first shoes

Zeke's been "officially" walking for about a month now. He got his first pair of shoes on Saturday. We're working on getting a video of him walking but he's refusing to perform...

back to school

Jonah was so ready for his 2nd year of preschool. He actually started school a week later than Annie and we had a few hard mornings as he sobbed and sobbed because he wasn't going to school yet. He also felt a bit left out when his sister got her long list of required school supplies so we got him a new Star Wars backpack (or "packpack" as he calls it) for school this year. He loves going to school and is such an independent little guy. He marches right in with his class without even looking back, loves his friends, and wishes he could go every day instead of just 3 days a week. He's already talking about kindergarten.


Off to 2nd grade! Annie, once again, landed in a great class with a terrific teacher and a lot of her friends. She still loves to ride the bus and is excited to start Brownies this year. This is her first year with homework and she likes doing it, though she is quite the perfectionist which means it can take quite some time to complete. She loves to read, enjoys math and is all about art. She even lost a tooth the first week of school - swallowed it during lunch!

escape attempt

We're still working on all the pictures from our trips. To tide over everyone who is waiting with eager anticipation, here are 2 pictures of Zeke on our trip home. He alternately fussed/cried/screamed pretty much from the Oregon border until we pulled into the driveway. We stopped in Gig Harbor so I could nurse him (again!) and give him a little break. While we were waiting for Joel and Jonah to return from the bathroom I let him crawl around on the sidewalk. It was clear he was trying to escape the impending return to his car seat:

things said, annie edition

Elizabeth: "What was your story about today in VBS?"
Annie: "Ummm....about 3 women who started a church."
Elizabeth: "Oh. Did you have a Bible story, too?"
Annie: "No, not out of the Bible. This really happened."

Annie: "Mom, you are lucky!"
Elizabeth: "Why's that?"
Annie: "Because you have an iPhone and there's an app for just about everything!"

seattle staycation

We had VBS at our church in Seattle a few weeks ago and James and Cristie were generous enough to let us stay with them for the week so we didn't have to ferry back and forth. We had a fabulous time...the kids were in heaven with the trampoline, tree house, water guns and of course, Tim, Micah and Brendan. The week went by way to fast. We're all wondering when we'll get to visit again.


Zeke ate watermelon (and everything else in sight) virtually non-stop.


Tree house + trampoline = hours of fun.


Trying to beat the heat.


Zeke turned 9-months and got his standard cake from Joel.


Annie v. Micah

things said

Elizabeth: "Jonah, tell me what happened today at VBS."
Jonah: "It was about the jungle and blah, blah, blah."

catching up

We have 3 weeks worth of pictures and a couple of trips to blog about...Seattle, Portland, Beverly Beach, Cannon Beach, Annie's birthday...IslandFive has been busy. Today will be spent making the 3-tier it's-not-a-wedding-cake-it's-a-birthday-cake cake for Annie's party tomorrow. More on that later. For now, here are some pictures from her birthday.

We planned on spending 2 nights in Portland for her birthday and maybe going to the zoo or science center. But, after a surprising case of the flu for Annie & Jonah the day before her birthday, we wound up driving down on the morning of her birthday instead. That didn't leave us too much time to do things but she didn't seem to mind.


We're still having a hard time believing she is actually 7 and will be starting 2nd grade in just a few weeks!


The much anticapted Chrissa doll. Thanks to Grammy & Grampy who chipped in to help us get her!


The one thing she wanted to do was mini-golf. Unfortunately, it was 97 degrees with no shade while we were golfing, so after 3 holes she wanted to go home! Luckily, the fun center had plenty of food and video games in an air conditioned oasis which made everyone happy.


We think they are pretty cute.


She was so excited to do the super trampoline...she's been talking about it ever since she went on one at Whistler 3 years ago!


Jonah was a little unsure about it. He was also completely red and dripping sweat when he was done!