Summer Fun

We've so enjoyed this Summer. I have to say Pullman Summers really are awesome. There are a TON of parks here and since we love to ride bikes, we mostly bike to them. 

Hobbes and Hayley have been living it up too. I've found out that no matter what park or where in the park I set him down he gravitates toward the messiest part. I kept setting him down in the middle of this field and he would just turn around and bee line it crawling through the grass as fast as he could to the dirt/wood chips. 

We've entered the silly smile faze. She refuses to give a nice smile in pictures, don't get me wrong, I still love her silly ones. 

Whatever the season, the sunsets here are AMAZING. 

 Ever since visiting my parent's back in the beginning of July, Hayley loves finding dandelions and blowing them. Not sure what type this one is but we found it while on a walk and she got super excited to blow it. 

We visited Sunnyside Park while my parents were here for Hobbes' birthday. We counted over 40 ducks in the pond, that's got to be a record, or maybe no one had come by that day to feed them yet so they were all out for us.

We were about to start swimming lessons again and I decided the long hair had to go since it's a constant battle to get the tangles out and do it cute. 

I was sad to see most of her baby curls go, but she's loving it short and so am I. 

Lentil Fesitval! 

...again she refused to smile. 

Pretty sure none of us look good here, but we had to get the traditional shot of us in front of the big pot of lentil chili. In our defense it is always SO stinking hot during lentil festival.

Hobbsy is a fish. He LOVES the water and outdoors. He guns it to the tub any time the bathroom door is open. So one day he was crabby so I just put him in the tub, empty and let him have a pretend bath with all his toys. He loved it. Then I didn't come fast enough when he screeched that he was done and he face planted out of the tub. My bad. 

Just as much as he wants inside the tub he also guns it to the porch screen door whenever we open it. (we live 4 stories up) So there is no way I'm letting him out there, the little 

"wigg-we worm" as Hayley calls him. 

Happy Birthday's!

7/26/13

Hobbson turned 1!

He is: so funny, incredibly ticklish, strawberry blonde, loves his sister to death and smiles SO big when she enters the room. He's said, Mama, dada, Hayee, Hi, NAN!!, all these a couple times but nothing is super consistent. Except NAN!!! 

(I think that's what he calls me because he yells it right at me when he wants food/drink.)

He's a dang fast crawler and has only taken a couple steps 1-2 times, but not walking. He's got 8 teeth and teething about 8 more, not sure since he doesn't welcome my poking around in there. But his poor gums are swollen and tender. 

(Nevermind my mess of hair...it's so annoying to see a picture with hair in your face, 

you just keep wanting to brush it away) 

Silly boy, wasn't sure what to think of the treat. He did like the whip cream frosting.

A few gifts, Mom and Dad were nice to come visit and celebrate with us. Since we knew they were coming we celebrated a day late. (hence the photo time stamp) 

Naturally this is what he's interested in doing with new toys...

Funny since this is what Hayley did with her toys at about the same age...

(Yes, she is supporting herself, with no help)

7/30/13

Happy Birthday Skyler!!!

This was Skyler's "Golden Birthday" for those unfamiliar...it's when you turn the age of the date you were born. For Skyler it was 30yrs. on July 30th. Double reasons for celebrating since 30 is a big one. 

I'd been planning this for awhile...

I arranged for a sitter, not one we usually use to make it look like I was running out of people to ask, and I said we only had 2 hours for dinner and travel time, since the sitter "had plans" afterwards. :)

In the weeks leading up, I had contacted probably 40 of his fellow co-workers, past friends, mission companions, siblings, scout leaders, anyone and everyone I could think of. Asking for memories, short stories, funny moments and sentiments that they love about Sky. I received quite a few and boy were some funny. It took all my might not to squeal the surprise. 

Day of, I picked up 30 Gold balloons, printed the sentiments and tied one to each balloon. I made some map bunting since decorating for a mans' party isn't easy... a map themed bunting seemed to be a nice medium (and Sky loves maps.)

We got home from dinner and actually everyone was arguing about where to stand, his friends in the front, spouses in the back etc. It was funny. Then they saw us and were like, OH! SURPRISE!! 

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the Birthday boy on his special day, or of all the treats. :)

But I will note, there was Brownies, Homemade shortcakes w/lime-strawberries and cinn. whip, tuille cookies with homemade strawberry/watermelon sorbet and white cantaloup/pineapple sorbet. 

(I was very happy with how everything turned out, and I do take special orders ;) )

Sky was very surprised. At the end of dinner he even asked me, "so what do you want to do when we get home? 

To which I looked down and solemnly replied:

"oh nothing, maybe just put the kids to bed early and watch a show."

8/6/13

Happy Birthday Chelsea!

The day before my actual birthday, Skyler was able to take off work, 

and he let me pick all the activities. 

So we drove up to Heyburn State Park which is about an hour north of Pullman in a town called Plummer. We started with a picnic lunch (that was cut short because the bees this summer are seriously out of control!) then we rode bikes along the lake for awhile. It was beautiful, I hope we can go camping there sometime. 

(Then since it had been hectic before all our birthday's hit, he took me shopping and let me pick out a few new things, including a pretty polka dot dress that I'm super excited about)

The next day on my actual birthday I celebrated by taking the kids to the WSU creamery, Ferdinand's, for my free birthday cone. I'm such a child, I know.

Then if that wasn't enough, Skyler treated me to dinner at Black Cypress. 

And a brownie sundae of course since I'm not crazy about cake. 

I'm so lucky.

So Happy Birthday to all of us, Hayley was a great sport in all of this considering her birthday was back in April. She was sweet. 

Summer "Vacation"

This month Skyler attended two basketball officiating camps on the weekends, while working during the week. He encouraged me to take the kids and visit family and enjoy the ocean. So even though I was sad about leaving him behind for 2 weeks, the kids and I spent 12 hours in the car together. (yes we all survived, this was in 3 separate trips.) First we drove to Kent, stopping in Ellensburg to have dinner with Skyler while he was at camp. We spent a few days at my parents enjoying the sun and playing outside. Then we traveled south to Seaside for a week. 

In years past we've gone to the Gearhart parade, but this year Hayley's cousins, Skyler and Abe were going to be on a float for their church throwing candy. So we went to the Seaside Parade instead.

Abe

There are such interesting floats in small towns...and the Subway guy. Hayley was terrified! She woudn't go back to the edge of the street until he was a good block and a half away. 

 We visited Jenna in Manzanita and took a stroll through Cannon Beach. This is the infamous Haystack rock, this picture really doesn't do it justice, the rock is enormous. At low tide you can walk out to the rock and touch it.

Visiting the beach was tricky, between nap schedules and the marine layer, it was tough to find the perfect time and weather combination. But on the day before we left, it happened and I was sure to capture every minute. 

This guy.

(nevermind the drool hanging down...)

They were thrilled to play in the sand. I couldn't find any real sand toys so we made do with random cups and tupperware containers. 

It didn't matter what it was, it went into Hobsy's mouth...shells, sand, and the worst, crab legs. In my defense I was watching him, but he's quick! and sneeky in putting stuff in his mouth. 

My little kite runner. She adores the chance to fly a kite and is enamored by it. 

The beach is always windy, but it was only blowing strong in one direction so every time she got too far away and had to come back the kite would fall and we'd have to start over. 

We eventually made it back to my parents for a few more days where I picked up Skyler from the airport. He attended 1 day of his second officiating camp and then just he and I went to Seaside for a night. 

After a long while with just me and the kids, it was great to be able to spend time with him sans kids. 

The weather was glorious and we even took a walk on the beach before driving back to Kent. 

Someday we'll have a "real vacation" but for now this is fun tugging the kids around region making memories and visiting family. 

First "Utah Reunion"

We made the drive down to Utah for the Archibald/Foster reunion. This was my first real reunion with tons of people that I've never met. I am curious as to how many family reunions take place in Utah every year since about every person you meet attends one.

 One night we ventured to Temple Square, only to be reminded of just how beautiful it is. Not that I expected anything less but the landscaping was immaculate, not a single weed anywhere! 

As usual Hayley and cousin Milena were inseparable the entire trip. 

It's so fun to see them play so well together. 

We took a look inside the old Tabernacle, it was just as I had remembered from watching General conference on TV as a kid. 

I have a similar picture of before we were married, in front of this same fountain.

 (without kids of course)  I wish I could find it..

(...jeez, Chels get some posture!)

I shouldn't have been surprised that even though it was only Thursday when we went to Temple Square, there were probably 4 weddings going on. Having not ever been to Utah until I was about 20 a lot of things still surprise me; like the Beehives on the road signs, pictures of Prophets for sale in random stores, and of course the numerous temples and church buildings visible from the highway.

We had a great time, Claudia had the kids picking strawberries and raspberries in the garden. Identifying fruits and plants, swinging "too high" on the swing set, and of course seeing lot's of family. 

Jenna and Hobbes

 Claudia's sister Caroline making Root beer from scratch, delish! Claudia gave a sweet talk of her parents and times growing up.

We had tasty BBQ and potluck salads. 

Josh also made some local salmon to represent where they're from.

Utah.