Christmas in July

Since none of us were able to make it home for Christmas last year, my mom decided that it would be fun to have Christmas in July when we could all be together. Then is morphed into a gag gift Christmas and my mom supplied all the presents. It was way fun and we had some good laughs.

Thanks for the fun, Mom!

Scotty being Scotty

Tori

ReNae opening her fantastic present

Lexi

Miss Hailey

Andy enjoying the fun

Good times

A nose soap dispenser (it comes with green soap!)

Cool sunglasses (with rear-view mirrors)

The family

What we are really like. :)

We had an awesome vacation and can't wait to do it again next year!

Point Defiance Zoo

As a child we always went to the Point Defiance Zoo and I still love it. B seemed to enjoy it and I hope to be able to keep going back every year.

Watching the seals

Andy's favorite exhibit

Brooklyn's favorite part was the play area.

Checking out a giant seashell

Photo op in front of Mt. Rainier

Our beautiful zoo

4th of July

We always plan our Washington vacation so we are there over the 4th of July. The weather is usually perfect, and there is no place like the view from my parent's beach with fireworks going off all around. We love it! This year Andy, Brooklyn, and I went to the parade in Steilacoom, which is the small town where I grew up. It is still an adorable little town and seems like a really great place to raise a kid. Then we met back up with everyone for an evening of fun.

Being funny at the parade

The view from Steilacoom

Little Brandon just hanging out

My cousin Ripken

My cousin Kennedy

B enjoying the rocking chair

Andy playing with his marshmallow shooter

Me and Victoria

Me and Brady

Victoria, Mel, and Brady

Hailey

4th of July Family Pic

My dad enjoying the beautiful water

Gorgeous sunset

My dad got this genius idea to try and make sparkler bombs.

We are thankful everyone is still alive. :)

Ferry Ride to Seattle

We took the ferry to Seattle one day, enjoyed the waterfront, and had dinner at the Spaghetti Factory (another family tradition.) Then some stayed for the Mariners game and some went home. It was a great day!

A little windblown

Cute

Enjoying the ride

Almost to Seattle

The Emerald City

Brady and Addi on the carousel

Brooklyn LOVES the carousel

Frisco Freeze at Wright Park

It is our family tradition to stop at Frisco Freeze (greasy, fantastic burger joint) in Tacoma every time someone flies in or out of the Sea-Tac Airport. We flew in too late and had to head straight to Spokane for a work conference, but we were able to go when Brandon flew in. It was fun to eat our delicious food and watch the kids run around and play.

Miss B showing off her puppy and backpack

Little Brandon just hanging out in his car seat

My sister Victoria, my dad, and my mom

B learning to roll down a hill

Andy and Brooklyn rolling in the grass

My brother Scott and niece Addison

My brother Brady

Niece Hailey

B looking cute for the camera.

Mom and Brooklyn

Brady and niece Layla (she found the markers at the children's museum)

Addison and Victoria

Brady and Addison

Miss B enjoying a flower

Mom and Brady

My daddy

My brother, Brandon, and his daughter, Alexa

Addison and my sister-in-law, ReNae

Tori

Brady