Baby Egg!

I pulled my hanging basket down this weekend so I could spruce it up with some plants for the fall and I found this!

It was moving all around. Lauren and I just sat and watched it for a good 5 minutes, it was so cool.

I didn't have the heart to move it so the hanging basket is still looking pretty tragic but oh well. I hope the mommy bird comes back- a little worried that we might have disrupted it too much. We shall see I guess.

Country Village

Yesterday the kids were going a little stir crazy so we headed to Country Village for a little fun. I don't know why we don't go there more often. It is 5 minutes from our house, has the cutest shops ever, and a fun play area. And we didn't even ride the train or go to the Village Bean (which is a coffee shop with a play area in it).

Lauren got a hair cut at Bella & Max and was feeling pretty cute with her new do!

Glad we got out and enjoyed the sun since it is raining today!

New Front Yard

Last weekend we decided to re-do our front yard. As always, we forgot to take before pics! But I promise you it looks so much better. The builder had planted a bunch of random plants that all grew to be huge and look awkward in their places. We moved them all to the side to make a bit of a barrier from the neighbors (not like it matters, they've never stepped out doors, don't even know what they look like after 2 years!) and planted all new in the front. I even got a little eucalyptus tree (it's by Lauren in this pic), which I am very excited about because they are my favorite trees.

This side isn't all the way finished but close.

Our little model was having too much fun hamming it up for these pics!

Can't wait to see it in the spring when the hedges have filled out and the bulbs are all popping up!

He's home & all went well!

Ben had a little surgery at Children's this morning (something called a hydrocele). He wasn't thrilled when we woke him up at 5:45, gave him a bath with antiseptic, and wouldn't give him any "choc choc" or juice. Other than that, he was a real trooper! He insisted on covering himself in the Cars stickers that Auntie Meg, Uncle Ryan, & Hads gave him in his care package. This boy is too funny!

In his gown and all ready to put under. He was so calm and cooperative about it all. He didn't even make a peep or flinch at all. Mama shed a few tears, but no one else did!

Less than 3 hours later we are home and playing. They said he'd probably sleep all day...not so much. He is playing, keeps asking to go outside, and is so confused why he can't walk. They essentially gave him an epidural so they said he wouldn't be able walk for about 4 hours. He has been crawling/scooting around with his new tractor that was his prize when got home from surgery!

Ben wins patient of the day, at least in our book:)

Thursday

We laid low yesterday to let Benny rest up for his surgery on Friday. Lucky for him it was garbage day and he spent a good chunk of his time standing at the window. Thursdays are his favorite day!

He got these flowers delivered from John & Aimee and he felt very cool. It was cute to see him feeling so special. He kept looking up every time I took a picture- weirdo!

Lauren decided they should use them as a wedding bouquet and get married. Makes sense.

Then he insisted on helping me vacuum, one of his all time favorite activities.

And of course a beautiful art project for mama:)

Chopsticks

We had dinner at PF Changs tonight and they gave the kids special "kid" chopsticks. They had so much fun trying to use them. Lauren got it down, Ben struggled but didn't give up. He finally got it and was SO proud. It was really cute.

Wedding

Last weekend we went to Dee & Steve's wedding on Lake Union. It was an Argossy cruise and it was really fun!

The bride & groom.

Megan was her mom's maid of honor.

Kev & I

Me & Megan

Bainbridge

Last weekend we went to Baindbridge Island for the day to celebrate Aunt Sheryl's 70th birthday! (I didn't get any pics of the birthday girl though!)

Lauren fed her baby chimp the whole way there.

They had a big trampoline and Lauren & Ben were in heaven. They jumped for hours.

They had a great time playing with Xander, their 2nd cousin. He is 2 months younger than Lauren but almost doubles her in weight. He is so cute and they had a great time with him.

59 years and counting!

We had my grandparents over for dinner tonight and we celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary! Quite an accomplishment & something for us all to aspire to I'd say!

Tried to get a pic with Lauren & Ben. Lauren cooperated (just about the only time she cooperated tonight, but Ben just wasn't having it.) Oh well.

Congrats to Grandma & Grandpa on wonderful years. The count down is on for the big 60!

Aquarium

We went to the aquarium today with Nana & Hadley and had a great time.

The 3 crazies! Not sure why Lauren & Ben are both looking to the side. Pretty cute pic of Miss Jane though!

This seal was a BIG hit with all of us. I'm a sucker for seals, I just love them!

Watching the seals swim.

The gang!

Our Little Ballerina

After months of asking me to sign her up for ballet I finally did it! She was in heaven last night when we went to pick out her new ballet clothes.

Showing me all her moves.

such a natural;)

It is required that she wears her hair back, preferably in a bun but if it won't go in a bun they can wear it pulled back. We'll see how that goes...

She felt so beautiful last night and kept telling me how fun it is to be pretty and that she loves pink so much now! I asked her why she used to want to be a boy so bad but now she just loves all girl things and she said, "Well I didn't know that girls were so pretty before but Braelyn taught me that they are." Well thank you Braelyn for your wise words:)

Bye Bye Butterfly!

After 2 weeks of having these in our house Lauren finally agreed to let them go. (Poor things only have a life span of about 2 weeks so they probably won't be enjoying too much time in the outdoors!)

I love how serious Ben looks in this picture.

Fly Away Butterfly!

She wants us to order more now...we just got rid of Sea Monkey's & Butterflies. While they were both very fun, I'm ready to have my counters free of critters for awhile.

Weekend at the Lake

We spent the weekend up at Lake Kachess with John & Aimee, and Colin, Jodi, Wyatt, & Caden. The weather was fabulous and we had a lot of fun!

Lauren + Aimee= BFF's

This little horse was a HUGE hit with the kids.

Kevin & Collin

one of our many self portraits!

Ben's latest thing. If you tell him No, he just lays on the ground and looks away from you. Sometimes he says, "nigh nigh". I'm going to start trying this every time something doesn't go my way and see how it goes over:)

Another "no"!

The weather was in the 90's so the water felt so refreshing, even though it is freezing cold mountain water. It was so beautiful and fun to get to spend the day laying down by the lake.

Ben is obsessed with strawberries! We all heard about them for a good hour after they were gone.

taking a break

Kev & I

Lauren & her BFF

Ben refused to mover off of this log for awhile. This boy has opinions and he isn't afraid to share them!

Mama & Ben

Lauren & Wyatt found some rope and tried moving this log. They didn't have much luck!

Getting the corn ready for dinner.

This is what John does while out in the wilderness, plays with his i-pad! He was nice enough to let me read an entire issue of US magazine on it! Lauren LOVES playing games on it, I'm thinking she needs one and perhaps she will share it with me:)

Lauren & Ben stayed up for S'mores, my most favorite summer food! Yum!

Thank you SO much Bob & B-Z for the use of your amazing cabin.

We all decided we want one too:)