Beatin' the Heat

At the end of June, summer finally hit.  We had a major heat wave.  One Saturday we decided to join the Marlatt's up at the Norpoint sprayground.  We made a trip up there last summer and both boys really enjoyed themselves so I figured it would be the perfect way to get out of the HOT house.  Carter didn't love getting sprayed, so he kind of stayed out of the water.  But fortunately, Norpoint also has a couple of great play areas.

Carter playing at the toddler play area

 He even ventured over to the big-kid playground to play for a bit.

 This spinning toy was a big hit with all the kiddos this year.

 Eventually they all figured out that they could lay down and hold on for a fun ride, too!

 Ethan, of course, really enjoyed the water.  He has always been a water baby.  I didn't get to get in much because I was keeping an eye on Carter, but he enjoyed running around on his own and playing with the Marlatts.

 At one point, Carter refused to even hang out over on the play areas and wanted to explore over by the bathrooms.  I'm pretty sure he found a bug that he was checking out here.

 More silliness in the water

 Dylan and Ethan

We actually ended up going back up a few days later with Kelly and Anderson because it was another crazy-hot day.  But I didn't get any pictures because Carter literally threw a tantrum for the first 30 minutes we were there.  I think he remembered that this was the place he got sprayed!  Eventually he calmed down and was at least willing to play in the play areas for a bit.  Ethan was even brave and went on the big-kid zipline.  We had a great time and this is definitely a warm-weather favorite for our family.

June Tidbits

In June we went back to having some rainy days, so there were times that I was struggling to keep the boys busy--especially when Tristan was working.  Well both boys are really into bugs and we did some buggy arts and crafts and activities throughout the month.  

 Then I found these plastic bugs at Target and decided they might be a fun rainy day toy...I know, call me crazy.  I have to admit, there are a few of them that made me do a double-take when they were left out on the floor, but now they are like part of the family!  ;)  They love them still and are constantly carrying them around the house, in the car, to church...wherever we go.  Gotta' love a life of boys!

 When the sun did make an appearance, the boys took advantage and got out to do some yard work.  They love to "help" Tristan mow the lawn, and since we only have one lawnmower Carter made due with the golf caddy.  It's fun to watch them follow Tristan's every footstep.  I figure it's great practice for down the road.  Little do they know that in a few years they will probably want nothing to do with mowing the lawn!

 With summer comes the annual "try to keep fish alive in Papa's fountain" event.  Every summer my dad tries and every summer the fish just don't make it.  But for the few days that they are around, the boys love climbing up and observing them.  Carter was especially fascinated this year.  Ethan just ratted Papa out by telling me he, "killed the fish".

 We decided to plant a few things in our backyard this season.  We chose cilantro, parsley, lettuce, and snap peas because they are things we use regularly.  They have done pretty well!  Ethan likes to help water them and also enjoys harvesting the snap peas--one of his favorite garden goodies!  Gotta' love the hose positioning...  ;)

 We didn't get to participate in the Run for Rhett event this year because we had other obligations and plans, but we did make it down for the end of the event to say hi and offer our support.  They boys even scored and got to play with some buddies and play on the playground for a while.  Skyler and Dylan's Aunt, A.J., even snagged them an ice pop.  Lucky kids!

 When the weather gets hot, all it takes is water to make these boys happy.  We filled some tupperware bins with water and the boys played and played in them.  Ethan decided that his dump truck needed to be washed one day.

 And when in doubt, there is always the pouring water game.  It never gets old.  Never.  :)

We love summers in Washington.  The weather is usually so nice that it's actually enjoyable to be outside and the area provides so many fun events to go to and places to enjoy the beauty of this part of the country.  I know that the boys especially love all of the outside time they get and they sleep so much better (and later) because of it.  I'm so glad they enjoy being out in the sun and playing together!

Spring Family Fun Fair

The weekend after Mother's Day weekend we headed to the annual Spring Family Fun Fair in Lacey.  The weather wasn't great, but it wasn't pouring so we decided to give it a shot because the boys had so much fun last year when we went.

We decided to hit up the train first thing before a line started to form for it.  I was on stroller patrol, so the boys got to take the ride with Dad.

 And they're off!

 Ethan and Carter trying the Intercity Transit bus on for size.

 Watching the train pull out with it's next load of passengers

 The boys riding in the police car

 Firetruck time!

 Ethan was actually brave and wanted to do the bounce house this year!

 He got stuck up at the top of the big slide for a few minutes, which is weird because he has gone down taller ones before.  Later when he was talking to us he made it sound like he was just having fun hanging out up there...silly boy!

 We stopped by and did some of the indoor exhibits for a while.  Trying on the life jackets at the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital booth.

 Carter trying one on, too

 Ethan loves the Tumble Bus.  He got to play for a long time this year because there was no line, so he was in heaven!

 We put down a tarp and blanket and had a picnic while we watched the kid parade.  It's always fun to see families we know walking with their kids for their elementary schools.

After the parade we packed up in the stroller and headed back to the car.  The boys enjoyed looking at the free books they got at one of the booths that was there.

It didn't really start raining really hard until we were in the car headed home, which was a huge blessing.  I was so glad we just got drizzled on and we were able to stay and do everything we went to do.

Beginning of May 2013--The Beginning of Summer??

By the time May rolled around, you would have thought it was summer!  We had amazing weather and took full advantage of it before the inevitable "Spring showers" returned.  I'm talking 70's and high 80's for days on end.  It was wonderful.

Tristan wasn't home for Cinco De Mayo this year, but we went over to our friends, Rich and Allisha's, and ate some yummy Mexican.  The kids had a great time running around outside and got along so well.  And I got to love on sweet, little baby at the same time, which made it all the better!  Carter picked this buttercup and looked so cute running around holding it to his nose so I had to snap a quick pic!

 One night while Tristan was gone my parents invited us over for dinner.  Ethan christened the pool and both boys had a blast running around in the sunshine.

 Some Oregon Juncos build a nest under our slide in the grass.  Those poor birds were constantly on high alert because we were outside playing all the time.  Finally the babies hatched, but then they had to learn how to fly.  For about 3 days those three poor babies were trying to fly high enough to get out over our fence...and the boys loved watching them.  I don't think the birds loved it quite so much!  I got a couple of o.k. pictures of them before they flew away.

 Ethan was having fun one afternoon giving Carter a ride in the laundry basket.  Carter tried, but couldn't return the favor!

 One night after a messy dinner the boys were stripped down and decided to play.  They love to get on the swings and swing on them like this.

 On Mother's Day weekend we went down to the Wooden Boat Festival on the waterfront.  Tristan's mom joined us and we had a picnic and enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Sadly, I didn't get a picture of me with the kiddos for Mother's Day...

Ethan by the waterfront

 They had this fun water station that you could slide rubber duckies down.    The boys had a great time.

 Carter especially liked watching them splash into the pool at the bottom.

 We went down on the docks to check out some of the wooden boats.  One nice couple let the boys come on and try out the captain's seat!  Ethan LOVED it.  They had 8 grandkids on the East Coast, so I think the owners enjoyed it, too!

 Ridin' in style

 That afternoon Tristan filled this bin with water and the boys had fun playing in it.  At one point it ended up at the bottom of the slide so they could slide into it.  It was hot that day!

 Mostly we enjoyed being able to eat outside for so many nights in a row.  Our boys love eating out and so do I.  It makes clean up so much easier!

 Watermelon is a spring/summer staple around here!

 We BBQ'd our first pizza and it was sooooo good.  I can see that being a regular happening as summer weather returns (hopefully).  We also enjoyed some of our organic produce from the co-op that night.

Here's hoping that we get more of this awesome weather in the near future!!

April 2013--Woodland Park Zoo

Last month we decided to take advantage of our zoo membership and head up to Woodland Park Zoo for the day.  Our kids love the zoo and we went almost monthly last summer, so with all the great weather we have been having we decided it was time to get things rolling!

We usually park in the same place, so the penguins are the first thing we see when we get there.  Ethan used to say the penguins were his favorite, but now he just enjoys them like everything else.  Carter, however, loved them.  He got up close and personal!

 Still fascinated!

 Ethan being goofy

 Carter playing king-of-the-hill

 Every time we go to Woodland Park Zoo Ethan loves this butterfly display.  He has a thing with insects right now, which just added to his joy!

 Checking out the lizards

 I'm quickly learning that sometimes this is as good as it gets for a picture of more than one kid!

 Tristan wanted me to take my picture by the zebras and giraffes since I was dressed like the zebras...what a goofball!

 Ethan has now proclaimed the flamingos as his favorite...for now!

 This spider was in and unenclosed exhibit.  Yuck!  Even worse, these lived in the wild when we lived in Louisiana.  Double yuck!

 We stopped by the family farm and, of course, had to ride the tractor...

 Headed home.  There was a really bad wreck so they both ended up passing out while we were stuck in traffic.  Tristan and I discussed baby names and then we stopped for a yummy dinner and Five Guys.

It was a fun, fun day and the zoo still hails as a favorite for not just one kiddo, but two!