Man vs Kids & Dog

I wasn't exactly sure how this was going to work but I was determined to figure it out. I wanted to go for a walk one day but all I could think of is, how do I juggle Addy, the twins, the dog and walk all at the same time? I knew it wasn't going to be easy but it could be done. Here's how it worked, I threw Addy in one of the twins bigger seats and put her at the front of the double stroller, I kept Easton in his car seat in the back of the double stroller, grabbed and placed Owen in the baby carrier and attached Riley to her leash. Julianne was home to assist me in placing Owen in the baby carrier because I couldn't get the back strap connected by myself but I'm determined to figure that out as well. Here we are right before our 2 mile journey. Overall it went very well, it did take 30 minutes to get ready but that's OK. I will also say having a baby in a baby carrier on a hot day is like carrying an oven set at 425 degrees, maybe next time I will cook a pie in the carrier as I walk....mmm...APPLE PIE!!

The Greatest Show Ever!!

I'm not exactly sure how yet, but some how some way I got onto the Everett Comcast Arena Cyber club meaning every once in a while I will get this e-mail about buying pre-sale tickets. When I got an e-mail about "The Wiggles Go Bananas" concert I never reached for my wallet and clicked so fast in my life. Then when I saw we got Section - Floor, Row 6 I went BANANAS!

We also got two tickets for Andrew and Lori because we knew Andrew liked the Wiggles, ah who are we kidding we knew Lori was a huge fan as well!!

Before heading to the concert we thought we would also treat the kids to McDonald's as you can see Addyson was to busy to put down her cheeseburger for the camera.

We wanted to take a picture right before heading in. The kids don't look that excited here but don't worry the parents made up where they lacked.

When I told people at work that I was going to the Wiggles concert I think half of them were like, "That's Awesome!" the other half was like, "Who are the Wiggles?" I guess it is easy to tell who has little children when it comes to the Wiggles. I am not afraid to say that I'm a BIG fan of the Wiggles and was excited for the concert but I have to say as soon as they drove out the Big Red Car I became a HUGE/ENORMOUS fan. I might start my own Wiggles fan club. If any one who has kids, grand kids, nephews, or nieces and the Wiggles comes to your area BUY THE TICKETS!! You will not regret it!!

Kristi's favorite Wiggle is Anthony and when he came within inches of us I was a little surprised Kristi didn't tackle him to the ground and give him her phone number. I think one of the great things about the show was how they all involved the whole crowd, Sam and Murry went in the upper deck to say hi to all the kids, they made it a point to read every poster that a kid made for them, and they were so entertaining.

Here's Anthony doing a drum line routine. If you looked to the right of him that's my favorite dancer. She's doesn't only dance on all their tv programs but also in their show as well. There are actually a lot of the same dancers on both the tv program and in this show as well. The sad thing is we could pick out everyone of them.

Captain Feather Sword!! He is also a Gamradt household favorite. This guy makes me laugh every time I see him.

We knew Addy would like the show but we were a little afraid of how long she would enjoy it. We thought she might tune out after 30-45 minutes but that wasn't the case. She loved the entire show.
The Wiggles saying good-bye or in our case till NEXT TIME because if they come back to the area we will DEFINITELY go again. The Gamradt houshold gives the show a 5 star rating and that's out of 4. To quote Lori's blog That. Was. Awesome!!

Addy feeding the doll

Addy loves helping us out when it comes to the twins. I have to say it's not always exactly the help we need but her heart is always in the right place. She also loves to mimic us with her dolls when it comes to Easton and Owen. Here she is feeding her doll while I feed Owen. I didn't even know Addy was doing this until Kristi took the picture.

Giving the baby a little burp and grabbing the Mylcon just in case the doll as a little gas.

I think she's happy because her doll just burped!!

Cancer Sucks Group!!

On Sunday my whole family showed up at my brother Eric's house wearing their cancer sucks t-shirts to support my mom. She thought she was just coming over for a little grilling and have my sister-in-law, Sara shave her head but to her surprise everyone else was there for the same reason she was. All my brothers, a nephew, and believe it or not even my Aunt joined in the fun and shaved their heads as well.

Here is the whole Group before they brought out the clippers. For the people who don't know let me introduce my family;

Back Row, Left to Right = Brother, Eric / Brother, Shawn / Sister-in-law, Lisa / Brother, Doug

Second Row: Sister-in-law, Sara / Aunt, Janelle / Mother, Linda / Stepfather, Gene

Third Row: Brother, Josh / Sister-in-law, Laura (Holding their son Oliver)

Front Row: Niece, Paige / Niece, Raegan / Nephew, Brady / Niece, Shelby





Here is there AFTER picture. You guys look AWESOME!! I wish I could of been there to join in the fun.


Here is a close up picture of my brother, Josh and my brother, Shawn with my mom.

My brother Kurt was also not able to make it eiter because hes stationed over in Hawaii with the Marines but like me he sent a picture sporting his t-shirt and bald head to show his support.

All for a GREAT cause!

We all know that life throws us a curve ball now and then, no matter who we are, where we are, or what we are doing. Recently, my mom called to share with me that she had breast cancer and I'll admit, it was like someone took a bat and hit me in the stomach. The first couple of weeks were very hard for all of us because every time we heard news back from the doctor it was never the news we wanted to hear. But, now there is a plan and we are moving forward and I think we have picked ourselves up, dusted the dirt off, and are ready to fight.

I think it's easy to say that my mom has always been there for me no matter what, in fact;

I remember.......

.....back in 4th grade when you stood up for me when my teacher thought I stole a pen from the janitorial office while I was cleaning the erasers....I don't know what she was thinking.

.....when you brought in a cow lung for a science project and had the great idea to take a straw and blow into it so it would inflate and deflate......I got an A

.....when Shawn some how convinced you to take him an I out of school to attend a craft show in the Twin Cities....How did he ever talk you into that?

.....when I stayed after hockey practice and skated with another team and since I didn't show up on time you called all the regional hospitals to see if they had any John Doe's........Let's remember everyone, this was before cell phones, otherwise I would have called.

.....when I was running around town and you came and found me at Krans Super Stop at 2 am and just calmly said, "You need to go home."

.....you were there at the beginning of my Bemidji State career. You and I went and registered for all my classes and for some dumb reason we thought it would be a good idea to stay in the dorms instead of getting a hotel room and it was so hot. (I'm not kidding when I say it had to be 100 degrees in that room) I had to have mom sleep on the counter next to the window so you she wouldn't fry.

.....you were also there on my last day when I gave my senior thesis presentation.

.....in my college years when I would call you in the wee hours of the morning in a drunken stuper just to talk to you...I'm not sure why but you never got mad and you always ended the conversation with, "Thanks for calling."

.....when we said good-bye as I was leaving to head out to Spokane.....Can you imagine that was 8 years ago.

.....when you surprised me and flew out to see Kristi and I and while Kristi was at work, you and I went to Starbucks and talked for the longest time.

.....when you almost got in a fight at Fred Meyers because a lady wouldn't let you cut in line even after you explained that we were late for my grooms dinner, in fact this is the only time I ever heard my mom ever call someone a name....I know you say you called her a "Witch" mom, but I have to say I'm pretty sure it started with a "B".

.....the time I was checking out your and Gene's new bed by jumping on it and you got so mad you clotheslined me and wrestled me to the ground and I couldn't move.

In fact, it's because of your wrestling moves that I know that you are a very strong woman and you are going to make it through this with flying colors. Your positive attitude about things is amazing. And just like you have been there for me, I want you to know we are now here for you...any time, any place, any where.

I love you and I salute you, bald head and all.


I just want to reiterate:

......WHO NEEDS HAIR? LOVE YA AND REMEMBER YOU LOOK GREAT!!!

The Gamradts Bed & Breakfast. (KIND OF)

Welcome to the Gamradt 's Bed and Breakfast. It's a pleasant, cozy, quaint home located on a busy street. We have three comfortable and pleasing rooms but they are all taken so you will have to stay on either our soft micro-fiber couch or recliner. We also offer sleeping bags if you feel the floor will satisfy your needs. At this 5 star award winning bed and breakfast you will not only enjoy our 1987 structure but you will also enjoy our amenity's. At our place you will be awaken by the pleasant smell of a 100lb chocolate lab licking your face. Breakfast will be self-served and while your in the kitchen please feel free to make enough for two boys, a 2 year old girl, and 2 adults. The other thing that we feel we can offer you over our competition is a swimming pool. Our pool is open 24 hours or until the air leaks out. You can drink under the palm tree as you enjoy the Northwest outdoors but get there early because there is only enough room for one person...ah who are we kidding a half a person. If you are looking for some excitement take a ride on the elephant slide. It's the newest fasts slide on the market, the people in the biz call it the elephant 7000SS (SS = Slippery Slide) We do offer a life guard but she is only 2 and needs to take a nap from 1pm - 3pm and might need a diaper change while you swim, if you don't mind. We do ask for everyone not to dive into the pool because it is only 0.3048 meters. (1 foot for you stupid Americans)

Here is our life guard on duty.


She has passed the Gamradt life guard class which only consisted of making sure she kept her two hands on the rail. We didn't even think about teaching her how to do CPR....We really just hired her because she was so darn cute.

Like I mentioned before NO DIVING but you can dunk your head.

We did spend a little extra when we bought the elephant 7000SS (SS = Slippery Slide) we actually upgraded and added the elephants trunk squirter so feel free to bring your own cup and fill it up and yes you can drink it. It's probably taste better then the water in the house.

The Gamradt Bed & Breakfast has won numerous awards over our 4 years of existence. Don't just take our word for it take ex-inmate John Jacobs word for it, "This sure beats my prison cell." Thank you John and thank you for your business.

LIFE GUARD ON DUTY!!

4th of July

When the 4th rolled around we were prepared.

Gas in the Grill = check / Kabobs = check / corn on the cob = check / nice weather = check /
eating outside = check

So where did we go wrong? We had everything! I guess if I had to pick one I would pick the choice to eat outside. Why am I asking because as soon as we got everything moved, put on the table, and started to sit down to eat the twins decided it was time to cry. It was like they talked it over and planned it earlier in the day because they both started right on cue and it wasn't just crying they were SCREAMING. Right after that Addy entered stage right just as all three of them rehearsed and decided she couldn't sit in her own chair she had to sit with one of us and at the same time for some reason needed to have her bubble machine on. Who needs bubbles during supper? Earlier in the day I had this beautiful picture of us sitting down eating a great summer meal, with the sun setting in the background, and the sound of little kids running down the streets playing but instead of that picture it turned into us feeding and holding two boys screaming their heads off, Kristi not only holding Owen but Addy as well, our meal turning cold and I can't forget to add that after dinner we find out that our neighbor invited 40 of the craziest people you ever met over and spent over $2,000 on LOUD, ANNOYING, FIRE STARTING fireworks that started at noon and went until wee hours in the morning....AWESOME ....JUST AWESOME!!

In the picture you can see Kristi not only holding Addy but feeding Owen as well. I'm feeding Easton and if you look closely you can see that some how some way I put my shirt on backwards.....Maybe that's where the 4th of July started off wrong.