Cousin James and Great Grandma

Last Monday we headed up to Bothell to meet one of the newest Hansons, James. James is Rebecca's brother, John's new baby. He was born July 6 and is just precious!

We are really looking forward to this October when we get to hang out with John, Amy & family and Neil, Raquel and Julia. Fun times!

After some play time with Grace and James the Frank family bus departed for Stanwood to see Great Grandma.

Grandma was always great at spoiling me when I was younger and now she does it with my kids! The girls have decided they want to live with Great Grandma. Huh, imagine that.

Watching TV at Grandma's.

Serving up ice cream.

Thanks Great Grandma! We love you!

WACK 2009

WACK was back this year! (See explanation of acronym on earlier blog post: http://rrrealfrank.blogspot.com/2007/08/summer-vacation-wack-2007.html ) This year the W stood for "wading" because no water sports were involved. Wading and swimming were as water sporty as we got. WACK 2009 took us through the sweltering town of Riggins, Idaho and past it a little into the mountains to a wonderful trio of log cabins where we

found rest and relaxation and great fellowship with friends.

Water balloon fights were high on the list of kid fun! Baby Riley chose to sit out the water balloon fight and just relax in her bouncy seat. Isn't she sweet?

4-wheelers were our main source of transportation on the steep, bumpy roads around the cabin. The kids loved them!

They discovered their swim goggles were perfect for protecting their eyes from the dust and wind.

We did some fishing - love this one of father and son . . .

This was at the pond just a little ways down the road from the main cabin.

Anthony had lots of helpers at his fishing pole . . .

Emily caught one!

It was just a baby and we put him back.

Ryan caught a lily pad.

My four fearless fisherpeople.

Rylan found some flowers.

And I leave you with our "silly face picture". I think Becca wins the prize!

Family Camp 2009

I'm falling behind on my blog posts! Rewind to mid July - The kids and I headed down to Canby, Oregon for a week of family camp. Ryan stayed behind to get work done because, well, he just wasn't invited. (I don't think he minded too much.) My friend Traci and her 4 kids (Zeb 8, Olivia 6, Boaz 4, Hannah 2) and Steph and her 4 kids (Ellie 8, Jake 6, Megan 5, Parker 1) invited us to crash Canby Grove's family camp with them.

I think everyone there knew who we were by the end of the week. Steph made matching BRIGHT YELLOW shirts (so we could spot the escapees easier) and we wore them with pride (except when the kids with the bright yellow t-shirts spilled their whole dinner plate or hot chocolate all over the place. That was usually my kids.) It was such fun if not slightly crazy at times.

Playing in the Molalla River. We went tubing too, but I don't have any pictures of that.

Emily taking her best shot at archery.

Ellie showing me how to use the bow.

Rylan, Megan, Olivia, and Alaina chowing on fishy crackers during archery class.

Emily and Ellie at slingshot class.

Ryan came to visit that day so he enjoyed helping Emily learn some slingshot skills.

Lila and Boaz

All the girls with flowers in their hair for Hawaiian night.

We made it home safe and sound and just a little dirty at the end of the week. We really enjoyed our time with friends!

Fishing

We took a couple of days earlier this month and headed out to the beach to do some fishing. It was very relaxing, though not very rewarding as far as actually catching fish.

We had several bites but the only thing we pulled in was this little 8-incher.

The kids had a blast playing in the sand and getting wet in the river.

Lila on fire duty.

The fishing crew.

Rylan braving the early morning waters - it was a little chilly.

Lucy and Rose Kitty

Lucy at 15 weeks

This is a funny one! Mama Rose Kitty was squeezing between the screen and glass patio door when she looked up to see Lucy's nose awfully close to hers!

Swimming

The girls took 2 weeks of swimming lessons so far this summer. They have learned a lot, but its when we go to open swim that they really learn to be comfortable in the water.

Emily is very good about helping Lila out. Lila has gotten much more brave since I took this picture and doesn't want us to help her as long as she is wearing her life jacket. She's still trying to get brave enough to put her face in the water though.

IT'S SUMMERTIME!

Yesterday was the last day of the school year. Emily and Alaina had an early release at 11:30 after enjoying their field day (which pretty much consists of playing outside and eating sno cones and hot dogs). Alaina's friend Jansi came home with them on the bus and then we headed to Portland to the Oregon Zoo to celebrate the end of the year! Rylan needed some help smiling in this picture.

After he ate his elephant ear he was a little more chipper!

It was a great day to be at the zoo - nice weather and not too many people.

The zebras were very exciting for the kids . . . but the highlight of the day was the giraffe. He was hanging out close to the viewing area and posing for lots of pictures.Looking for the sea otters . . .Rylan was very excited to see this tractor at the zoo in the farm animal section. We had to post this pic for Grandpa Far Away! This last picture is Alaina and Jansi at their Kindergarten Celebration. Next year they will be 1st graders and go to school ALL DAY! WooHoo!