Chef Miriam

Since bananas are Dominica's main export, we like to have banana oatmeal chocolate chip muffins for breakfast sometimes. On this particular day, I decided to let Miriam help out in the kitchen. Now that Luke is in school until 3:00 each day, Miriam and I have lots of time together. Cooking and washing dishes are just a few of the ways that we spend our mornings together.

Miriam just loved stirring the batter. She didn't want me to help at all.

The Chef at work
Now time for filling the muffin tins
Mmmmm....which one should I choose?
"Now how do I get the chocolate chips back out?"

Paintball War

I had no idea what an exhilarating rush paintball could be! On the last Saturday in WA, we had the Goffs and Mike over to paintball. Scott gets the award for the most creative armor. He used cardboard, bubble wrap and duct tape!

Of course there were a few casualties...

Here's Jeff with a paintball hit to the throat

Mike got it on the top of his head...

And poor Morgan ended up getting some of the paint in his mouth when a ball exploded on the mouthpiece, YUCK!

Rambo would be so proud!

Tricycle Fun

Another great thing about being at Grandma's house was that we could access all our possessions. Scott and Shelley have been so wonderful at allowing us to keep our things at their house since we have been in Dominica. The kids loved finding their old (and yet new to them again) toys, especially Luke's tricycle. While Luke liked riding the tricycle, it was Miriam who became possessive of it. She could hardly wait to have a turn. Since the tricycle had been sitting in the shed for a year, it was so squeaky loud! Have no fear, Grandpa Fife to the rescue!

Grandpa getting the tricycle tuned up

"The Tricycle is Mine, ALL MINE"

Grandpa is not only a handyman, but also a speed racer. Scott got his work stool to race Luke and soon they were off. After a few successful races, this happened....

Thanks to Morgan's fast reflexes, Luke was kept safe. Luke wasn't too thrilled about riding the tricycle again and Miriam couldn't have been happier to have it all to herself.

Pacific Science Center

After the kids played on the cars and carousel, we headed to the Center House for lunch. We ate fish and chips and I had a very tasty chowder bread bowl. Yum Yum! Once again another great part about a cool, overcast day...it's so good to feel cold and eat soup! Now that our tummies were full we decided to go see the Pacific Science Center. We started out with a science lesson on combustion. No pictures or video to post of this but here's what happened... A very energetic scientist came out and explained the necessary elements for combustion. He ignited several flammable things and the kids loved it. However for the big finale, the scientist ignited a hydrogen and oxygen filled balloon. KABOOM!!!! Luke just about jumped through the ceiling. Well no matter how cool the dinosaur exhibit looked, Luke would have none of it. He had to exit the building for fear of something else combusting. Oh well. We found other cool things to explore. The special exhibit was on speed so the following pictures are from this exhibit.


Grandpa and Morgan and Luke raced each other. Luke won!

Miriam and a crash dummy. Remember to wear your seat belts!

Morgan showing Grandpa the cool lego car that he and Luke made for the race.

Time to race...

Miriam with Grandpa at the Butterfly House

Seattle Center

Wednesday, August 27th we headed to Seattle to take some of the attractions at the Seattle Center since it was an overcast day. Which by the way....we loved having overcast and cold days while we were home! The cool air felt simply marvelous! I digress...

How could we walk by the ride attractions at the Seattle Center and not stop? The kids loved riding the carousel and then the cars. Take a look!

Luke seems to be taking driving his little sister very seriously...let's just hope he feels the same when he gets his real license.

Miriam had the most fun driving the car when she sat behind Luke. Check out her huge smile as she waves in the video!

Luke's love...Molly

Morgan's sisters Ashley and Kristen have the cutest dogs. During our stay at Grandma's house, Luke and Miriam just adored these creatures. Miriam was fascinated with Tanner, but he didn't feel the same for her. Tanner was probably a little reluctant to form a relationship with Miriam since she would follow him around and bug him. However Molly was the dog that won their hearts. Molly was so patient and friendly. She loved eating the food they would "accidentally" drop or be patted by them. Luke started calling Molly his dog. When we left, Ashley gave Luke a stuffed dog that looks like Molly to help keep him company. He sleeps with it every night and gets very upset if Miriam touches it.

Playing with Cameron

The best part of our trip to Grandma's house was being able to visit with the family. On Sunday the 24th, Shelley hosted a Fife family dinner so that we would be able to see everyone. Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Fife, Jon and Marti, Austin, Shawnie, Brian and Stephanie, Cameron and of course Ashley and Kristen were there too. The food was delicious and the kids loved playing together. Cameron and Luke made up a game together. Something about a doctor appointment. Anyway, they would march around saying "Doctor appointment" over and over really loud.

Cameron, Luke and Miriam played so well together. I love that Cameron and Luke are so close in age.

Miriam seemed happy to just have another friend to play with. She likes meeting new kids. The last time she saw Cameron she was barely taking her first steps. Now she's running along with the big boys!