End of Summer BBQ

Today was such a fun day! Pam and I got up bright and early for an hour of Power Vinyasa Yoga. It has been awhile since I practiced, but it was so nice to get back into it and see that I haven't forgotten everything. I definitely have my work cut out for me though, the poses, balance, and strength of some of the students in that class was simply awe inspiring. I got home and had coffee with the hubs, and breakfast with the family, then got us all ready to meet Pam and Jamie at the grocery store to get goodies for our BBQ! We were quite the sight I'm sure, what with 2 car shopping carts and 7 kids between all of us! We got everything we needed and headed to North Creek Park. It's a really great park with a huge play structure, a covered area for grilling and eating, and then a huge peat bog with a beautiful boardwalk. The Nicolas and the other kids couldn't get enough of the little tree fort type area that was just off from the grilling area, leaving us adults to pretty much chat, cook, and look after the smallest kids. I was amazed at how well Naomi did as well. She just sat at the picnic table like she'd been doing it her whole life. I was such a proud Mommy! After the feast, we walked out to the bog and got some great photos that show the beauty of the bog and the awesome bond between our kids. Pam said it best when she said, that they are growing up like cousins. It's so fulfilling to have such meaningful friends in our lives!

Speaking of friends, we're also dogsitting for our friends Derek and Arlene while they vacation in Hawaii for a week. Kai got dropped off this evening and has been wandering around looking for his Mommy and Daddy every since. He's starting to warm up to his surroundings though, and is laying right beside me while I type this.

Mommy and Naomi

Sweet Bugs!

They are so goofy!

Thick as thieves!

Nothing quite like the joy a dog brings a child.

Besties.

The Bog at North Creek Park

My visiting shadow, Kai

Warming up and making himself at home

Naomi is so strong!

Today marked another big milestone for Miss Bugs! Naomi is now capable of standing up on her own without any assitance. I was vacuuming the downstairs before heading upstairs to give the kids baths and get them to bed, and she was playing with the popper that the kids use as their "vacuum." She wanted to push it around and also didn't want to let go of it even for a second. Probably because she knew that Nicolas would swipe it if given the opportunity. Then she just stood up!! I was so shocked! She didn't stay up very long. I think she maybe shocked herself! Then she did it again, just stood right up. Naomi then proceeded to walk down the hallway following me with her vacuum. It's just the best thing in the world to see the wonder in your childs face when they accomplish something new. They're just as surprised as you are, and just so proud!

My day wouldn't be complete without a funny Nicolasism either! While I was vacuuming, Nicolas went shopping on the stairs where I had put all the stuff that needed to go upstairs. When I got done vacuuming, Nicolas told me I just had to come see his new shoes. He was carrying around a shopping bag full of stuff. I asked him where he got his new shoes, and without missing a beat, he told me "Nordstrom!" LOL this kid is learning some good stuff from me! ;)

After learning she could stand up by herself, Naomi decided to slimb up in the tower with Nicolas for a water break.

My baby is 3?!

Today was such a great family day! Travis only has one day off this week, but boy did we pack it full of fun! Normally, I'm quite the nap nazi, but I let go a little and just let Naomi nap on the go. She was a bit of a mess by the end of the day, but I think she really had a great day with us none the less.

Here was the agenda for the day: morning at the zoo, home for naps (Naomi didn't think that was a good idea after her car nap), Nicolas' 3 year Well Child Check, and then dinner at my parents house. Jam packed? Yes! I even squeaked in a little bit of work in between somewhere somehow!

We have annual passes to the zoo, and have for a couple of years in a row now, but it seems like each time we go it gets better. The kids are getting to the point where they really enjoy looking for the animals, and then watching them for a bit as well. Nicolas really loved the Siamangs today! He watched them for at least 15 minutes, and even went back a second time to keep watching them. He also really liked the elephants and the otters. Naomi has started pointing to the animals when she finds them, and really enjoyed the active Siamangs today as well.

No visit to the zoo would be complete without a ride on the carousel for our family. Nicolas just adores picking out which horse he's going to ride, and Naomi could barely stand it she was so excited. She was clapping and fighting to get on, but then got a bit nervous once she was actually riding. That's relatively new for her, but she's been showing a little anxiety recently. Hopefully that passes quickly as it doesn't seem to match her personality thus far. To finish our day, Nicolas picked out a Madagascar Penguin ice cream for him and Naomi to share. It was the first time I let him get one that had the gumball eyes. He was so excited to have his very first gum today! He chewed it for all of 30 seconds before swallowing it down. LOL he was very disappointed to learn that meant no more gum!

Nicolas also had his 3 year Well Child Check today. He did a fabulous job at the doctor, and is very healthy! His height is 38.25 inches and he weighs about 37 pounds. He was so well behaved and I couldn't have been more proud. He let the nurse take his blood pressure, listen to his heart, and had his temperature taken under his tongue for the first time. I was relieved there will be no more shots until at least next year.

Dinner at my parents was fabulous as usual. We had stuffed bell peppers with sauteed fresh corn, zucchini, and onion. My Mom made an apple pie with a streusel type topping, which was of course delicious! The boys got out in the yard after dinner with the football, but once Naomi saw the ball she was out there too!

These are the days you just want to go on and on forever because they're so much fun. As sad as we were to put the kids to bed and wrap today up, it was nice to have a little peace and quiet with the Olympics on tonight with just Travis and I together.

Nicolas on the Carousel

Nicolas' very first time with gum!

Naomi for the Heisman!