Friday, July 31, 2009

Football, Fishing and Puppet Shows

We enjoyed a fun packed weekend in St.Helens last weekend. We got to see and cheer on Colin when he played flag football with his team. Leo even stepped in to do a little coaching. It was great fun watching Leo teach Colin and his teammates some basic plays. Even Max cheered his big brother on!
We were treated to several puppet shows. There was so much video footage, so just put in one special show by Adi alone.
And, Leo took us out on the Columbia River where they keep their boat. Nana even got to do a little fishing with Leo and Colin. Didn't catch anything this time, but I'll be back! We set up our beach camp on the Washington State side of the river. Boy! There's lots of action on the river. Huge ships coming and going, lots of fisherpeople, jet boats, and sail boats. It was quite a sight!

























































































Leo and Colin are working on some secret plays. Nana has promised that she won't sell the video to the other teams! I really wasn't scouting!

This is one of two touchdowns that Colin made. He's a fast little runner!! That's Coach Dad getting everyone lined up.

Adi's fantastic puppet show!

And this is what Max does best right now. What a jumper!! And what a very happy boy!!

These are the Stoddards doing what they love: being together and having fun!

They even let Papa drive!!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Leo's 30th Birthday and 4th of July

We had quite the birthday and 4th of July celebration this year. Leo turned 30 and his mom and dad, brother Aaron and his family, and sister Tanya and her family, came over to Bend to surprise him!

We had 8 cousins all under the age of six - one who was only a few weeks old. As you can see from the pictures and videos, a good time was had by all! There was eating, swimming, parading, fishing, biking, golfing and four-square.

The only thing the kids didn't get in was floating down the river.
Here are the pictures of all our adventures.....














Our Max......always the happy one!













Amy and Adi....two real bathing beauties!















Max in the parade.....














Colin's fourth parade with Nana!















Adi decorated her own scooter!















Colin with cousin Judah.....
















Colin trying on Nana's hoop (these hoops are over 30 years old!)
Grandma Julie was also game enough to wear one!!















Cousins Adi and Judah with 3 week old Darius.
Adi does love those babies!!



Nana reading (singing) Max's favorite book!



Both kids are quite good on their bikes.....hard to keep up with them!



Decorating all the bikes, scooters and wagons for the parade.
I think Amy would make a great teacher!!!




Max and Papa watching all the fun!
Notice the clean-shaven Papa - Nana's 40th anniversary present!!


We spent almost every day at the pool.



Max in Nana's bathtub trying to catch the water!


On the last morning, Nana taught the kids how to play Four Square. Even the "big kids" got in on the act!!