tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216009992012-02-16T20:16:01.098-08:00charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.comBlogger2971100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-90347838118152613412012-01-03T10:33:00.001-08:002012-01-03T10:33:18.770-08:00

 a family of robots built by this guy.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-69097635758192595062012-01-02T15:00:00.000-08:002012-01-03T10:29:56.786-08:00

 They decided to have a tea party.  The aerial shot.  The photographer-is-being-irreverent-by-taking-pictures-during-the-prayer shot. The awwww shot.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-90802498752943466282012-01-02T10:11:00.000-08:002012-01-03T10:11:22.641-08:00

 We made a layered chocolate cake for Grandpa Bagley's birthday. The kids always like to eat the rounded cake tops that get cut off the top.  This time we fancied it up.  Ooh-la-la! Happiness is a mouthful of chocolate cake. Am I right?

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-36219091901632157012011-12-31T10:02:00.000-08:002012-01-03T11:06:03.431-08:00

 We got sick a lot during November & December. Luckily, it all went away and everyone was healthy in time for Christmas and all the celebrations that go along with the holidays.  There were Christmas concerts complete with homemade drum mallets. Recipe: 1 wooden spoon, 1 stuffed animal + 1 rubberband = awesomeness.  The holdiays meant a break from pre-school and first grade. But it

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-19150627557345666352011-12-25T11:54:00.002-08:002011-12-25T11:59:35.407-08:00

Pre-Christmas Nativity. Christmas Eve.  Christmas Morning. Christmas After-Glow. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-91669257827505175312011-12-12T11:22:00.000-08:002012-01-03T11:43:08.364-08:00

I Love You Up and Down Side to Side The camera was set up on a tripod one day. Afton got the remote and took a few pictures of herself when we weren't looking. This is a few of the shots we found on our camera. Vertical & horizontal just because I couldn't decide between the two.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-76429442692731359812011-12-09T17:11:00.001-08:002011-12-09T17:18:46.601-08:00

It's been frosty, frosty since we woke up yesterday morning. Makes the world white and beautiful. Made 25 banana snowmen for Eli's pre-school snack. Idea stolen from this site. After pre-school we took the extra snowmen out to experience some real frost. Skewering grapes with our friend, Mia! After everyone came home from school & work... ...it's gingerbread house

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-67248084746056199752011-11-11T12:10:00.001-08:002011-11-11T12:11:40.683-08:00

Afton: I love milk. I love it more than water. Eli: If you love milk then you have to marry it. And then he will spill on you at the wedding because he has no lid on.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-1365432707590039102011-11-06T12:07:00.000-08:002011-11-18T12:34:28.728-08:00

reid  We took off again this weekend. We wanted to see what Camp Zarahemla looks like when it's not covered in snow. It was beautiful. the view at Camp Zarahemla inside the cabin clear creek falls we took a scenic route home. it was well worth the extra time. mount rainier national park snow!!! mount rainier in the background. reid was asleep in the truck

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-46305485663666295252011-10-31T12:00:00.000-07:002011-11-18T12:06:17.448-08:00

Tis the season to be SPOOKY The kids dressed up for Monster Math night at Afton's school. They dressed up again for Trunk or Treat at our church. No masks allowed, Wolverine. Afton was Storm from X-Men counting candy Too much candy. Storm crashed. But she was back at it again on Halloween night. Eli was a kangaroo with a joey in his pouch. And Reid was Robin again.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-89288558260050499812011-10-23T00:00:00.000-07:002011-11-18T11:47:42.687-08:00

This weekend we borrowed Grandma & Grandpa Bagley's RV and drove to Maryhill State Park. It sure is nice to be able to keep camping at the end of October, plus stay warm. We have visited the Park before and we've been to the Stonehenge Memorial at least twice. But this is the first time we have been able to go inside Maryhill Museum.  There is something magical about a good museum. This

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-60029328090528754112011-10-20T10:13:00.001-07:002011-10-20T10:13:59.252-07:00

Afton and Eli have been struggling with their health since last weekend. There have been a few days of missed school, a lot of coughing, and a fever or two almost every day this week. But they've still been happy most of the time. They have been pretty good sports about being sick this time.  We've been watching some tv.  We've been cutting and pasting and taping every scrap of paper in the

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-11272715783948641722011-10-15T21:00:00.000-07:002011-11-18T11:50:33.122-08:00

Afton woke up with a fever Thursday night. Two hours later, Eli woke up with the croup and could hardly breathe. Reid slept like a baby (a baby that sleeps all through the night) and woke up healthy and raring to go. So on Friday afternoon, Kirk took Reid camping  to Crow Butte State Park in Grandma and Grandpa's RV. To cut down on tears and overall sadness, they snuck out while Afton and Eli

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-84426504171495797012011-10-09T19:00:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:47:09.473-07:00

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-40185811240623833302011-10-08T21:00:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:36:26.229-07:00

Who says camping season is over? Not us. This weekend we went to Potholes State Park and stayed in a cabin. It had electricity and heat, but no water or appliances. We cooked and explored outside. We played with toys and knitted and slept inside.  We went for a little walk and it was just beautiful. A little stinky, but beautiful. walking off into the sunset Afton and Eli

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-48962274967259175412011-10-01T12:00:00.000-07:002011-10-02T10:27:09.237-07:00

Just browsing through some older folders on my laptop and came across some pics that we hadn't posted before. These are from a photoshoot Lindsay and Kristin did for me way back in June, I think. Love these pics. Love these kids.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-59497635389197687082011-09-24T09:17:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:19:50.826-07:00

I think this is the only picture of our campout to Hood Park in Grandma & Grandpa Bagley's RV. Kirk had a pretty miserable night sleeping (fever aches & pains) so we packed up and went home first thing in the morning.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-74873834549633557592011-09-21T11:36:00.000-07:002011-09-21T11:41:37.272-07:00

Reid Art from yesterday. More Reid Art from yesterday. He said, "Hou, Hou." over and over, so I cut a little house out of origami paper for him and he glued it down and markered it up. Eli Art from yestserday. I cut the house parts out for him and he did the rest. Afton art from a few weeks ago. Translation: When it is a sunny day I walk my chihuahua and plant a flower. The end.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-5619707975476107022011-09-17T12:00:00.000-07:002011-09-20T13:44:22.633-07:00

 Blueberry muffins + early morning bike ride + Indian Palace buffet + flowers and cheesecake + sushi, tempura and teriyaki at Bento + phone calls and birthday cards. It's a good way to turn 34.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-86308611730906484342011-09-08T16:00:00.000-07:002011-09-20T14:23:35.515-07:00

Sometimes they like to play in the garage while the mama is on the treadmill. This day they covered Eli's skateboard in blue chalk, and took turns laying on the chalked-up skateboard to push each other across the floor. Shirts came off and so did the chalk...eventually.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-30166577358877476032011-09-06T19:00:00.000-07:002011-09-20T13:14:21.030-07:00

Eli went to his first day of Pre-School today.  The mornings with Eli & Afton gone are so quiet.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-67990533161362607632011-09-06T12:33:00.000-07:002011-09-20T13:50:07.249-07:00

Labor Day Weekend = a trip to Canada. We pulled Afton out of school early and left town so we could make it to our campground near Kettle Falls, WA. Wrestling ensued immediately upon arriving. They made a rocket, or a train, or a rocket-train, out of the campchairs. Down by the reservoir. Talking on a rock-phone down by the reservoir. Playing with cameras down by the reservoir

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-21801810414144265952011-08-31T12:15:00.000-07:002011-09-20T12:15:33.747-07:00

it's a good day to make home-made salsa it's a good day for a walk

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-83345048507553689482011-08-30T22:32:00.000-07:002011-09-18T22:35:19.353-07:00

 Afton started 1st grade today.  The boys started learning how to play all day without her. Eli's latest invention. Everybody wants a ride. I think they had a good first day.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-19884458396034817962011-08-27T22:31:00.000-07:002011-09-18T22:31:34.429-07:00

Reid swimming at Memorial Pool. This is the first time he's been excited about getting in the pool. Usually we have to drag him kicking and screaming. And it's a fight to even get his swimming suit on him. But this was the magical day he decided he loves the pool. It was a little scary how fearless he was. He kept wading out clear up to his chin. Crazy boy. And the very next day we went to

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-19460204004257904482011-08-21T22:17:00.000-07:002011-09-18T22:18:20.395-07:00

 Bagley Reunion at Camp Kiwanis  Reid is kind of obsessed with money right now. Who knew a penny could be so entertaining!!

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-1071699805135818242011-08-18T12:08:00.004-07:002011-08-18T12:09:41.299-07:00

Kirk + Charith = this circus.  Year # Nine was good, good, good.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-18995312537122119042011-08-17T22:08:00.000-07:002011-09-18T22:12:00.004-07:00

Eli had a mole removed from his back. This is the poor guy all drugged up. He was so dizzy he couldn't sit up on his own. He did such a great job holding still during the whole process. I was really proud of him. It took about ten stitches to put him back together again. Happier Times...

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-10849551170925032602011-08-17T11:47:00.000-07:002011-08-18T12:09:14.234-07:00

It's that time of year. The visiting of family and friends... and a gazillion pictures. Enjoy! We visited Cache Valley for one night and stayed at the Perry & Ginger bed & breakfast. We hadn't been back to Cache Valley since we moved away three years ago. It was fun to watch the kids interact and see how much they'd all grown. {original picture found here} This was Axel & Afton back

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-9202543798548475842011-08-02T18:55:00.001-07:002011-08-02T18:55:29.102-07:00

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-33187918923206569472011-07-30T22:31:00.004-07:002011-10-20T12:00:53.402-07:00

Guess what we did this weekend? I'll give you one guess. We went camping. We stayed at two different campgrounds. First off was Riverside State Park, WA, near Spokane. Dirt boy, Reid. Fire kids, Eli & Afton. Reid, reading next to our giant camp chair. We found a great place to take a break on our hike. Someone else built this stick fort house. I think Reid was trying to make a boat or a

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-66285362639520582842011-07-27T18:33:00.045-07:002011-08-02T22:44:27.544-07:00

Afton's birthday started off with balloons and German Pancakes. Then off to swim lessons for Afton & Eli. We had to hurry back to get pizza in the oven and the slip n slide set up.  Afton had approximately 3 bazillion little friends from our church and our neighborhood over for lunch, cupcakes, and fun in the sun. There was always a line for the slip n slide. This year Afton wanted a cake

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-14531172669880824012011-07-27T16:57:00.005-07:002011-07-27T17:03:37.331-07:00

Six.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-1711758194881640722011-07-27T06:00:00.016-07:002011-10-20T12:01:31.339-07:00

Afton's birthday celebrating started early this year. Her Aunt Dewi took her shopping and Afton picked out this Tinker Bell skateboard. While they were out shopping, Eli was visiting the doctor. He's scheduled to have the mole on his back removed next month. I bet he would rather be shopping for skateboards. ☺ We picked all the ripe strawberries we could find. Hazel and Afton were squishing

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-14011290850918992772011-07-17T21:18:00.054-07:002011-08-02T21:49:59.842-07:00

Afton lost a fourth tooth at a restaurant while we were celebrating Nathanael's birthday. She also sported a butterfly bandage for a few days and then a regular band-aid for about a week. She hit her head on the same gate two summers in a row. Last year the wound was up in her hairline, but this year it's on her forehead. Who needs a growth chart? She just usest scars on her head to show how

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-69217413927379338672011-07-10T21:15:00.002-07:002011-08-03T07:56:37.913-07:00

 Dry Falls Lake on July 8, 2011 We camped at Steamboat Rock State Park The laser light show at Grand Coulee Dam. July 09, 2011  Hiking. What you can't see are all the mosquitoes. And there were a lot.  A field of cans. ??? A field with a little shack. You can see the roof almost buried in the weeds. Swimming at Steamboat Rock State Park. The playground at

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-40531947826814615682011-07-05T20:36:00.004-07:002011-08-02T20:43:47.535-07:00

Stuff we did July 1st through the 5th.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-67918034151236759372011-07-03T21:56:00.001-07:002011-07-03T22:00:08.697-07:00

Triathlon... Check. My favorite people in the world... Check. Cutest cheering squad on record...    Check. (Did you see it? They spelled GO CHARITH!! They made me a human banner!! Loved it, btw.) My luvah's arm around me at the finish... Check.Biggest camp chair I've ever sat in... Check. It was a good great day.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-72106115319526082792011-06-30T23:59:00.000-07:002011-07-01T13:06:04.664-07:00

---It--- ---is--- ---Cousin Time!!!--- Lots of swimming. Lots of water balloons. And everyone seems to be ridiculously happy... ...until it's time to go home.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-46967436895043747692011-06-26T12:35:00.001-07:002011-07-01T13:06:45.949-07:00

With Summer here and no school, we've been busy swimming... ...slip n sliding... ...and watching free movies at our local theater. At one point during the week I heard Afton shout for help from the other room. "I'm trapped! I need to get up, but I'm trapped!!" So I came running. Reid had fallen asleep on Afton's lap and she was stuck. I had to grab the camera for this one and by the

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-22339223564070223212011-06-19T12:18:00.001-07:002011-07-01T13:07:51.301-07:00

This week Afton had her last day of school. We got to visit Seattle so Kirk could go to a Dental Conference. Here's a view from our hotel. While Kirk was in meetings all day, the rest of us went adventuring. Here are the kids at Pike Place Market, watching the fish get tossed. The Monorail!! Reid was in choo-choo heaven. Eli was really excited to see the Space Needle. (Afton is

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-89034849728697416912011-06-12T11:14:00.056-07:002011-10-20T12:02:48.157-07:00

This week Afton had a Fancy Nancy Party at school. It was fun to see all the kindergarteners dressed up and sipping juice boxes with pinkies in the air. We started catching spiders at our house. We went camping this week to Lewis & Clark Campground. There was a little trail for hiking around the campsite. We did the whole thing and the kids didn't complain at all. They're getting to be

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-4914658031449172722011-06-05T10:48:00.052-07:002011-10-20T12:03:12.981-07:00

We've been digging the new truck. The kids want to go anywhere and everywhere in it. Charith had an itch to see the new Jane Eyre movie but it wasn't playing in the Tri-Cities so she rounded up a bunch of ladies and they all drove an hour away to Walla Walla to see the show. Summer is on its way and so is yard sale season. We found these cool little soldiers on a train at a neighbor's yard

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-5962876770554225162011-05-31T23:59:00.010-07:002011-06-01T09:58:33.591-07:00

May has been very good to us. This weekend we mostly stayed close to home. Monday, for the Memorial Day holiday, we had a barbeque with the Bagley-ites.Reid didn't make it to lunch.Then off to Ryan & Donna's to swim! Photo courtesy of Donna. Thanks!!And Kirk got an early Father's Day present. Or is it a late Mother's Day present? Since January, Afton has been going to a local weekly singing class

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-72314184105287921212011-05-29T21:47:00.001-07:002011-06-01T16:48:03.193-07:00

I've had a few people around here ask me about good places to camp. I'm not a local (yet) so I'm still figuring things out. But this was a great weekend trip that didn't require a long drive and we found a lot of fun things to do. Kirk planned it out for us. Here's the rundown.  A= From Pasco, we drove to B=Windust Park Campground where we stayed the night. C=Lower Monumental Dam was a good

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-33800433442653287232011-05-17T08:34:00.024-07:002011-06-01T08:57:14.080-07:00

This past weekend we headed off to Bellevue to see the Quinn&Dewi clan. On the way we stopped for a little hike at Twin Falls State Park.  Thank you, passer-by for taking our family photo! And this is the only picture we got of the "hanging out" in Bellevue. Oops, I need to take more photos when we're doing the cousin thing. There was lots of good food, good company and good times. We stayed at

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-58067106812760001832011-05-16T08:00:00.004-07:002011-05-17T09:00:49.512-07:00

 Steak and fries for his birthday lunch.  Presents!  We had a spaghetti feed at Grandma & Grandpa Bagley's house with all the local cousins and a pirate birthday cake for dessert. We hope this next year is a great one, Eli!!

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-14861044487424106842011-05-07T13:48:00.027-07:002011-05-07T15:04:32.162-07:00

This year, we took the kids to every park in Richland. It was a blast. In 2010, we went the parks in Kennewick. In 2009, we went to the parks in Pasco.Badger Mountain Community ParkBarth PlaylotBateman IslandBeverly Heights ParkBrookstone ParkCarol Woodruff PlazaChamna Natural PreserveChaparral ParkClaybell ParkColumbia Park WestColumbia PlayfieldColumbia Point Marina ParkCraighill ParkCrested

Kirknoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-85807672508062251542011-05-07T07:27:00.002-07:002011-05-07T07:37:53.241-07:00

His very last day of being three. Fresh cake tops for breakfast. (Blue, at his request.)

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-80681326233559656442011-04-27T14:16:00.000-07:002011-04-27T14:16:45.556-07:00

Afton lost her first tooth. And then she lost it. So the tooth fairy never came. Afton lost her second tooth just a couple of days later, but this time she immediately put it in a plastic bag so she wouldn't lose it. Last night she put the tooth in the bag on top of her pillow, "So it will be easy for the Tooth Fairy to find." And then she went to bed hoping for a "surprise." Surprise! A critter

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-68337347621495311562011-04-24T17:17:00.001-07:002011-04-24T17:20:20.123-07:00

 Since Spring Break we have been doing some exploring and biking and gardening and working... ...and playing. Yesterday we had an Easter Egg hunt at Grandma & Grandpa Bagley's house. Reid was the first one out of the gate. Happy Easter!

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-28559019842394290522011-04-24T16:35:00.003-07:002011-04-24T17:18:40.259-07:00

More pics from Spring Break...  We hit The Enchanted Forest and had a ton o' fun. The kids were a little freaked out by this entrance via the scary witch's open mouth.   On the roller coaster.   On the trains. Reid was nutto for this ride. He LOVED it.   There was a crooked man who had a crooked house... This was crazy. It wasn't a ride or anything. It's just a little crooked

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-26438381146328782822011-04-04T19:38:00.000-07:002011-04-04T19:38:05.292-07:00

 This is all the closer Reid would get.    While Eli couldn't seem to get close enough.   Can you spot the critter above Afton's head?  Underwater friends behind Eli.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-84609949836453148272011-04-04T10:20:00.003-07:002011-04-04T17:33:42.725-07:00

Being on the coast brings out the "Arrgh" in all of our little Mateys.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-42614375738526429062011-03-31T10:30:00.000-07:002011-03-31T10:30:46.928-07:00

 Some will be relieved to know that Soda Pop is just as good as water. We did a little experiment. It was very scientific. (ha.) We fed the grass either water or soda to see which was better for the grass. This is the before picture. We never took an after picture, so you'll have to take our word that the grass kept on a-growin' just as well with the soda. Feel free to use this study in any

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-47797967554199480412011-03-30T14:13:00.002-07:002011-03-31T10:31:46.278-07:00

Afton: Knock knock. Me: Who's there? Afton: What does spies wear to make themselves even more cooler? Me: Uh... Afton: They drink pop!!

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-36019802802185250092011-03-27T16:11:00.000-07:002011-03-27T16:11:27.605-07:00

Hope you had a great birthday, son.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-8337194834674202472011-03-25T08:59:00.003-07:002011-03-25T11:27:00.198-07:00

Our big birthday boy in a train-induced trance. Happy Birthday, Reid!!

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-83568684889496834652011-03-21T11:56:00.003-07:002011-03-21T14:35:19.337-07:00

This is what Eli learned to do last Friday. It was his first day without training wheels. Way to go, little man!

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-76666849964690913572011-03-19T22:30:00.001-07:002011-03-19T22:31:02.801-07:00

 It's true. Yesterday we learned that one of these sweet faces is that of a spy.  Zoom in. Enhance. You can see it in her eyes. It's Afton. She came to me before school yesterday asking for advice on what kind of clothing a spy would wear. After much thought and deliberation, we present the uniform of the 5 year-old spy.  Note the "hand-made" gun. Also, a secret spy camera which looks like a

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-10985802207265394162011-03-18T07:00:00.000-07:002011-03-18T07:00:05.102-07:00

If you wait until 0:06 you can hear Reid shout "Batman!" (You may need to use your imagination.)

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-9627533951181221332011-03-17T09:21:00.002-07:002011-03-19T18:09:48.540-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Pancakes

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-49116704912942635342011-03-16T16:06:00.000-07:002011-03-16T16:06:30.722-07:00

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-61218500678477141582011-03-15T14:17:00.001-07:002011-03-15T14:20:47.746-07:00

Discovering the first roly-polys of the season.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-54588860604822304362011-02-08T09:00:00.002-08:002011-02-08T11:10:36.551-08:00

He had gum in his mouth before church began. He did not have gum in his mouth when church ended.It only makes sense. Gum is a great tie-tack.With his pancake man.Reading to Reid.We sure dig you, Eli.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-40790794304189068032011-01-08T19:35:00.000-08:002011-01-08T19:35:57.720-08:00

We've been escaping to Camp Zarahemla lately. The cabins are cozy. We haven't been exactly roughing it, but the kids sure love the bunk beds. Right outside the door is a lake. Most of it's frozen, but white swans happened to be hanging out. Sledding. Watch out below! Reid, and his adult pair of winter gloves. Afton and Reid, staying warm. Heading back to the cabin. The kids assembled a Christmas

Kirknoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-56305049052047592272010-11-25T10:20:00.025-08:002010-11-25T11:08:48.089-08:00

No caption needed. Yep, watch out. Not quite so tough... This may be entertaining to only me. I put the leftovers of Eli's sandwich in a snack-sized baggie one day. Now he wants to save every scrap. And apparently he needs a giant bag to put it in. Oh, well. Waste not, want not, right? Idaho cousins came to visit!! Eli just loves baby Kamber. Nella, Afton, Reid, Eli & Kamber.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-35133555567171823482010-10-30T12:35:00.000-07:002010-10-30T12:35:36.448-07:00

It's costume time once again! From left to right, A Witch, Robin the Boy Wonder, Batman the Caped Crusader, Silvermist the fairy, and The Invisible Man. (You can't see Invisible Man. He's invisible.) Twirly girl.  Cutest Batman & Robin on the block!  Holy cardboard, Batman! How will he ever escape? (Can you tell we've been watching old Adam West Batman episodes lately?) Carving

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-49138277652967566962010-10-23T11:26:00.002-07:002010-10-23T11:28:37.748-07:00

For those of you who don't know Rishi, she's my older, wiser and very talented sister. For those of you who do know Rishi, lucky you!!  Well, Rishi and I have started a blog called Bridge Street where we talk mostly about sewing. Rishi and I live about 2,506 miles away from each other so our sewing blog is a good way for us to show each other (and the rest of the world) the stuff we've been

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-46224470385121616852010-09-29T10:11:00.000-07:002010-09-29T10:11:26.847-07:00

Bustin' a move while watching "So You Think You Can Dance."

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-4703146416506400972010-09-25T12:10:00.000-07:002010-09-25T12:10:35.687-07:00

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-55271410595950696432010-09-25T12:00:00.000-07:002010-09-25T12:00:06.252-07:00

This year, we took the kids to every park in Kennewick. It was a blast. We'll be working on the parks in Richland next year. Canyon Lakes Park Civic Center Park Columbia Center Estates Park Columbia Park East Gate Park Fruitland Park Grange Park  Hansen Park Hatfield Park Hawthorne Park  Horse Heaven Hills Park Inspiration Park  Jay Perry Park  John Day Park  Keewaydin Park   

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-17832016725336889022010-08-30T10:07:00.005-07:002010-08-30T10:29:33.246-07:00

Afton picked out her clothes and packed up her school supplies last night so she'd be all ready for her first day of kindergarten today. She was pretty excited. We took her to her new school and stood around the playground with her and all the other parents for about ten minutes. She looked ready for the day to begin already, so I asked her if she wanted me to stay until class started or if she

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-22949665713297830652010-08-29T04:08:00.002-07:002010-08-29T08:42:01.796-07:00

We headed to Southern California for the Allen Family reunion. GoogleMaps says it's a 20 hour drive from our house. It took us a little longer than 20 hours to get there though. We stopped in San Fransisco. We stayed one night with my good friend, Meredith. Thanks, Mer! We hadn't seen each other since Kirk & I got married. And we stopped in Hollywood before getting to the Allen family reunion.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-14432973541468112572010-08-28T17:14:00.001-07:002010-08-28T17:17:53.534-07:00

We needed a vacation from sipping sodas by the pool... and ballet class. So we went camping with the Quinns! There was a lot of playing in the fire. Roasting marshmallows. Roasting more marshmallows. And of course, eating them all. There were happy times... and sad times. There were dirty times, And more dirty times. Ick. I think Safira managed to stay

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-6632035208022301352010-08-20T11:32:00.002-07:002010-08-20T11:39:28.582-07:00

They have gone crazy and we still have 900 miles to go. I hope we all survive.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-49848446021756486382010-08-20T11:27:00.000-07:002010-08-20T11:28:02.036-07:00

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-15158043566467116332010-08-20T10:59:00.002-07:002010-08-20T11:57:52.074-07:00

More pics from Disneyland

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-2425267341355428372010-08-16T18:44:00.002-07:002010-08-16T21:28:44.426-07:00

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-58210161561411405362010-08-14T10:03:00.003-07:002010-08-14T10:19:52.955-07:00

Mount Shasta panorama. Lombard Street. Golden Gate Bridge. The kids are catching up on their rest. We had a fun time in San Fransisco yesterday. We stayed the night at a friend's (Meredith's) house last night after seeing some of the sights. This is Afton's interpretation of California. I'd say she's spot on. Palm trees, skyscrapers, water and sun. Happy days! For more pics, check facebook.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-29502363211637626382010-08-13T09:40:00.002-07:002010-08-13T09:49:22.206-07:00

Road trip panoramas. Trying out blogging from the road, using my phone.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-77142128180626893312010-07-27T20:41:00.001-07:002010-07-27T20:44:08.677-07:00

The castle cake Afton asked Charith to make. A party with some of her friends at a park. Opening presents in the evening with Mom and Dad. Reid boy. Eli. Since the wind was blowing at the park, we couldn't get the candles to light. We lit the candles when Dad was home from work, so she could blow them out. Dive in! A tired mom. Too much cake turns them into Gremlins.-Kirk

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-2626781246830990482010-07-10T06:00:00.003-07:002010-07-10T06:00:03.952-07:00

Afton looked at this picture... and drew this picture.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-86364971942557311612010-07-08T13:57:00.004-07:002010-07-08T14:40:19.021-07:00

 Mischievous kids with too many suckers. Eli had at least eight.  4th of July fun. Decorating cookies. I really need to make this boy a man-apron already. Playing in the little pool with cousins, Kate & Noah. Yesterday Afton was climbing up the ladder to the big swimming pool at Grandma & Grandpa Bagley's house when she slipped and fell off the top, hitting her head on the ground pretty

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-23182568085133450432010-07-01T12:47:00.001-07:002010-07-01T12:52:41.255-07:00

Give it a shot. Share your most ridiculous box pun. Okay, I'll go first...  I'm going to box your ears! (*groan* Puns are meant to be dumb.) Those gloves make your hands look a little boxy. Lovely hat, but next time try thinking outside the box. Winner of the lamest pun gets first prize. First prize is... um, the honor of winning first prize. And... go.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-86603458062999404342010-06-27T15:51:00.014-07:002010-06-27T21:00:01.530-07:00

We left Thursday afternoon for a little trip around Eastern Washington state. We drove through Connell and Kahlotus, and then stopped by Palouse Falls for a little walking around.We then checked out Lyons Ferry State Park and drove through Starbuck before setting up camp at Central Ferry State Park. We had taco salad and it was very good. As you can see, even Reid approves.Of course, we couldn't

Kirknoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-60273400856209968272010-06-23T13:25:00.000-07:002010-06-23T13:25:54.034-07:00

Getting wet. Getting dirty. Getting dirtier. Getting clean.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-81981380260552913612010-06-14T09:53:00.002-07:002010-06-14T10:12:12.815-07:00

Williams Lake Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge Critter in the water Can you spot the Afton? Hotel in Cheney Carousel in Spokane Spokane Falls SkyRide Riverfront Park in Spokane

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-7573149957481640412010-06-07T22:22:00.004-07:002010-06-07T22:35:50.220-07:00

The best nap he's taken in a week. Seriously.Afton: Eli, put your finger in my mouth and see what happens.Eli: Mom!!! Afton bit my finger.Seriously.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-61215008512717294362010-06-04T13:19:00.011-07:002010-06-05T07:42:25.694-07:00

In Leavenworth Skagit Valley Eli wanted to go inside this windmill so badly. But the sign says, "Employees Only." So sad. Beheaded. Reid is in the backpack. Deception Pass? I can't remember... On the ferry. Pretty sure Afton thought it would be a "fairy boat." I think she was a little disappointed that there were no fairies. Quinn & Dewi's balcony. Morning hikers in Bellevue.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-110255970788360062010-06-01T16:28:00.006-07:002010-06-01T16:58:49.986-07:00

We have had all these pictures sitting in a file waiting to be blogged about. Spring Break was awhile ago but these are a few of the images worth sharing... Afton getting frisky with a mural. Portland Zoo. A little walk up a dirt road in the middle of somewhere along the coast of Oregon. It was so green and lush and beautiful. And WINDY. We stopped to go for a walk in the forest because it was a

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-75589965674417490302010-05-09T21:46:00.008-07:002010-05-09T22:20:48.721-07:00

Eli has been asking if we could make an airplane birthday cake almost every day since we celebrated Reid's birthday in March. This boy was excited for his day to arrive. So this is the airplane cake he ended up with. That's a stick-figure-Eli piloting the plane. Holding a turtle present while posing next to his new Spiderman poster. He actually got the poster for Christmas but I just got around

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-69296328959049838652010-04-23T11:13:00.002-07:002010-04-23T11:31:20.932-07:00

Monday dinner consisted of two new Chinese recipes. Baked Cinnamon Meatloaf and an egg thing I can't remember the name of and am too lazy to go look up. Most delicious. Afton accessorizing with a utensil. Chopsticks are for hair, too, right? Speaking of hair...

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-30249033255592765932010-04-16T07:59:00.001-07:002010-04-16T08:01:35.810-07:00

It was a good sleep over.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-87647090178758695722010-04-07T11:25:00.002-07:002010-04-07T11:29:05.270-07:00

Afton's crooked smile (still a little numb) after getting some dental work done this morning. Thank you, Andrew!

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-86662862988968507432010-04-06T10:42:00.005-07:002010-04-06T11:57:03.416-07:00

This is what Eli wanted for breakfast. I'm surprised at how many he ate. Silly boy.And, heading out to the car this morning...Eli: I have feet on.Charith: You have bare feet?Eli: No!! Have MY feet on!

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-18844123916762741952010-03-25T17:02:00.009-07:002010-03-25T20:23:55.502-07:00

The Happy Birthday Boy. Happier. Happiest. Afton wanted to hold Reid. This is about the best shot I got. I think he's too big for her to hold anymore. *sniff* Kirk came home for lunch so we opened the presents from Grandpa & Grandma Allen. Afton and Eli were a little more excited about opening presents than Reid was. Reid, trying out a couple of presents. The overalls were made by his mama, and

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-73994372638424138692010-03-20T22:20:00.006-07:002010-03-21T14:13:31.125-07:00

Reid has recently discovered the treasures inside the kitchen cupboards, the punk.☺ So he got out a couple of pots. Afton helped him get out the rest. What can I say? I love this picture. Their "drumsticks" are just a blur. And Reid's face!My ears are still ringing.

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-57891105399814145362010-03-11T21:56:00.003-08:002010-03-11T22:30:03.299-08:00

Grandma and Grandpa Allen came to visit for a week! It was great to have them around. While they were here we went to the McNary Wilderness Refuge again to see if there were more birds to spy. We lucked out because while we were there we got to see some birds getting tagged. They even let Afton pet one of the birds. It was neat to watch them tag and weigh the birds and then release them. There

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21600999.post-86566873230453046302010-01-31T07:14:00.010-08:002010-01-31T12:23:39.604-08:00

Once Kirk was finished with work on Friday, the whole family hopped in the car with overnight clothes and enough food, and headed to the Washington-Oregon border. First, we drove through Toppenish for a quick view of the murals, stopped by Brooks Memorial State Park for a snowball fight and a brisk walk near the creek, and then checked into our hotel in Goldendale, Washington. We grabbed a quick

charithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001716100325081340noreply@blogger.com10