Pre and Post Washington

The month or so leading up to our trip was kind of crazy. Tristan had been training to fly a larger helicopter, which required him working overtime. Right before we left he was at work for 3 weeks straight--which was exhausting not only for him, but for me also! To try to break up the time Ethan and I made a few trips over to visit him while he was training and stayed the night at his hotel with him. We went out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary and my birthday (on our actual anniversary). Tristan also made a couple of trips home for the night and left early the next morning to go back to training. Needless to say, we were ready for 3 weeks of vacation after that!

Here's Ethan playing in the hotel room

Rough-housing with Dad!

Once we returned home, we just wanted to relax and try to get back into a normal routine after all of Tristan's training leading up to the trip. The weather in Louisiana is beautiful in September, so we decided to take advantage of it and go for a little walk around the apartment complex.

Watching the ducks through the fence
All the exploring wore him out! He just looked so cute and cuddled up on his dad's lap!
We really enjoyed being home in Washington visiting friends, but it was good to get back to Louisiana and back into a normal routine and see our friends here also! We are looking forward to our next visit home!

Ethan's Birthday Celebration

The last weekend that we were in Washington we decided to have a late 1st birthday party for Ethan. Much of my extended family hadn't met him yet, and we figured this way a lot of us could see each other all at once! We also invited just a few close friends and their little boys, who are close to Ethan's age. My parents were nice enough to let us use their backyard and the weather actually cooperated with us for the day! Here we are hanging out waiting for the party to start.

Time to eat!

Helping Grandpa grill (carefully!) the burgers and hot dogs

Anderson crunching on some chips
A mouthful of grapes!

After we ate we let the kids run around and play for a bit. Ethan has never really liked swings, and this one was no exception. I was glad that Skyler loved it so much--that way Grandpa Walker didn't go to all that trouble hanging it for no reason!

Going for a wagon ride with Anderson
Mowing the lawn like Grandpa with my Aunt Cec

Hanging out with our good buddies while the kids play...it was so good to be home!

We decided to take some family pictures while we had the chance. It was a little bright--poor Ethan!
Ethan with Grandpa and Grandma Walker

Ethan with Grandma Bernard

We decide to have a little pool out since Ethan LOVES the water so much. Grandpa Walker even filled it with warm water! Judging from this picture, I would say Ethan was glad we decided to have a pool at his party!

Ethan was wayyyyy into it, Skyler not so much! (In his defense, it was his first time in a pool and it wasn't all that warm out!)

Opening a few presents...as you can see, he got sidetracked by the previous gift, so I had to "assist"!

Reading the book that Aunt Kelly got him
Time for some cake!

He really wasn't that into the party hat. He played with the string the whole time it was on his head.

Since his enthusiasm was lacking, I decided to try to motivate him into digging into the cake with a taste of the sweet frosting.

He still never really dove into the cake...I guess we can try again next year! It was fun to get to celebrate Ethan's birthday with his extended family and friends--even if it was a little late! Here's to a great second year!