Busy Summer :)

We have been so busy this summer! Brian has been traveling almost every week for work and I've been dabbling in some work as well. So, needless to say, managing two kiddos with swim lessons, t-ball, and a few vacations has started to take it's toll. We're trying out a new family strategy where the kids help out around the house....
What do you think?

August reads us the paper in the morning:



Eden cooks the meals:



And they are both learning to read to each other:



Eden's even helping me stock up on some extra breast-milk:




Thanks for pitching in, kids! You really are the best! Heehee...

Northwest Tour: Part 1

We recently returned from a fun tour of the northwest. Instigated by Brian's cousin's wedding (Neil) in Portland, then added a mini-vacation to the San Juan Islands, as well as a "Tia vacation" for Eden in Seattle with her aunt Erin and cousin Ali.

Eden loves weddings (well, receptions, technically)! I think it's the combination of dancing, family, dancing, cake, dancing, friends and dancing. She has been a flower girl and will most likely be a bridesmaid one day, but if there ever is a need for a permanent figure on the dance floor... she would take that job in a heart beat!

This night, she wasn't feeling so well. In fact, I fed her quite a few bags of fruit chews just to keep up her energy during the ceremony. We even needed Tylenol at the beginning of the reception. But once that music started there was no stopping her. When it finally reached the time to carry her out of there, we had to have the DJ dedicate a last song and wish her sweet dreams.

Any other weddings coming up? Need a wedding crasher?

NW Tour Part 2

After the wedding in Portland, we dropped Eden off in Seattle and snuck up to the San Juan Islands for a mini-vacation with August. (Brian's sister, Erin (aka Tia), had planned a special vacation for the girls in Seattle.)

As much as this boy loves his big sister, I think he relished in a couple of days of complete attention from both parents.

We walked out on False Bay.

We watched the whales

with our wonderful host and tour guide, Rosalie.

Unfortunately, my pictures don't do justice to this experience.

It was whale soup out there and I couldn't catch a single breaching whale on camera!

What a wonderful location to get away and relax.

NW Tour Part 3

Every time we visit Seattle we discuss a potential move. It has our three main criteria... more family, great friends, and a heart transplant hospital. (Funny how I didn't include jobs and a house... details!) We do love this city - especially Brian - it's like going home.

We finished off our northwest tour by visiting friends and exploring the sites in Seattle.

Photos a la Eden:

The Pike Place Market

The Seattle Aquarium

Father's Day Make-up

Eden has a book titled "I Love My Daddy Because". It's been a long time favorite and is usually read to us these days. More recently, after finishing the book, she has started adding her reasons why she, too, loves her daddy. This little act inspired me to print these pictures so we could make her own version for father's day. Needless to say, it was a hit!

It went something like this (but not in this order):

I love my daddy because he takes me skiing.

I love my daddy because he teaches me to ride a bike.

I love my daddy because he lets me suck on his nose.

I love my daddy because he takes naps with me.

I love my daddy because he likes to play in the snow.

I love my daddy because he taught me to be silly.

I love my daddy because he takes me hiking.

I love my daddy because he can build a bridge.

I love my daddy because he reads to me.

I love my daddy and my daddy loves me.

Memorial Day Make-Up

WOW! We are so far behind... Looking back through the pictures that I finally got uploaded, I realized how much we have to share. This has been a fun and full summer - starting with Memorial Day weekend.

Brian's best friend, Robbie (Eden's godfather), and his girlfriend, Jessy, came to visit for some quality "catching up" time, meeting August, dancing with Eden, cooking great vegan meals, and gift sharing.

Eden obviously loves these two - especially because they bring interesting and fun NASA gifts from their place of employment. Eden and August are now restocked with NASA hats, tee shirts, games and books.

Robbie and Eden's dance moves were recorded on video... but the blog doesn't want to post it... I'll keep trying. Until then, check back for more summer fun. You won't be disappointed!

We're still here...

Sorry for the month-long delay in blogging!


We've been experiencing some technical difficulties with the camera's ability to upload pictures - or maybe it was just user error - but it was definitely NOT because we were sitting around with underwear on our heads...

...or were we??

Stay tuned for more to come on all of our happenings so far this summer...

We've missed you!