Hanging with Shelbi and Dancing

Shelbi is Shane's twelve year old sister. It has been so much fun spending time with her, Jessi, and Grandma Debbi. Shells loves spending time with the boys playing games and doing crafts. Shells spent time making bouncy balls with the boys just the other day. She even babysat for us so we could get some time together a couple of weeks ago. She is so sweet and she is such a good dancer. She competed in Seaside, OR a week ago and placed in first. She has even introduced the boys to dancing. Elijah and Seth go to a beginning Gymnastics class every Tuesday night followed by Elijah going to a preschool dance class that involves beginning Jazz and Ballet. Their instructor is Joe and he is amazing with the kids. He calls his class Joe-nastics. The boys are learning so much.

Visit at the Park

Rosie had her first attempt to visit with her biological father, Erik, at the park. She was so excited to see him, but felt a little uneasy after she saw him. I completely understand because she is away from what she's used to and in a different living situation right now. I have seen this so many times where the children feel so confused, unsafe, and just want something that they're used to. She is doing so well and she knows the situation is only temporary. I am so proud of her. She had so much fun with Jenn and Seth playing that she didn't want to leave.

Rosie and Seth had Jenn pushing them on the swings for a long time. Jenn and I had a fantastic time playing with the kids and we saw Margo for the first time in a long time. I didn't do very good about getting pictures of Margo or Erik which was the whole point ..... but that's okay.

It really is so sweet to see Rosie and Seth become such great friends. I love Rosie's pose because she was play fighting. I love it when you see little boys playing house or princess with the girls or girls playing super hero or fighting games with the boys.

Jason was a gentleman cowboy at the park that day. It was so funny to see him do cowboy mannerisms and complete with hat, boots, and lasso. It was so adorable.

Rosie Posie Coming to Olympia

Rosie came to live with Grandnan and Grandaddy on the first of August. Rosie is my sister Tammy's daughter. It has been so nice to spend time with Rosie again. She misses her brother Maddox, her daddy Corey, and especially her mommy.

Tammy loves to play with Seth. She always calls him 'my friend' when they are playing and 'your son' when they're fighting. They ask to see each other every day and love to play dress up, race, take baths, and of course EAT together. Mary is always there to follow them around and try to mimic everything they do and we always try to get them to include her. It tough being the little big girl.

Rosie and Seth love to swim around in the bath and take turns going all the way under the water. Rosie always says, "I don't want any of these toys. I don't want them. get these toys out of the bath. She is really so adorable and sweet. She is well behaved and loves learning.

July Dahmen Family Visit

This is my wonderful sister Dorthy. Dorthy is my big sister that thought of me as a pain in her side growing up. Jenn and I was terrible for her when she had to babysit, we used to spy on her with her boyfriends, we would make jokes about her and her various friends and boyfriends, and we would never let anything 'go'. It has been so nice to get to know her more as a friend in the past ten years. I absolutely love my brother in law, Greg. I remember when Dorthy came to visit Olympia and she was so excited about this guy that was so much fun. She talked him up and I trusted her judgement, but I thought there would be no way he was as good as she was saying. I remember asking to see a picture and saying, "Wow! He is so good looking!" I was not even surprised because my sister is gorgeous, but I had to say it anyways. Dorthy, I love you and I am so excited to see you so happy.

It was so much fun spending time with Dorthy, Greg, and the new baby boy Nick. He is just precious! Nick slept a lot, whimpered a little, and when he talked it sounded like a kitten meowing. I loved the relaxing weekend we had.

Greg is so much fun. It was nice to see a man's man be so playful with his nephews and nieces and be so careful with his son. Greg thanks for being a wonderful husband to my sister. She really deserves a good man like you to have great times with. Just remember that all of the moodiness after a baby isn't her fault. We, as mothers, have to train to not go crazy with the new responsibilities and lack of sleep. I am just speaking from personal experience even though Dorthy didn't seem that bad when we spent time together.

My family really enjoyed your family and I can't wait to see you guys again whether we come to your place or you come to Olympia.

Jason's Baptism

Jason is my little brother who has been such a wonderful blessing in my life. Jaybird celebrated his baptism just a few weeks ago. He recently celebrated his ninth birthday on June 11, 2008. He had been holding off getting baptised because he just didn't feel ready. We are all so proud of your choices Jason. Joining the church is an amazing decision and I am grateful to be there on your baptism day. I didn't have my camera at the baptism, so here are some pictures from the after party at Charlies Safari. Here is Jason with Jay Jay in one of the bounce houses.

Elijah is always happy to be spending time with Jason. They had so much fun playing laser tag over and over again.

Seth had a blast going down the slides and playing in the bounce houses. Seth also loved playing games to win tickets. He won the most tickets out of the three boys.

Baby Mary just couldn't get enough bounce house fun. She is so daring and strong that she kept getting away and climbing up the bigger bounce house slide by herself. It was so much fun to spend this special day together.