Best Birthday Ever!

Alyssa turned nine yesterday, and boy did we celebrate.  German pancake for breakfast, french toast sticks from Jack in the Box for lunch (Really, this was mostly because we ran out of time getting ready for Rebecca's doctors appointment.) , and a barbecue at my parent's for dinner.  All of my brothers and sisters are in town this week, so we decided to splurge and rent a bounce house for Alyssa's and Eliza's birthday party.  (Cousin Eliza was born on Alyssa's fifth birthday.)

I dropped the kids off at my parent's before going to the doctor, and by the time Becca and I came back the bounce house was set up and the kids were already playing on it.  My mom said the guy who brought it said that blowing it up is his favorite part of the job, because the kids are so excited, and he hates having to take it down, because they get  so sad.

Everyone had a great time at the party - going back and forth from the swimming pool to the bounce house, eating hot dogs and hamburgers and Grandma's secret stash of cookies kept in the pump house, and laying out in the sun.  Before we went to bed last night, Alyssa said it was the best birthday she ever had.

Alyssa is growing up so fast!  I can't believe she's already nine.  She's still as busy as she's always been - I don't think that's ever going to change.  She loves learning about history, especially Egypt and mummies.  (She's looking over my shoulder and told me to add the mummy part.)  Last week she got out a huge poster board and made a map of an Egyptian pyramid, complete with crocodile pits and other traps.  She loves taking care of Rebecca.  She holds her any chance she gets.  She's not very happy about being in ballet in the Fall, but I like her in ballet, and it counts as a fine arts credit for school.  She is excited, though, to continue soccer in the Fall.  I think she scored three goals in five games this last season, and she loved playing.  One of her favorite things to do is to go out in the backyard and swing and sing while listening to her ipod.  It's one of my favorite things to watch, too.  She's so cute!

And now, pictures:

 After Brian came home from work, he had just as much fun as the kids.

Yes, Callie is mid-bounce.

 Eliza chewed out Derek for blowing out one of her candles.

Meet Me At The Levy

On Friday we went out to Levy Landing with Brian's parents for a picnic.  It was Water Follies weekend in the Tri-Cities, so the park was nearly empty.  We had yummy brisket sandwiches that Brian's parents brought, but we couldn't eat the jell-o salad and peach pie that we brought, because "someone" forgot to bring plates.  It was a lot of fun, though, and I think we all ate our fill...except maybe Ethan, who was too busy playing to eat his sandwich.  We brought Sadie, and she loved playing in the water.

Action Shots

Alyssa started soccer through the YMCA this summer, and she loved it.  She loved it so much that we've already signed her up for both Fall and Spring sessions through the Tri-Cities Youth Soccer Association.  Her team was called the Blue Sharks, and she loved their shirts, because turquoise is her favorite color.  It was also fun for her, because all the Pasco teams were full, so we put her on a Richland team, and one of her friends from our old ward was on the team, too.  They had a great time!

 (Alyssa's the one on the ground.)

This is what the boys thought of Alyssa's soccer games.  During the practices I let them play on the playground, but during the games we sat on the sidelines.  They both are laying there, moaning, "It's so hot!"

Just Some Pictures

 Becca with Great Grandma Harris (my mom's mom)

 Becca with Marcus

 Becca with Alyssa

 Becca with Ethan

 The kids put her balloons by her rocker so she could look at them.

 Becca with Great Grandma Orton (Brian's mom's mom)

Becca with Great Aunt Linda (Brian's Dad's sister)