Random July Pictures

As July wrapped up, we were still busy doing lots of little things:

Ethan had his first dentist appointment with Dr. Cramer

 I included both of these because in the first one you can see that he's definitely nervous and the second one is a cute smile!

 Our garden kept going and we got some nice heads of cabbage out of them in addition to our lettuce, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower and peas.

 Carter kept eating like he had a hollow leg!  And this is what I DISLIKE about self-feeing babies--the huge mess!!!

 Carter started playing with cars as avidly as Ethan does--sound effects and all!

 Ethan and Carter discovered that they love to look at books together--love this picture!

 Carter kept exploring and making messes:

 Love this little face!!

 Carter loves this pop-up tunnel and even when it's snapped shut he will pull it out and sit inside it!  He is such a happy, silly boy.  We are so glad he's a part of our family.

Northwest Trek

In July we decided to take the boys to Northwest Trek.  It was a beautiful day and we knew Ethan would love not only the animals, but also the tram ride.  While we were waiting for our tram to arrive we checked out some of the enclosed animal exhibits.  It was early, so a lot of the animals were sleeping.

Ethan spying on the sleeping raccoon

 Tristan and Ethan viewing the Barn Owl

 Carter did great just hanging out in his stroller.

 Me and my boys getting a picture on the slug

 Our tram arrived at 11:00 and we were off for an hour out in the open viewing area.  Ethan was so excited about the tram ride.  I don't think he would have cared if we saw any animals or not!  We got lucky, however, and had a great viewing.  We saw every animal and their babies--including the male moose, which is very elusive and hard to catch!

The caribou were right outside the tram from the minute we got on it!

 Bighorn Sheep

 More Caribou

 The Bison hanging out in "the kitchen".  This is the area where all of the grazers hang out, so they've nicknamed it the kitchen.

 A baby bison with it's mama

 There's the moose!

 A Blacktailed Deer

 Carter slept for about half the ride.  When he woke up he was super excited about the tram, too!

 There were some Japanese tourists sitting across from him and he was flirting and giggling with them for a lot of the ride.

 After the tram ride, we had a picnic lunch where Ethan made friends with some little boys who were there visiting from Arizona and then we finished the enclosed animal exhibits.  We stopped to listen to a talk about owls from a keeper--Ethan took this pic and he didn't do to bad of a job!

 We went and saw the wolves, bears and big cats (cougar, lynx and bobcat). Tristan said that this sign described me, so he wanted my picture by it...

 We also enjoyed walking on the shaded trails since it was such a warm day!

 On our way out we stopped back by some of the first exhibits to see if the animals were up yet.  The beavers and otters were and they were so cute!

Ethan thought the Beaver was funny because he kept digging and the wall.

 The otter kept climbing into his den and just posing from the camera!

 Tristan and Ethan took this pic in the bathroom on the way out and it's a really good one, so I had to post it!

We had a great day at Northwest Trek and I know this will be something we enjoy every summer when we can!  I feel so blessed to have this time to spend with my boys.

Summer Fun with Friends

We have had a BEAUTIFUL summer in Washington.  It has been so nice to be able to go enjoy the outdoors so much--especially when we get to do it with friends.  

We decided to go to U-Pick strawberries at Spooner's one Friday morning.  We actually ended up catching it the last week they were doing it--phew, that was close!

Ethan and Skyler waiting for the tractor and trailer to come get us

 Ethan, Dylan and Skyler riding out to the fields

 Our driver--Ethan loved the fact that we were being pulled by a REAL tractor!

 Dylan and Skyler sportin' their shades

 It was hard to get pictures int he little rows we were in, but here's one of Ethan trompin' through the fields in his boots.

 Megan and "her Ethan" as we call them

 Here are our berries.  They were so good, as always.  We love Spooner's!!!

 One Sunday afternoon in July we were invited over to Brian and Denise's house to let the kiddos swim.  It was a hot, hot day and so we were ready for it!

Carter playing with the fun water play station

 Caitlyn, Ethan, Carter and Dylan having fun together

 Caitlyn, Skyler and Ethan playing in the pool

 Carter testing the water--he wasn't impressed.

 As we were leaving Ethan and Caitlyn were playing on the slide in the driveway.  I thought this was funny because Ethan looks like he's pursuing her and she's saying "Get away from me you yucky boy!"  Her parents raised her right!

I'm so grateful for the beautiful summers here in Washington and the good friends we have have to spend them with!

July 4th

Tristan was gone for the 4th of July again this year, but we stilled tried to pack it full of fun!  The annual fireworks display that is done on the 3rd of July was right by our house this year so I was hoping Ethan and I would be able to see it from our yard.  We stayed up watching a movie and around 10 headed out so see if we could see anything.  No luck...now we know for next year!

The next day we got up early and got ready to go down and meet Kelly and Anderson at the parade in Tumwater.  I still remember watching the parade down there with Ethan last summer when I was still pregnant!  I can't believe a year has passed so quickly!  The parade wasn't as great as last year, but luckily there were plenty of cars, trucks, emergency vehicles and tractors!  That's all Ethan needs to be happy!

We headed home after the parade for a much needed nap time and a chance for me to regroup for the evening.  We met a group of friends from church at Barclift Park around 6 to picnic and play.  Ethan must have gone down this slide 100 times--literally!

Carter did an awesome job--especially since it was well past his bedtime.  He just sat in the grass and watched all the big kids play.

We had a good group that came out!

Allisha made awesome cupcakes.  There was lime with strawberry frosting, dark chocolate mint with chocolate ganache filling and orange creamsicle (I hope I got it right).  They were so yummy!!!

Skyler was being a total ham and modeling for me.  I got one of him munching on his watermelon!

I had to put this in here because he was cracking us all up and trying to take pictures.  His aim was pretty good on this one!

Carter still going strong as the night went on!

The fireworks started at 10:15 and we had a little bit of a walk to get to the viewing point.  Luckily, Rich was our hero and went and roped off an area for us around 6 that morning so we had a GREAT spot waiting for us!  Both boys stayed awake for the whole show and were total troopers.  Carter never even cried during the fireworks--which I was sure he would!  We didn't get home until well after 11, so it was definitely a late night!

We had a great 4th and look forward to being able to celebrate with Tristan next year, hopefully!!