April is Autism Awareness month!

I have been working with my kids for almost a year now, and I have loved every minute of it. Yes, working with 3 boys on the Autism Spectrum is very challenging at times, and quite often, but they are so full of love, laughs, and surprises!!!

My 8 year old, had a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese on April 10 and I got to come! I invited my whole family because they all just love Zach, and the stories I share, or the times they get to hang out with him! I loved seeing him so excited about having a party and seeing Chuck E!

I think the best part of the day was seeing Zach take Chuck E by the hand, asking him if he wanted a piece of cake, handing him a cupcake saying "here you go" (in Zach's special voice) and then him waiting for Chuck E to eat it!! So much fun!

Also this past Sunday was the Autism walk at Oaks Park. Its a short 1 mile walk around the park. Its fun to see all the kids, and go on all the rides after the walk! Zach and London are a great pair, because they got to enjoy all the rides over and over again because they never get sick from ALL the spinning and spinning, back and forth, up and down!! I swear they went on the same SCREAMING EAGLE 3 times in a row!!! Here are some pictures from that day.

Me with London in my arm and Zach in my hand

me with the mom's Erin and Christine

one of London's little sisters

The big slide! It was fun watching Zach get brave enough to do it on his own. The first time he went down with me and then the 2nd all on his own!!!

Ruckle Creek Trail

I went on a great hike this past weekend! I love hiking, but usually have no one to go with so i joined a group at my Mom's church and this was my first hike with them. Originally it was supposed to be a 9 mile hike, but it turns out that we went 11! I had a great time and can't wait to go again!

super cool rock pit

crossed this log!

snow about 3200 feet up

I made it to the TOP!

snack time on the way back down!

February Birthdays!

February is a BIG month for birthdays in my family. My Dad celebrates on the 21st, Mine is the 22nd and Evan comes in last on the 26th. Well this year was even BIGGER because my dad turned the BIG 60!! Here are a few of our pictures from the weekend adventures!
We surprised Dad with a bunch of 60th birthday signs and such and took him to Cinetopia! He had been wanting to see Avatar, so why not see it in 3D in the livingroom lounge!

Surprise!! Dad waited in the car for us to come back and he sure was surprised!

We headed to Dairy Queen after the movie for some more yummy treats! I made Dad these cupcakes!

On my birthday I got a bunch of family and close friends together to have some dinner!!!
We headed to a new restaurant called Lapellah.

For my music room!

Some of the girls, not sure where Rachael ran off too

I'm picky, so I order a burger! ha

As a 2nd Birthday adventure, Evan asked me to go on a hike, I LOVE HIKING! We hit up Elowah Falls, beautiful hike for sure!

You know you're from WASHINGTON when...

So I love running into people from out of state, or traveling on a plane and the conversation is about how different Washington is from other states, or my favorite is how many people don't even know where Washington is or that it even exists! So here are some of my favorite You know you are from Washington when....

1. You measure distance in hours.

2. You buy new sunglasses every year because you've lost last years pair after such a long time not needing them.

3. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, and Enumclaw

4. You see a person carrying an umbrella and know they must be a tourist.

5. You know how to pronounce geoduck and know that it doesn't quack or have feathers.

6. You don’t leave off the “G” in “ING” words

7. You feel guilty throwing something away that could be recycled.

8. You've used every setting on your intermittent wipers.

9. You often switch from heat to a/c in your car in the same day.

10. You can drive from your home to a lake, a river, a mountain in 20 minutes or less.

11. You know the real meaning of Four Seasons… Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer

12. You know you better enjoy the snow the first day it falls before the rain washes it away.

13. You talk in complete sentences… grammatically too

14. You know the difference between an evergreen and a deciduous tree.

Christmas Time At the Apartment!

My 12.00 dollar tree from Goodwill!!!

My hand created wreath I made from Michaels!!

Community Dinner

Today was a great day!! Today I got to be a part of a event put on by my church. Its called Community Dinners, and twice a month we put on a dinner for ANYONE in the community to enjoy! So today I got to make cranberry sauce, mash potatoes, stuffing, salad, and a wassle!! It was great to work with everyone, and meet new people!! TONS of kids were running around and lots of people helping and enjoying the DELICIOUS meal!! I can't wait until December 3rd for our next one!!!

Fun with my Kara's!!