Christmas Children's Choir

Brynn and Blake both participated in our church Christmas Presentation this weekend. Brynn had her first solo ever. She did a great job and we are very proud of her. Blake participated in his last year as a member of the Pee-Wee choir. Watch out big show...he is ready for you next year.

Sister House Tour

Yesterday for Columbus day Ryan and I went over to see the house in Sisters. It is just about finished. Just needs some final touches and carpet and countertops. I was hoping this would be a good way to share the house with family by putting here on the blog. Excuse the very bad commentary throughout. I thought I was being helpful, when really I was just annoying.

Preschool Graduation

Blake graduated from preschool yesterday. What a big day for him. He was so proud of himself and we were very proud too. At the beginning of the year he didn't even want to be at preschool. A few times he ran out of the class in order follow me to the car. By the end of the year Blake would run into the class in order to be the teachers "first customer." It was a great growing up year for the little guy. He is ready for the big Kindergarten next year.

Blake's New Clubs

Mom and Dad bought Blake a big boy set of golf clubs and they carry like a backpack. He is very proud of them and has had the opportunity to try them out twice now. Here is a shot of him walking to the driving range sporting the new set. That boy just loves to do anything that involves sports. Thanks Monie and Bapa!

Dance Recital

This is the big weekend. Brynn has been working all year for the performance at The Historic Elsinore Theatre. Here is the video of The Grand Ballroom. Notice the lovely costumes. Each group had pretty elaborate costumes. Good job, Brynn!

Awesome 3000!

The much anticipated event for our family "The Awesome 3000" happened on Saturday. Blake has been "training" for this event for the past 6 weeks. This means running - because The Awesome is a race. So he has been running in the house, running with me and the dogs and running everywhere he can. He even had to run around the shoe store to make sure his new running shoes were "fast enough." Brynn hasn't been running as much, but she has P.E. four days a week and they do a lot of it there. Anyway, the big event came with new tee shirts and a trip to Bush Park to meet up with 3000 other kids for the big race. Brynn's event was with the first grade girls probably about 200 of them. We checked her in for the race (which she sort of panicked and looked at me a little worried) and went to the grand stands to watch. They did some warm ups in the football field and then lined up for the shot gun start. I kept worrying about whether or not she would be too hot in her sweatshirt or not. She started the race and then was out of site. After several minutes some of the girls started to return for the track. We anxiously awaited our Brynnie. Then after about half the girls were in, Brynn came a running in carrying her sweatshirt. She was running so hard. She crossed the finish line. Yeah! We were cheering for her and so proud of her. Blake's race in the preschool division was a little different. He just had one lap around the track to do. Apparently they let the parents race with them. He told me that he didn't want me to run with him because I "was too slow." So in a huge pile of people we made our way to the start. Another shot gun and he was off around the track. I ran to the finish line and didn't even see him run or cross it. Therefore no pictures of the little guy. He was too fast, for mom. His comments to me after the race were, "that was too short - I wanna run far like Brynn did, I fell in a bunch of kids and got up and kept running, a guy pulled my arm (don't know what that was about)." Anyway both kids are really proud of their meddles and had a very great morning. We were proud parents and loved every minute of watching our kids.

The Dairy Farm

It was back to the dairy farm with Blake and his preschool class. When I say "back" I mean I had been there with Brynn a few years ago and now it was Blake's turn. They had really improved there little tour. This year the tour included feeding a baby calf a large bottle of milk, watching the milking of the cows and a hay ride. Much to our shock one of the mommy cows in the nursery area was about to give birth. They called the kids over to watch the baby cow come out. There are three boys in Blake's class and all of them were very into watching the cow. The girls however were very grossed out by the process and were crying and covering their little eyes. The one thing I was surprised by was how BIG the baby cow is. Wow! It looked very painful for the mom to deliver a large black lab size cow. Crazy . . . and this has brought on lots of questions about how the mom got the baby in there and other things. I guess it is a good life lesson. Anyhow, the Dairy was fun. Hope you enjoy the pictures. I unfortunately don't have any of the actual birth. Too gross for me!

Grandma's Yard and Seattle Fun!

Space Needle Lunch
Grandma's Yard After




Grandma's Yard Before

Spring Break has been filled with lots of fun. Our family went up to Seattle. The first few days were spent in Grandma's yard doing a overhaul of the front area. You can see the before and after pictures (before pics were taken at Christmas time). Anyway, it looked really bad before. Mostly weeds and moss. We had two yards of bark and two yards of dirt delievered (actually a hard task in the city). They were on the sidewalk when we got there. Ryan proceeded to crack the whip and tear out the old lawn, haul dirt, go to Lowes three times, plant plants, haul bark, rake, sweep, wash and we were done in half and day and few hours the next day. We figured this project would take us two and a half days. But, not with the speedy Dempsters. Grandma was very pleased with the results and hopefully it will be little more low maintance for her. Now she wonders what to do with the "parking strip." We told her next year! Sunday we had lunch at Ryan's favorite spot. The Bay Cafe on the fishermans terminal. The breakfasts are huge. We also enjoyed seeing the fishing boats. Very fun! Sunday night we had a very fun dinner with my very pregnant highschool friend and husbands. It was so good to catch up. I am very proud of who she has become and look forward to hearing the stories of mommyhood from her. Monday was a highlight when the Dempster family went into space. The Space Needle that is. Believe it or not Ryan married a Seattle girl and never had even been to the Needle. We had a great time having lunch in the rotating resturant. Very fancy and the kids couldn't figure out if the floor or the wall was moving. We loved the scenery and the food was yummy. After lunch we met Monie and Bapa at the Woodland Park Zoo. It was cold and rainy, but still very fun. We followed it up with coffee at Starbucks of course. Tuesday another Seattle touristy day. Monie met us for a ride on the Monerail, Pikes place (Ryan's first time once again - sorry Ryan!), lunch at Cheescake factory and Westlake mall. The kids enjoyed looking for Penny press machines for their new collection. Dinner was with friends and we stayed the night at the Condo this time. Whew! What an adventure, but a fun Spring Break (and it's not over).

While Mom is At Women's Retreat

Daddy did a good job taking care of the kiddos while I was gone. The house was even clean when I came home. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband who loves me and the kids so much. Here is the proof they didn't just play video games and eat pizza.

Presidents Day in Leavenworth

Too much coffee.
Snow Bunnies

Golf carts and two feet of snow. I don't know Dad!

Sledding Kids - All by themselves.

We spent a fun filled four day weekend in Leavenworth for Presidents Day weekend. Our family invited our friends and neighbors the Cafferatas to enjoy a weekend in the snow with us. They are a family that love the outdoors and so earlier in the year we asked if they would rather come sometime in the winter or summer to the beautiful area where my parents live. They wanted to try the winter. It was a great weekend for the kids because they were finally old enough to sled out in the backyard without having a parent out with them. Their parents enjoyed watching them in the house from the window with endless coffee bar (thanks mom!) and all sorts of goodies that we shouldn't have been eating. The kids also loved swimming in the indoor pool, although as usual a lot of their time was spent in the large hottub because they were "cold." My dad even took them on a snowy golf cart ride (thanks Bapa) with a trailer in tow so all the kids could have a ride at the same time. They loved it. The scenery was beautiful and and the company was sweet. What a great weekend. Next time we go up there it will be 90 degrees and sunny golfing time. Amazing place!

Golfing With Dad

It was a nice afternoon so the boys hit the driving range. Here is a shot of Blake "warming-up." I wonder where he learned that! It is really cute!

Hula Hooping Girl!!

Here is our amazing Hula Hooping Girl. Please push play to watch this amazing 6 year old hula. She has been practicing and practicing. We hear her Nana was pretty good in her day also. Maybe the talent runs in the family.

Both Teeth!

As I promised a picture with both missing teeth. Finally!!! This one came out in a hamburger.

Blake in his Post-Christmas Program

Due to the snow, the preschool Christmas program was post-ponned. So today we went to watch the Christmas program. Blake was really cute singing in the little choir. He was also asked on the microphone what he wanted to give Jesus for Christmas and he told everyone "a Christmas tree" and proceeded to walk off the stage with his hands in his pockets. He looked just like his dad. Very cute. Thank you to Nana, and Great-Gram and Gramps for coming to watch. We are so proud of our little boy!

One tooth gone one to go!

Brynn lost a tooth tonight. The poor little tooth was hanging by a string, and dangling around in her mouth. It was pretty disgusting. As a mom I didn't know what to do because I did not like to get my teeth pulled either as a child. I think I did the same thing until my mom was so grossed out she forced me to pull it or else. I just waited. The little tooth turned brown and then black and then dangled there. Lovely. But, it is over and she was sooooo happy the tooth fell out. It is tucked safely under her pillow as I type this. The only bummer is the other front tooth is starting down the same road. It is very very loose and by tomorrow it will be dangling I am sure of it. If you loose your tooth at school they send you to the office and you get a tooth necklace. I think she is holding out to loose it there for the free gift. We all like free gifts though don't we. I can't wait to have the picture on here with the missing two front teeth.