Friday, July 29, 2011

Summer Vacation 2011

The kids and I returned home yesterday from a week in Washington State to visit family and friends. We are all exhausted, but our trip home was worth every yawn from the boys.

The boys and I met Cousin Zach and Aunt Abby at the park for a play date last Wednesday. I couldn't believe how big Zach has gotten! And he is such a cutie, too. Evan loved racing around the park with his cousin. Evan still talks about going to the park with his "big cousin Zach."


On our last full day in WA, the boys and I met up with some dear friends of ours at a park in Auburn. I haven't seen Karen or the kids in over 18 months, and I was delighted to spend a few hours with them. Evan claimed he doesn't remember Aidan and Ethan, but they hit it off right away. Look at those smiles! Seeing them made me miss Pullman... they were a big part of our life while Mark was in school.


Jack and Jocelyn are exactly 5 weeks apart. I just can't get enough of her cuteness. :-)


Jack wanted to swing, but the infant/toddler swing was being used by Jocelyn. He insisted on trying the big boy swing, and he did great holding on. He scared me half to death, but he didn't fall off. He kept saying "whoa!" and laughing. Goofy boy.



Evan wants to do everything Grandpa does, including golf in the front yard. I'm not sure why he has such a grumpy face? Maybe he's tired of Mommy taking pictures of him.


Monday we took a trip to the Seattle Aquarium. We met Cindy, Ray, and their daughter and grandson for a few hours. I knew the temperature would be cooler in Seattle, but I was not prepared for 62 degrees and pouring down rain. The kids were real troopers and I only heard a small amount of whining when we were walking through the rain.


Evan took a great picture of Abby, my Mom, and me, but it's on her camera. Hopefully she will send me that picture so I can post it here (hint, hint Abby!). But I do love this photo of Abby, Grandma, and the boys. Evan couldn't be happier than when he gets to spend time with Abby and Grandma.

Isn't this sea anemone cool looking? Such a pretty green.


This little boy is a big fan of his Auntie Abby, too.



My parents treated us to a night at Great Wolf Lodge last Saturday night. Evan and Grandpa hung out in the wave pool for almost 3 hours, while Jack and I wandered around the toddler/pre-school area. I wasn't expecting the water park to be so loud, but it was a fun two days.


Miss Kaitlyn celebrated her 6th birthday last week, and we were lucky enough to be in town to celebrate with her. Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!


Friday night I cooked a big dinner for some family friends. The boys were less interested in the Ranch Style Chicken I cooked, and more interested in playing in the backyard.


At the Puyallup Library:



What could be better than curling up on the couch with Grandma? Playing Angry Birds, of course! Evan is addicted to the game, and he has installed 5 or 6 versions onto my iPod. If I had a nickel for every time Evan asked to play Angry Birds, I would be a very rich woman.



We also had a lovely BBQ with Mark's parents, lunch at the Olive Garden with Uncle Tom (and my Dad), a mini play date with Evan's girlfriend, Jayden, and a quick trip to the South Hill Mall. I can't believe all that we did in 9 days!

Have a wonderful Friday, friends.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Perfect timing.

Evan and Jack have once again come down with a virus/flu/infection of some kind & we have spent the whole week inside, watching hours of Toy Story (1 & 2), eating gold fish crackers on the couch, and taking afternoon naps. I'm just thankful they waited until after our friends left (and before our trip to Washington) to get sick. Sick babies + airplanes = one miserable mama.

I have two more photos to share from last weekend. I was so busy enjoying my time with our friends, that my camera went untouched for most of the week. Sometimes being in the moment, rather than behind the camera, is the best way to go.

Dion was pretty popular with the kids when he was here. Jack loved showing him his toys in the playroom and playing Garage Band on his iPad 2.

Watching the kids attempt the slip 'n slide is hilarious. Our children definitely inherited my lack of coordination and require a lot of help from Mark to make it down the slip 'n slide.

This photo was taken earlier this week:

The kids and I love going to the park in the morning (before the heat and thunderstorms make being outside unbearable), and our recent trip to a park about 40 minutes north of us was the perfect way to spend a Tuesday morning. The adorable little boy next to Evan is our friend, Max. He and Evan had a blast at the park together. I am so grateful for our new friends in Florida... it has made the transition easier for everyone.

I can hear Jack talking in his room, which means I only have a minute or two before he starts yelling at me. When he wakes up from his afternoon nap, he wants out of his crib the instant his little eyes open. Good thing he is cute. :-)

Monday, July 11, 2011