The End of July

We really were lucky to get to spend so much time with friends in the month of July.  It just seemed like there was always something going on!  The Hands On Children's Museum brought in a helicopter from the Olympic Flight Museum for the kids to come explore, so we headed down to the capitol campus to check it out!

Ethan loved exploring inside!

 In the pilot's seat!

 I ran out real fast to get a picture from outside

 Being the co-pilot this time

 It ended up being a lot prettier of a day than it looks like in the picture, but I still thought this was a nice picture of the state capitol.

 We saw Anderson, Vinny, Skyler and Dylan down there, too.  I was able to snap a few pics of the Marlatt boys.

 Allisha and Dylan

 I was trying really hard to get a picture of all the boys together, but this was as good as it got...Ethan was being a little rascal!

 We also just let the boys run around at the campus to burn some energy!

 We also continued to go to our ward park playdates on Tuesdays.  This was a new park for our family and the boys had a blast there.  Carter  really started getting mobile and exploring right around this time.

Chewing on a stick--all boy!

 Scaling the wall

 Happy little grin!

 Crawling around the playgroud...this was the first time that he left the safety of the blanket.  Usually I will set up a big comforter for him in the grass to crawl around on, but this day he decided enough was enough and he wanted in on the action!

 Tracked down Brother!

 We ended the month by celebrating Anderson turning 3!  How did these boys get so big so fast?

Ethan watching Anderson with his birthday cake

 Birthday boy

 Carter even explored the bounce houses this time and loved it (as you can see)!!

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!