Westin Begins Kindergarten!

Well, the day arrived...Westin started school!  I was pretty nervous for this day, but fortunately it went well and has been going well since.  He got a great teacher, Ms Atkinson, who is so patient and sweet.  She says he does pretty well, and just needs a few reminders here and there to get back on task.  He loves recess, of course.  I LOVE hearing all the little songs and jives and poems he learns. 

 At his desk.  We all went in to his class the first day.

 Before we left the first day, the teacher started a book.  Westin is up front...already distracted.  That's ok.  He is just as much fun and sweetness as he is a ball of multi-directed energy!

Jade in Ballet

Jade took a month of ballet classes in August.  She was so fun to watch.  She is quite dainty.  The above picture is the tooth fairy dance and she loved the little wands.  She did really well and lots of fun in ballet.  I think I had just as much fun just watching her!

 Jade and her friend, Mia.

Visitors from New York and London!

The first week of August we got to have GG and Papa Wayne in from NY, and Izzy and Aidan in from London, stay with us!  It was a fun filled week of Bounce U, Johnny's Incredible Pizza, tons of swimming at the clubhouse, Sunsplash, eating, and enjoying each other's company. 

 Izzy and Papa Wayne battling at Johnny's Pizza

 We took the cousins to get a picture taken and it turned out really well.  I'll have to add that in later.

 Westin and Aidan...partners in crime.

 Bounce U

 Benson always had a spot on GG's lap, or in her arms in the pool.  She kept him well entertained at the house too.  It was great to practically be baby free for a week!  Gail even had Wayne take me to lunch one day, while she watched all the kids!!!  Thank you Mama Gail!

 Westin, Aidan, Jade, Uncle Bruce, and Izzy at Sunsplash.

 2 compadres...chillin'

 Hanging out at home.

 Izzy getting some laughs from Benson.

 Benson getting love from his GG.

 Gail cooked a bunch of yummy meals.  Jade got to "help" here.

 Wayne, getting a moment's rest.

 The boys, temporarily glued to the TV.

Spiderman.  I mean, Izzy.

It was a sad day when they all left.  We had a week to remember.

WA Trip, Part Two

Also while in WA, we had a great visit with the deWitts!  We had such a great time, that I did a horrible job of taking picks, but snagged a few cute ones.  The kids had a great time running around and feeding the chickens, playing with the dog, eating, and playing with squirt guns.  It was so good to visit with Leona and Anneke, but we missed seeing Marieka.

 

We visited with some of the Kanooth cousins, and got to see Rachael's piano recital!  I'll have to throw in a picture of that later.  She did great!

 Becky and Steve stayed at Mom and Dad's too, so it was extra exciting at the house and the kids had constant playmates. 

 Another highlight was getting to see Steven be baptized.  Westin totally looks up to Steven, and enjoyed this night.

 Cute kids sleeping.

 Aunt Lairen and Benson

WA and Seaside Summer Trip, part 1

This year's family trip was spent at Seaside, Oregon.  We had a great time.  The kids LOVED the beach, the cousins, the pool at the resort...everything!  We had a great time as well...thanks Mom and Dad!  Picture taking was sporadic and blurry at times, but for our record, here are some of the better ones.

Westin and Jade could spend all day at the beach and this year Jade loved the water and looked so happy running around in it.  It was so fun to watch.  Westin loves to dig around in the sand and I love how focused he can be on his sand play.

One of the days we drove up to Astoria, where we took the group picture at the top, and went to the Astoria Column.

It was the best watching the cousins play together!!!

Benson did pretty well.  He was intrigued by all the activity.

 

The crabbing trip.  They had a good time, and we all ate some tasty Dungeness crab.

 

 

 We spent a morning walking around Seaside...cute beach town.  We got salt water taffy, and hit up the bumper cars.  I took Westin...he was scared and I couldn't stop laughing (not at him, at the craziness of bumper cars.  I held him tight, he was fine)!

 Benson got some great time with Aunt Andrea.  Wes and I even got to swim with the kids at the pool, while he played with Andrea.  Thanks Andrea!!!

 Grandpa and Benson

This picture cracks me up...Benson was tired and hungry and I was neglecting him (not really!), so Grandma took him and was empathizing with him.