Birthday Boy

Blake had a Birthday! My little man is now 2. He loves his Baseball stuff.

The only pic we got of him opening presents we gave him because the camera battery died :(

I know it's blurry but his reaction to the Deigo toy grandma and grandpa gave him was priceless

Say cheese!

We let the kids pick out what ever cake they want for their birthday. No surprise here, as soon as Blake laid eyes on the Baseball cake

he was sold!

Picture with some of the cousins

I was actually surprised he blew out the candles without any help, considering when he usually tries to blow, he blows straight up his nose! Good Job Blake!

Blake, I hope you always stay the sweet, loving, innocent little guy you are now.

Happy Birthday Big Guy !

Yikes!!

WARNING! The following may not be for those who get a little squeamish when talking about...mice!

A few days ago I was determined to tackle our weed infested flower bed. Armed with a shovel, and 2 little determined helpers, we went to work. Mid-way through, we were blessed

(or frightened) with the arrival of a mouse! I jumped, Bailey got closer for a better look. My initial reaction was to tell Bailey to RUN! After giving it a little thought, I figured I could use her interest in this little creature to my advantage. I instructed her "chase" it into the lot next to ours. As if putting it in the empty lot right next to ours would prevent it from coming back?! She did, however the mouse had a better idea, and hide under the hose reel. Keeping my distance, I told Bailey to wiggle the hose, she did and... well ... lets just say that the little mouse now lives in Heaven.

My Happy Place

One (of many things) my dad does well, is his unfailing way to plant the biggest, most beautiful, lush flower pots. Yes, that's right I said my DAD. Not that there's anything wrong with men planting flowers, lets just say it's not all that common. When this first started, years back, I was a little confused, thought maybe midlife crisis, gender identity issues :). I asked dad "Why" the response I get (typical dad response) "Baby, It takes me to my happy place" I left it at that. Years later with 2 young kids I understand. So here are pics of my "Happy Place" Love you Dad!

101 Things

101 Things

At least one of us have done the bolded items

1. Ridden in a train. Karli, Rustin

2. Slept under the stars KR

3.Played in a band/orchestra

4. Visited Hawaii R

5. Watched a meteor shower KR

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disney World

8. Climbed a mountain R

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo R

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea K

14. Taught yourself an art from scratchR

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning KR

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables KR

19. Had a letter to the editor published

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight KR

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when not really ill. KR

24. Built a snow fort KR

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping KR

27. Run a Marathon

28. Seen the running of the bulls

29. Seen a total eclipse KR

30. Watched a sunrise KR

31. Hit a home run KR

32. Been on a cruise KR

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors KR

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Been on a draw-bridge

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Received a traffic ticket KR

41. Sung karaoke KR

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt K

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant K

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight K

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted K

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Been a story on the news

50. Seen a wild mustang

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling R

52. Kissed in the rain KR

53. Played in the mud KR

54. Gone to a drive-in theater R

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies K

62. Gone whale watching

63. Received flowers for no reason K

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma KR

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter KR

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy R

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt KR

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Won a contest R

77. Broken a bone KR

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Been in a cave

82. Bought a brand new car KR

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper KR

85. Read the entire Bible or other religious book KR

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chicken pox KR

89. Saved someone’s life R

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous KR

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one KR

94. Had a baby K

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit KR

98. Been to the top of the Gateway Arch

99. Been stung by a bee KR

100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person

101. Learned to play an instrument K

Easter

Easter was a little diferent for us this year. I had to work all morning (till 1pm to be exact!), I must've been really tired the night before because I forgot to leave to door unlocked so the Easter Bunny couldn't get in! While working I got a phone call from a very concerned little 3 year old that the Easter Bunny somehow missed us. I assured her that she hadn't been naughty and that the Easter Bunny probably hide it somewhere and that I'm sure we'll find them when I got home. Much to "our" suprise the Easter baskets were waiting for us on the front porch when I got home. The Easter Bunny also hide some easter eggs in the backyard for a little hunt. The reaction we got from Bailey when she saw that eggs were scattered throughout the backyard put Rustin and I both in stitches. Picture a blind dog repeatidly running into the sliding glass door add a little jumping and screaming and you had Bailey,I wish I had the camera rolling. She cracks me up. I 'm sure glad I "forgot" and locked the door, because I would've been sad had I missed out! Happy Easter!

(It was tough trying to get a picture with both of them looking after we opened the candy)

New Cereal Bowls

They arrived. Here are pictures of the bowls Bailey and Blake painted in Wa. This was one of my favorite activites we did in Washington. The kids love their new cereal bowls, and want to eat everything in it. It makes meal time a little less stressful (bonus!)

And then we had some fun with the bubble wrap they used to ship the bowls to us. In case you couldn't already tell, they are prince and princess crowns. Bubble Wrap + Stapler = hours of fun!

More Pictures

Museum of Flight.

We went to the Pacific Science Center. For those who don't know, they have a Butterfly exhibit that has free roaming butterflies. We walked in and Blake immediately had one land on him. He tolerated it but wouldn't take his eyes off it. Bailey also had one land on her. She on the other hand loved it! This little butterfly stayed on Bailey the entire time we were there. We had to shake her shirt to get it off. She thought that was pretty cool.

(I love this pic!)

We went to The Dancing Brush so the kids could make new cereal bowls. Probably one of the funnest activites we did. I will post pic's of the finished product once we get them.

That's enough for now. Hope you enjoyed! :)

Seattle

...Continued

My two little goobers outside Safeco Field

Rustin and I at Qwest Field (bad pic, neat view of the city)

I know, I'm a dork, but I had to do it. Baily, Blake and I running out of the Seahawks tunnel.

Go Team!

Bailey, Blake and Eric

We went on an Argosy Tour of the Seattle waterfront. Way cool. Bailey missed the entire thing. she fell asleep about a half hour before we got there, slept thru the 3 block walk to the ship, the 1 hour tour, the 3 walk back to the car, and the ferry ride back to grandma's. I think she was tired! :)

Seattle

We took a little trip to Washington, actually it wasn't so "little", we were gone for 8 days. We had lots of fun, but I am realizing that a vacation isn't much of a "vacation" when you are traveling with 2 small kids. We had lots of fun hanging with the family, but it sure is nice to sleep in my own bed (without bay's knees in my back all night long)

We thought it would be fun to play "tourist" this trip. So we saw and did just about all there is to do in Seattle. Here are some of my fav. pics and activities we did.

Fort Worden, which is a old Bunker used to portect our borders during the war It was a very cold, wet, and windy day. I borrowed that hat and scarf from my dad. The funny thing about this pic is that unbeknownst to me, I have his hat on sideways. The hat doesn't have bill, it is to cover your ears. And here I thought my dad had cute trendy had. I still rocked it!

Pike Place Market

Safeco Field

I couldn't resist!

To be continued! Bedtime :)