Ladies and Gentleman This is as Ghetto as it Gets

Lala bought us tickets to the Kelly Clarkson concert for Erin's B-day. It was a blast. All 5 of us girls were together for the first time in over a year. I got hooked on her music when Lala burned me a run cd and I was listening to a fun song. Found out she was Ms. KC and have loved her music since. The best line of the concert was when she introduced a song and said "Ladies and Gentleman this is as ghetto as it gets."

She could sing. What a blast. It was perfect weather.

It has been raining the last few weeks. You would think we live in Seattle. Shay, D and I prepared for the muddy field. I was so glad we had a galoshes. Nice and toasty.

When the concert started the clouds were breaking and we had a double rainbow that went right over the back of the stage. It was so awesome.

Last Day of School

So I am usually a week or two behind on the blogs. School has now been out for a week and summer has gotten off on a busy note. We have already been to Lagoon and enjoyed the sounds and sights of summer. But I just wanted to take a minute or two and praise the teachers we had this past year at Freedom Elementary. They were wonderful and worked very hard to make sure that Abbie, Madi, and Preston had a wonderful year. I can't thank them enough.
Abigail was so excited. She was beyond ready for kindergarten. I love this pic. She is so cute.

Ms. Clark was awesome. Abbie enjoyed going to school and learning to write, read, and how to be a social little butterfly. Ms. Clark was very patient and very loving. Thank you for allowing Abigail to spread her wings and become a better person.

Mrs. Wall was incredible. Madi struggled with a few things throughout the year but Mrs. Wall helped us get through it. I am so proud of Madi. She had straight A's or A+'s the whole year. It was awesome. Madi would not have made it if she didn't have the teacher she had. She was so paitent and always had an open ear for Madi. Madi knew that if she needed a friend or someone to help her Mrs. Wall was right there. She was the best thing that happened to Madi at school. I cannot say enough. Thank you for everything you did. We have been very blessed that you came into her life when you did. We are very sad to see her transferred to another school, but another child will be blessed.

Mrs. Eddy was amazing. Preston was able to let his imagination fly. There was no limit in her class. She let Preston go beyond the sky. He would come home all the time with new art projects, and drawings. She was always encouraging him through poems, storytelling, and art. It was awesome to see his mind be open and free. He enjoyed her so much. Thank you for encouraging him and helping him to be better.

It was a great year.

P.S. Preston had been crying because he was sick that day. I took him last day to get his year book and a pic with his cute teacher. He was bummed he missed the last day.

Seattle

Over the hills and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go. Literally. For Memorial Day weekend we drove to Seattle and stayed with Chris' mom. It was great. The kids said it was one of the best vacations they went on. We went to the beach, saw a movie, went to an awesome zoo and aquarium; but most importantly just hung out and had fun.

The kids having dinner. Very rarely do they get ice cream, but what the heck. WE ARE ON VACATION!!!! YAHOOOOO!!!

I promise Luke does have more shirts. He always seems to be wearing the one that says "my parents are exhausted." So very true. Oh well, we will find him a new shirt.

The kids basking in the sun. Suprisingly it did not rain one drop in Seattle. Surpirse, surprise.

Luke and Abbie loved the water, and the beach. It was so awesome listening to the excitement in the back of the van as the kids saw the ocean for the first time. We had so much fun. I could live by the ocean, but I would truly miss the beautiful snow.

Amy, Chris' sis came down for a couple of days. She lives about three hours north of where Kathy lives. We had a blast with her. Thanks for coming. The kids loved seeing her and hanging out with her and Panga. She looks so good and is doing wonderful. I just want to take a sec and tell her I am very happy for her and the choices she is making in life. Way to go Amy. We will help you in anyway we can.

Preston, Mads, and Abs enjoying the beautiful view.

Seaweed on a stick anyone?

Our first trip to the beach. What fun it was. I loved watching the kids run along the edge of the water discovering new life. They had so much fun.

Red Robbin on the pier. That's right no seafood. Burgers for the Tylers. Chris was a good sport. He let us eat our regular and gave up the chance to eat seafood. Love ya.

Luke was so excited he found this beautiful shell with Aunt Amy that I let him keep it. It was the only one we found in one piece that didn't look like a clamshell.

Preston and Dad skipping rocks. Love that picture. They spent a long time trying to see who could get the most skips. I loved that they were doing something together and laughing. Not many more months with moments like these. It will be a long time before this happens again.

Overall it was a great time. I had a blast. The kids loved every minute. Chris was happy to just get away. Thank you Kathy for letting us crash at your place. Thank you for being a great hostess and Oma. These memories will last forever, and it is exactly what the Tyler family needed.

Sunday DInner

While we were up in Seattle I was able to see some fam I haven't seen in a while. It was great. Cousin Deb offered for us to come have Sunday dinner with everyone. It was great to see her and Mike. I can't believe how big their kids are getting. I was also able to see Aunt Colleen and Uncle Pat. Jorelle also came with her husband and three adorable kids. It was great. The dinner was wonderful, but the company was even better. Thank you Debbie for the great evening. (Sorry about Rainbow Brite, but it was the only pic we had of you looking at the camera.)

Sam is the cutest boy. Prest had a wonderful time with him. Thanks for giving Preston wrestling tips. GO UTES!!!

Megan is absolutely beautiful. I remember when she was a beautiful baby with lots of hair. It's funny how time flies and you don't realize how much people change when you haven't seen them in a long time. I got to enjoy my cousin Jorelle's baby girl. Her name is Ava and she is darling. She was so happy and sooo much fun to talk with. I love babies.

My Aunt Colleen. She is a wonderful lady. I have always looked up to her and the many wonderful things she has accomplished in life. She is a wonderful business woman who has had many great adventures. She is always happy and the life of the party. I love the stories she would tell me of my dad and his many adventures when he was a child. It's a wonder him and some of his siblings ever made it past childhood. She is married to a wonderful man who cherishes and adores her. But most importantly she has always made me feel loved.

Three little boys loving ice cream and cookies. YUM YUM!

Ben (Jorelle's litlle boy) made sure he got the last of the ice cream. He is so cute.

Mollie, Mads, and Abs enjoying the beautiful weather. They had a great time together. Madi loved that there was another girl her age.

Jorelle and her husband Andrew, and their two boys Nathan and Ben.

Aunt Colleen and Uncle Pat.

Two angels.

Debbie thank you again for the wonderful time. I appreciate so much the effort you put into this and getting everyone together for me. Preston still is talking about his wrestling matches he had with Mollie. The company was wonderful. It was a great way to end a perfect weekend.

Pikes Place

Pikes Place is a wonderful place to visit in Seattle. Chris and I, along with Kathy and Amy took the kids Saturday afternoon to downtown Seattle and Pikes Place. It is pretty much an open market of everything you could possibly imagine. Four levels of shops and stores all around. I love to call it one giant flea market. Soooo much to see and do.

We were finishing up our sight seeing and I loved the sign right over our heads. It was such a beautiful day.

There are so many neat shops. This map store had some awesome maps in their display windows. This map is made of sheet music. I wonder if it was played what the song would sound like?

These puzzles are fascinating. I have never seen puzzles in the shape of a globe.

There is a fish market famous for throwing the fish. That is one of the highlights of the market. This worker just caught a fish that was thrown about 20 feet to him. I don't know how they hold on. The place smelled soo lovely. Here he is throwing it back.

I feel soo bad for Chris. We were around all this fresh sea food and no one eats but him. I offered to buy him some but I don't think it looks to appetizing. Plus I don't think the fish look happy to see us. They remind me of the fish in "Bedknobs and Broomsticks." Bobbin' along, bobbin' along the bottom of the beautifu brimey sea.

These crab legs are massive. Although I don't know how big they should be, 'cause I won't eat 'em.

Lobster anyone?

The other favorite of the market is the fresh flowers. Rows and rows of flowers. They are absolutely gorgeous. I loved all the colors. Someday my garden will look this colorful. Right now it's just brown with a little weed for color.

Absolutely gorgeous.

The kids loved the candy store. I don't know why but it was a hit. Luckily we didn't spend too much. I have never seen jaw breakers that big. I had one when I was about 11 that was the size of a racquetball. These were about the size of a softball. I wonder how many licks does it take to get to the center of the jaw breaker?

Abbie loves candy and anything sweet. I am so glad she didn't want this bear. How much chewing does it take to get to the center of this bear? I bet the dentists love this store.

Overall Pikes place was a great adventure. The kids were wonderful. We had a blast. I can't wait to go there again when Chris gets home.