Halloween 2008

Visit to Cleveland

The kids and I flew to Cleveland last Tuesday and John joined us the following Thursday. We had a wonderful time visiting Papa and Grandma Barson. The kids also got to spend time with their great grandparents: John and Jean Barson and Rosemary Kelly. We were able to take some real neat photos of several generations. We enjoyed the Cleveland zoo were Sophia was thrilled to feed Australian birds called lorikeets. Everett loved the monkeys and fish. We also played at a few parks, where I chuckled to see Papa scoot down a large metal slide after Everett. Thanks to Katie for tolerating 'Dora the Explorer'! Also, thanks to all who made this visit happen. Sophia and Everett also appreciate their new clothes, toys, books, and talking critters.

Westside 8 2008

We visited a few friends last month over on the westside. We stayed with the Hubler's first and we met their newly adopted daughter, Sierra. Sierra was a great sport with my two trouble-makers. The kids met their Great Grandmother Marie (my dad's mom). We later stayed with Mike, Bridget, and Claire. We had fun at the Everett Children's Museum, feeding ducks, and a day at the beach on Whidbey Island. The kids and I also really enjoyed beach combing along the Puget Sound.

Sophia and Everett Bouncy Fun

Sophia and Everett were having a blast bouncing on the air mattress at Mike and Bridget's house. Poor Claire received the 'foot'end of a dismount gone bad but, she is a trooper and survived.

August 08 Pics

Everett and Sophia riding a tractor up at Greenbluff. We went to pick transparent apples and later made applesauce and pie.

Everett had lots of fun.

Here is me digging a giant hole to attempt to fix my mom's well head.

Didn't take long for the kids to figure out the new storm door. I popped around the corner to find them at work. Everett of course used what was nearby to climb up to the handle. He unlocked it while Sophia pulled the handle and 'ta-da' they had it swinging open!

Sophia is 'driving Mr. Drewby'. Sophia and her friend Drew are playing at the park.

Everett and Sophia were more than happy to help Gamma blow out the candles on her birthday cake. They also helped to eat the fudge frosting.

Sophia and Marie playing in the pool out back.

Boy were they tired from all the swimming and jumping.

Everett is feeding his monkey. He watches Sophia feeding her animals...so, monkey see monkey do.

Silly little turkeys!

Barson Grandparents Visit - August 08

We had a great visit from grandma and papa Barson in early August. John went on a camping adventure with Uncle Tom and Shane into the Enchantments, so I was happy to have help around the house. The kids loved visiting and I got some major chores done around the house. David and I stained the front porch and it took many of us to install a new storm door. Sophia got a brand new 'cherry' bicycle and Everett got a ride-on firetruck. The kids also loved swimming at the hotel pool.

Funny Pics from July 08

Sophia's kitchen set from her birthday. Everett loves the wooden eggs.

Looks like she is picketing or campaigning. This is the sign that the Living Water company leaves after they spray for spiders. She was having fun dancing around as usual.

Basket full of monkeys.

Smart boy dragged over the clothes basket, turned it over, and climbed up to check out the photos.

Sophia saw me wearing a toe ring and has always liked auntie Kim's toe ring so, she went and found one of her own rings and put it on. Too funny!

Sophia's slug farm.

Silverwood 2008

We spent another Pepsi day at Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho this year. The kids were moderately well behaved. Sophia was too frightened to ride most rides. Everett was super tired by the time we got to the water park. It all worked out in the end. We finished off with the carousel and a giant sucker. They were so tired that Everett fell asleep while we were packing the car...even before finishing his milk.

Cheney Rodeo and Friends

Back in July we enjoyed attending the Cheney Rodeo Parade. Sophia and her BF Marie packed away a lot of candy from the floats. They both had a great time. We later went over to Marie's house to play on the slip and slide.

Hoopfest and Friends

We had guests for Hoopfest the weekend after Sophia's birthday. John's old friends and roomates from CWU compete in this crazy 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Spokane. We had 7 people staying downstairs. It was busy but, lots of fun. The Mata's have a daughter named Gabriella who was right between Sophia and Everett in age.

Sophia and Gabby in the pool.

Everett is thinking about joining in.

Taking a break for ice cream in the shade.

We all went downtown on Saturday to watch the guys play a game or two. It was very hot!

Lisa, Sophia, and Gabby try to stay beneath the shade tree.

Guys playing a game on the court.

Gabby was a good sport for putting up with Sophia being a little older and Everett being a little younger. We all had a great time visiting.

The Day After the Party

There were an extra two buckets of dirt left over from the party so the kids had no problem digging in on the next day.


Everett basically carried his bucket around and nibbled for an hour, not wanting to throw in the towel.

"Haaa Haaa Haaaaaaaa! I will eat it all!"

Once again, Sophia got a little messy face because she thought Everett looked so silly with his dirt all over.

Literally climbing up the wall.

Sophia's 4th Birthday

Sophia enjoyed spending her 4th birthday with friends: the Cleary family, Loroz family, Gamma, and the Hagala family (long-time friends from Tacoma).

Marie and Sophia taking a swim before the eating frenzy. The pool has made it a full year...thanks Auntie Katie...this was a great birthday gift!

I made Sophia a lemon cake with raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting.

I also make some pretty cool dessert favors (at least I thought they were awesome). "Buckets of DIRT" with a layer of bedrock on the bottom (chocolate cake), a layer of frosting above that (hard-pan or caliche...accumulation layer in a soil horizon), and a layer of 'dirt' (pureed oreos and vanilla cookies) equipped with gummy worms. They kids ate it with mini shovels. Now doesn't that sound tasty!

They were a hit.

Grant gave a thumbs up for the worms.

Out of all the children, Everett was the only one to actually finish his. It took him two sittings but, he did finish. Like I said, he loves chocolate.

Sissy got a 'Go-Go Girl Dance Studio' and brother got a truck.

They loved all the fake food and utensils to go with their new play kitchen (photo to come soon).

Sophia received a lot of really neat gifts from friends and family. Thanks to everyone who attended the party and sent gifts for the birthday girl. Here she is checking out the new outfit from Auntie Kim and Lynna.

Her she is on her actual birthday wearing a new outfit from Auntie Katie and the Spaghetti Factory. She loves the myzithra!

Pics around the House in June

The kids are enjoying chocolate popsicles after swimming in the pool.

Everett LOVES any form of chocolate. As you can see...

Sophia thought it was fun to be a little messy too.

Now he is off to squirt his sister.

Sophia loves picking off the slugs and snails from my shrubs. I have had to overcome my dislike for touching the slimey buggers. I genuinely want her to respect all creatures...and yes, that means slugs. We usually collect a batch and place them in a bowl with lettuce (from the fridge). Later, after bedtime...mommy gently places them in the compost bin...

They love hiding out under this weeping, flowering plum tree.

Gamma and Everett.

My friend Kim Whipple sent an awesome care package and this "paint-you-own-birdhouse' was in it. Sophia waited so patiently until brother took a rest to paint it her way. Thanks Kim!