Year Three Week Nine

Uncle Danny stayed an extra day and we made the most of our extended time together by playing tennis! The Kellys came over for a surprise visit on a beautiful day. Shayla and I picked some pretty flowers.
Do you see that mischievous grin on my face? It was nap time and the Kellys were returning home so I attempted to stowaway.
Aunt Celeste flew up to visit!!! It was such a great surprise for me because my parents didn't tell me that she was coming up.

We are Iron Kids.

Whoa! Look out Celeste!

We might be behind bars but we're still having fun.

Time to do some more weeding. We have dinosaurs in the backyard!

While Aunt Celeste, Mark, Mom, and Dad were playing a game, I devised one of my own. I call it bury yourself in the contents of the Kleenex box as quietly as you can.

I also made up this game as well. I call it tape crash!

This is something that Shayla and I do often but it has been difficult to capture at this length. In fact, it would have been even longer if Vincent and I hadn't caused a commotion and interrupted it.

Next week we'll have more fun times with Aunt Celeste!

Have a safe and fantastic Fourth of July!

Year Three Week Eight

Who knew the alphabet could be so entertaining?

Vincent and I having a ball... and then some. Dad and me practicing some indoor tennis.

Cheesy grin!

The three of us in Mariners gear!Uncle Ryan and Uncle Danny come over to visit and join Dad and Dane to see the magnificent Mariners win the game.

Our ace pitcher, Cliff Lee, was truly phenomenal.

A new Magic format released and we had a lot of fun playing it. Dad took out Mom and Uncle Danny in the fastest multi-player game ever. Go Dad!

Uncle Danny is the best pillow!

Beautiful sunny weather all week until Saturday when we celebrated Marley's second birthday at the park. It was still great fun!

Pancake pile!

We've been watching the FIFA World Cup all week and have discovered that the Spanish channels are the most fun to watch due to their extreme exuberance. Here's a perfect example thrown into an already fun clip.

Happy Father's day Uncle Shawn and Dad! You guys are the best!

My swimming lessons are resuming and with gusto. I'll be having them twice as often!

Plus, Aunt Celeste is coming up to visit!!!

Year Three Week Seven

Another rainy day. Not only was it pouring, it also thundered loudly. *sniff, sniff* This doesn't smell quite right. I think we need more cinnamon.
Sometimes when I'm having too much fun to take a nap, we go for a ride in the car and listen to jazz. I'm usually out pretty quick after that.

The 2010 FIFA world cup started!! Bring out your vuvuzela and cheer along!

I've got tunnel vision going down the rabbit hole.

It's a dance party on Vincent's bed!

Princess Shayla can fly!

We spent most of the gorgeous weekend outside working on the yard. I found a lot of worms that tickled me.

We had our first kite experience! Shayla's kite set out for it's maiden voyage.

Here we go!

Whee!

Uncle Danny's coming to visit us next week!

Year Three Week Six

Here I am enjoying one of my favorite rainy day activities. Ahhh! Dad is scary when he packs up the car!
We were present to witness the coronation of Queen Shannon. Since it was her birthday weekend, the entire family followed her every decree.
Like playing tennis!

It was hectic playing with all of us on the court at the same time, (especially with the dogs and us kids), but we had a lot of laughs.

The more serious tennis players continued playing while the rest of us explored the park and lake. It was such a gorgeous day!

We could have stayed all day but we instead traveled to Wenatchee for Zachary's baptism!

It was a wonderful celebration and us kids couldn't contain our excitement afterwards as we played tag.

Sharing candy!
(A birthday tradition in the Despain family, this way the others get something too!)

Mom took a day off from work so that we could spend more time with Queen Shannon at her place in Kennewick. We even went to her classroom which I highly anticipated. I was so excited that I kept running around and around!

At Shannon's class, I wanted so much to be one of her students that I followed and copied nearly everything they did. You would have done the same had you been there because she's a phenomenal teacher.

Thank you for an awesome weekend, Aunt Shannon! We'll miss you terribly when you return to BYU for her Masters.

2010 Memorial Day Special

Happy Birthday, Shayla!

We played lots of fun party games like Musical Chairs, Mafia, Rack-O, Epic Duels, and Shayla's favorite, pin the crown on the princess. It's a pretty good likeness, don't you think? The pink princess pinata was a huge hit.
Haley dominated the sticky cotton ball game.
Shayla had a special princess horse cake to match her newest princess dress.

Not only did Uncle Shawn and Uncle Ryan cook an amazing lunch, it was fortunate because the power went out. Thankfully we live in Washington where it can rain and still be sunny.
Uncle Danny and my Dad taught Alyssa and Justin how to play Magic. They are eagerly anticipating the rematch next week.

Even if the power hadn't gone out, we still might have all gone out to Red Robin for dinner to relax a bit. It's hard work having so much fun! Some of us went to see Iron Man 2 afterwards.

Finally, what would Memorial day be without remembering those who were most memorable to us.

We hope your Memorial Day was as enjoyable as our was!

Year Three Week Five

Wowie-Zowie! Mom is thirty! Beautiful weather for tennis.
Here comes the big overhead smash!
Everyone helped organize Missy's baby shower including Philly.

The shower was a huge hit. We had a lot of friends and family come with many fun games to play. Thanks to all of you for coming and/or sending gifts! Jessalyn is very loved.

Everyone was so excited to see Jessalyn, especially Natalie.

Jessalyn had her blessing on Sunday. It was wonderful that so many came. Isn't she a darling!

I helped Alyssa play happy birthday for my Mom.

I even helped blow the candles out too!

The family that reads together...

has too much fun together!