After the rain a few days ago we ventured out in search of puddles and treasures. We donned our raincoats and splashing boots and started out on our two block trek. Two blocks = 1 hour of fun! We found several puddles, sticks, rocks, snails and slugs. Our quest ended in success (and wet, happy kids)!
Yesterday was jam packed with fun. First the boys and I joined a small crew to make the church spick and span. We chose our rags and cleaning tools and tackled the church nursery. Those babies can now goo and gah in a safe, clean space thanks to the hard work of Aaron with his paper towel and water and the hard play of Ethan and Caleb. They tested all the toys to make sure they were safe to use – a very important job indeed!
After a quick snooze, all five of use headed out to celebrate Brian and Ruth’s wedding. We ran around the park and ate a few snacks before we had to bid our farewell to the newlyweds. If course the boys made sure to get strawberry juice, chocolate and grass stains on their nice khaki colored pants. Way to be boys!
3 brothers
Aaron worked hard to get Caleb to sit still for the photo.
Lookin' good
To top off the fun-filled day we headed down to another park/botanical garden in Bellevue to welcome home cousin Crystal from her first Navy deployment. More tasty food and good times were had by all. The boys always have a blast playing ball and running around with their cousins, Eva and Kaitlyn. Grandma Karen even rolled down the hill with them! Then we meandered through the gardens looking at flowers, teeny-tiny doors, and rocks galore.
Cousins = good friends!
Running through the Japanese Garden
Airplanes!
Finding teeny tiny doors for teeny tiny people
Yelling something at the top of her lungs
Rolling down the hill
Cousins Teresa and Crystal
goofy pictures
Dahlias!
One and a half weeks ago I had the pleasure of witnessing a family-friend-from-years-past’s marriage to his amazing bride. They were a fun couple to follow around and photograph and they hosted a beautiful wedding! I enjoyed serving as my brother’s sidekick for the day (Jason Allen Images). Here are a few images from the event.
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First camping trip of the season was a success! We enjoyed lots of good food, fun playing in the dirt, swimming pool time, and even sleep! The kids had a blast and didn’t want to come home. At night, Ethan ended up wanting to fall asleep in his car seat. I guess the tent was just too much fun. But all three slept through the night (we moved Ethan to his sleeping bag). What a beautiful weekend! We couldn’t believe we were able to wear shorts and t-shirts even at 10pm! That never happens camping here!!
Caleb woke up an hour before everyone else from his nap today. So, we headed out to the porch and he played outside while I played with a wide angle lense I am borrowing. Fun for both of us!
The ball is always a big hit no matter which kid is out there.
Then he always likes to climb on the bench.
Then, of course, climbing into the stroller.
And another shot of those big, beautiful eyes!
And now they are all antsy to go get in the kiddie pool, so off we go. Hope you are enjoying the sunshine wherever you are as much as we are here!
Oh, and one last note, he is walking about 95% of the time finally!
It was finally warm enough to set up the sprinkler for the kids to play in today! I think we may have hit a whopping 75 degrees today and it was marvelous. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves too!
Caleb LOVED the experience!
Ethan was a bit grumpy and wanted nothing to do with the water. He just sat and drank his milk.
Aaron has come a long way in 4 years and loves playing in the water from head to toe now. Todays game was batting the water with the bat.
Our pastor asked us this question at church on Sunday. Can you put it into words? If so, do you mind sharing?
I am a Christian because God offered me a free gift of love and grace in Jesus. I didn’t earn it and I don’t deserve it. Yet, no matter how much I mess things up, God promises to love me, take care of me, and give me a purpose until I can spend eternity with Him because of His son, Jesus.
Caleb has a hard time falling asleep. I think he thinks there is just so much more to do in this world than fall asleep. Why spend all that time just lying there when there are things to touch, taste and see! This afternoon, for his nap, he gave staying awake a fighting effort. So far, this is the best position I have seen him fall asleep in:
On Saturday we ventured down to the University of Washington street fair.
Driving down - all is well
yikes! What happened?
Caleb says Chill out Ethan. All is well!
Mom's survival method
Tons of people, tons of vendors, and some yummy food. After checking it all out, we headed over to the UW Taiwanese Student Association’s night market for even more food, while Aaron and Ethan played with a friend.
Chowing down on squid balls while climbing on Papa
Our friend Megan
Their favorite toy of the night: Megan's dad, Kevin
Where should we run next?
Mango Icy with Aloe = mmmm
Time for one more tackle
The name of this city park absolutely fits! The kids had such a good time playing there. We met Teresa and her kids for a picnic last week at this totally amazing park. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the afternoon.
Eva and Aaron were like bouncy balls all over the park. They wouldn’t sit still! I can sort of predict Aaron’s moves, so I finally was able to get some good shots of him. He usually moves too fast for me to focus the camera on him.
Taking a breather
Such a beautiful smile when he's not being a cheeseball
Peek-a-boo
Little Kaitlyn is so adorable. She finally warmed up and gave me a smile after we played on the swings together.
Beautiful eyes
Sliding!
Ummm...you got a little bark chip on your eye there dude!
He loved climbing on everything - as usual!
Eva and Aaron worked up the courage to go down the very dark and twisty tunnel slide and LOVED it!
