Mr. Gaudi dominated the art and archtiecture scene in Barcelona until he was struck my a tram in 1932. We saw several buildings he constructed and I'm convinced he was a genius.

we did night bus tour our last night and ended at the magic fountain for dinner and a show. BTW pizza cones are where it's at.

Lemonade Stand

Liam made his first Lemonade stand and it was serious business. He even made a list of all the things he needed and checked them off as he set up.

He made the signs all by himself and taped them on the table. I helped him make the lemonade. He was really professional and held back his excitement while whispering to himeself, "I've got to hold the cup steady and not over fill it" when he was preparing his first customers drink. After each purchase he would say, "Thank you for your business".

He made $4! Which has turned on the light bulb in his head spreading light on the fact that he can make more money selling lemonade than he does for doing his chores the whole month. "Cash" is his new favorite word. We may have created a monster.
"

Movies in the park

Our area parks do movies at night during the summer and they are always magical. I remember being a little girl and going to outdoor movies in our small town. But they were projected onto the side of a brick church building with the old film strips. Now a days they have blow up screens and sound systems. Some of the screens are bigger than theatre screens.

We watched "The Princess and the Frog" the other night and they had a jazz band playing new Orleans jazz and the kids ran around and danced and had a blast.

Imagination Station

Remember this guy from the late 80's, early 90's? He had a public access television show called The Imagination station". Now he tours the country and does Art camp for young kids.


Liam just finished art camp with Mark Kistler and here is some of what he learned.

I like the giant bowl of cereal with LIam jumping in.

Mark Kistler has a website with

'How to" videos for kids as well. They are funny and really easy for the kids.

going for a ride

marshmellow man!

Birthday cake with mouse hole, marshmellow with singing eyeball, flying pancake, and more marshmellows.

jet powered dinosaur

birthday surprise!

Camping at Mount St Helens

We went camping with Grandparent's Elton, The Mann crew and Jen and Ben.

I couldn't quit taking pictures of Anna and Kira. They were so cute together.

THey played "Chef" for most of the trip.

Kenna riding around..

These two were really into this gun.

Jen and Brennan making some dinner. Speaking of which, thanks for the dutch oven baked Brie Evan. Seriously good.

Inside the Denali

I love this one. Liam in time out. See how he doesn't makie eye contact.

We did lot's of riding bikes

..and some of us rode on what was available.

We made a really pretty drive to a look out across from Mt. St Helens. Liam, Brennan and Connor had so much fun being boys in our car. THey asked so many scientific questions about VOlcanoes and everytime we wet over a bridge we had to lift our feet. If you couldn't hold them up you would wake up with the Ogre under the bridges' curse.

My boy, who I am seriously going to miss as he is starting first grade this year.

We hit a few visitors centers with some interesting films and viewed the lookout. On the drive up it was amazing to see the mud slides and dead trees that are still there.

I love this shot of Heather and Evan making sure to include their littlest boy Merrick by holding the stroller up so he can see the view of the volcano. (which was covered in fog by the way)

It was a little bit cold at the top.

Here are Liam and Connor working out their feelings about all the people who died. Taking a comical stance makes one feel better about such tradgedy.

We all had a lot of fun and maybe we'll actually see the Volcano next time.

Me and my Shadow

This month I had to put down my very good friend Shadow. I've had her for 13 years and have much to thank her for.

I'll miss taking walks with you, I'll miss waking up with you after you snuck onto the bed.....

I'll miss washing marshmellow out of your velvety fur after you attempt to steal them off our roasting sticks, and I'll miss listening to you snore while E and I do projects together......

I'll miss cuddling with you and just in general I will miss you.