Sand in the City

Neither Tristan or I have ever been down to the Annual Sand in the City event that Olympia Hands on Children's Museum holds each summer, so this year we decided to do it! We made the mistake of waiting until the afternoon, when it was boiling hot and we were rushing before dinner, but we still got some fun play time in!

We quickly walked through and saw some of the amazing sand sculptures, but failed to get any pictures of them...oh well, next year!

They had a couple of large sandboxes for the kids to play in and Ethan dug in to the fun!

We spent most of our time at the toddler rotation stations. There were lots of things to do that were right up Ethan's alley. He LOVED the Play Doh table (which we already knew) so we spent a lot of time there.

He also really liked the sand painting. I've recreated this at home using sugar and he has a great time making designs in it with paint brushes.

We finally got him to leave the toddler stations to explore a little more and found this fun water station. The garbage cans were full of sponge balls and you had to throw them and try to get them through the holes...Ethan just liked taking them and dropping them in the pools. Tristan tried to help him throw some, though!

He also really like the touch tank with the star fish. He wasn't sure what to think at first but then I had to keep pulling them away from him!
We only ended up getting to spend about an hour and a half down there but it was lots of fun and we look forward to going again next year!

Ethan's 2nd Birthday Party

August was such a busy month that we didn't end up having a birthday party for Ethan until the middle of the month. I'm glad we waited, though, because it ended up being our hottest day of the summer so far and it was perfect for the outdoor construction-themed party we had planned. Ethan has really been into everything construction lately, so we thought he would love it. We kept it to family and a few of my closest friends and their kids, but we still had quite the crew!

A few shots of the decor and food set up

After people ate, we let the kids swim and play in my parents' backyard. This year my dad had an even bigger pool set up (obviously not filled all the way) and with as hot as it was, everyone was taking advantage of it!
I printed some coloring sheets off of the Tonka website, but the water was way more appealing to everyone!This is the first picture of me and Kelly in I don't know how long! I'm so glad to finally get to spend time with my friends that I haven't seen on a regular basis for a long time.

I set up a sand dig for the kids as a game. There were toys and candy buried in the sand and they got to dig up as much as their bags would hold!

Afterward it was time for dessert--dirt cups and cupcakes!
Getting ready to blow out his candle!

I love that he will actually smile for the camera now...it really helps to get some good shots of him!

Yummy! I remember last year he had no interest in cake! It was a much different story this year!

My aunt, cousin and her kids came down from Burien to be part of the fun! The girls were really good sports about all of the boy party favors! Lowe's hooked my dad up with aprons and goggles for each of the kids and I found the construction hats online.

Anderson enjoying dessert in his hat
Skyler sporting the whole ensemble

Lowe's also send my dad home with build-it-yourself binocular kits and badges for each of the kids, so I put them into goody bags for everyone to take home. Good thing I assigned that part to my dad...he rocked it!

Time to open gifts! As you can see, I had to bribe Ethan to help me by bringing trucks over for him to play with.
After presents it was time for more fun in the pool! Ethan really loves the water and loved going down this slide over and over.

Ethan and Anderson having a blast

It was a fun, long day. I wanted to get a shot of Ethan before bed with his new construction bedding and pajamas and the balloon from his party.
This was him not long after we put him down. All worn out from a full day of partying!
We had such a wonderful day celebrating our little man and we were so glad to get to do it with family again this year. I can't believe that another year has passed...it seems like yesterday that I was posting about his first birthday party! We are so grateful to everyone who helped to make it a special day!

End of August 2011

Then end of August was jam-packed full of things on the calendar! But before the craziness began, we did get a chance to do some low-key, fun activities. Of course, life around the apartment was still revolving around unpacking, nesting, staying on top of chores and getting organized. Ethan has gotten really into helping though, especially with the laundry. Every time I turn the washer on he comes running and wants to help put stuff in it. Then he insists that I pick him up so he can see inside the washer! Let's hope this desire stays with him as long as he lives with us!

One night while Tristan was at work my mom and dad invited us down to the Tumwater Falls Park for some dinner. We ate and played at the Historical park and then drove down to the falls park for a walk.

In front of the falls
Checking out the (empty) salmon runs...but the water was still impressive to him!

And, of course, if there's a tractor, Ethan will find it. One of the park workers was cleaning some limbs up and Ethan was chasing her all over the park. We finally caught up to her and she let him sit on it, which made his day!

More water falls
It was a fun evening and a nice break from making dinner!

One morning Kelly and I decided to trek up to Seattle and take the boys to Woodland Park Zoo (who also honor our Baton Rouge membership--score!!). It was a really pretty day, but super busy considering it was a Tuesday morning!

We arrived at the giraffe enclosure right as they were doing a giraffe-feed, so they were really, really close!

Kelly and Anderson checking out the Orangutans
They were so funny--they were hiding out in the tree with burlap sacks over their heads!

We were trying to get a picture of our two little monkeys with the monkey statue, but this is the best we got!

Ethan insisted upon giving the monkey a hug and kiss...my sweet boy!
He loved playing in this tunnel by the Meerkat exhibit. So much so that when I made him leave we went into major meltdown mode and the day was pretty much over!

One saving grace at the end of the day was the tractor (of course!), except when he had to share it with anyone else! Both he and Anderson loved the tractor.

It was a fun morning and a good way to burn some energy!

Every year, Tristan's mom's ward holds a memorial bike ride in memory of Tristan's dad, Milton. He was an avid bike-rider and people turn out to ride their bikes on the Chehalis Western Trail and then meet up afterward at the trailhead for a BBQ. I was excited for Ethan to get to go be a part of it, so even though I had to sit the bike ride out (I was having some problems with contractions that day and had to set up for Ethan's birthday party with my family) Tristan took him and walked him on his tricycle. I was able to meet up for the BBQ afterward, though, so I still got to benefit from the yummy food! It was the hottest day we had had so far this summer, so it was beautiful!

Tristan said that Ethan loved rolling down the hills on his own (they aren't that steep) and that he loved wearing his helmet!

After the bike ride he was thirsty! These pictures crack me up because they look like he just finished a mini Tour de France!

Enjoying the park during the BBQ!
I'm sure glad we have gotten to enjoy some of the beautiful summer weather that we love in Washington! Hard to believe the summer is almost over!

Turning 2!!

O.k., seriously...

How does time pass so quickly that we can already have gone from this sweet newborn face...
to this smiling 2-year-old face?
Ethan's second birthday snuck up on us since we were busy moving in to our new apartment and because it was the same day as Tristan's brother's wedding. So we were busy all day trying to make all of the celebrations special! We started out here early that morning with a birthday breakfast and presents! Ethan has been really into tractors, lately and as you can see, he loved them on his wrapping paper!

Construction wall decals for his new room
New construction big-boy bedding since his little brother will be inheriting the elephants

And some new bath toys since his other ones got nasty inside...it's so funny to think back to last year when he wasn't interested in gifts at all!

The card got opened last, but he was still excited about the tractors and the tractor stickers!
We had chocolate chip pancakes and pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast. Since we weren't doing a cake that day, I decided to stick a candle on it!

Making a wish!

After breakfast, we headed up to Bellevue for Kelsey's wedding at the Seattle Temple. I was so grateful that my mom and dad came up so we could still be with Ethan on his special day. They watched him outside while Tristan and I attended the sealing and then helped me with him while Tristan was busy with pictures. They were lifesavers and they were worn out by the day's end!

With Grandpa and Grandma at the Temple
He kept trying to hug the little girl that was on this statue...complete strangers were even taking pictures of it! It was so sweet!

Nicole and Kelsey coming out of the Temple

Walking the stairs
Ethan was NOT happy about taking this picture! But we at least tried!
Walking the stairs again. This time with Grandpa.
Eventually he wanted to get rid of the dress shoes that were really too small for him, but I made him squeeze into one last time. I know, I'm mean, but I really wanted him to wear his suit! He was loving putting his toes in the grass!
The reception was about an hour away, so we made a pit stop at Red Robin on our way there. I had a free birthday burger and Ethan had a free kid's meal to get so it was perfect! My mom and dad brought along his birthday card with cars on it and he was very interested!

Enjoying his birthday chocolate milk

They even came and brought us both birthday sundaes, birthday balloons and sang to us!
Me and my birthday boy
By the time we got to the reception I was too tired to take any pictures, but it was a beautiful reception and we were so glad to get to be a part of it. It was a special day for many reasons, but I was thankful to spend it with two of the most important people in my life...my two boys!!