My Big Brother Came to VISIT!!

The fourth of July was the best this year because Eric and his family came to visit us! It is always so fun to have family come here to Spokane. Saturday we headed up to Priest River to a good freinds cabin for fun and food. We wanted to show our family off to our friends/family away from family. Badmition brought on the best facial expressions. (I couldn't add them all)

Emily is so BEAU-ti-ful!

Evan and Jacob were some of the only brave ones to get in the water. It was sooo cold!

The potato gun was a hit!

Thanks to the Romney's for having us at the cabin!

Sunday we went to church and played games and just had fun being together.
Monday was the Fourth of July and we borrowed some canoes from friends and went canoeing down the Little Spokane river. We didn't have the camera with us because we were worried it would get wet. It was so beautiful to enjoy the land we live in! Eris and I were in a canoe together and what fun we had!! We were not the expert paddlers and basically ran into every tree we tried to avoid! But...We did NOT tip over the canoe! I think that was a major accomplishment.
Later that night we headed down to Riverfront Park to listen to some jazz and to watch the fireworks.

The Nelson's got to see the best of Spokane!! The fireworks were great!

Then on Tuesday we rode the Hiawatha Trail. I highly reccommend that you do this at least once in your life. It is a blast!

We had a little problem this time going on the trail. As you first start you go through what is called the Taft tunnel. It is just under 2 miles long and is pitch black. You have flashlights on but it is still pretty dark. As we were all riding through we hear someone say...I think I have a flat tire! When we made it to the end of the tunnel sure enough the bike Emily was riding had a flat tire and we hadn't thought to bring the repair kit with us. So Eric and Dave went back through the tunnel...Long story short... Dave ended up staying back beacuse we couldn't fix the bike but made friends with the shuttle bus driver and so had a great time without riding with us.

It was a fun-filled few days and I am so grateful to Eric and Tracey for making the trip here to spend time with us! We made some great memories! It is always hard for me to say goodbye! Thanks for coming!!!!

Face Painting

So I thought it would be fun to show Kelsie's new hobby/job. She paints faces at birthday parties and carnivals. She has had to practice and guess who her subjects were?? Yes, her family!! Oh the fun times here at the Barnes house!

We all look so excited...especially the boys. She has many more faces that she can paint but these are just a few.I almost forgot!!! Emily, Evan and Tracey got to have their faces painted when they came to visit!!!

Wisdom

In the last month both Zach and Kelsie have lost their wisdom...teeth. Zach had to go to an oral surgeon to get his out just because he has to do everything the hard way. Kelsie was able to have our wonderful dentist take them out. They both did great! I got some baby food and it was pretty funny feeding Zach some so he could get the pain pills down. I wish I would have taken pics. Kelsie was so excited to take pain pills but really had no reaction to them. They didn't even make her sleepy. She did laugh a lot more and I guess was a little loopy. Here is a semi-gross picture of Kelsie's teeth.

Graduation 2011

Zach is now a high school graduate. It is so weird to think this because I feel like I just finished high school. The wrinkles and 4 kids are good reminders to me that it is a figment of my imagination. Zach was chosen to speak at his graduation and I will eventually learn how to put his speech on my blog. But for now you will have to settle for the pictures from the night. My in-laws, my mom and my sister Stacey were able to come and share in this event with us. I wish everyone could have wisked themselves to be here in Spokane but I know how it is. I am so grateful for the man Zach has grown up to be. He is a great example of someone with confidence and poise,love and compassion and I am such a proud mom! He is currently working this summer for a mining company in Wallace, ID. He is roughing it in the wilderness taking soil samples and loving being a part of nature! He plans on attending BYU-I for the Fall/Winter and then off to serve a mission. We love you Zach!

Track and Tennis 2011

During the Spring the boys were involved in track and Kelsie was in tennis.

Kelsie had a great season this year. She played on the JV team but was able to play varsity doubles a few times. She was voted MVP for her team.

Track season for Caleb is just a extra practice for Cross country. He ran the 1600 and the 3200 and did great. He ran a sub 5 minute mile and qualified for districts in the 3200 running a 10:33.

Jacob threw javelin( actually called turbo jav in 7th grade) He threw 109 feet and 9 inches. He placed 3rd in the all-city meet. He has since started training with a coach and has been involved in some extra track meets through the month of June. He has been throwing a normal javelin and has a personal best of 115 feet.

Jacob likes this picture due to the fact that it shows his arm muscles. He has a great arm!

Part 4 Hollywood Studios

This was our last park and by this time we were SO tired! But at Hollywood Studios the highlights were: Tower of Terror!!! The stunt show, drawing charaters in the art studio, and the Rockin' Roller Coaster. The Star Wars place was closed which really made us sad. We had such a great time visiting Florida and will try to make it back there again! It was great family fun!