August 2013

At the beginning of August, my Grandma Ward came to visit my parents for a few days. I loved getting to spend some time with her and love that my kids got to know her a little better. I somehow didn’t get any pictures while she was here! I know my mom did, and I’m so glad she thinks about those things.

I did get pictures of the kids at the park when Grandma was visiting, but none with Grandma.

   

 

Nathan and I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe together this summer, and when we finished, we got the movie and lots of yummy snacks and had a celebratory movie night! He loved it!

 

One of our last big projects in the house was getting our living room floor refinished. It’s got this great old (maybe original) hardwood floor but it was so beat up. It obviously had carpet down on top of it at some point (WHY?!?!?!) so it really needed some work. We had to be out of the house once the stain and especially the finish was put on so we decided to stay down in Puyallup at my parents house. We planned things perfectly and had our floor done the same weekend they were gone in Mexico for their anniversary. We needed somewhere to stay, and they needed someone to watch their house and their dog. Win/win.

While we were there, Ryan took advantage of our empty house and worked on a few other projects that needed to be done. Part of my mom’s Mother’s Day gift this year was a promise to paint her bathroom, so that’s what I worked on while we were there. I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself when I run out of things to paint. Maybe blackout.

(Before- it’s a lovely icy blue now)

It was almost like our own mini vacation to be at my parents house. We got to eat all their junk food that we never buy, watch their movies, and get away from all our house worries (for the most part). We did, however, learn that maybe their house isn’t as Emma proof as we thought.

Ice cream date with my babies!

 

We went to Point Defiance Zoo with Nana and Leslie. I thought Emma might be nervous in the aquarium, but she loved it so much!

   

Nathan really loved the kids area, and went down the slide over and over again.

 

And finally, just a little kiddo cuteness!

Emma loves hats!

 

I love these guys!

July 2013

 

We started off the month with a fun, relaxing Fourth of July with Nana and Papa,

    

Seeing this picture of my kitchen makes me a little giddy because it looks SOOOOOO much better now, and sometimes I forget how much work we’ve done!

 

Nathan did sparklers while Emma sat in the grass and ate flowers.

 

 

but the main even of July was the STP!!

On July 13th Ryan participated in the Seattle to Portland Bike Rally.That’s right! He rode is bicycle from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon- a total of just over 200 miles- in ONE day!

By car, Portland is only about 3 hours away, so that afternoon the kids and I drove down to meet him at the finish line. I hate driving, but complaining about heat with no air-conditioning and a lot of traffic (all with bike racks on their cars) seems silly since I at least didn’t have to pedal my way down there!

We got a hotel for the night and tried to make a bit of a mini family vacation out of it, but the truth is, it was really hectic and short and crazy- but still fun!

Ryan wasn’t expected to get to the finish line until evening, so the kids and I relaxed at the hotel and got some dinner while we waited.

Ryan called us and said he’d be at the finish line around 8, so we headed over to wait for him.

It was really crowded at the park, so we figured we would just track each other down once he got there. But then on the way, I saw a great spot where we could stand right in front of the finish line. besides, we brought a balloon!

There were a lot of bikes zooming past us, but after waiting as long as the kids could handle, we saw him! It was such a fun surprise for him when he saw us waiting and clapping for him right by the finish line! I even managed to snap a picture!

The next morning we enjoyed the swimming pool and headed home.

       

We stopped at Cabella’s  on the way home, just to break up the trip. The kids loved it!

  

Ryan said he’s going to wait a few years before he does the STP again (it’s a lot of work and money to do every year). I told him maybe I’ll do it with him!

May and June, sans pictures

I want to blog briefly about May and June, even though I don’t have any (maybe a couple) pictures left from those months.

May:

Anniversary- Ryan and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on the 4th by going out to breakfast and shopping for a new light for our bedroom. We know how to live on the wild side!

Mother’s Day- Ryan made Mother’s Day so special this year, as he always does. He and the kids made a great card listing all the things they love about me, then gave me gifts that corresponded to each thing. Ryan said that I am sweet (peanut butter cups) and beautiful (earrings). Nathan said he loves when I give him a bath (bubble bath) and when I say silly words (iTunes   gift card). Emma loves when I hold her (massage gift card) and when I feed her (gift card for lunch out by myself).

Father/Son campout- Nathan and Ryan went on the Father/Son campout for the first time this year. They had a lot of fun making s’mores and playing ninja turtles in the tent late at night. Nathan woke up extra early and since he’s not very good at being quiet, Ryan took him on an early morning hike (away from the campsite). They ate 2 breakfasts and boated on the lake.

Office Party- When the last episode of The Office aired, we threw a little party with my family. We ate Big Tuna sandwiches, bagels shaped like “c’s”, Stanley’s free pretzels,bacon cooked on a George Foreman, and double fudge brownies. I even tired to encase a stapler in Jell-O. I think we’re going to miss this show.

June:

We had a special family party the day before Father’s Day to celebrate Father’s Day and my birthday and Leslie’s birthday. Kevin came down from Bellingham to party with us.

Father’s Day- Ryan got the royal treatment all day. We got him some garage organizing things, which we still have boxed up and ready to organize with!

My Birthday- I turned 27 on the 17th and celebrated with a relaxing day at home. Ryan even surprised me by taking the day off. My parents and Leslie came over that evening for cake and presents.

The next day we went back to Puyallup for Leslie’s 15th birthday. I think at that point we were all partied out!

 

 

Summer time fun!