Happy Birthday to...ME!

In honor of my BD, but really more so we had an excuse to go out without children, Jay, me, Rob & Nikki went out to a Mariners game! Nikki had a little surprise for me after the 2nd inning: Ummm...Yes, how loverly of Nikki to put my actual age on the SafeCo Field jumbo-tron. (it's just because she's older than me and is happy that for a brief time we are the same age - brief!).

Jay and I...but definitely more Jay...enjoying the garlic fries at SafeCo. He just loves those stinky things.

My BFF, who set up the whole thing...she spoils me. We are waiting in the Pyramid beer garden for a table inside to eat. Really good friends, food, and "spirits" - what more could a BD girl ask for?

First Day of Kindergarten!

September 2 was Miss Alyssa's first day of Kindergarten!!! She was SO excited to start. She carefully picked out her outfit...but Mommy picked out the ruffled bobby socks (I think they're darling!) Alyssa, on the other hand, tells me: "Mom, I look cute...but I'm not so sure about these socks." I assured her that they looked super cute and off like a big school girl she went. However, when she got off the bus at the end of the day, there was one piece of her outfit missing...yep, the socks! I ask her where they are and she tells me: "Ummm, my feet got sweaty and they're in my backpack." Ohhh well...I tried. I've kind of known that my days of dressing her were over - now I'm absolutely positive.

Even Daddy went in to work late so he could see his "biggest girl" off to her first day. Awww...

There she goes crossing the street to get on her very first bus. (socks are still on at this point). Alyssa HAS to ride the bus to school...even though it is literally a 2 block ride, but I think it's her favorite part of the day!? Pretty sure we could walk to school faster than walking to the bus stop and waiting, but she loves it...and doesn't riding the bus become very "uncool" pretty soon?? Then I'll wish she would. Ohhh, the irony.
We're proud of our Miss Independent Kindergartner!

"Mountain Man!"

Jason (and CPT Connor) and bunch of other guys from his Battalion climbed up to "Camp Muir" on Mt. Rainier! At the top they all broke out a can of Rainier beer and enjoyed...

What a view as you climb. Only 7 hours worth of hiking for this amazing site!!!

There he is - the Mountain Man himself. Put a check on the "bucket list" for this one. Wish I could say I've climbed Mt. Rainier. Awesome job E-shed.

More Yearns, Utah camping/fishing photos...

Poppa "E" and Alyssa by the campfire...our Alyssa - such a girl with her "hand on the hip" pose.

Jay & Ashton - day 1 of fishing. Ashton actually really enjoyed the outdoors.

Ashton & Mommy hiking around the lake/mountain area, while Daddy fishes on at the Lake. Gotta love those baby back-packs. (Thanks Aunt Nikki).

Camping: Crazy or Courageous? (Utah 2009)

The Evershed Entourage' enjoying the campfire after a long day of fishing and "hiking" around Yearns, Utah.

I love this photo of Alyssa & Jason. It's about 6:45am and she is SO digging the fishing thing with Daddy. Luckily, up at Yearns - you are catching a trout almost every time you put your line out there...and Alyssa just loved reeling them all in. (and then letting them go) "bye bye fishy, go back to your home."

Alyssa handing her Daddy a worm for his line. Didn't take her long before she was touching the worms and "petting" the fish.

Ashton - "the morning after." She actually slept great, but I think the altitude and outdoors made her nose run like a faucet. She was happy though. I swore we were severely insane for trying to camp/fish/hike with 2 little girls...but it actually turned out to be pretty fun. Can't wait to do it again after Jay gets back! It was SO beautiful and fun to see where Jason's family camped when he was growing up and to watch him share that with his kids now. I am very thankful for this experience! What a great memory for us all...well, maybe not Ashton...but she'll see photos! ;)

Happy 4th of July!!!

"Firecracker, Firecracker...boom, boom, boom!" Yes, I totally did Ashton's hair to look like 2 lil fireworks...and her mommy thinks she's darn darlin! She instantly grabbed one of the flags off of the wagon and started waving it - she is such a true American lil girl! :)

OMG! Is this photo for real? All Eversheds in one picture together!?! Holy smokes...is it snowing in "you know where?" YES! we are all together...on the 4th of July no less. We all got up early and participated in the Bridlewood's (Nik & Rob's neighborhood) annual 4th of July bike parade. It is SOOO fun for the kids. They decorate their bikes/scooters/wagons all up in red, white and blue and go through the whole neighborhood (about 1/2 mile or so) and wave to people who are watching in their driveways. It is a very fun way to start off July 4th's morning!

Here's all "our" kids. Justin, Alyssa, Ashton, Paige and Allie. Of course Ashton is not looking at the camera...and don't ya just love the way Jason decorated Alyssa's poor helmet? Wow! isn't she a HUGE STAR?!? :) We all had a great day and hope y'all did too. Happy Birthday USA!!!

Growing Girls!

Alyssa (aka Ashton's 2nd mommy) and her lil sis Ashton literally "hanging" around in the yard on one of these many beautiful days we are having! Yeah, it SO feels like summer and the girls are totally enjoying it.

"Mom! Are you seriously leaving my hair in these 2 whale spouts?" (yes...I am so longing for Ash to have a wee bit longer hair, that I am doing the double vertical pig-tails...mommy is sorry Ashton...kind of) :)