Travis' parents and sister and my older brother, his wife and their children. When we went to Bellingham this August, Travis' mom invited Matt, Laura Jane and the kids over for a barbecue. The twins have grown up so much; they and Kezia sure enjoyed themselves while the big kids played out front (thus, I have no pictures of any of the older kids).

 

Wesley and Talitha - super cuties!

 Kezia and her cousins (3 months apart but you can't tell that anymore!)

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They were fascinated with Macie, Grandpa's dog.

  

Grandpa and Kezia

Grandma and Kezia

 One of many nights around the fire (one of Mama's favorite things)

My older brother, Matt, with Wesley and Talitha. What blessings these two little ones are to their parents and big sister, as well as their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins!

Sugar Shapes Cookie Decorating

When a friend calls and invites us to come decorate cookies at the park, we go! What she failed to mention was that she was taking pictures for a friend's Sugar Shapes company and needed kids involved! We still had a blast!
 

 Tate wants to be shown how to use the icing, but then decorates with gusto!

Sprinkles!

They passed Zane's taste test! YUMMY!

A few weeks later we went to our friend's girls' birthday party. Sugar Shapes was there with the same delicious cookies for all the kids to decorate! So Katiree and Tate decorated away. Katiree even made one for the Sugar Shapes lady. Tate decorated one for everyone in our family, as well as our babysitter, Anna.

 

 

Sweet, sweet Kezia...

One thing Kezia loves to do is to give kisses... she even makes a kissing noise!

So Auntie Marjie got a kiss...

And Nana got a kiss...

And even Papa got a kiss...

And just for good measure... Katiree got some love. Don't they look cute in their matching pajamas? We bought Katiree's pajamas awhile back and later Grandma gave Kezia the same set (not even knowing Katiree had a matching set!)