HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!!!

Today is my brother Garrett's 32nd birthday. Maybe it's just because I'm the oldest but I always reminisce about all my siblings when they were little on their birthday. I remember all the fun and funny things they used to do. They were such good sports when I would make them play school, office, grocery store, Price is Right or a multitude of other things.

Garrett picked a restaurant here in town, Cool Hand Luke's. All of Garrett's family, all of ours, Dad, Gee, and Angie's friend Rachel (from nursing school) came. I made Garrett a cake. He loves to hunt and being outdoors. I really didn't think that I could make any animals but I attempted this cartoon buck and I think it turned out pretty okay.

Love ya Garrett and hope you have a great year!

Dad, Garrett, Emily, and Logan

SOCCER!!!

Well we are officially into soccer now. Both Chandler and Ethan have their uniforms and they are ready. Chan is on the Bears for the under 8 group and Ethan is on the Ducks for the under 6 group. This is Chandler's first year on a bigger field and is realizing that there is a lot of running. (He's never complained though!) Last year he played on a 1/4 of the field like Ethan is now.

They play at a very nice park strictly for soccer here in town. It is very nice just in the Redding heat it would have been nice if they would have planted some trees, or maybe start the season later. Anyway, there was a parade of teams tonight where each team comes out with their uniforms on and their banners and walks around the main field. Evan has decided that soccer is not for him so Evan and Chase sat with us in the stands.

Go Bears and Ducks!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

Well summer went way too fast! And to be completely honest I really am not thrilled that school is starting. I don' t like getting up early and I really despise (as my friend put it the other day) being the homework nazi. Don't get me wrong I am excited for my boys to progress in their studies and meet new friends. However, in the Reasbeck home back to school takes some getting used to again.

However, all personal complaints aside, we had a great first day! We all got up in time to take Evan and Chandler to school and walk them in to their new classes. Evan is in the 4th grade and has Mrs. Hall. Chandler is in the 1st grade and has Mr. McMahon. We are all thrilled with the teachers they got and couldn't be more excited for them and their journey with these awesome teachers.

Evan and Chandler we love you and may you have a fantastic year! My our boys are handsome!

GIANTS BASEBALL GAME!!!

Ryan and I wanted to take the boys to a San Francisco Giants game this summer. So, we got tickets with my dad, his friend Rose, Gee, Garrett, Kristi, Cody, and Logan. We left Chase and Emily at home. Chase stayed with Bill and Cindy which was great! And actually Ryan ended up not being able to go. He had to drive some young men to a tri-stake youth conference in Eureka. So the boys drove down with Garrett and Kristi and their boys in their car, and I drove down with Gee in her car. She drove herself because she was going to stay in Sacramento for a young adult conference. The game didn't get over till around 11pm and we drove straight home, or I should say Garrett did. Thank you Garrett! Chase slept at Reasbeck's and did great! We didn't get home until 3:30am. Fun times though, fun times.

We got to SF a little early and went to Pier 39. The kids watched a pirate magic show, we saw the seals,

Chandler, Evan and Cody

Ethan watching the seals

rode the double decker carousel, Ethan, Evan, Logan, Cody, and Chan in the back

and then ate yummy clam chowder in a bread bowl! Then we headed down to AT&T park for the game. The traffic for just a few blocks was insane and we missed the first pitch. But we did have a great time.

Ethan, Chandler, and Evan

Chandler and Evan

The boys at first only cared about hitting all the food vendors that were walking up and down the aisles. But the 9th inning got exciting with tons of errors and bad pitching on the Giants part and the boys finally got interested. Needless to say the Giants lost to the Reds 10-5. The boys were bummed, but still happy to be enjoying the big city.

Gee and me

And thank you Bill and Cindy for watching Chase. He definitely would not have wanted to sit there.

HANGING OUT WITH THE LOWRY'S!!!

My best friend Elizabeth from BYU and her husband (Scott)and 3 boys(Nathan, Matthew, and Blake) came out from Colorado to stay for a few days. They were going to Tahoe for the upcoming week, so came out a few days early to spend time with us. I have known Liz now for 18 years! Holy cow! I actually set Liz and Scott up at school. I knew it would be a match made in heaven! (He-He). Over the years are husbands have become friends too and now this was the first time that all our boys have been together and they had a great time together too. In fact when they left Evan said he missed his new friends.

We had lots of fun while they were here. Of course, the boys swam in the pool. Scott and Liz took the boys to a movie while I stayed home with the two little guys. On Saturday we all went out to Shasta Lake and had a great time. We were lucky enough to have Ryan's dad bring out their patio boat,
Papa R. & Chase

my dad brought his ski boat, Dad, Scott, Nathan, and Matthew going tubing

and we brought the jet ski. Gee came too. We had lunch and dinner out on the lake. The water was warm and all the kids did great. I skied,

(no making fun of my form or face)

Ryan wake boarded and tubed, and the other boys tubed and rode the jet ski.

Chase, mom and Ethan

L-R: Evan, Chandler, Matthew, Ethan & Nathan
what cute boys!

Elizabeth and Blake
Ethan & Daddy

Also while they were here Evan had a cub scout pack meeting. He was awarded with his Wolf badge, a bunch of belt loops and wolf beads. Great job Evan!

We had a great time with the Lowry's and the four of us adults can't wait to do something with just us. So many options! Thanks guys for coming. We love and miss you!

EVAN'S 9TH B-DAY PARTY!!!

We got home from camping Sunday night and Evan's birthday party was scheduled for Wednesday. We had put on the invitations that it was to be a pool party, however, on Sunday the pool wasn't even remotely close to being done. So, for the next few nights Ryan, his dad, my dad, my brother, friends, and I worked our butts off to get it done. It did get done. In fact, the pool was still being filled as the guests were arriving.

The water was freezing for them but they didn't seem to mind too much. Chandler

Evan

Logan and Ethan

Ryan and I stayed up to 3 am Wed. morning finishing up. There was still trim work that needed to be put on but hey the thing was holding water. And that is all that mattered.

Evan wanted a Transformers themed birthday. Thus, the cake with the autobot symbol. I keep thinking that I will run out of little boy birthday cake ideas, so far so good.

Evan had a great time. A lot of his friends from school came along with, Grandpa and Grandma R., Granny, Aunt Kathy, Kristi, Logan and Emily. Ryan and I can't believe we have a 9 yr. old. I still get teary eyed when I think back to everything we went through with Evan when he was born and how terrific of a young boy he is now. He is a great kid and we are so blessed to have him in our family. We love you Evan, and as you said,"Next year I'm in the double digits!" Wow!

ANNUAL CAMPOUT!!!

Every year for as long as I can remember mom and dad have taken us kids camping in the Redwoods over by Crescent City. And this year was no different. Other than there are spouses and grandchildren now we go to the same place and usually even the same campsite every year. I, or even better, our family loves this more than anything. Our boys love this tradition and they are so bummed when it is over and ask all year long when are we going to go again.

This year we left on July 20th, Evan's 9th birthday. We got to camp before dinner and started to set up. Dad, Angie, Adam, Rachel and Olivia and Aaron got there a day earlier. (Bill, Rachel's husband wasn't able to come this year. He had to work. We missed him.) Angie with help I'm sure decorated the easy-up for Evan's birthday.

Gee & Evan

It was really cute. It wasn't the first time that camping has fallen on his birthday so he thinks it is pretty cool when this happens and we can celebrate in the Redwoods. I brought cupcakes and he opened his presents under the stars.

Olivia, Evan, me and Cody

Kristi, Emily, Aaron, Gee, Chandler, and Rachel

Our group has gotten so large that we all can't fit into one site like we used to. So, Dad, Gee, and Adam, and Garrett and his family were in the large site (our favorite spot) and Rachel and her kids had their own site and we did too. We are all very close together though, just a stone throw away. Our little family added some fun new camping equipment this year. Bunk beds!!Yes, cot bunk beds! Evan and Chan used them. They were great and gave us some needed space. Our tent we jokingly call the Taj Majal- it is pretty large, but when you get all our clothes, mattresses, and other stuff in there we still get cozy.

Goodnight E-man!

Ryan, me and usually Chase slept here

We did lots of fun outings. Every year we go crabbing on the pier at Crescent City,

Adam, Ethan, Logan and Chandler

Dad, Adam and Garrett

Gee, Me and Adam

Ethan found a stick and drank a lot of red Gatorade!

and the beach. The kids love digging and getting all sandy. It is usually cold and always amazes me how they can stand getting wet in the freezing cold ocean. We also fly kites.

Dad, Adam & Gee are the adult figures w/the cousins

Evan coming back to the car.

This year it was a tad too cold for Chase so Ryan and I stayed in the car and watched from there. Thank you to Adam, Angie, Rachel and Dad who played with the kids on the beach while we were stick in the muds. The beach, unfortunately is not either Ryan or my cup of tea, so we really appreciate the aunts and uncles who let our boys still enjoy it. One day we went to a park and played hide and go seek. We also went to Fern Canyon this year. It is soooo beautiful in there. There are ferns covering the walls of this canyon all around you and it is truly breathtaking.
I love this picture. Chase looks less than enthused but he really does love the backpack.

Evan & Ethan

Aren't the canyon walls gorgeous?!

Daddy and Chase

How cute

The fam. Yes that is E-man covering his face. (we are in that phase)

Rachel helping Aaron do his "business". (Sorry Rachel, too funny)

We also all went out to the beach there. Ethan & Evan

Daddy and Chase chillin' in the sun

sitting: Chase & Emily

bottom row: Adam, Angie, Ryan, Rachel, and Garrett

middle row: Cody, Evan, Chandler, Aaron and Logan

top row: Ethan and Livi

Even if the beach isn't our cup of tea it is still fun when we do go on the sand and watch the boys get caught up in all the fun around them. We also did the usuall like climb big Redwood stumps, ride bikes, find banana slugs, etc. One day Ryan, Garrett, and Adam went golfing and Kristi and I took our kids to the local aquarium. It's not big by any standards but the boys think it's pretty cool.

Ethan wanted a picture "by the huge whale!"

Logan and Ethan

Cody, Evan, Ethan, and Chan petting tiger sharks

Chandler, Evan and Ethan

Evan, Ethan and Chandler catching a wave

One afternoon while we were waiting to catch up with everyone else Ryan and Adam took Evan and Chandler down to the rocks that are by the light house and climbed around.

Handsome boys!

Handsome men!

Adam, Evan and Chan striking a pose. (my boys are very proud of this pic.)

I sat in the car and let Ethan and Chase sleep. After a while everyone did show up.

Every year each family takes turns cooking dinner. Dad, the twins, and Rachel made country spare ribs, beans, corn bread and salad. We made lasagna, bread, and salad. And Garrett and Kristi made tri-tip, potatoes and carrots. It was all very good and dutch ovens are great!

Another thing we did this year was make camping shirts. Dad bought a silk screening machine and Gee made everybody shirts. On the front it said Claycamp Annual Campout 2009 Crescent City. And on the back it had our last name on it with our number that we are in the family. Dad's first, I'm third, Ryan came in after the twins so he's eighth, and so on. The shirts really turned out cute. Thanks Gee!

Camping holds such a special place in my heart and everyone else's too. So many precious memories have been made there. Mom is greatly missed but her presence is very strong. Camping was never her favorite thing. She would much rather have been vacationing in a nice hotel, but since they could never afford to do that growing up she would always say camping was just as good because we were all together. We all miss her so much and she was definitely the glue that smoothed everything out but we all have fun remembering all the fun times camping with her and we, I think, are doing a good job continuing to make new memories because we are all together.

Angie, Adam, Rachel, Garrett, and Dad

Chan, Ethan, Aaron, and Rachel

Aaron, Rachel, and Livi
Chase, me and Adam

Our beautiful family.

Very tired boys on the drive home.

This was Chase's second camping trip. He had a great time and it was fun to see him really enjoy the outdoor wonders for the first time.