Fun Times in Olympia

Grandpa and his helpers! Grandpa is so great with the kids-this weekend he took them on a "walk" that lasted over an hour and had all four grandkids hiking through the hills around Summit Lake! As the hour got later and later, Grandma decided to go looking for them (she was concerned that the kids did not have proper warm attire on:)) and as she was driving on the lake road, here comes Grandpa with Gianna on his shoulders, Kaden in his arms, and Nick and Dom right behind him from the woods of Summit Lake-they had gotten off of a trail and were making their own! They all piled in Grandma's car and the boys LOVED sitting in the back with no seats! Such Fun!

Gianna can't wait for Baby Cash to "come out!"

Uncle Dan was very pleased that Gianna would let him hold her!

"I da boss" she says! (and she really does try to convince Dom she is!)

While all of the parents were out partying the night away and celebrating Jared's new film, Grandma and Grandpa had the grandkids dying Easter eggs! Thanks mom and dad!

Opening Fishing Day at Summit Lake

Does this smile say it all? Dominic caught his first fish ever this weekend, and then caught two more as well!

Nick, the seasoned fisherman, caught SEVENTEEN fish over the course of 2 days! AMAZING!

Grandpa and Uncle Jared helped to get all of the fishing gear ready for big day!

Dominic did not want to leave Uncle Dan's side! Uncle Dan has been the "magic factor" in our boys catching fish!

Vinny was ecstatic that he caught five legitimate fish over the weekend! This was a big year for him in the fishing arena!

Nick's First Track Meet

Running for the long jump event

one of Nick's jumps...wow!

Proud Daddy!

Nick and his buddies

There was a lot of this (the above picture) at the track meet...chatting! Nick is quite the social bug-here and there-chatting everyone up!

We were able to go as a family to watch Nick participate in his first track meet of the year. He competed in the Long Jump and the High Jump. He thinks he would like to try a running event for the next track meet. He is only a fifth grader, on the middle school team. Nick goes to school in the Pioneer School District and it is a K-8 district. There were only a few fifth graders who were able to be on the team. We can't wait to see what he tries next!

Gianna's quote of the day...

"My budder (brother), he's awesome dude" while giving Dominic the thumbs up as we are driving to preschool this morning!

Fun in the Sun

The kids had so much fun this afternoon...admiring flowers, racing, drawing with sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles, racing, and playing in the sandbox!

Hunting for snakes

Snake hunters, yes we are!

We're gonna catch a snake!

Look! I think I saw something moving! RUN!

Dominic and Pryce spent much of their afternoon hunting for snakes, among other creepy crawly things! When I called them in for lunch they came in chanting- "We are men, We are men, We hunt bugs!"

Father-Son Pancake Breakfast

Dom with his finished bird house that he and Vinny built

Dominic and Pryce, proud of their building!
First, I did ask Vince to take pictures at the breakfast and of him and Dom together, but of course I never know what I will get when he is in charge of the camera...that is why he is missing from the pictures! (We had a little lesson about types of pictures to take at events!) I am sure his picture taking skills will be better next time!
Second, Dominic's preschool had a Father-Son Pancake Breakfast where they also built bird houses together after eating! What a special morning for Dominic. He had a great time with his daddy eating pancakes and building a bird house. As soon as he got home from preschool he went around trying to coax birds into the fabulous house he had built for them! "Here birdie, birdie"

Hiking with the guys...

The fearless leaders...but where are they leading the pack of boys?

The fearless pack...ready to hike up on the Olympic Peninsula.

Pit stop...

Awww...the rewards are endless! The view is priceless!

Vinny and Nick took Shawn, Arnold, Jack, and Joe on a hike that starts at the casino and ends up at this point, overlooking Sequim Bay. The hike is very challenging, but from what I hear, everyone did amazing! Mind over matter!

Our little family is growing up...

Having a picnic at Railroad Bridge Park before the big family bike ride-the first one where Dom is riding on TWO wheels!

And we are off...a BEAUTIFUL, warm, scenic day riding along the Olympic Discovery Trail.

Dominic and I showed the rest of the family our little secret fort area along the trail...you duck under some trees, and there, right before your eyes is a little creek, big trees covering the spot, and rocks for throwing!

Nature calls...

and it calls again! Silly boys!

As we were riding along the trail, Vinny looked at me and said, "our little family is growing up! I love it." As much as he loves it, I feel kind of sad...my babies are no longer babies. He loves being able to do so much more as family, and I miss the baby stages. Of course we were not as mobile, but that time never comes again once you are done having babies. (and he is done! )

It's starting to work!

YEAH! Weight Watchers is working for me! Lost 2.4 lbs. this week, even though I had a GREAT time at Jared's Wakeboarding Video Premiere this last weekend AND my mom made her delicious breakfast casserole for Easter! (I actually gained weight at the beginning of the week, but was able to take it off by following the points system for the rest of the week.) I just need to keep strong this next week...day by day.