After school got out for the summer we headed to Southern California for a vacation! We hit Disney Land and California Adventure the day after we arrived.

At the Matterhorn

Space Mountain

Pirates of the Caribbean

Rise of the Resistance

Thunder Mountain

Pretty sure this was my last time in the teacups with all my babies.

We got park hopper tickets so we could spend the first half of the day at Disney and the second at California Adventure. This is waiting for Guardians of the Galaxy.

On the big ferris wheel. We got a tipsy cage and all agreed it was more exciting than it looks from the ground!

The Incredicoaster! I am not a fan of big thrills and was NOT going to go on this ride. After the kids went with Jonathan once, they all loved it (even Layla) and begged me to try it. I decided to face my fear, and I’m glad I did. I loved it!

Radiator Springs

All done for the day! Let’s go to In N Out!

Our little girl turned eight this year. At eight, Layla is sweet, spunky, thoughtful, insightful, inquisitive and oh-so energetic! She’s a girly-girl, but a little bit of a Tom-boy at the same time (how could she not be with three older brothers she looks up to). She loves her family, adores her pets and cherishes her friendships. She’s always making plans with friends! Her favorite hobbies include boating, swimming, skiing, dancing, cheer, playing piano and loving on our pets. Happy birthday, Layla Blythe! We love you!

Funny story – year she originally wanted a paintball party after she had so much fun at Kieron’s. I told her I thought that was a fun idea, but didn’t think many of her friends would like it. Her second choice was having the Reptile Man come to the house. Again, I agreed it would be fun, but told her I wasn’t sure many of her friends would like it. Fortunately, a Taylor Swift themed party with slime was next on her list, and her friends could definitely get on board with that!
  

Layla loved the American Girl bunk bed and closet she got

Eight dollars for the eight year old

It’s great to be eight!

For her birthday, Layla requested sushi for dinner. We were happy to oblige!

Funfetti cake!

“It’s me, hi, I’m the birthday girl. It’s me!”

All decked out in Swiftie gear. Jonathan’s hat is pretty small to read, but it says, “You need to calm down. You’re being too loud.”

Guests were immediately directed to the bathroom to apply Taylor red lipstick

Slime! (An homage to Taylor’s messy breakup songs)







  

Olivia, Millie, Anna & Layla

Top Row: Charlotte, Violet, Shelby, Layla, Clare, Olivia, Arianna

Bottom Row: Eleanor, Kennedy, Anna, Millie, Emma, Paz & Savannah   

Emma stayed for a sleepover
 

Here’s what we were up to in May. Layla’s class released their butterflies

This girl loves practicing piano. Here she is playing a song from the Barbie movie

Jonathan, out with friends

2nd grade concert

Finished this project in the basement!

Middle School track meets

Silas’ end of the year band concert
 

Mr. Alas, lucky to have him as a band teacher

The girls had their end of the year gymnastics banquet

The girls put this routine together at their sleepover at the studio following the banquet

We watched the Northern Lights

Middle School track meet at Islander Middle School
 

At Dueling Pianos at The Club with friends

Avery went to watch his friend’s lacross game at Eastlake HS and snapped this beautiful sunset

Celebrating a friends birthday at Saints & Scholars

Jonathan and I had a long weekend getaway to Vegas in May. We had a fabulous time roaming the strip, soaking up the sun, eating lots of yummy food and saw a couple of shows.

Our first night in Vegas, we saw Atomic Saloon. It was very entertaining!

At Hell’s Kitchen

White Castle!

Maroon 5! 

One of Adam’s friends was at the show and proposed to his girlfriend from the audience

I got spoiled this Mother’s Day. The kids all made me very thoughtful cards and Layla made this beautiful basket in her 2nd grade class. Aside from the first couple strands being started, she did the rest all by herself!

We had gorgeous weather, so we took our friends, the Stryjaks, who are moving out of state next month, to Bainbridge Island for the day. We had a great time being together and enjoying the beautiful PNW with our families.
  

The night before Mother’s Day, a few of us went out in Bellevue for dinner and drinks. With Mindee, Sara, Tammy and Niki.