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  1. Arizona Babies

    April 2, 2012 by Katie

    One thing us kiddos wanted to do while in Phoenix was to take advantage of the great hiking opportunities, so when Lindsay recommended we try Pinnacle Peak, we slathered the babies up with sunscreen and brought them along.

    It seems weird to me that some people think that once you have a baby, you’re no longer able to enjoy the things you used to enjoy doing. We’ve always wanted to include Elise in our lives (within reason); not have our lives constantly revolve around her and risk losing sight of who we were as individuals/husband & wife before she came along. {I realize those sentences alone could warrant an entire blogpost some other time.} I only bring this up because I had numerous people and other hikers say how they were impressed the babies were hiking with us—and it kinda took me by surprise.

    But, I digress.

    This was a great hike to do with the babies—not too strenuous or steep—but I think we could’ve hiked longer if we’d gone earlier in the morning or later in the evening since there really wasn’t any shade out there {I blame it on Elise for actually taking a long morning nap before we left to hike}.

    Nonetheless, it was fun. Plus, I did not see a single rattlesnake, so that alone makes it a good time.

    Bonus was getting to spend some time with my supercool brother.

    Sometimes I think Kim & Todd just don’t understand us. :) {Todd moreso than Kim…she’s been around us for 20 years by now}

    But that’s okay. It’s valid. We are a bit weird. And when we’re together the weirdness just amplifies itself tenfold.

    Every good trip needs a jumping picture, right?

    Challenge accepted.

    Ben captured this in one take. And then we rolled on down the mountain.

    The last time I took a jumping picture was a little over a year before, also on a hike…..in Hawaii. I wasn’t quite as limber then. Plus, somebody was weighing me down a bit.

    After we sweated it up on the hike {and stopped for lunch at In-n-Out, then lattes at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf}, it was time for the babies to don their swimwear.

    {Please excuse the grotesque-looking arm. She moves way too fast for my phone camera.}

    This was Elise’s first time ‘swimming’, and for the most part, she loved it—loved kicking her legs, splashing, and just floating around.

    {Thanks for bringing the float plane, Grandma! It was a hit with the babies.}

    Category Baby, Fun, Travel | Tags: | No Comments

  2. Arizona

    March 25, 2012 by Katie

    Last weekend we returned home from a nice, long trip to the warm Arizona desert after spending a week with my family.

    I’m reluctant to call it a vacation, because in my mind, a vacation is a time when you get to sleep in after a long night of uninterrupted sleep, decompress from your job, and completely relax.

    And, well…there isn’t much relaxing when your boss travels with you.

    {sure is cute though.}

    We were ‘on’ pretty much 24/7. No rest for the weary. C’est la vie, right?

    We wouldn’t have wanted to spend this time without her anyways. Except that she decided she doesn’t like sleeping somewhere other than her own crib—but that’s a whole other story that we’ve tried to wipe from our memories and have since recovered from.

    So this family trip….back in September, my mom started planning a surprise for my dad’s 70th birthday and thought it’d be fun to fly us kids & grandbabies somewhere for a week.  We narrowed down the location options and decided on Phoenix since my aunt & uncle, along with several cousins live there {plus, the perfect sunny weather was a nice bonus}. Mom rented a big house with a pool, organized everything, and worked up a plan to get my dad down there without him suspecting anything. We had a surprise party planned with family & friends, and then my dad had a medical ‘hiccup’ and we had to change some plans.

    The party was cancelled, but we ended up seeing everyone at some point during the week anyways. It was a lot more relaxing too, which was nice for everyone, especially dad.

    We were super excited to spend some quality time with my parents and brother Ben, SIL Kim & little Nephew B.

    My cousin Ryan, his wife Lindsay, and their daughter Lily live in Phoenix so we got to see them several times. And my aunt Janice flew over from California for a couple days.

    Seriously, it was like a weeklong family reunion of both sides of the family. People dropped by to visit every day. I thought it was awesome…Todd (and Elise) may have been a bit overwhelmed by it all. :)

    {chatterbox Lily was more interested in talking/marching/splashing in the pool than posing for a picture}

    {but this funny guy wasn’t camera shy at all.}

    {Elise’s first time splashing in a pool! LOVED it.}

    {my sweet Aunt Barb…reminds me SO much of my grandma Mildred.}

    {my cousins Martelle, Darin & his wife Candis, very ornery Uncle Gene & Aunt Barb}

    {brother & sister.}

    We spent a lot of time just sitting outside around the fire pit every night; talking, roasting our feet, making S’mores….not really something you can do in Seattle in March.

    {Grandma even ordered special shirts for the babies.}

    Happy 70th, Grandpa. Hope you had a wonderful time, because we sure did.

    Stay tuned for more fun pics, especially of Elise, as she dons her first swimsuit….

     

    Category Family, Fun, Travel | Tags: | 2 Comments

  3. Grandpa E

    February 7, 2012 by Katie

    Category Fun | Tags: | No Comments

  4. Snow Day

    January 16, 2012 by Katie

    The once-a-year snowstorm descended upon us this weekend….much to my excitement and Todd’s dismay.

    I say, “Yaay! Look at the wintery wonderland! I loooooove snow!”

    He says, “Grumble grumble. I’m moving somewhere warm.”

    I was pretty intent on getting Elise out to enjoy her first snowfall, so I called up Ryan & Aubrey—who are always up for snow fun—and they walked up to our neighborhood for some sledding.

    We went  to the same hill/street we conquered last year, only this time we had real sleds! Gone are the days of riding on cookie sheets and in Rubbermaid tote boxes. Sadly, other kids were onto our secret and the two neighborhood hills were busy. Anybody else absolutely hate waiting their turn on the sledding hill? “C’mon kids, move it along! Need a push?” No? Just me?

    Naturally, I had to take Elise on her first sled ride. Safety first, I wrapped my arms tightly around her and we did a shortened version of the hill (like maybe 15 feet worth). Wheeee!

    I remember my sled rides as a youngster…..sitting on a rusty old car hood with my brother and cousin Ryan, being pulled behind our dads’ motorcycles over the snow covered soybean field.

    It really amazes me sometimes how we survived childhood. :)

    I think she liked loved it. Next year we’ll go further up the hill!

    We’re supposed to get even more snow the next couple of days, which is great except that it melts during the day and freezes at night, making the hilly roads better for ice skating than driving.

    Oh well.

    Thankfully, my boss lets me work from home. :)

    {Seriously monster cheeks. What’s she storing in there?}

     

     

    Category Baby, Fun | Tags: | 4 Comments

  5. Success

    December 14, 2011 by Katie

    Since I don’t have any pictures of our early family Christmas—yes, I’m still sad about the whole thing—here are some pictures from when grandpa & grandma came to visit last month.

    Do you know how difficult it is to get Elise and my parents to both look & smile at the camera?!

    Very.

    And usually Elise is the one who is better at it. :)

    {she’s thinking: who’s that crazy lady?}

    .    .    .    .    .

    Ah, and remember when I challenged myself to take a picture of just Todd & I when we were out with friends?

    {success.}

    That was like an entire month ago! We got a babysitter and enjoyed an evening out at Black Raven, our local microbrewery. Todd and the guys go there frequently (or they used to before Elise was born), but this was my first time there. Naturally, they suggested I order a sampler.

    {this momma needs to get out more.}

    Category Fun | Tags: | No Comments

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