The British Are Coming, The British Are Coming

We have had a pretty busy summer and because of this (and my laziness), I've been really bad about keeping up on my blog and reading blogs. So, here I begin with a few posts of what we've been up to this summer.

In mid July we had the opportunity to have Max come all the way from England and stay with us. For those who don't know, Tom was coaching Max while we lived in England and became good friends with him. He came for a week last summer to go to the Big Bend basketball camp shortly after we arrived back.

Max came for about 2 weeks this time and without his parents. While he was here he and Tom were able to go to the Seattle Aquarium and see a Mariners game, attend the Gonzaga basketball camp, and join me at the Chlarson Family Reunion. Tom was in Florida for work while Max was at basketball camp so I picked Max up in Spokane and we headed to Moses Lake for the weekend and he was fortunate enough (or not) to meet my whole family.

Here's Max, Jayni & Mason the day he was returning back to England. I can't believe we didn't take more pictures during his visit. I'm so mad at myself!

While Max was here Jayni and Mason slept in our bedroom with us. The day after Max got here Jayni wanted to take her nap in her bed. I only had her sheets on the bed since she needed her bedspread in our room at night. This is what I saw after she came out from her nap. I was pretty excited to see that she put the top sheet back and positioned her pillow and animals.

Here's Jayni at Gonzaga University while waiting for Max to finish with camp.

We had a great time while Max was here. He was so great with the kids and very helpful. I've missed him being around like no other. It was nice having him to distract the kids during the day and I enjoyed being able to have him around to tease and be goofy with. I hope I didn't bore him to death on the days we just stuck around the house while Tom was working. If I did it was payback for him almost letting Mason drown in our neighbor's pond right before he left. I guess you can't rely on a 16 year old watching your kids while talking to the neighbor girls.

Thanks for coming Max and thank you to Jackie and Ross for allowing him to come! We miss you and look forward to you visiting us again next year!!

Day at the Park

This past Saturday we spent the day at the Riverfront Park in Spokane. My mom wanted to have one last get together before my sister, Leisha headed back home to New York with her family. So we met at the big red wagon, had some pictures taken and then ate a picnic lunch.

My sister, Shaila took pictures of the whole family and she also took individual family pictures and pictures of the grandkids. This is the one I took with my camera so I'm guessing that none of the kids really knew where to look.

After pictures and lunch we headed to the amusement rides and let the kids (young and old) ride the rides. It was fun to see the reactions of the little ones. Mason rode the dragon roller coaster four times! He would ride it and then get right back in line, yet every time he would look like he was beyond scared. Jayni kept asking to ride the ferris wheel and when we got there she was adamant about not riding with me and chose to ride with Uncle Milo.

All in all we had a good day and I wish I took more pictures but didn't. I've been really bad about this lately! Before heading home Tom and I drove to Tomato Street, which is one of my favorite restaurants. Mason was asleep before we even got there and so we just ordered to go and stopped at McDonald's since Jayni wanted that more than anything else. It was a long day but worth it!!

Hopefully I'll get a copy of the whole family and my little family soon so that I can post them (hint, hint).

Anyway, I'm grateful for the time I was able to spend with family. I appreciate every moment I'm able to spend with each one of them because they mean more to me than they realize. I feel at times we take things for granted and we need to try harder to strengthen our bonds because we never know what life it going to throw our way. Life is fragile!!

Weekend Festivities

For the 4th of July we headed to the Grand Coulee Dam for their laser light show and fireworks. We met up with my Mom and Pop, Grandma Bette, my brother Milo, and my sister Shaila and her family. Here's a picture of Jayni with GraMimi, Poppy and cousin Malcolm.

We had a great time spending time there with family and enjoying the yummy fair type food. The laser light show was the same one I saw when I was a teenager so it wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. The fireworks were great and were fun to see over the dam. I thought Mason wouldn't enjoy the loud noise from the fireworks but he kept oohing and aahing and Jayni kept asking if we could go home while plugging her ears.

Saturday the 5th we enjoyed getting together with more family and friends and went to the Hardy boys birthday party at Shaila's inlaws. The kids had a great time playing in the water while the adults enjoyed a yummy barbecue. Hope you had a great birthday Malcolm and Quinn!

On Sunday we were back in Tri-Cities and were able to attend baby Ender's baby blessing. He's the newest addition on the Perkes' side. I wish I thought to take a picture of him in his cute blessing outfit but I didn't even think about it. He's very adorable and we're happy to have him as part of our family!

What?...No!

My Jayni just turned 5 this last Sunday on the 29th! I can't believe it. Time goes by way too fast. We didn't do anything for her on her b-day because we were in Spokane for Hoopfest and we traveled home. My friend, Lisa did make pancakes for us that morning and we sang Happy Birthday and Jayni was able to blow out a candle on her pancake. Thanks Lisa for letting us stay with you and spending time with us. We had a great time visiting and I had a great time with you Saturday night!

Yesterday I asked Jayni what she wanted to do to celebrate her birthday and she said she wanted to go to Red Robin and go see Wall-E. Jayni, Mason, and I met Tom at Red Robin and enjoyed a meal together although they didn't come sing to Jayni like Tom had arranged. Thank goodness she didn't care even though they sang to another little girl close by.

After dinner, Tom and Mason headed home and Jayni and I went to see Wall-E together. It was such a good movie and it was nice to spend the time together. We ate way too much snacks and towards the end Jayni wanted to snuggle with me on my lap. I loved that she did that! She's so sweet and although she drives me bonkers with her million questions all through the day, it was nice to have quality time as mother and daughter. I love her so much and am so glad I have her in my life!

Sorry, I have no pictures! I've been really bad about taking them lately.