Order Up!!

Day 9

It's not very often that I am home on Saturday mornings. I'm usually up at 3:15am and out the door on my way to work by 4 so having breakfast as a family isn't usually an option. I mean I'm all for it but I don't think Kristi and the kids are big fans of the idea of waking up at 2:30am just to have breakfast with me.

With that said for some reason my Saturdays schedule got changed from working a morning shift to working an evening shift yesterday and to my surprise I woke up to the smell of waffels but not just plain waffles, strawberry covered waffles.

Kristi not only put strawberries on them but also had whip cream for them. Are you kidding me? Maybe we should start waking up at 2:30AM!!

I can't remember the last time or if there has even been a time were we all were able to sit down and eat a nice Saturday breakfast as a family.

I guess after Easton was done eating his waffles he decided to eat his fork. I can't really blame the boy. I mean, what is a hungry, growing man supposed to do?

Owen is like, "I have one more piece left and I'm going to squish the heck out of it before I eat it!" I told him, Hey that's cool knock your self out just wipe your hands off when your done!!

I think Addy was still a little tired and I guess she is the type of person that would rather dunk her waffles into the syrup instead of having it put on top!

I'm not exactly sure when we will be able to eat breakfast again as a family but if there is a time I hope it is soon and maybe just maybe I will wake up to the smell of bacon. WINK/WINK!!

Thank You US Government

Day 8

Name: Ryan Gamradt
Age: 33
M/F: Male
Status: Married but in LOVE with Uncle Sam (for the time being)

Kristi and I just got our tax return back so we decided to do something that we have planned to do for a long time. No....we didn't go on vacation or buy something that would make a grown man cry although I did shed a tear when I saw the finished product. (KIDDING OF COURSE) We decided to buy brand new, state of the art, out of this wold gutters. No...they are not the Leaf Guard gutters, the government wasn't that nice to us but we did have them put on fascia board so our rafter tails wouldn't show. I know they are hard to see but here are our new water capturing devices we got put on the house...aka GUTTERS!



I guy that I worked with is really good friends with the owners of the company that we decided to go with. I love it when you can find a referral like that because it makes me have a little more faith that I won't be taken to the cleaners on the price and that they will do a good job.


The nice thing was when I met with the owner he was able to do the job the next day and I was able to put some down spouts in different locations. Kristi and I wanted to move one of the spouts located on the front of the house over a little bit and we wanted to change the flow of another one completely.

With the turt all the water would flow to the back and come down from the back side. I wanted to add a down spout in the front and have it flow forward because if you look at all the houses that are similar to ours after a period of time you can see the water line on the shingles from having it drain in the back so we now have it drain in the front hoping it will prevent that.

So if anyone is thinking about having there gutters done I have a guy for you, just tell him that Ryan sent ya!! He will probably say Ryan???Ryan Who??? Seriously though I thought they did a great job!

Kristi and I are also going to try and do a couple of other small house projects on Uncle Sam's bill but nothing big. I think our next one will be new wood blinds if we can afford it!! Stay Tuned for that entry if it happens.

Time for ourselves....What's that?

Day 7

What is greater than Nachos?




Less than Wonton Tacos?


and equal to a Strawberry Margarita?


a Hurricane of course or......

.....a night of appetizers and drinks at Applebees without any kids.

Still a little confusing to us Julianne made the suggestion that she would pick up the kids and bring them home from Jim and Karen's. Before she could change her mind Kristi and I were half way to Applebees planning what we were going to have. Making it even better all the appetizers we talked about getting were 1/2 price because it was happy hour. BONUS!! Not only that but all our drinks were on sale as well. DOUBLE BONUS!! The only bad part of this whole thing was I could barely move after everything we consumed but for me that was a small price to pay. We are now hoping and praying that Julianne will make this a weekly occurrence!

Thanks Julianne!

Key's to a PERFECT game!

Day 6

I think bowling has to be one of the most fun things to do as a family. I mean it consist of throwing a ball as hard as you can, down an oiled lane, and knocking over pins. What more fun is that. I remember back in Sauk when I was a young kid we would go to RCL's with my Grandma and Grandpa who used to be pretty dang good bowlers. I guess that's why they bowled in a league. I still remember when you walked in, the bar was on the right, the lanes were on the left, and the pool tables where in the middle and when you left you always smelled like smoke. It was the BEST THING EVER!! I hate to say and I am sad to say but I think RCL's is now a parking lot.

When we drove over to Colfax to visit Grandma Betty we decided we would take a little detour to Pullman and hit the lanes.

As I now start my journey in training Addy into becoming a member of the PBA I start by telling her a couple of key things she needs to know in order to have a perfect game. 1 Finding that right ball, which is impossible unless you buy your own. To me the finger holes are always to far apart, to close together, the ball is way to light, or way to heavy. I mean don't you think the government should at least supply each person with one bowling ball through out their lifetime. I mean look at this confused child deciding whether to go with the yellow one or the yellow one!! COME ON PEOPLE!!

2. Proper nutrition. I don't think cheese fries are on the top of the PBA nutrition meal plan and I'm almost positive none of the pro's eat and bowl at the same time but Addy does do it with grace.

3. Focus!! You need to concentrate in every frame and always visualize on your ball placement or you can just turn around and make sure no one is eating your cheese fries while your ball is headed towards the pins!!

4. Never forget your turn!! "What...It's my turn....Daddy be right back!!"

5. Confidence! "What are you talking about? I knew it was my turn all the time Daddy!!" "Can we get more cheese fries!"


6. Get the highest score. If you look at the top under where it says Julianne you will see Addy bowled a 72...not to bad with gutter protectors, a bowl glider, and a tummy full of food!!


Now forget all that crap I just said and listen to the to the true keys to the game. There are only two. 1. Always look good in your bowling shoes!! 2. Have fun!!


I'm sorry I forgot one more. 3 Always ride the fire truck on your way out!!


Easton and Owen came out to see their big sisters bowling debut!!

Here is Easton's response when Addy wins the National Championship Game Playoffs. "Please NO more pictures!" Easton loves his sister but hates the MEDIA...Bloodsuckers!! Seriously media can't you just stop.

I had to add this picture. Who bowls with a kid in there hands? Although I do have to say it was pretty impressive and she also beat my score in the first game. In the second game I am glad to report that I bowled 4 strikes in a row which they called a (?) on the scoring screen. Answer in the comments portion!!

See you tomorrow!!

Snoqualmie Falls

Day 5 (DISCLOSURE...It is raining today!)


I'm not sure why but I absolutely loving the weather we are having. I guess I'm just in the mood for Spring to begin but the weird thing is we didn't even have that bad of winter. I mean lets think about this, how many times did I shovel the snow out of my driveway this year - ZERO - How many stories did we do at work about snow in the Seattle area - ZERO - I guess I should probably knock on some wood because it is only February but I think we can all agree when we start seeing this while we are driving down the road it automatically brings a smile to your face.


This time of year you can't lose by driving out and seeing the falls. They are just so beautiful in the Spring and Fall plus it's only a half an hour away and FREE so you can't beat that.

It's also nice when Julianne can join in the fun. Some of you might remember during the summer we tried to do field trip Tuesday every week since Julianne was switching jobs she usually would join us. I guess this trip just made me think back to those times.

It's always so hard to get a nice/perfect family picture. It seems like one of the kids is always looking in a different direction but then again how easy should it be with a 2 and a half year old and 10 month old twins. We will keep on trying but right now it just seems impossible.

Owen for time to time will remind me of an old man!! It makes me laugh everytime. As soon as I seen this picture it reminded me of 'Grumpier Old Men'. I can't wait till Owen runs into the house crying because Easton threw a fish in his back seat of his car.

I can't lie Addy has me wrapped around her figure. It seems like no matter what she does or what she asks for I will give in and give it to her. Krisit says I have to do something about it because as she gets older it will only get harder to say, NO! On the other hand who can say no to a face like this.

Kristi and Addy enjoying the side view of the falls!

Here's looking at you kid!! (I LOVE THIS PICTURE)

Easton overwhelmed with excitement!! Calm down son it's just water over a cliff!!

On the way back we took a little detour to drive by someones old house!! I will give everyone a clue. I will then post the answer in the comments portion. If you want to see if your right you will have to leave a comment or just click comments and leave nothing but how much fun would that be. Clue....Kristi's childhood obsession...24?

We are not sure why but we can NOT get this picture to be right side up!! We have never had this problem but we thought Addy was just too cute to pass up. So we ask you to either twist your head and look at it sideways or turn your computer monitor on it's side and look at it that way. I advise you though to turn your monitor back because if someone walks in and sees your computer screen on it's side they might think your on DRUGS!! Have a GREAT DAY!! 25 days left to go!!

Boys night vs Girls night

Day 4

I've been meaning to put this blog entry on here for some time since it happen a couple of weeks ago maybe a month ago. One night Kristi and Lori decided that they would take the kids and have a little party giving Matt and I a night off, giving us the chance to trade this hectic scene in for.....

....this!! I'm not sure but I think we might of got the best end of this deal. Seriously it's Pizza and Beer you can't loose with that combo.

I guess the Dyks and us share the same choice of style when it comes to PJ's and shop at the same store as well. I'm just happy we didn't bring home the wrong kid.

We not only had pizza but we also were able to watch some sports and Star Trek on blu-ray. I just have to say I love blu-ray movies if your thinking about buying a blu-ray I would definitely do it. It still blows my mind on how clear it is.

I would now like to put in a motion that Lori and Kristi would have kids night every Friday or Saturday night. Alright, I just heard Matt seconded it so the motion has passed and we are set this friday for some more PIZZA and BEER, any father who would like to join us is welcome!!

Sunny Day in February!

Day 3

Wow!! I have made it a lot further in this 30 in 30 thing then I ever thought I would!!

Over the past couple of weeks we have had some beautiful weather here. I'm talking like, we hit 60 degree during a couple of the days. With it being so nice we have tried to take advantage of it as much as we can and get the kids outside of the house. We even broke out Addy's tricycle and the wagon and walked down to the park so Addy could use some of that energy she has built up during the day and run around!

Addy absolutely LOVES the parks and the cool thing is there are like 5 different parks that we can walk to right around our house. Her favorite 2 things I would have to say are the swings and the slide. It seems like not matter what park we go to we have to hit the slide then the swings.

Usually Easton and Owen just chill while Addy plays unless there are some baby swings then we will take them out and let them swing a little bit. I've noticed that if they are outside they keep them selves pretty busy just looking around and taking in the sites.

Kristi and I just love these two pictures of the twins. We feel they really capture who they are, Easton is just a fun, adventures, go with the flow type of kid.

Owen is more the laid back, curious, but pickier of the two. If he doesn't like what is going on he will let you know!! It seems to be that Owen is more like me in the sense that he has to have things in order and will be extremely organized where Easton could careless. In his mind the messier the better.

Here are a couple more shots of Easton and Owen. There not as good as the first two but they are still pretty good and I couldn't pass them up!!

HEY LADIES....How you doin?

Eating Big People Food

Day 2

Everyday the twins just seem to get bigger and bigger. In fact we have to watch Easton like a hawk because he loves to crawl over to the dog dish and play in the water and has a fascination with the stairs, which he can climb up but is very unstable. Both boys are doing very well and are eating like champs!! We have come to the conclusion that there favorite things are natural cheese puffs, chicken nuggets, and french fries. They will eat their vegetables and fruit but they are NOT there favorite things!!

You can already tell this kid is going to be a trouble maker. I'm not kidding when I say he is exactly like his uncle, Shawn. He's not scared of a thing, loves to explore, and is all over the place.

Easton and Owen are totally different though! It seems like Easton doesn't like the food that has a lot of texture to it and Owen will eat everything and anything which I thought would be the other way around but that's the way it is.