The Singing Soccer Mom

Christmas Break 2009

2010-01-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

I guess a post every 6 months isn't bad, right???

Emily attended her friend, Molly's 11th birthday at the ice rink just after winter break began.

Emily and Molly were racing on the ice and Emily took a spill, splitting her right eyebrow open.

A trip to the hospital was followed by 9 stiches!

She's doing great now - you can hardly see where the stiches were!

A few days BEFORE the fall with her friend Regan at their 5th grade class party.

Some of Emily's classmates at their holiday party.

Lake Meridian 105 degrees!!

2009-07-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

Jared had me take his picture in front of the thermostat so everyone could see it was a record breaking day in Seattle - 105 degrees.

Steve, Ryan and Emma

Emily's friend, Molly

Ryan's best friend, Tate, jumping off the boat

Ryan

Molly, Emily and Jared

Tate and Ryan

Emma and Ryan

Ryan and Tate

Jared doing some kind of funny dance

Getting a "thumbs up" from Molly

Cath and me enjoying the sun

Ryan, "Daddy, can I take the car in the lake?"

Steve, "Let's see if it floats" (as he throws the toy in the water) "yep, it's good".

10 minutes later the car sank.

Molly and Ryan

Three cuties

Emily and Molly

and Emma

Jared trying to dodge a photo

Ryan "driving" the boat

Emma and Cath

WOW

GO MARINERS!!

2009-07-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

Steve explaining the game to Emily.

Ichiro getting ready to bat.

HOME RUN!!

Steve, Emily (with pink hat) and Ryan.

Doin' the Mariners dance!

What is it this time Jared?

Fourth of July at the park!!

2009-07-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

Emily and Grandpa

Emily and her friend Emma

Ryan soaking my chair (and me) with water.

Eating cherries

Skagit Firecracker Soccer Tournament

2009-06-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

The bright blue bus Jared and his team ride on

with all their names and numbers painted on the windows.

Ryan getting a ride in the wagon looking for Jared's playing field.

Go #7!!

Jared's got the ball!

2009 June Swimmin' in the Rain

2009-06-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

Jared and his friend, Zvia, wondering what to do with their towels, since it was raining. I told them to leave the towels in the dressing room so they'd have a dry towel when they were done swimming.

Not sure if they should get in. Will it be hot or cold?

I told them it was a heated pool, guess they didn't believe me.

FINALLY, they're in!!

The boys were chasing people around trying to dump a kiddie pool full of ice on people.

Here they had just chased their 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Kearney. Luckily she escaped!

2009 Emily's Solo Trip to Georgia

2009-06-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

Last week Emily flew to Georgia - ALONE - to visit her cousin, Gracie, in Georgia. It was hard for me, but I'm OK. She is calling us once a day to tell us how much fun she's having. The day after she arrived her auntie Susanna took the kids to Six Flags. They have a waterpark there called "Skull Island" and they all had a blast. After they were done there, they went back to the house and swam in the community pool until dinner! She's having a GREAT time!

Matching outfits!

Best Friends!!

2009 June My garden

2009-06-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

2009 May Rainier Youth Choir performance at Kent United Methodist Church

2009-05-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Emily auditioned for and joined the Rainier Youth Choir a little over a year ago. She enjoys singing in it with her friend, Olivia. Here are a few photos from their last concert.

Emily, a friend who's name I can't remember, and Olivia.

During her performance someone pulled the fire alarm and everyone had to leave the building until the fire truck came and gave us the OK to go back in. It was a LONG concert!

I recorded a few songs from the concert, but I don't know how to post them from Youtube
onto my blog. Here are the links:
The first two are the same song, but the video cut half way through.
Remember this is dress rehersal so the conductor is talking in the middle of the songs.

- Grandma, I thought you'd enjoy watching these! Love you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZPVGLb1-ec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrC883g4eUY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH-1K_nzyJ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7voLnE4jFk

The Amazing ELVIS!!

2009-03-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

For Steve's mother's 70th birthday I convinced him to dress up as Elvis and lip sync for her. She loved it! I think it was the highlight of the evening. Steve really hammed it up. I have it on video, but I can't get the video to download. Sorry! You're really missing a show!

Two haircuts in one week

2009-03-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

Emily cut her hair about a week ago. She wanted to donate to Locks of Love.

This is Emily's hair the day before we took her to get it cut. She donated 12 inches of hair.

Here is the new haircut from the back. (The pictures are out of order, oops)

And here's Emily with her cousins, Erin and Kelsey. I'm finally used to the new style!

Ryan decided to give himself a haircut too. I left scissors out upstairs and he found them and as you can see he has a new hair style too. He told Grandma Carma he had to "fix it better".

Dirk comes to town

2009-02-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

My younger brother, Dirk, came for a visit a few weeks ago. We were glad to see him.

The joke is we haven't seen him in so long that Jared forgot what he looks like.

He and I had a great heart to heart and stayed up till midnight. Love you TLSG!

My strange family

Oh look, they do know how to be "normal"

Crocodiles in Belize

2009-01-24T19:13:00.000-08:00

In Belize we saw crocodiles in a small bay on Ambergris Caye. Some local boys attract them with chicken tied with a string. They ask tourists for "tips" for the show. One of the boys throws the chicken out into the water and pulls it back to entice the crocodiles to come to shore.

Here is one local boy feeding the crocodile.

Christmas morning 2008

2008-12-25T21:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from the Lewis Family!!

Here is Steve getting the lamb ready to go in the oven.

Emily with her stocking

I love gum!

What else did Santa bring me?

"Whoa! I got gold coins mom!"

Look what else I got - gummi life savers!

And gum!

"Hey, I got an orange!"

Maybe something else will fall out if I put it on my head.

I'm not quite ready for Christmas - I need to stretch.

The pose before the break through!

I want my presents NOW!!

Ryan asked Santa for Geo Trax

Emily got a some American Girl things.

Jared concentrating on opening a Santa gift.

Just what every boy wants, clothes and books from Santa!

Putting on the American Girl outfit.

Race cars

"Cool"

A thank you not from Santa for the cookies, milk and carrots.

A special present Emily wrapped for Grandma Carma.

Christmas with the missionaries!

2008-12-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

So, for Christmas this year we had dinner with Carma (Steve's mom), the Brown's and the missionaries. Dawn was ready with some activites before dinner. She challenged the elders to a gingerbread making contest - kids (and Dawn) against the elders.

YOU decide who won!

On your mark . . .

Get set . . .

Go Dawn, Go!!

OK, I think we need some more gum drops over here and less candy sprinkles on the roof.

More decisions.

Elder Wood with the missionaries final creation. Who won? The Elders or . . .

the kids?

Emily posing for a picture in her new shirt from Santa.

Jared and Dallin in the front yard attempting to build a fort.

The Lewis' and the Brown's

Here is our Christmas card hall of fame (Grandma - your card is in the upper left corner)

For Christmas dinner we prepared a traditional New Zealand dinner of garlic and rosemary roast lamb. Unfortunately I forgot to buy fresh rosemary. This summer I grew an herb garden on the back porch and just for laughs I went out to see if I had anything growing (yeah right, under 5 inches of snow).

Low and behold there was my rosemary growing right in the middle of winter!

Our lamb dinner was saved by a Christmas miracle!!

Emily's Christmas pictures

2008-12-24T22:14:00.000-08:00

A White Christmas!! 2008

2008-12-24T21:28:00.000-08:00

Steve's office building

Jared at his friend Valen's house building a snow fort on Christmas eve day.

Emily and her friend Brianna.

Our house

2008-12-20T22:17:00.000-08:00

Our house in the snow

Snow drifts at the front door

Snow for Christmas.

2008-12-20T21:35:00.000-08:00

We went on a "night walk" with the entire family. This is Jared and Steve in the backyard during a "flurry" as Jared calls them.

Ryan loves the snow. His snowsuit is the best, it keeps him dry and warm. He was running ahead of us on our walk because he had so much energy. The rest of us were freezing!

Ryan decided to "snow plow" down the back deck. Watch him go . . .

Steve leaving me a snow note.

After the night walk.

Ward Christmas Party

2008-12-13T17:28:00.000-08:00

Ryan at the ward Christmas party. He was having way to much fun!
Tate came in and chose to be a shepherd, so guess what Ryan chose to be too?

Two cute little activity day girls angels.

The Christmas card photos of 2008

2008-12-09T21:54:00.000-08:00

I joked with my friend Margaret that this day was a photo fiasco. I asked Jared to change into a shirt and sweater so I could take a picture for our Christmas card. First of all, Jared hates changing clothes and he really doesn't like picutre taking either. So I had Emily and Ryan taking DARLING pictures and Jared over on the side frowning or looking serious. Here are the results:

I almost sent this picture out to everyone!

This was a close second.

We have a winner!

A Crazy, Funky, Junky Hat

2008-10-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

Jared's 11th Birthday Party

2008-10-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since I updated my blog (March was the last entry). Dawn, this is for you!!

These pictures are from Jared's 11th birthday party. He had some of his close friends over - Dallin, Connor and Randy. Jared doesn't like birthday cake, so he always has icecream cake instead. Here is Steve lighting the icecream birthday cake.

Jared didn't want to have his picture taken. So I got a half smile.

Oh, boy! It's time to blow out my candles!!

Maybe it would work better if I blew them out with my NOSE!! (gross!!)

Not very happy because his friends blew the candles out before he could think of another creative way to blow out the candles!

Dallin and Jared horsing around

A late picture of the icecream cake (with knife already in it)

The boys eating cake. I'm not sure what Connor is doing. . .

The evening got pretty crazy. Steve let the boys take turns melting their icecream cake with a lighter. This is Dallin taking his turn - can we say pyro??

Below is Connor taking a turn. I left the boys with Steve for one minute and when I came back the boys had stuck ALL the candles (about 15) in one piece of cake and lit them. They tried roasting all kinds of things over the fire - marshmallows, candy, cookies . . . whatever they could find. Then Steve dared them to eat it! They did!! I didn't get a picture, too bad!

Trip to the Redwood Forest August 2008

2008-08-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

Jared and Emily spotted slugs in the Redwoods. They were yellow and really gross looking.

We camped at Jedediah Smith State park. Here are the kids climbing rocks near the river.

The largest tree trunk we saw while we were in the redwoods.

I was worried they were going to fall off.

Snow in late March?

2008-04-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

March 28th it snowed in Auburn, here's a picture of the house.

Ryan in his snowsuit. He's three and a half.
Emily in her snowsuit.
Jared with, surprise, no jacket! How did that get by me?
My mom and Emily after playing in the snow.

Pippi, I mean Emily

2008-04-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

Emily wanted to know how her friend go her hair to stick out like Pippi Longstocking at Halloween, so I showed her how it works! Then she fixed Auntie Kerri's hair to match hers!

Ryan and Poppi

2008-04-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

Ryan loves to help Poppi in the greenhouse Smile! (poppi's growing lots of tomatoes)
Digging in the dirt - a favorite pastime
Back to the house

Easter Morning

2008-04-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

Easter Morning

Jared is looking for his Easter basket . . .
Found it!
Emily's was in the dryer, hiden behind a pile of clothes.
Emily with her newest Webkinz animal "Cutie Pie" the penguin

Emily in her Little Miss Auburn dress

2008-04-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

Emily suggested this pose

2008-01-22T00:05:00.000-08:00

Well, I started this blog because some of my friends had blogs and it seemed like a fun idea. I'm not very good at updating it. I'm going to try to be better and at least make an entry once a week. Kerri, when are you going to get one?? I have gotten some good ideas for layouts from a few of you.
Emily just joined the Rainier Youth Chorus. I have been waiting three years until she was old enough to join (you have to be in 3rd grade). She's only had a few practices, but she tells me she loves it! She is also a "Little Sister" in the Miss Auburn Pageant. It's the preliminary contest for Miss Washington. All the Auburn contestants are assigned a "little sister" (only 3rd grade girls from the city are invited to participate). Emily had to write a personal letter to the board stating why she would like to participate in the pageant. You can see all the contestants at this website: missauburn.com Emily's big sister is Libby Spangler. She is a very nice young lady. The contest is Feb 1 & 2 and Emily is dancing on stage with the other little sisters to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". I'll post photos when I have some.
Jared is playing indoor soccer and attends Cub Scouts. Tomorrow night is the Pinewood Derby. He's so excited for it. Steve and he sanded and painted the car tonight. I'll try to post some photos this week.
That's all for now.

2008-01-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

This is how the native Belizian's live in San Pedro . . .

He has no shoes on

There are no steps or patio that this door opens to - it just drops off the side of the house -

see the gate inside the door to keep the children from falling

Paul and Deanna in the golf cart driving through puddles

Pirate Steve! ARG!!

"Yo, ho, ho and a Pizza to Go!"

The menu says "All main dishes served with rice and beans or white rice w/ stewed beans and coleslaw. Served from 11am till it is gone"

Clothes hung out to dry

Sunset

A can of Pringles and a bag of chips - our treats for the day

Paul, Steve and Beth on the beach

2008-01-07T14:20:00.000-08:00

Steve and I at a restaurant in San Pedro, Belize

2008-01-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

Large iguana sunning himself on a rock 1-6-07

2008-01-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

Master bath upstairs

2008-01-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Master bathroom upstairs

2008-01-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

Back deck, photo taken looking west, lagoon to the left

2008-01-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

view from lagoon side of house looking east

2008-01-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

Front view of house Jan 2008

2008-01-07T14:12:00.001-08:00

Living room, sliding glass doors to the right look over lagoon

2008-01-07T14:10:00.002-08:00

Living room, front door to the right sliding door to left

2008-01-07T14:10:00.001-08:00

Downstairs bedroom looks out back of house to lagoon

2008-01-07T14:09:00.001-08:00

Kitchen

2008-01-07T14:07:00.002-08:00

Downstairs bedroom which looks out front of house

2008-01-07T14:07:00.001-08:00

Master Bedroom upstairs

2008-01-07T14:06:00.000-08:00

2008-01-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

Another view of our villa in Belize Jan 2008

2008-01-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

This is our villa in Belize. It's north of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye (pronounced key)

2007-11-28T09:55:00.000-08:00

Jared with his zoo animals and helping himself to some icecream age 3

2007-06-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Baby Emily with her bottle and her baby

2007-06-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

2007-06-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

I finally caught him!! 1996