Alki Beach

We visited Alki Beach and it was beautiful! Here we are with the mini Statue of Liberty. I would also like to note that Ethan was actually standing still in this picture - that doesn't happen very often.
















Before going, I checked the tide charts to make sure we would be there at low tide. Low tide is so much more fascinating because more sea life is exposed. I have no idea what these things are, but they looked pretty interesting.
















See the Space Needle and downtown Seattle in the background!
















Here is another proud parenting moment. Usually, when we go to the beach, Ethan eats sand with his hands. This time, Ethan found a plastic spoon in the sand and began eating sand with a spoon. All of my nagging about good manners at dinner time has certainly paid off.
















Ethan was delighted with all of his little feathered friends.
















I just thought this was a cool picture that Jeff took of a seagull swooping in for a piece of bread. We finished off the afternoon with some fish and chips at a local restaurant and headed home for nap-time (for all of us!).

Ethan's Third Birthday

For Ethan's 3rd Birthday we went to the (drumroll, please...) the Rainforest Cafe. It was amazing. The restaurant was decorated like a (well, you probably guessed by now) a rain forest with apes that beat their chests, trumpeting elephants, giant bugs and a fountain, to name a few.















The servers sang a birthday song for our little dude and brought him a free ice cream sundae. Ethan was delighted to have people singing and clapping for him. Obviously, the expression on my face was my joy over seeing a free dessert on our table.















This was my first (and perhaps only) attempt at cake decorating. The nice thing about cake decorating is that you can really enjoy your successes as well as failures, because, well.... it's cake, no matter what it looks like. I don't think I'm ready to do a wedding cake quite yet (unless someone wants to get married at a Mariners game and then throw the cakes at each other - hey, there's an idea).














Ethan blowing out the candle! I'll spare you the rest of the pictures. Things got pretty messy after this.

Edmonds Waterfront Festival

Jeff finally sneaked past a weekend without having to work (I hope none of his managers read this and find out)! I began Saturday early by running the Edmonds 5k race (and quickly remembered why I'm not an avid runner). We then spent the day at the Edmonds Waterfront Festival. Ethan had never been to a festival like this before and we knew he would love it.

One of the best parts of parenting is rediscovering the world with your kids. We got to enjoy yummy festival treats as well as a giant super-slide. The first picture shows the size of the slide. In the second picture, I zoomed in on their faces showing Ethan's expression of anticipation and apprehension (notice Ethan clutching onto Dad's hand).




























What would a festival like this be without a pony ride? Ethan got to ride on the smallest pony and clearly loved it.

Northwest Trek

Northwest Trek is a really interesting nature preserve. We went on a hour long tram ride through beautiful scenery and saw all sorts of wildlife: elks, buffalo, big horned sheep and deer - some of which were pretty close. Ethan loved seeing all the animals. Sienna wasn't too terribly interested, but she did charm several people sitting next to us on the tram.

Mother's Day

My Mom was here for Mother's Day! It was the first time we've been together for Mother's Day in 12 years! I have to say, my mom is absolutely wonderful. When she comes to visit, my kitchen is always clean, I don't think I do any laundry, and while I peacefully nap, my mom scours the bathroom while keeping both kids happy. She is amazing.












By the way, Jeff is still the most wonderful husband after 5 1/2 wonderful years of blissful marriage. Marrying Jeff has honestly been the best (and easiest) decision I have ever made. He is ambitious, hard-working, considerate, thoughtful, loving and oh-so handsome - let's not forget that one.

Salsbury Beach

So, I recently discovered a new park which I think is a must see if you have kids and want a quick day trip. My Mom was visiting and I wanted to show her some of beautiful western Washington. Salsbury Beach. Take the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry, then drive to the west side of the Kitsap Peninsula, and just before Hood Canal Bridge, there is the love Salsbury Beach. Of course getting there with the ferry and driving through historic Port Gamble is all part of the fun. Ethan loves ferry rides (what kid doesn't?). He loves flexing his arms and making manly shouting noises into the wind and running all over the boat. Ahh, little boys.

There was a great play structure with a beach close by filled with sea shells. I don't think I've ever seen so many sea shells in my life! Ethan had fun watching all the big truck going across the Hood Canal Bridge. Sienna had her first experience in a swing, which she seemed to be okay with (she might have enjoyed it more if I not had the camera in her face the whole time. She also enjoyed doing pull-ups on a bar (with a little help) and of course, tasting the metal bar (shhh... don't tell Grandma).































This picture, was toward the end of our little outing, Sienna had her mind on one thing and one thing only (in case you can't tell from the picture) ... MILK!!!!!! Ethan, in his usual form of running all over the place, fell and skinned his little knee and was a bit upset about it.

Later at home, he zonked out on the couch. Perhaps other mothers can relate, I fall in love with my children all over again when I see them sleeping. Anyway, it was so much fun having my mom around and getting away for a day!

Sienna vs. Baby Photographer, Round 1

As if I couldn't take enough pictures of Sienna myself, I thought I'd take her to a professional photographer to get some more cute baby photos. We went to Sears Portrait, and what do you know, her pictures came out absolutely darling. The biggest challenge was getting her to stay within the camera frame. As soon as we set her down, she was moving, crawling, bouncing, removing hats... you get the picture. Hey Tasha and Talia, recognize the dress and hat? It was a baby shower gift from you! Thank you!

Anyway, I've been blessed with two very active children, which was why Jeff and I bought a dSLR camera. We have to be that quick before they are out of the field of view! Here are a few of the darling pictures of our budding track star.

By the way, Sienna began babbling today! It's music to my ears.

Something that is not quite music to my ears, but still very cute none the less, Ethan has entered the age of saying things that really (and I mean really) embarrass us. The other day he proudly proclaimed to the nursery workers at church, "I fart just like my Dad!" I guess Jeff and I have no more secrets.

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home...

Here are a few pictures of our little squeaker during her favorite part of the day - when Daddy comes home! As you can see, she has two little bottom teeth and a happy, happy disposition. She is all smiles, all the time!

The story on Ethan - on Sunday morning, Ethan was running around, avoiding getting dressed (and anything else we wanted him to do) and briefly visited me in the bathroom while I was getting ready. As I left to go get dressed, he locked the door behind me. By the time I was able to unlock the door, he had discovered my water resistant eyeliner and done some creative body art on himself (mostly his chest and legs). Since we needed to leave for church, I just got him dressed and off we went, but not before I took a picture of Ethan proudly showing off his artwork. In case you are wondering, it did take a couple of baths to completely wash it off.

Woah...April's gone.

Hey (this is Jeff)! What happened to April? It's been a month since our last post. I'll take the blame though -- I've been working some crazy hours (I know what you're thinking, and no, it had nothing to do with taxes -- I'm not that kind of accountant -- I audit financial statements), which means Julie had mommy duty day in day out with hardly a break. There were a few days in there where I left for work in the morning before anyone woke up, and didn't get back home until the kids were asleep. Not fun. Tonight I got home at around 8:30, which was in time to help Ethan get the wiggles out before going to bed.

He's growing up quickly! Since I missed the month of April, he sat down with me tonight before bed and basically read me a book from start to finish without actually knowing how to read. It's fun to hear him talk. And, Sienna! What a little doll -- she's crawling around so quickly now.

Julie is awesome too! I couldn't have married a better woman. I was getting busy-season hair -- that's what happens to my head when I don't have time to get it cut for 3 months (I also get busy season toenails). Ethan was getting busy-season hair too, so Julie gave us both a nice trimming recently, and we're a handsome daddy and son again.

Daddy's boy

It's no secret in our house that Ethan's a Daddy's boy. I caught a picture of him waiting at the top of the stairs for Daddy to come home.






Ethan also loves to 'help' (I'm using that term very loosely) Daddy with any projects around the house. So here is our little man with his "Bob the Builder" tool belt and diaper, helping Dad and Grandpa Mardis on a home project.






When my parents come to spend time with us, it's a working vacation for them and a relaxing vacation for me! Notice in this picture I'm not holding a child! I wish they were closer, but I think I would wear them out! I love their company while Ethan and Sienna love Grandma and Grandpa playing with them. Before they came, I told Ethan that Grandma and Grandpa were coming in an airplane to see him. Now, to Ethan, every airplane up in the sky has Grandma and Grandpa in it.

Buster, Bud, Little Buddy...

Buster is a nickname that definitely suits our little guy. Behind that winning smile, he's usually scheming some great plan which involves pushing a chair over to the kitchen counter, climbing up to the cabinets, and making some wild concoction on the counter all under the guise of "I'm cooking wif Mom" (except the fact that I'm not in the room). Or perhaps he's unscrewing the tops of the Costco shampoo bottles and then throwing the bottles down the stairs and watching with glee each bounce shoot more shampoo onto the walls and carpet. You get the picture. These usually happen when I do something selfish like go to the bathroom, or help Sienna fall asleep. But as the other mothers understand, I still absolutely adore my little guy. Somehow in my (sleep-deprived) mind this is evidence of how smart and clever he is. By the way, I also get all the hugs and kisses a mommy could ever want.

Lady Bug, Sweet Pea, Little Lady...

Some of the nicknames that I'm sure will embarrass her in later years. Sienna is such a tender and happy little gal. Now that she's crawling, pulling herself up, and climbing up the stairs, there's no stopping her. She's fast and fearless. Ethan is still the lovable little rascal he's always been. He's beginning to relish the role of 'big brother'. When she cries, I'll often hear him say, "It okay, feetheart, it okay..." He'll also call her "feetie-pie." Then again, he also tries to ride her like a horse when she's crawling around - which she's not too fond of.
What can I say, I'm a proud mommy who adores her kids. I love to take pictures of them; they grow up so fast. I'm so glad I get to cherish every moment of their childhood.