Olympic Game Farm

During our visit in Silverdale, my dad, Emma and I took a drive up to the Olympic Game Farm for a day.  It has been an extremely long time since I had been there and thought it would be neat to check it out.  The Olympic Game Farm is a wild life park in which you drive your car through and get to feed the animals.  The animals will come right up to your vehicle and eat out of your hands.  This can be a little scary at times, but for the most part the animals are pretty friendly. Since we drove my car I made sure to keep driving if the animals started to get too close to the car.  I really did not want slobber all over my car or for the animals to damage my car in someway.  Emma really seemed to enjoy looking at the animals as well as being able to sit up front with mommy and grandpa. 

This bear seemed really comfortable in his hole. 

The peacock we had to drive off road to get around. 
Apparently he was trying to impress the ladies!

The bears were very friendly.  The actually wave to you when you wave to them!
 Emma thought this was pretty neat!

Emma taking driving lessons from grandpa!

Emma telling grandpa she knows how to do it!

Cherished Moments

During our visit in Oregon I found out that Kent's Grandma Grunenfelder had passed away, so instead of heading back to Pullman, Emma and I headed north to be with family.  The memorial was held on Sunday, June 17, 2012 in Olympia Washington.  Friends and family remembered Grandma Grunenfelder through many stories, favorite memories, and pictures of Hildegard Grunenfelder.  There are many memories and moments I will cherish, however there are two things I will cherish always.

1) The first is blackberry pie.  Kent and I had been dating for maybe 2 months and I went with him to Olympia to visit his grandparents.  While Kent was hunting with his grandpa and uncles I stayed home with his grandma.  One might think it would be uncomfortable since we had only been dating for a few months, but I had never felt more comfortable.  Kent's grandma made me feel so at home and treated me like I was part of the family.  Something I came to realize early on while dating Kent was that pie is essential at dinner and at any family get together.  I was pretty excited about this since I love pie.  Well while Kent was out hunting his grandma invited me to help her make a blackberry pie.  Now many of you know that I am not the most comfortable in the kitchen. I was kind of nervous to cook with his grandma for two reasons, first cooking/baking makes me very anxious and two I have never baked a pie before.  Well, I had nothing to worry about and my first pie turned out amazing thanks to the help from Kent's grandma.  I am so thankful to have such a wonderful memory to hold on to and think of everytime I make a pie.

2) The second is the love Kent's grandparents shared.  I am not sure I have ever seen two people love each other as much as his grandparents loved each other.  Kent and I always thought it was funny how much his grandparents reminded us of how we interact with eachother.  Many of you know Kent likes to jokingly teas me and I do not think there was ever a time while visiting Kent's grandparents where Grandpa Grunenfelder did not tease Grandma atleast once.  Even though he teased her you could tell he absolutely adored and loved her.  I can only hope that Kent and I will be able to grow old together and have a relationships like theirs.

Thank you Grandma for being such a wonderful mom, grandma, greatgrandma, and wife.  We love you and will miss you greatly!

One of my favorite photos of Kent's grandparents! 

Summer 2011

Christmas 2011

Our visit to Oregon

After saying goodbye to our dear friends Eric, Molly and Micah Emma and I decided we needed to see them one more time before their final move to Fresno, CA.  Emma was pretty excited to see her BF.  During our visit we went to the Children's Museum in Portland, played outside, and went to the park.  The children's museum was absolutely amazing.  Even though we got a discount it would have been worth paying full price.  I was absolutely amazed at how much there was for kids to do.  Pullman's science center is nice, but I really wish we had a children's museum like this one in Pullman.  We could have spent all day there and the kids would never have been bored.  I look forward to going back with Kent so he can see the pure joy and excitement that was emanating from our daughter.  Thank you Molly and Micah for a wonderful visit and thank you to Molly's parents for providing us with a warm home and yummy food! :)

Portland Children's Museum

Micah and Emma exploring the water works exhibit

The Pet Hospital!  Of course Emma found the black and whit kitty to take care of. 
Hmm I wonder if she misses Walle?

One of their favorite exhibits was the Grasshopper Grocery. 

I am pretty sure we could have spent all day at the Dig Pit exhibit!



I love that they used ground up rubber rather than rocks, sand or bark. 



The Clay Studio

My 2nd Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!!!! Well, it is no longer Mother's Day, but why not celebrate mothers everyday.  For Mother's Day my mom was able to come visit Emma and I for the weekend.  We spent the weekend enjoying the beautiful weather! Emma was a very busy little girl preparing for Mother's Day.  She helped mommy make a card using her hand prints and she helped grandma make a beautiful gift for mommy (see below).  Then on Mother's Day Kent woke up and made my mom and I a delicious breakfast and we spent the rest of the day playing in Emma's pool.  Thank you Kent and Emma for a wonderful Mother's Day.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband, daughter, and mother!

Pool Time!

Relaxing in the pool!

Emma's Mother's Day gift!

Papa & Grandma

A few weeks ago Kent's parents (Papa and Grandma) came over for a visit.  Emma was not sure about Papa and Grandma when she first saw them.  Papa and Grandma were going to take Emma while I went to home group, so we met at Safeway.  She was kind of hesitant at first, but quickly warmed up to them.  After that she couldn't get enough of Papa and Grandma.  While they were visiting Papa helped Kent build Emma's swing set.  Emma was pretty excited to help as well.  She had to make sure she had her own pencil and that she could help tighten the bolts.  She really enjoyed having her grandparents around and absolutely loves the outside lounge chair they bought her.  She is definitely looking forward to our camping trip with Papa and Grandma. 

She loves her Hawaiian leis!

Hmm... I don't think Papa and Daddy know what they are doing! 
I think I should help!

Papa that is not how you do it! Let me show you!

This is how you do it Papa!

I love sitting on Auntie Laura's treadmill!

Boys

After Bloomsday Kent's nephew Andre came to Pullman with us to spend some time with us.  We really enjoyed having him stay with us.  I know Kent wishes he could have spent more time with Andre.  While Kent was at work I had to figure out what a 7 year old boy would like to do.  We decided to head to Sunnyside Park.  We fed the ducks, played on the playground and threw lots of sticks into the pond.  Once Andre was bored, we headed home for lunch.  Once Emma went down for a nap, Andre and I had to figure out something we could do.  Since it was after Bloomsday my feet were extremely sore so I could not really go on a hike with him.  I felt really bad since we do not have a whole lot of toys and activities that a 7 year old boy would enjoy.  But we finally figured something out.  Andre really likes gardening, so we had some flowers that he planted, then he used a piece of ply wood to make a fort.  We camouflaged it with chalk.  Hopefully he had fun even though there was not a whole lot to do.  It was definitely an experience for me, but I really enjoyed having Andre visit.

Andre taking pictures of the ducks!

He was a pretty good photographer!

Andre being a boy! 

Baby sheep!

Emma getting ready to slide! 

Bloomsday 2012

For the past 3 years Kent and I have been participating in Bloomsday with our friends Jason, Becky and their children.  This year we were not sure if they would be around for Bloomsday since they are living in Alabama, but we were very excited that Becky and the children were able to be here for Bloomsday.  We were sad that Jason could not be here, but were thankful to spend the day with Becky and the kids.  It is amazing how much children grow in a year.  I was shocked at how much the kids have changed since last May.  We had so much fun with Becky and the kids and we hope they move back to Washington sooner than later.  We love and miss you guys! Thanks for such a fun day!

Andre, Kendra and Emma waiting for Bloomsday to begin!



Kallie Mae hanging out with Uncle Kent!



Getting close to the start line!

Mommy and Emma made it to mile 2!

Emma crossing the finish line!

We finally made it!

The kids! (Kent still believes himself to be a kid sometimes)

Bloomsday Finishers 2012

The Grunenfelders

The Sanders!

Emma recoving after Bloomsday with her cousin Kendra! 



Andre hanging out with Uncle Kent!