A Steam Train Ride

On Labor Day we headed up to Chehalis to take a train ride.

I think Rylan would have enjoyed it a little more if we had brought some ear plugs for him.

The train whistle was a little too loud for his young ears.

It was a beautiful day to sit outside and enjoy a ride.

Fun times!

Rylan Turns 3!

Blowing out the candles!

Rylan loved the diggers we found to decorate his cake. He was so busy playing with them he didn't even eat any cake!

TOOLS GALORE! Now he can really help Daddy out.

First Day of School!

It's back to school time! Emily and Alaina had a great summer and have been excited the last couple of weeks to start school again. They went back on the 1st. Emily is my big 3rd grader. Alaina is now a 1st grader which means she is gone all day. Its a little quieter at my house during the day now. The are both enjoying their classes and teachers, but were counting down the days to the weekend this morning.

A Puppet Show

The girls put on a puppet show last week. They set up Emily's room, adding extra seating and used the crib mattress in the closet as a stage. Grandma and Grandpa were invited up at 7:00 to see the show.

Emily and Alaina did the first show which was all to a script that Emily composed earlier that day. Lila and Alaina did a show next that I believe was all ad lib.

and the exciting conclusion . . .

10 Years Together

Friday, August 14th Ryan and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful God blessed me with such a wonderful husband! He has to put up with a lot from me, let me tell you. We plan on many more years together so I hope to improve as a wife as the years go by because he deserves a lot better.

All dressed up for our big day!

And here we are in the present. A little older, a little wiser and so happy together!

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!