straight family

Home sweet Idaho

2009-08-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Our little Will is putting the moves on Ava My parents yard is like a park, the kids love everything

Rylie and peaches one of her 3 chickens

Will sitting on the base of the tree house

Alex and Rylie wading in the pond in the backyard

Alex swimming with the fish's

Our little gang at Smoky Mountain, we have a similar picture from when we moved to Washington

For the 4th of July we decided to come home and spend the holidays with family. We drove down on Thursday night after PJ got off from work (the weekend before the 4th). PJ had to head home after only a 5 day vacation. The rest of us stayed for a extra week and loved being able to just spend the summer with my parents, Grandma Rain, the Teater's, PJ's parents, and of course other friends. It was fun to be able to be there and enjoy everybodys company. With the kids starting school soon and running the business it's hard right now to drop everything when we would like to come and visit , but thats what the kids wanted to do for the 4th and we thought it was a great idea.

Sweetie!!!!!

2009-08-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

Will's neck hold on the poor little dog.

Alex is such a big helper with the dog.
PJ and Sweetie

Rylie and her Sweetie The end of June we got a new puppy a Shorkie (Shiz-Tzu and a Yorkie mix). Rylie would not let us use any other name besides Sweetie. So here is our Sweetie.......

Alex on 2 wheels!!!!

2009-08-14T20:47:00.001-07:00

And one fall, but he got right back up and is still going he is a tough and determined little kid we are so proud of him !!!!!!

June 2009, Our Alex is an official bike rider!!!!! Here are some pictures to show off his skills on the bike.

Tulip Festival

2009-08-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

The Tulip Festival is in La Conner, WA. and there are millions and millions of tulips as well as other flowers too. My Grandma Rain came up and we thought she would love to see that being that she loves flowers. These are just some picture of how amazing it all is. The rows and rows of just tulips in red and then yellow it is like someone just painted them. It was so much fun and I loved being able to share that with her.

Deception Pass

2009-08-14T20:23:00.001-07:00

Grandma Rain and Rylie and Alex

The view was amazing!!!

Back in April my Grandma Rain came to visit along with my parents. We took the ferry over to Bainbridge and then drove home over Deception Pass. The pass is this little bridge and has a small walking path on the side. Now, I am not afraid of height but that was alittle too high. My Mom who is afraid of heights waited in the car with Will who was asleep. It was an adventure.

I'm back.....

2009-08-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get caught back up. I was missing for awhile and have alot to blog. So, I will soon be posting new things......

Woodland Park Zoo

2009-03-30T17:54:00.001-07:00

The start of Spring Break we decided since we didn't have any big plans to go anywhere, we would go to the zoo with some of your friends.The days started out with the sun out alittle on the chilly side but, SUNNY!!! So we loaded the kids up and when to the zoo. It was an amazing time. Almost all the animals were out.

Will with the birds.

Alex feeding the birds with alittle help from his Dad.

Rylie and Daddy feeding the birds.

Grizzly Bear taking a bath right in front of us. It was so cool the kids loved it.

The 2 Grizzly bears playing before the bath.

Our picture of "Alex the Lion" Alex loves this picture.

Happy 5th Birthday, Rylie!!!

2009-02-22T15:11:00.000-08:00

Rylie Ann was born on Feb. 23, 2004 (a year and 2days after big brother, Alex). She was the smallest weighing in at 5lbs 7oz. She is a princess, we love her so much. Rylie is our little rock star. She is always singing and dancing and loves to be around people. Rylie loves to play wit her Barbies and babies, she could stay and play for hours. She comes up with the most adorable things. She loves her big brother Alex and little brother Will. We can't imagine our lives without our little sniffy (she sniffs my arm.) Happy Birthday, Sissy!!!!! We love you!!!!

Happy 6th Birthday, Alex 2/21/03

2009-02-20T20:37:00.001-08:00

Alex was born on February 21, 2003. His due date was 3/3/03, but he was in such a hurry to get here. We are so lucky to have him. Alex is the BEST big brother to Rylie and Will (which can be hard sometimes). Alex, we love you and thank you for being such a wonderful son!!!!!

Happy Birthday 6th Alex

2009-02-19T23:28:00.000-08:00

Well my baby is now 6. Alex was born on February 21, 2003, in Boise, ID. he weighed 6lb 4oz. When he was born he had a blocked tear duct and had to go into surgery the day after we got out of the hospital. Alex love to work. He is always wanting to build something or dig somewhere. Alex is such a big helper he help us with everything from BBQing to cleaning up his room and making his bed. Thank you for being you, Alex we love you!!!!

Sad Rylie

2008-12-12T23:41:00.000-08:00

Rylie and Alex were bringing their houses in from the car and this is what happened, sad little girl. Sorry Sis!

Gingerbread House

2008-12-12T23:29:00.000-08:00

My friend Audrey invited us and Heidi and her little girl Rylee Anne (crazy we both have a Rylie Ann) over to make gingerbread houses. I thought we were just making graham cracker houses. I was greatly surprised to fine these. Alex and Rylie loved making their own houses Will was otherwise pre-occupied with Will things. We had so much candy and way too much fun. I am so glad I have made some new friends up here to do these fun things around Christmas time. I am not sure what I am going to do with them since we are leaving in a couple of days but, we had tons of fun with some great friends.

Rylie's house
Alex's house

Will and Mommy's house

Snowman galore

2008-12-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

Any of you who know my sister-in-law, Sarah Crawford would have seen her Santa collection. Well, I also have a collection I collect Snowmen, I do not have as many as her but then again I have only 6yrs under my belt compared to 16. It's a smaller collection but I have hopes it will someday catch up to hers. Hope you all that fun decorating your own homes!

Coloring time

2008-12-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

So about a week ago Rylie and Alex were coloring and Will was making a mess, what's new. PJ and I were admiring there picture. They wanted us to join in so we did and they judged who's they liked best, I won of course. PJ did the horse, I did the kitty, and Rylie did strawberry shortcake. It was a fun family night.

PJ's first ferry ride.

2008-11-16T20:01:00.000-08:00

Well, again we decided to go on the ferry this time it was PJ's first time. We took the Kingston ferry again and drove to Poulsbo. My dad wanted to go to spend time with his little grand kids. When we got there we went to different historical sights and played on the beach for awhile, the kids loved it. Then it was off to eat oysters. (I passed) It was a fun afternoon hopefully many to come.

Happy Birthday Hubby!!

2008-11-12T13:55:00.000-08:00

Another year has come and passed. PJ just had his birthday 11/11. We didn't do much the kids and I gave our gifts the him on Saturday.(not sure why I guess they were just excited) He got a nice Ed Hardy belt and a new hat, as seen in picture. My dad was up this week so we all went out to dinner on Tues. we tried the Bonefish Grill, Yummy! Overall PJ just said it was just another day. We love you Daddy!!

Alex's school picture

2008-11-06T15:18:00.000-08:00

So I can't scan my picture because my printer won't let me, so I took a picture of a picture. This is Alex's first school picture and I think it looks very cute. He is such a cute little man. My mother-in-law thinks he dresses preppy, and I am really ok with that. Alex loves school and always loves to go and learn. I can't believe how big he is getting. I love you, Alex!!!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-31T22:19:00.000-07:00

October 31st, 2008. We have a fireman, Barney, and Belle. Our first Halloween away from our family. We started out in the town center with a bean bag toss at central market, followed by a trunk or treat down at city hall. We got so much candy in just 2 places that we considered stopping but the show must go on. We came back home and when door to door. It was so much fun and the kids had a blast. We even met some new neighbors that invited us in for treats and to meet other neighbors. (She has this awesome spider that I want, so I had to ask where she got it. COSTCO) Well, I hope everyone has a safe Halloween.

Alex's Halloween Party

2008-10-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

I just attended Alex's Halloween party. What a cute kid. He loves school and loved sharing it with his sister and brother. We love you fireman Alex!!!

2008-10-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Still new at this whole thing so here are the rest of the picture that I wanted on here. Sorry!!

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-25T20:50:00.000-07:00

We have taken the kids to the pumpkin patch every year it is our tradition, and since our move we still wanted to keep the tradition going. We found a patch right outside of Everett and wanted to try it out. We started with the hay ride to find the perfect pumpkin. They had a pumpkin cannon that shots pumpkins the kids loved it. We have a very fun filled day and we brought home 2 pumpkins to carve. It was awesome!

Ferry Ride

2008-10-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

My mom and I took the kids on their first ferry ride. We went down to Edmonds and rode the ferry to Kingston on the peninsula. The kids loved it we even saw a jelly fish. I was a beautiful day which I hear are coming to an end, so we enjoyed it while we can. My poor mom was so sick with a bad cold but, wanted to take the kids. Thank you mom!! and Gramma!

My Mom

2008-10-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the people we love the most need a reminder of how much we love them, too. I love my mom so much and she does so much to help our family. Since our move, my mom has tried to come up once a month to help me with the kids and just keep me sane. I love her so much and hope she knows how important she is in my life. Thank you, Mom, for everything!!

The b-day party

2008-10-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

The party was small and fun. We decided since Will was short on friends we would go to the Rain forest cafe. It was just my brother and his family, my friend Stacie and her husband Jason, Grandma Sherry, Grandpa, and Gramma. The theme was a monkey since Will is our little monkey. The gift next to him in this picture is his dinosaur SPIKE, very cool!! We want to thank everyone for coming!!!

Grandma Sherry

2008-10-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time with PJ's mom. She came up to visit us for the first time since the BIG move. We were so lucky to get her for a whole week! Thank you for the wonderful time. The kids loved it and will miss you greatly!!!

Will's 3rd Birthday

2008-10-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

It's officially Will is "3". I again have them right in a row 3,4,and 5. P.J.'s mom has been visiting us for the first time in Seattle. We took Will to his favorite restaurant last night, had dinner and then a cake. He blew out all the candles out on his first try. I can't believe it has been 3 years, and to think he might not be here. I can't imagine a life without our little William Walker Straight. We love you, Will. Happy Birthday!!!!

Too many cakes!!!!

2008-10-11T14:27:00.000-07:00

Alex had his first school carnival. We went with Sherry and the kids. It was very cold outside so we only did the outside rides for a little while. Then we went to try our luck at the cake walk and struck BIG! Rylie went 1st and won. She picked the pumpkin cake. Then Alex went and won right after Rylie. So we left with 2 cakes!!! I was so excited, 2 cakes let me repeat that 2 cakes!!

Halloween Town

2008-10-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

After hours of decorating this is the final product. We went to 3 different stores. The kids loved it and Rylie said, "That's awesome!" and Will agreed. I hope you like it. Come trick or treating here!!

Fun with Firetrucks

2008-09-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

When P.J. got home last night he told me about Lowes having a project to build firetrucks. I called to see if you needed to sign up, they said just come as close to 10am as you can. When we got there Rylie did not want to do it and then she of course changed her mind. (typical girl...) So we went through 2 extra sets of wheels and were able to finally get it all finished. They got aprons, goggles, and a patch. It was a very full filling day. We already decided to make it next time when they make skeletons.

Rylie's first day of pre-school

2008-09-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

I now have 2 school bound kids. Rylie started pre school today and loved it, she only goes 3 days but that's enough to get her little mind going. Rylie is so smart and loves to learn she is always trying to keep up with her brother. If you know any of my kids you know that there is no way to compare any of my kids! Now with Rylie and Alex off to school that only leaves little Will to entertain which in itself is a huge job, I will be starting mommy and me soccer on the 23rd just to get us out and meeting other kids for him to play with. Will is always going to be a little behind in school, his birthday is in Oct. and makes him start later.

Fishing with the Straight's

2008-09-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

Well, the kids have been dying to go fishing since we moved. We had heard about a pond outside of Marysville, so we packed up and were off to the fishing pond. There were 2 ponds 1 for kids and parents to help and 1 just for adults we tried both pond and ended up with nothing. Alex told us " The fish must not be hungry," I love that kid!! Rylie loved the whole fishing thing she loves fish. Will just loved being in the water ( we saw a sign as we were getting ready to leave warning us of swimmers itch, I very quickly ran them home and put them in the shower) he loved the rocks and putting his whole pole in the water. We had such a fun day hopefully next time we can catch something.

Alex 1st Day of Kindergarten

2008-09-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

Well, now it is time for school and I had to send my little man to school. I can't believe how big he is, his sister will be right behind him. I was not as sad as I thought I would be, he was so excited so I couldn't be sad for him. I was just waiting counting down the hours until he would be home. I didn't realize how just one little person being gone for only a few hour can change the whole house. I am so excited to see what all he learns and what he can teach us too! I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.

Labor Day

2008-09-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

For Labor day this year we drove home. Which is something we have never had to do because we have always lived there. My dad has spent week after week building this tree house for Alex, Rylie and Will and since we have moved they have not seen it done. They could play in that backyard for hours with out getting bored at all. My sweet gramma rain is in her 80's and still looks great and can still climb up in the tree house like one of the kids. P.J. also went and bought little gold fish to put in there ponds and Rylie could not stop playing with them I really do mean playing with them she would catch them and hold them and then put them back in the water as they would quickly swim there way back to safety. It was really good to be home an enjoy the time we spent with our families. With both of our parent living in Idaho it was a big change for our family. We hope that we will be able to come home more and maybe they can come up too!

Space Needle with Teaters

2008-09-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

In August our friends (more like family) the Teater came up to Seattle to visit us. We went to the Space Needle. The kiddos loved it, most of the time. Alex was not so camera friendly that day it appears. It is so high up there you seem to forget until you get up there. It is crazy that now there are so many building that tower over it. It was so much fun to be up there we really wanted to eat there but were suppised to see the price I did not want to spend $15 on a hambuger for my kids to pick at, Sorry.....

family visits

2008-09-06T11:34:00.001-07:00

After we had been in our new home for about 3 or 4 weeks my brother Russ and his family from Arizona came up to visit us and my other brother Jim who lives in Dupont just about an hour away from us. We did all the Seattle things. The kids love to see their cousins and uncles and aunts. I can't believe how old all the kids are getting. I remember when my oldest niece was born and now she is almost 15 crazy! I really am so lucky to have such a wonderful family, I love them all so much!!!

Saying Goodbye to Idaho and friends

2008-09-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

After we made the decision to move to Washington there were some friends we had a hard time saying bye to. We have become very good friends with the Teaters and the rest of the family as well. I was very hard for us all to say good bye!