This little girl likes to...

...go grocery shopping


...have light saber fights



...eat ice cream


...drink hot chocolate


...watch the VanKoi Family



...go to her first orchestra concert to watcher her Auntie Amber play the bassoon


She had wonderful concert behavior too!

...eat gelato


...make muffins for her Daddy


and lick the spoon...


...and getting it on her face


MORE TOMORROW :D

Robert and Lizzie Visit - Welcome Home

So when we knew that Robert was coming home for a visit, of course we told our neighbor friends. My friend, Gracelyn said "W e MUST do something to welcome home our hometown/neighborhood hero". As time got closer, Gracelyn and I planned quite the surprise - to have the entire neighborhood on our street put up flags or anything patriotic to welcome Robert home. I made a flier, our kids took them and left them on doors. What Robert thought was going to be a surprise that he was coming in early for his siblings, the surprise was ON HIM!

Low and behold - on the day Robert was expected to drive in the neighborhood - the flags and signs started coming out.

I bought balloons!

The Lions Club put up flags in front of our house

And on both sides of the entrance to our street (Gracelyn arranged that!)

And the neighbor's welcomed him home in style




Gracelyn also contacted KGMI Radio and they did an interview with Robert and a little news blurb. You'll have to listen to the news for a few minutes. Robert's story is at the 2:43 mark.
http://kgmi.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5299358

Our other neighbor, Nomi called the Lynden Tribune and they came out for pictures and an informational spot (which they got a few things wrong).

Gracelyn blew the horn on their motorhome to signal that he was only a few minutes away and it was time for every one to line the street!

The neighbors got to him first since they are on the curve of the cul-de-sac


HERE HE COMES!!!!

David got first hugs

Since I had already seen Robert in April

And David literally knew Robert was coming early just 10 minutes before his arrival :D


Of course, I had to get some hugs too!

Then Rob arrived


Then you know who has the next to get hugs?? Miss Lizzie Bug

Who was a bit overwhelmed by all the attention and crowds

We have the BEST neighbors to come out in the pouring rain to welcome home our son!

A few minutes later the sisters got home!


(Love how Tabitha turned off the light)



And this is the cue that Mom is done taking pictures!!!

Let's Backtrack a Bit...

... before we get on to blogging about our visit with Robert and Lizzie.

Waaaaaaaaaaaayyy back before craziness happened around here (when is it not?) we has two big events on one day.

AMBER'S 19th birthday and David's very first Honor Band. First up - David's Honor Band (since it was what happened first that day)

Yes, his sister's are teasing him :D

During the performance


Someone is very pleased with his performance!

Now to Amber's Birthday. The concert got done earlier then we had anticipated and we couldn't go to the restaurant early for our reservation. So instead we went to Chocolate Necessities. When they found out it was Amber's birthday they brought out a "birthday truffle" for her. Vanilla - her favorite!

In another post I will show you what we did to kill time.

Then off to Kyoto Steakhouse for dinner

This fried rice is sooooo addicting.

And the veggies and fire

And MORE fire!

I try not to pass up an opportunity to take a family shot


So how good was dinner? I think David's shirt answers that question.


Back home to open presents

Someone is EXTREMELY excited to get this stuffed animal. In all of Toy Story 3 Amber was drawn to this obscure character, Totoro.

And her main "big" present? Tickets to

Yup! American Idol Live. She's SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!! (Rob and I are too)

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

Faces with "Tabiffa"

As Lizzie lovingly calls her. As you can imagine we have LOTS of pictures from Robert and Lizzie's visit. But I'm going to start with these because they are just too fun! A little crazy time in the car.









These girls are such a riot!