100 Things--2019--Completed

Our 2019 year was full of fun and adventure, just like we like it.  We had a few trips that we planned after the year started so it chnaged some of our plans for the year, in a good way.  Our list is fluid adn we take opportunities as they arise.

100 Things to do in 2019

1.  Family Trip to Disneyland (2/19)
2.  Help Evelyn ride a bike on her own (7/19)
3.  Visit Santa Monica Pier (2/19)
4.  Visit the Los Angeles Temple (2/19)
5.  Deb and Tony go to Harry Potters Wizarding World (2/19)
6.  Go on the Gnome Hike (4/19)
7.  Ride our bikes around Seward Park (7/19)
8.  Go to Rita's (12/19)
9.  Visit the Enchanted Forest (8/9/19)
10.   Go stargazing (12/19)
11.   Visit the Renton Dragon (4/19)
12.  Hike Rattlesnake Ledge (7/6/19)
13.  Visit the Cedar River watershed at Rattle Snake Lake (7/6/19)
14.   Go camping in a yurt (10/19/19)
15.   Go tidepooling at Seahurst Park (4/19)
16.  Re-roof the fort (6/19)
17.  Build with Food (Gingerbread Houses 12/22/19)
18.  Visit the Naval Undersea Museum (8/3/19)
19.  Build a blanket fort (8/12/19)
20.  Go to a splash pad (7/29/19)
21.  Visit the Grand Canyon (12/19)
22.  Spend Memorial Weekend with cousins (5/19)
23.  Fly on a prop plane (12/19)
24.  Visit Paradise Valley/Narada Falls (9/3/19)
25.  Visit Samamish State Park
26.  Visit the Grove of the Patriarchs (9/3/19)
27.  Have a lego day (12/25/19)
28.  Hike Coal Creek Trail (6/19)
29.  Attend Tacoma's Freedom Festival Air Show (7/4/19)
30.   Ride a Ferris Wheel (12/19)
31.   Walk in Renton River Days parade (7/19)

32.  Have a book flood (1/19)

33.  Have a fondue night (7/14)
34.  Deb go to a musical (Wicked 8/19)
35.  Make our own playdough (2/19)
36.  Have a video game marathon (2/19)
37.  Make a trip to a Lavender farm (8/3/19)
38.  Go to the Enchanted Forest (8/19)
39.  Attend the Scandanavian Festival (8/19)
40.  Go to Henry Moses Water Park (8/19)
41.  Hike Denny Falls (8/19)
42.  Replace Retaining Wall in back yard (9/19)
43.  Attend the Church Art Walk (9/19)
44.  Have a bad manners night
45.  See a movie in the theatre (Frozen 2 (12/2/19)
46.   Hike to Big Foot in the Red Rock Canyon (12/19)
47.   Go clamming (5/19)
48.   Go on Gnome Hike with friends (4/19)
49.  Celebrate Bastille Day (7/14/19)
50.  Fix up the go-cart (2/19)
51.  Max gets a 12 year old--trip with a parent (to D.C) (5/19)
52.  Visit Leavenworth (11/29/19)
53.  Kids enter Reflections art contest (11/8/19)
54.  Make snowflakes while watching Frosty (12/1/19)
55.  Have an Elf night (12/18/19)
56.  Have a Grinch Night (12/14/19)
57.  Have a Home Alone Night (12/19/19)
58.  Take a ride on the Christmas express and do a Christmas light scavenger hunt (12/23/19)
59.  Take a family a meal once a quarter (completed)
60.  Make fresh-squeezed lemonade  (7/30/19)
61.   Make a paper mache project (12/19)
62.  Take Max to the Temple (1/19)
63.  Go on a Halloween Train Ride (10/19)
64.  Go on the Father/Son campout (5/19)
65,  Build a robot hand (Ryan and Grandma 4/29/19)
66.  Build a robot (cub day camp--7/29/19)
67.  Send a message in a bottle into the the ocean. (8/16/19)
68.  Make a Mbira (scouts) (Ryan and Grandma 4/30/19)
69.  Go to a U-pick farm and pick berries. (7/15/19)
70.  Make Jam (7/19)
71. Visit the Dungeness Spit (8/3/19)
72. Go sledding (2/19)
73.  Celebrate Santa Lucia day (12/20/19)
74.  Max and Ryan perform in a piano recital (6/19)
75.  Have an indoor snowball fight (12/19)
76.  Visit the zoo with friends (7/19)
77.  Go to the Santa Fly-In at the Museum of Flight (12/19)
78.  Visit the Discovery Center (7/29/19)
79.  Learn about Sweden and why GGGrandfather Johnson immigrated to US. (7/29/19)
80.  Go on a Halloween Story-Telling Train Ride (10/19)
81.  Plant a garden (6/19)
82.  Attend the Seattle Children's Book Festival (9/19)
83.  Go camping and tidepooling on the coast. (8/15-8/18)
84.  Visit Fort Worden with Flashlights (8/3/19)
85.  Visit the Seattle Center and play in the fountain (11/19)
86.  Visit a new state park (Flaming Geyser State Park) (10/19)
87.  Ryan and Jase attend cub scout camp (7/29-8/2)
88.  Max and Tony attend boy scout camp (7/15-7/19)
89.  Evelyn attend Vacation Bible School  (7/29-8/1)
90.  Ev go to the zoo with just parents and a friend (8/30/19)
91.  Jase go to the Flying Circus (11/8/19)
92.  Ryan does Mosaic art with a friend (11/11/19)
93.  Max does laser tag with a friend (9/14/19)
94.  Deb and Tony run a 5K together (9/19)
95.  Deb attend the Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly (10/19)
96.  Deb have a BDB weekend (10/19)
97.  Hike the Echo Peak Loop Trail (7/19)
98.  Tony do a sub 24 bike packing trip (8/11/19)
99.  Tony become an NRA expert marksman at scout camp  (7/17/19)
100.  Tony read 10 books

100 Things in 2018--Completed

We ended up changing a few of our experiences because opportunities came up or we needed to make alternative plans, but all in all we have had over 100 adventures this year and lots of fun in the doing.

100 Things to do in 2018

1.  Summer Grandparent visit (7/18-8/18)
2. Jason join a basketball team (11/18)
3.  Family Bike packing trip (5/18)
4.  Evelyn take ballet class and dance in a recital (The Wizard of Oz) (4/18)
5.  Hike to a Ghost Town, Franklin, WA (4/13/18)
6. Fill out a 3-generation Family Pedigree Chart  (4/13/18)
7.  Improve our family mile time (8/18)
8.  Learn how to milk a cow (9/5/18)
9.   Go to Trees of Mystery (7/18)
10. Mariners Game (6/18)
11.Watch a Boeing Model Rocket Club Launch (11/20)
12.  Make our own cars out of boxes for a home drive-in movie night (7/18)
13.  Kelsey Creek Farm Visit (Sheep Shearing Festival) (4/29/18)
14.  Pajama and Video Game Day (11/18)
15.  Learn how to make hummus (7/18 with Grandma Pearl)
16.  Attend the special Olympics (6/18)
17.  Complete the library summer reading program (8/18)
18.  Sing carols at a nursing home (12/3/18)
19.  Visit Northwest Trek (5/5/18)
10.  Visit Sutter's Fort (7/18)
11.  BYU vs. UW football game (9/29)
12.  Have a Pillow Fight (11/18)
13.  Have Target Practice (1/18)
14.  Dinner at Panda Express (6/8/18)
15.  Learn how to make doughnuts (8/18 with Grandma Kate)
16.  Learn how to make root beer (8/18 with Grandma Kate)
17.  Deb and the kids trip to Rockaway Beach (3/18)
18.  New bikes for mom and Evelyn (5/18)
19.  Family Beach Camping Trip (6/18)
20.  Have a good manners Night (7/18)
21.  Attend the Theatre, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (3/30/18)
22.  Visit Fairy Tale Town (7/18)
23.  Climb the Astoria Tower (3/18)
24.  Visit a Lavender Farm (7/18)
25.  Try lavender ice cream (7/18)
26.  Max and Ryan do kid only baking projects (4/18)
27.  Save for 2019 Disneyland Trip (12/18)
28   Max joins the swim team ( 5/18).
29.  Make Grandma Irma's Caramels (12/18)
30.  Watch Shark Tank as a family (1/16/18)
31.  Drive through a giant redwood (7/18)
32.  Visit where gold was discovered in California (7/18)
33.  Learn how to make teddy bear bread with Grandma Kate
34.  Make Infant Blankets for Seattle Children's Hospital (8/18)
35.  Take a Family a Meal Once a quarter (completed 12/18)
36.  Plant a garden (4/5/18)
37.  Max attend Boy Scout camp (7/18)
38.  Ryan and Jase attend Cub Scout Camp (7/18)
39.  Ride on a tractor (4/18)
40.  Read Native American folklore (2/18)
41.  Send Christmas Cards out in November
42.  Have Family Pictures taken (4/21/18)
43.  See the prophet speak at Safeco Field (9/18)
44.  Do a Christmas light scavenger hunt (12/18)
45.  Family Bowling Night (2/29/18)
46.  Make boats for the Rain Gutter Regatta (6/18)
47.  Read the Book of Mormon as a family (12/31/18)
48.  Visit the Bellevue Art Museum (5/4/18)
49.  Laser Tag at Phillip Arnold (8/31/18)
50.  Enter Reflections Art Contest (11/18)
51.  Visit Discovery Park (11/18)
52.  Watch a tank demonstration (9/18)
53.  Hike Gnome Trail(9/18)
54. Visit the Woodland Zoo (8/18)
55.  Go to Circus Circus (8/18)
56.  Visit Lake Tahoe (8/18)
57. Attend Makerfest 2018 (10/18)
58. Cut down our own Christmas tree (12/3/18)
59.  Visit the Tulip Festival in April (4/18)
60.  Run 5 Fun Runs as a family (12/18)
61.  See a magician (10/18)
62.  Attend a multicultural festival (9/18)
63.  Evelyn host a Nutcracker Party (12/18)
64.  Take May Day Flowers to 5 neighbors  (5/1/18)
65.  Volunteer on the Day of Service (9/8/18)
66.  Go to a Sounders game (6/18)
67.   Attend Festival of the Nativity (12/8/18)
68.  Watch the Incredibles 2 at the Drive in Theater (7/2/18)
69.  Attend an art appreciation night (10/18)
70.  Visit the Washington State Fair (9/18)
71.  Attend Festival of the Nativity (12/8/18)
72. Go to Snowflake Lane (12/10/18)
73.  Family Board Game Night (4/13/18)
74.  Have a Grinch Night Dinner (12/18)
75.  Max attend 5th grade camp (6/18)
76.  Deb and Tony explore the Oregon coast (2/18)
77.  Family beach camping trip (6/18)
78.  Learn how to build a campfire (7/18)
79.  Visit Whidbey Island (3/18)
80.  Make Your own movie night (4/12/18--Max's scout movie)
81.  Good Will $5 Treasure Hunt (10/29)
82.  Huff and Puff Before You Stuff (11/23/18)
83.  Go to a Christmas lights display (11/28/18)
84.  Apple Tasting Night (10/7/18)
85.  Do a Secret Santa Service (12/18)
86.  Family Restaurant night with candles (11/18)
87.  See Santa fly in on an airplane (12/15/18)
88.  Visit a corn maze (10/20/18)
89.  Have a Toy Story marathon (12/31)
90.  Learn a new game (Cobra Paw) (12/18)
91.  S'mores on the fire pit (multiple times)
92.  Tony--Build Bumper for 4 Runner (2/18)
93.  Tony--Take a H.A.M Radio Class
94.  Tony--read 10 books
95.  Tony--Tahoe Twirl, 40th birthday bikepacking trip (8/18)
96.  Deb--Attend Time Our for Women
97.  Deb--Ladies Temple Trip (11/18)
98.  Deb--read 55 books
99.  Deb--Learn About Card Making (11/18)
100.  Deb--BDB weekend (10/18)

Boxing Day Party

The day after Christmas Tony drove south to see family with his parents.  We were going to join but Evelyn started to run a fever and her and Ryan were so lethargic.  We were sad to miss the white elephant party but glad Tony, Kate and J had a good time.  It looked like a lot of fun.

Rockaway Beach

In March the kids and I drove down to Rockaway Beach to meet up with Stacey, Grandma Kate, Grandma Geniel and Beth who were there for Stacey's writer's trip.

Epperson Christmas Letter 2019

 Epperson Family Letter 2019

2019 has been a wonderful year with adventures, trying new things, family time, work, school and doing our best to help our kids be good humans.  

Tony started working the second shift at work which pretty much sucks but we're grateful he has a good job and hopeful he'll get back to working a day shift.  To celebrate his 40th, he and I took an Oregon coast road trip down to Newport while Grandma watched the kids.  Then during the summer and better weather, he did a 6 day bikepacking trip with two cousins.  He also worked on restoring the Porsche 944 his dad gifted him to fix up.  He also helps the kids with crossing guard duty in the mornings so he can be with the kids.

I still work part-time as an appointment secretary and volunteer at the school and in the PTA.  I love being able to volunteer and see the kids in school.  I've done a few girl's weekends this year and the getaway with Tony.  We're looking forward to celebrating our 14th anniversary early in a few days.  I love big trips and small trips with family or friends.  Being outside and exploring is definitely my jam.

Max started middle school and is a very responsible kid.  He's doing well in school, has some fantastic teachers and good friends.  He gets himself up and out the door independently.  He's also helps me a lot with the kids in the evening.  He's quick to joke like his dad and is also really good with his siblings.  He tried swim team during the spirng/summer and loved it.  At middle school he's learning the trumpet along with continuing his piano lessons and he's been learning how to be backstage crew with the drama club.  He also likes being a boy scout.

Ryan is a 4th grader and loves his teacher.  He is always wanting to create and read.  He does safety patrol at school, piano lessons, is in the Green Team club and applied to be and was trained to be a conflict manager at school which he really likes.  He's also an active cub scout.  Ryan is always wanting to make something, draw something, paint something, read or cuddle.  He is a kid who really loves his one-on-one time.  He's looking forward to taking swim lessons again and has really become a more confident swimmer this past year.

Jase started first grade and loves it.  He is alwys talking about numbers and time.  He got a watch for Christmas and said this was his favorite present.  He started playing on a rec basketball team.  He also did swim lessons and cub scout camp this summer.  Jase is pretty excited about things until he isn't  and then he really isn't.  He loves to make up cringeworthy jokes but can really sell them with his enthusiasm and like most kids this year has become an avid flosser.

Ev is spunky and shy.  She loves her preschool class 5 mornings a week and she loves her speech class at the elementary school.  She has a regular play date every week (kid swap, woo hoo) and is always pretending.  She loves to play mommies and babies, dress up and she loves to sing and dance.  She was in a ballet recital last spring and took swim lessons over the summer.  She still calls every friend she makes her best friend and I hope that never changes.

We're looking forward to more adventures with family and friends in 2019!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas 2019

For the first time ever, the kids were up before me.  Max and Ryan had opened their stockings before I was able to add my little surprises to Tony's dad's and Mom's stockings.  Then they went back to sleep for a little bit, Max cleaned up cat barf and then threw up himself because of it and Tony and I just tried to put on a smile when we were dead tired from 3 hours of sleep.  But seriously, when you're up for Christmas, it's like pure magic.  It's amazing to see kids open their stockings and see everyone get excited.  I loved getting ornaments and calendars the kids made.  We had our traditional waffles, ice cream and strawberries for breakfast and then facetimed with Doug and Stacey so they could join the fun.  

It's officially official.  We're going to Disneyland!

Playing Chrismasopoly!

Grandma got run over by a reindeer!

Evelyn using my new zen artist board

Jase flying his foam glider plane

Evelyn taking care of her baby

After dropping off Christmas goodies, we opened up the Christmas crackers a friend gave us.  (Ryan was already in bed so we saved one for him).  

Merry Christmas!