catching up

We've had a busy week settling into our Fall routine (preschool, CBS, Bible study, MOPS), but I wanted to post a few pics from some fun at home, and also from a beautiful wedding Dave officiated last weekend. I'll let the pics do most of the talking.

First, we celebrated the completion of Andrew's first week of preschool by making oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and having a movie night. Andrew was a big help - especially with "cleaning up" ;)

Finishing dinner, and laughing at "Cars".

We had the joy of hosting Tiffany and Laelle for the weekend - we miss them!

The happy newlyweds - Sarah and Jesse.
the Pastor and Groom

The scenery at Bluemonte Vineyards was gorgeous - this picture doesn't quite capture the view.

And lastly, Andrew drew a picture of Caden.

creativity grows

one of his "bug" drawings

I have to document a few of Andrew's recent creative expressions. First, he's just started to draw actual "things", and not just random scribbles. We've been surprised to see people with arms, legs, faces, hair, and many interesting creatures - many of them accompanied with interesting stories.

He's also started sharing his dreams - some funny, some scary, but usually pretty interesting. My favorite one in the last few weeks has been a dream about a king (bad) coming, and he and Taylor hid on a chair with a cushion on top, mommy and aunt Julie Anne hid downstairs in the basement (under the futon and piano), and then the bad king left, went out back and ate Grandma Kathy's flowers.

bedtime story with daddy

The other thing I have to record is the way he likes to describe all of his poops. A little gross, but necessary for later blackmail purposes - and it will be interesting to see if this is a habit that continues. So whenever he gets off the toilet, he gets very excited to see what it looks like. A few of my favorites "ooooh mama, look! It's a boot".....or "oh look, it's a paintbrush", or "oh it looks like a chicken" (drumstick). A few others - a snake, worm, thing they use to lead sheep and cows (staff). Just today it was "a bad guy with a broken nose and legs"...really? I may have to add others to this post later if we get some good ones. And sorry, no pictures to accompany this one.

1st day of Preschool!

In the courtyard right after school

After muuuuuch anticipation, the big day finally arrived! Although he's been enthusiastically pointing out his school for the past 7 months, we've sensed our little guy getting a little apprehensive as this day has drawn nearer. Come this morning he seemed pretty excited, and he and daddy were off at 9am. The morning went very smoothly - Dave was the teacher's helper (we "co-op" once every other week), so Andrew was excited to have him along. After school he had some special daddy time, going out to lunch and visiting a local fire station to see the firetrucks and meet some firefighters. It was a big, special day. Can't believe our precious boys are really growing up!

all ready to go!

mommy with her big boy

outside school with buddy nathan (they're in neighboring classrooms)

checking out goodies from the fire station

a family photo shoot

So we attempted the seemingly impossible while in Seattle - a family photo shoot with all 4 boy cousins ;). We hired a family friend who does professional photography (she's GREAT), but it was quite the adventure. We loved the end product however, and we were excited to get some good family pics too.

bye bye paci

After getting settled back in from Seattle, we decided it was time for Caden to say bye bye to paci. I've been dreading this for months (although he's only had it in his crib, Caden looooooves paci), but wanted to get the transition over before all of our Fall craziness began, and we still had time for slow lazy mornings if needed ;). Well, much to our surprise (and delight) the departure of paci has been amazingly smooth. Dave spent some good time talking to Caden about how 2 year olds were too old for paci's, and we've made an effort to get him attached to his blankie and puppy instead. So come night one, he fussed for a few minutes and then slept through the night. I wasn't sure how nap time would go the next day, but he went down without a peep. Really?? It's now been more than a week, and we're still going strong (two nights of random wakings, but unrelated to the absence of paci). I can't believe what a big boy Caden is becoming - way to go buddy!

Seattle, Week TWO

Our second week in Seattle was gorgeous. Dave took a week of study leave to prepare for some Fall teaching, and I took advantage of the time to play and rest. Highlights from this week - catching up with several friends, a morning at Kelsey Creek farm with the boys, checking out several new coffee shops, an outdoor kids concert at the marina in my hometown with lots of friends, an evening picnic at a beautiful lake in the Cascades, some shopping downtown, salmon fishing on Puget Sound on two different mornings, a kid free night on the town with the siblings, meeting up with some of our old Wash U college students for church/lunch, and Andrew catching his first fish (a trout) with the help of grandpa and daddy. It was a wonderful week, and we are so thankful for the time we had with everyone.

Catching up with one of my college roomies and her two girls - my boys were quite smitten. Caden wouldn't stop bringing her youngest toys, and I love the pic of Andrew with her oldest...priceless.

More super fun cousin time! Some backyard fun, and a morning at Kelsey Creek farm.

Bathtime fun in Grandpa and Grandma's tub.

Catching up with friends - first a lakeside lunch in Seattle with college friends, and then meeting up with several friends and their kids at an outdoor kids concert at the Kirkland marina. It was a hot day, so our boys ended up in the lake with their clothes on :). We were also extremely excited to be able to see Dave's uncle, who was in town from AZ visiting his daughter and her two kids.

An evening at beautiful Rattlesnake lake for a picnic dinner, swimming, throwing rocks, playing with the cousins, and boat riding. My dear friend Tiffany and her husband Bryan joined us with their little guy, and Andrew loved having the chance to drive the boat (his figure S's made me a bit dizzy).

A beautiful misty morning salmon fising on Puget Sound. The water was crystal clear, seals were swimming around our boat (I loved it, the hard core fishermen didn't like them scaring away the fish). Dave and I caught six fish collectively - it was a SUCH a wonderful morning.

first catch of the day- a wee bullfish, then came the real first catch...

Dave with his catch...

We had so much fun on our kid free (thanks Grandpa and Grandma) night on the town with my brothers and sister in law. Dave was VERY excited to check out the Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture park which inlcuded a piece from one of his favorite artists(Richard Serra). We then enjoyed dinner out downtown and dessert in Freemont.

and then Andrew went fishing...

with Grandpa and Daddy

A few last pictures capturing fun at Grandpa and Grandma's house - pulling out Chris and Julie Anne's bouncy, making muffins with Grandma, and playing with fun friends.