Parks

One of the things we love doing is going to the park. I think we would be there everyday if we didn't have anything else to do and if the weather would cooperate. I am not sure when we did what but here are a few pictures of our last several trips.

Still Alive

Yes, we are all still alive.
I know I have been pretty horrible about the updates and promise to have some shortly. I was prepared to list all the horrible excuses as to why, but am just a bit rushed with Samuel yelling because the tv is broken and Liam hanging on my hip squawking because I didn't pick him up yet, so the excuses will have to wait. Anyway, updates to come shortly...Stay tuned!

Baseball Hats

There is just something so cute about boys in baseball hats.

Liam is now crawling and getting fast. This has put a whole new twist on Samuel learning to share since Liam is now capable of getting into all the toys Samuel use to keep out of reach. I am just waiting for Liam to pound his brother for all the crap he has given him. Liam also now has three teeth that have finally broken through. Teething has been rough for all of us and I will be thankful when he gets all of them in. Otherwise he continues to be a great little boy, very laid back and go with the flow. He loves being outside, especially at the park where he just watches all the big kids run.

Samuel is as active as ever, thankfully the weather is getting nicer and we can be outside much more. Samuel has also made a huge turn around with playing with other kids on the playground. He is taking his turn and sharing so much more now which has actually made going to the park enjoyable. His language continues to develop daily and he is able to express more and more which has been helpful with the frustration of being a two and a half year old. He is so excited to start preschool this fall and talks about all the work he will do when he goes to school. Samuel is a great big brother, always looking out for Liam and making sure he is included in everything.

Gotta love 'em.

Golden Gardens

Well summer has finally arrived in Seattle. This past weekend was beautiful. It hit 80 multiple days and was sunny! It is amazing how much better life is when the sun is shining. Friday night we went out to one of our favorite places, Golden Gardens with some of our favorite people, the Johns Bowlings. It was great. Samuel loved playing in the rocks and finding shells. I love playing with my camera. Jessi showed me how to do silhouettes and it was all downhill from there. Mike even joined the fun. We finally left the beach after 10pm! Here are a few of our favorite pictures.

Samuel loved playing in the grass. He also got to pee in the grass for the first time. It was great fun!

Lachlan and Liam hanging out in the sand.

Samuel splashing in the waves.
Samuel found a whole clam shell. He was thrilled.

Once the sun started to set we had a great time with the camera!

Daddy and Liam

Mike stacked rocks and took the picture.
I couldn't let Mike have all the fun so I stole the camera and captured my own shot.

It was a beautiful evening. We look forward to going again soon.

This Weekend (Part 2)

Of course with everyone in town we had a weekend packed with fun. We had a picnic in the park, fed ducks, walked around Green Lake, visited the markets, played some Settlers, ate great food, and just enjoyed time together. Here are a few of the favorite pictures...

Addison and Samuel "flying" down the hill.

Aunt Kate, Samuel and Addison enjoying the sun.

Liam loving the park.

Ruby napping in the sun.

Addison chasing Samuel around the tree.

Our new niece, Ruby Neylon.

Feeding the duck..aka...not getting eaten by the ducks

A stroll through the park

Nana, Papa, Samuel and Liam

This Weekend (Part 1)

This weekend called for special celebration here in Seattle...

MIKE GRADUATED!!!!

The graduation ceremony was amazing. Not only was the location beautiful, the speakers, readings and prayers were all exceptional. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the past three years and begin to hope and dream for the future.

All the family was in and we were able to spend the weekend celebrating. It is crazy to think that we have been here in Seattle for three years and that we are now finished with the program. Although Mike will still have two classes this summer and in internship he will complete in Michigan the light at the end of the tunnel is bright!

And this is how Mike felt about going to class on Tuesday!
Almost done babe, almost done!

The Boys

Not a whole lot of time for an update, but a couple of cute photos from today.
Enjoy!

Trouble

Yesterday Samuel and Daddy went and got hair cuts in preparation for the big weekend coming up. Samuel is always thrilled to get a hair cut and does a great job. When he was finished he was asked if he wanted gel. He enthusiastically said yes not having any idea what it was. She then offered him colored gel, of which he chose red. Here are the results.He was thrilled and was happy to snap a few pictures.

His tough guy side.

His super silly side.

And of course...a side shot.

After his bath he was pretty sad that it was gone. He wanted it again this morning but we had to explain that it was something special for when he gets his hair cut. I can only imagine the styles he will request when he gets older!

Tulips

This past weekend we went up to Skagit Valley to see the tulips. They were beautiful. It was so nice to spend the day together as a family and with our great friends the DeWaals and Johns Bowlings. Samuel had a great time playing in the mud. Liam loved being outside and all the great colors. Mike gladly took a break from the end of the term paper writing. I loved picking up my camera and getting some great pictures. Who knew I would enjoy taking pictures of flowers. Enjoy...

Lots and lots of tulips...

Some of my favorite...

The best of the bunch...

Happy Birthday Nana! See you this weekend!

Teething Bites

Liam has spent the first nine months of his life toothless. Things are about to change. For about three weeks now I have been expecting his bottom tooth or teeth to break through. I am still sure it will come any day. In the meantime this is how we are spending most of our days.

He wants to be held nonstop. When you are holding him you have to be bouncing or moving. He is not content just sitting on your lap. He has also become very much of a mommy's boy. Whenever I am in the room or he sees me he squeals at me until I go attend to him. He is constantly climbing on me when I join him to play on the floor and insists that he is in my lap instead. Although I enjoy a good cuddle with him I am getting a little tired of the 24 hour a day clinging.

Some of the clinging and wanting to be near me may also be some separation anxiety. I have a feeling we will deal with that much more with Liam then we ever did with Samuel. Liam is also reaching another developmental milestone any day. Crawling. He gets up on all fours and is able to move each limb separately but has yet to figure out how they all work together. Guess we better baby proof this weekend.

Sandbox

This past weekend the weather was great so we headed out to buy some sand for the sandbox. We filled it up and the boys loved playing in it . Liam has been in the sand at the playground, but he was pretty thrilled that he was able to have his very own box to play in.

Sorry about not having pictures of Samuel in the box...he was too busy eating grass (see below).