July Recap

After we got back from Utah, the rest of July was fairly low-key.  We mostly just played outside and went to the farmers market.  We went so often some vendors started to recognize us (the cinnamon almond lady in particular!)

Sam finally got the hang of blowing bubbles himself :)

We found a little nest of baby birds in our backyard!  My friend Keri and I were laughing at how similar baby birds and baby humans are.  Mouths always open!  (FEED ME MOMMA!!!)

Happy 26th Birthday to me!  My "cake" of choice...little chocolate lava cakes just like we had on our cruise years before.  Thank you Ryan for making them for me!

We played a lot inside too.  We love how bright this room is in the morning!

Sam and Ty flying their airplanes.  Zoom!

Fresh blueberries from the farmers market.  Everyone's favorite!  Next year's goal: Go to a Pick-Your-Own Farm with the kids so we can eat lots and lots! 

How did you get so tall Sam?  The best part of this picture?  Totally unstaged.

"Look Mom!  I a caterpillar!"

Sam's drawing of a "FAANCY Car".  It was so good I had to take a picture of it!

We grew our first garden this year!  I have to say we did pretty well for our first attempt.  I took pictures to prove I have overcome my black thumb of death.  (Previously I have killed every plant we have ever grown.)  We grew Zucchini...

And Cucumbers...

And Peas...

And Basil!

Sam stealing all the peas.  I think I may have created a monster...almost every day he would run out to the garden and eat the peas right off the vine (bush?) and pull out half-grown carrots to be washed and eaten.  It was fun to watch him learn where food actually comes from and be excited to eat vegetables.

August Recap is next...

   

Summer Vacation Part 3

The last of our pictures from Utah!  And only 2 months late :)


Days 4 - 10


The rest of our stay in Utah was fun and filled with:

Baths in Grandma's kitchen sink (just Austin...in case you were wondering)

Piano playing with Grandpa

Zipline Ride

Extreme Go-Karting

Party with a few of Ryan's friends from Alta High School (and scones by Susan!)

Hugs with Grandma Susan and Grandpa Jeff

Rides in Grandpa's "FAAANCY Car"

Eating out at all our favorite places.  Cafe Rio, anyone?

Real Salt Lake MLS game!

Thank you for taking us German and Dad!

Shopping.  Note Austin's excited look.  At least Sam was entertained by pushing the stroller :)

Swimming!  Sam had a blast playing with his Uncle Carson

Austin was not a fan of the cold water.

Visits with Great-Grandpa Woody and Great-Grandma Gerd

and Aunt Debbie!  (Should I call you Great-Aunt Debbie? :)

Sam was in heaven playing in this backyard.  Scooters and Trucks and even a neighborhood cat to chase!

Wow!  It was a busy and fun and memorable vacation.  We were sad to leave family, but glad to get back home and into our normal routine.  Flying into the Portland airport, it was sunny and green and GORGEOUS.  We were so happy to be back in Washington!

Summer Vacation Part 2

Um, excuse me but WHERE EXACTLY DID SUMMER GO!?!  I feel like I blinked and it has ended.  The school bus drove by our house this morning to pick up the neighborhood kids.  Well, I guess it is high time to catch up on some posting since it has been a while.  Okay, since July.  Please forgive me.


Day 3: Woods Family Reunion


We spent all day up in Oakley at the Woods Family Reunion.  It was a reunion for Grandma Dorthy Walker, her 5 sisters, and ALL their descendants.  There were a lot of us!  A big shout-out is in order to all of Ryan's aunts and uncles for putting the reunion together.  It was so fun, and I know it took a lot of work!

There were tons of activities...here are some of our favorites:

Tower building with spaghetti noodles and marshmallows

Sam mostly just ate our building materials

And the winning team was...MY TEAM!  Yay!  Good job West and Aiden and Carson and me!  Also the 2nd cousin whose name I don't remember...he gave us the winning structure idea :)

Grandma Walker

Sam and Carly and the Road Island Diner food cart.  Sam LOVED this food cart.

He quickly figured out how to turn on the music.  PS where are his pants you might ask?  Soaked by the fishing pond.  Surprise!

Showing me his pinata spoils...

Fishing with cousin Nia

Eeww.  Sorry about that Dad...

Sam fell in love the water gun.  Even if he did shoot himself in the eye :)

Two of my favorite men!

Well, the reunion was really fun and we were all sunburned by the end of the day.  Not used to all that sunshine anymore :)