The Q Family Adventure!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Proud to be an American!

Independence Day is tops on my favorite holiday list. It is funny, I grew up a military brat, having to stop and face the flag at 4pm everyday when the national anthem played throughout the base as all things came to a screeching halt to pay honor to our country. I grew up with a dad in the military and married a man in the military. The funny thing is, I really had no appreciation for the freedom we have or the pride that should be in every single citizen of this country like no other. That all changed when I had Michael. I'm not sure why, except that maybe becoming a mother makes one more sappy all around. But I cannot listen to our national anthem, or any other patriotic song without being moved to tears(except maybe Yankee Doodle!). I cannot glance at our flag without being filled with pride. I am so proud of my husband, father, brother, and many friends for their service to our country! I truly love America. I am scared for her right now, but love her greatly. I love the parades, services, fireworks, BBQs, gathering with friends. I love it all! I was sad to miss my favorite service of the year at Charleston Baptist Church. I know exactly what went on as it is the same every year and I was there in spirit. (If anything changed this year, please don't tell me!!!).

We went to my good friend Danielle's house for a BBQ on the 4th. We had such a great time. The weather was beautiful, the kids got wet(and stayed wet!) and messy(and stayed messy!) and we all had such fun. When we got home last night, all of them crashed without even a peep! That is an amazing feat! They wore themselves out! I forgot my camera at the house so I didn't get a picture of the family dressed for the Independence Day service at church. By the time I got the camera, the little ones had found a left over puddle from the day before and got soaked. That's okay, we'll be patriotic again soon and I'll get a picture then!

Abby

Josh

Josh LOVING the slip and slide!

Josh and Michael

Sarah playing in ice

Sarah and Abby

This is what my little angels found in 30 seconds flat! TROUBLE!!!!!!
I love how little Michael is looking on just knowing that trouble is coming!

Abby and Josh

Sarah

Josh and Abby

Uh-Oh, wet pants are hard to pull up!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Just for fun!

I thought I'd share these real quick. I've just been playing with my editing tools a little, who knew they were so much fun!!! I don't have much time, we are in the throws of potty training 2 little girls and they cannot be out of my sight for long, but here's my fun pictures!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

More pictures!

Michael and Abby, watching the big bike race!

More bubbles!

Sarah says, "Follow me!"

Abby takes time to smell the flowers

Two little pony sprouts!

Sam gathering rocks and shells at the beach

Sarah is on a mission

My boys

Sam

Abba with his girls

looking for crabs

If there is any doubt that God exists, this should clear it up!

tossing rocks

Josh makes his way home!

Gone Camping!!!! (And pictures to prove it!)

Wow, it has been a long time! However, there is a great explanation this time! We have been enjoying the great outdoors where internet does not exist! We found out on Friday that Marvin had Saturday-Tuesday off. He put in leave paperwork in weeks before but it was lost until Friday, so we really didn't think it would go through. But it did. So, we packed up the camper and headed out of town on Saturday. When I say that I laugh, because we headed to a campground about 30 minutes away from our house! Good thing as we would quickly learn! We got to the campground at about 2pm on Saturday and started setting things up. Marvin connected everything while I set up the carpet and chairs and put bikes, kids picnic table, and toys out. I heard something running and thought it strange, so investigated. It did not take much investigating, however, as I stepped in water just inside the front door. GREAT! I yelled to Marvin to cut off the water while I figured out what on earth had happened. While driving, the stopper had fallen into the sink in the bathroom just right and the water was on. So, when Marvin connected the water to the camper, it started flowing, and with no drain, it flowed right out onto the floor in the bathroom and down into the kitchen. We have a Shop Vac for just a time as this, but I had taken it out of the camper to make room for 5 little camping chairs. So, I sopped up as much as I could with towels while Marvin drove home to get the Shop Vac. Thankfully it was cleaned up easily once we had the right tools! We were parked by a family that had 2 boys that were 7 and 5. Perfect! They all played together on the loop next to our campsites and had such fun! We ate dinner, made a fire, and had smores!!! Yes, I know that is not part of our diet plan, but we were camping and it is just not official until you eat a smore! The kids crashed early as they had no nap that day, they were SO tired. We woke to a cold cloudy day on Sunday. We had brought all our church clothes so that we would not have to go home on the way. We made it there just as the rain started. After a great service, we made our way back to the camp where the sun had decided to shine again! We had fun playing at the park and taking pictures. The boys were sad that while we were gone, our neighbors had packed up camp and gone home. It was shortlived though, because we made another fire and my boys do love fire!!! On Monday we woke up to beautiful sunny skies and decided it would be fun to be tourists for the day. We set out and crossed the Hood Canal Bridge and up the Olimpic Penisula. We went to the very northern point up in Port Angeles. We parked and walked around, ate some really good food at a local restaruant and then headed back home again. We just hung out, had dinner, and(what else?) made another fire! Sarah got stung by a bee while putting her hand into the neighbors' electrical box, after being told no and spanked several times for it. Let me just say, natural consequences work wonders as she would not go near the box again the rest of our time there. Her poor hand swelled up, but she was more upset that it was hard to use it to be her usual busy self as the actual pain. After more marshmellows, it was off to bed. Tuesday we got up, packed up and headed home. It was so nice to be away from the internet, tv and Wii and be able to reconnect as a family! Can't wait to go again!

Bubble time! No, this is not camping attire, we had just returned from church!