Hi Ho Hi Ho, It's Back to Work I Go

Last week was my first week back to work full time with my regular schedule.  I officially started back September 1, but had been piecing weeks together due to David's insane work schedule.  Thank goodness my boss is so flexible.

It felt good to be back to our normal schedule, but we're finding that juggling 3 kids on top of a full work load is a bit challenging. We're working out some kinks and fall into bed most nights beyond exhausted, but overall things are going pretty good. 

Like life in general, we have good days and bad days.  But the good news is that we seem to be learning new tricks to keep the household sane.

As always, it is a work in progress and hope one day we'll have our little system perfected!  Actually, we know this is highly unlikely but we can have goals, right?

First Haircut

Kendall had her first haircut when Grandma Sue was here.  There has been great debate about cutting her hair.  I really want her bangs to grow out, but she won't keep anything in her hair to hold them back and they were just getting too long.  David has been nagging me to do it since July.  After watching her brush her bangs out of her eyes numerous times a day, I agreed that it was time.

After we figured out a plan, Grandma started cutting.

We used a marshmallow to bribe her, but she was still pretty wiggly.  Thank goodness Grandma is so patient.

When it was all said and done her hair looked much better and she seemed much happier to have those bangs out of her eyes!  It's amazing how much older she looked after those locks were snipped, though. 

Sweetness

Birthday Girl

We had a few birthday celebrations for Miss Kendall, but decided not to have a big birthday party for her.  We celebrated with Trophy Cupcakes when Grandma Sue was here, and then decided a family swimming day would be the perfect way to celebrate with her.  We did this for Ryan's 2nd birthday, and thought little fish Kendall would love it too.

Kendall did not get the whole birthday concept at all, until the cupcakes came out that is.  Once she made that connection she wall all about "Dendall's birfday".  She was so excited about the cupcakes that she climbed on the table.

 
And then tried to blow out her candles.

When she couldn't figure out how to get that flame out her big brother helped.  Enough already, there were cupcakes to be eaten!

Our swimming adventure was so fun.  David took the two older kids in while Natalie and I sat on the sidelines.  After her snack we joined in the fun, too.

Tuckered out.

 Ryan LOVED everything about being in the water.  Kendall loved it, too, but does not like to be splashed which made things a little challenging since the place was packed on a Sunday afternoon.  The birthday girl did have fun, though.

When we got home we had "PEET-ZZAAA", Kendall's favorite and more cupcakes!  It was fun to watch her open her gifts this year.  She really got into it, and loved her Hokey Pokey Elmo.  She even had to blow him kisses before bedtime.  Have I mentioned how sweet she is?

So excited to have her very own Ichiro shirt...

and Mariner hat.  Thanks, Ryan!

Hello, Elmo I'm Kendall.

David's New Adventure

David, my amazing husband, had worked for the same company, RUI,  for almost 20 years.  The company changed ownership about 5 years ago, and David hasn't been happy since.  He likes his work, but didn't like the direction the new leadership was taking the company.

On the morning of June 13th, as we lay in the hospital room with our new baby girl (born hours earlier) he got two phone calls.  He didn't answer either of them at the time, but both calls turned out to be new opportunities for David if he wished to take one.  He went through a series of interviews for both positions, but knew right away what he wanted to do.

The position he decided to take was with the former CEO of RUI.  He has always respected Attila and jumped at the chance to work with him again.  Attila and his business partner came up with a new concept for a restaurant, called WildFin

In any case, David was asked to be a part of the team to open the new restaurant.  Since he'd never helped open a restaurant before, it was a exciting new challenge for him.  And a challenge it has been, but a good one. 

He started August 1st with concept meetings, food samplings and getting to know the other members of his team.  It has been a great fit for him from the start.  The second week they focused on staffing the restaurant.  The first day he interviewed 55 people!  The following week they spent setting up the restaurant.  It had no supplies - from chairs to forks.  If you don't go through this experience you don't realize how much stuff a restaurant uses.  The last 2 weeks before the opening were focused on training all the new staff members - over 60 in all.

The restaurant opened on September 14th, and they've been doing awesome.  Of course there have been a few glitches, but for the most part they are up and running smoothly.  So, if you ever find yourself in Issaquah and are looking for an amazing meal check out WildFin and say hello to my guy.  He's off on Wednesdays and Thursdays, though.

It's been a "Wild" ride so far, but David is thrilled he decided to go on this new adventure!

Big Girl

When my mom was here she sat Natalie in Kendall's high chair so she could watch Ryan and Kendall color.  It's something I never thought to do, mostly because I thought she was too small to sit in the high chair.  Turns out she isn't too small, and she LOVED being a part of the action.

Grandma Sue to the Rescue

David has been working extra long hours the past few weeks as they prepared to open the new restaurant (more on this later).  The timing seemed perfect when he took the job, but it wasn't looking that way once September 1st rolled around and I had to head back to work.

Thank goodness my boss is so flexible, but there is still no way I would have been able to juggle it all without my mom's help.  It worked out that she was able to stop in Seattle (again) on her way home from Sitka.  Her and my dad arrived September 10th, and she stayed all week to help us out.  My dad had to get back to Minnesota so flew back on the 11th.  

Grandma Sue and the girls.

It was so amazing to have her here as always.  The kids adore her, and we love getting her all to ourselves!  When we're in Minnesota we have to share her with 8 other grandkids!

Great Grandma Evelyn

While in Minnesota at the end of August we stopped to see my Grandma Evelyn (my Mom's mom).  Grandma turned 95 in  May!  She's still doing great, minus a little hearing loss.  I think she was a little shocked to see us, but was so happy to meet and hold "little" Natalie (who looks enormous in this picture!).  Natalie is her 13th great grandchild!

Run the Bases

A couple weeks ago at my Rotary meeting someone donated a pair of Mariner tickets.  Our Club President decided to auction off the tickets to make a little money for the club.  One of my club members started the bidding at $20, and I raised it to $40 and no one out bid me.  So, Ryan and I headed to the Mariner's game on September 11th.  My mom was here to cover the girls, so it worked out perfectly.  And I had one happy boy on my hands.

We had such a fun day.  It turned out to be the hottest day in Seattle this year - hitting almost 90 degrees - and it felt so good to sit in the sunshine (with our 50 SPF applied of course!).  We had great seats, just 22 rows back on the third base line.

When we arrived at the stadium we were given American flags, which was really emotional to me.  Then we got to be a part of a beautiful ceremony before the start of the game.  It's hard to believe it's already been 10 years since September 11th attacks.  

It turned out to be "Run the Bases" day, too.  After the game anyone under the age of 14 can go down on the field and run the bases.  Right up Ryan's alley for sure!  We patiently waited and waited and waited in line and then we finally made it down on the field.  Ryan was so excited!

He was so focused on getting around those bases, and even got to give Mariner Moose a high 5 before making it to home plate.  What a fun experience for that boy!  I don't even remember if the M's won or lost the game, and I'm pretty sure Ryan doesn't either. 

ICHIRO.

On the field.

Jumping to make a "catch".

And he's off...

He did it, and he's so proud!

Me and my boy!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Kendall Jo!

Dear Kendall Jo,

Happy 2nd Birthday to you!

You are one sweet little girl!  I can't imagine our life without you.  You are our daily entertainment, that's for sure.  You are so silly, and full of life. Your quirky dance moves, facial expressions and the way you talk with your hands is beyond adorable.  You definitely know what you want, and know how to get what you want.

I have loved watching you grow over the past year.  Your personality has really come out!  You are so sweet, yet sassy!  You are talking up a storm.  You're just starting to string sentences together, and have so many new words everyday.

You love books.  You pile books up as high as you can and then try to carry them over to Daddy or I to read to you.  You get so mad when your plan doesn't work and you can't carry them all at the same time.  And all of your books must go back into a pile after we are finished reading them, too.  You are so particular about things!  You also lay your books out, making a train, so you can see them all.  You will sit for hours reading them.  You really don't play with many toys at this point, it's all about your books.

Coloring is your second favorite pastime.  You like to take the covers off all the markers, but won't put them back on (your mother's pet peeve).  You have started drawing circles, and are so proud that you can do that.

You and Ryan have formed such a strong bond since Natalie arrived.  I love watching your relationship with him change and grow everyday.  You love to do whatever he is doing, especially when it comes to your outside games.  You zoom down the driveway on your little car just as fast as he does.  The two of you have so much fun together.  You are so excited to see him every morning.  You can't stand when he's still sleeping and you're awake.  Your face lights up and are quick to greet him with a "Hi, Ry" whenever you see him.  You two are quite the pair and so sweet to each other - most of the time.

And you're one awesome big sister!  You adore Natalie and love to hold her and kiss her every chance you get.  Sometimes you're a little too excited to see her, though.  There have been a few too many head butts lately!

It really is hard to believe you are 2 years old already.  It's been such a fun year with you, Sweet Kendall.  I can't wait to see what this next year brings.

I love you to pieces Jo Jo!!

-Mommy

Thumb Tucker

That is no typo.  Natalie is a thumb tucker, not a thumb sucker.  When she is sound asleep she tucks her thumb under her pointer finger.  She has since she's been born.  Turns out my mom does the same thing.  I think its the cutest thing!

September Birthday Girls

While we were in Minnesota we celebrated Emma and Kendall's September birthdays.  Emma turned 6 on September 8th and Kendall will be 2 on Tuesday!  Gina and I used it as a great excuse to buy and eat birthday cake!! The girls had fun, and it was good practice for Kendall.  She had no clue how to blow out her candle.  She did know how to eat her cake, though!

The Wedding

The real reason I planned to go to Minnesota when I did was because my friend Sarah Niklaus got married on September 3rd.  Sarah is a dear friend that I met while working at WE Fest one summer when I was in college.  Working at WE Fest is quite an experience, and we became friends right away. 

My friend Sarah Houdek was my date and "nanny" for the day.  It was great to have her help with Natalie during the wedding and the reception.  And I thought it was very fitting she be there to see another Sarah marry another Alan.  Sarah H. is also married to an Allen!

Sarah N. was a gorgeous bride.  The ceremony was beautiful, as was the reception. 

Sarah, Natalie and I timed our drive from the cabin a little short, and arrived just before the ceremony began.  No time to change Natalie, so we changed her in the car afterward.  She looked darling in her little red dress.

 

 Natalie was good as gold during the wedding and at the reception, until I felt something running down my arm.  Turned out to be baby poop.  Yep.  Baby poop was running down my arm, and covering my entire front. I just about died laughing.  After a very discreet escape from the table, Sarah and I made it to the bathroom to get Ms. Natalie in some clean clothes.  I might add that the baby poop ran down my leg when I stood up!  It really was hysterical.

Natalie in her clean clothes!

The beautiful bride, Sarah!

Since I was covered in poop, with no change of clothes we decided it was best that we leave a bit early!  After a visit with the bride we headed back to the cabin, which was another adventure in itself!

I was so happy I made the trip to be a part of Sarah's day!  It turned out to be one fun adventure!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Gengenbach!

On the Go

This is the best phrase to describe Kendall.

Straight Lake

When we were in Minnesota we visited my friend Sarah at her parent's home on Straight Lake.  When I was growing up Sarah lived about 5 minutes from us, and we did everything together.  Sarah's parents are now retired and have moved to Straight Lake.  This is also the same lake where Sarah's Grandma Betty spends her summers.  Sarah and I spent so many summer days at Grandma Betty's cabin when we were growing up, but I haven't been back for almost 15 years.

It was such a fun experience to visit Sarah, her kids and Grandma Betty.  The kids had fun jumping on the trampoline and swimming in the lake (just as we did years ago).  It was so fun to reminisce about the good old days, and remember how it felt to be carefree on a beautiful summer day!

Natalie with Sarah's son Luke.

Sarah's daughter Ava and Natalie.

Luke, Ava and Ryan having a blast in the water.

Me and Sarah with the girls.

Three Months

What a difference a month makes!  Natalie has changed so much over the last month.  She is no longer fussy, but one happy, content little baby instead.  She sleeps all night which is a dream to me.  And she is very easy to read.  I know exactly when she's hungry, when she has to burp or when she just needs a nap.  It's amazing how that makes life so much easier. 

Natalie took her first airplane ride to Minnesota this past month.  She did great getting to Minnesota, but wasn't as easy for me on the way home.  This may have had something to do with the fact that I was flying solo with all three kids and couldn't devout all my time to her, though.

I wasn't very consistent giving her Zantac when we were in Minnesota, and it didn't seem to bother her so I've gradually weened her off.  She continues to do great without, so we'll just see how she does.

Natalie loves to be around the action and she loves to be outside.  When spoken to she always responds with a huge smile.  She has been so smiley and happy!  She has also been "talking" to us.  We love to hear her cooing sounds throughout the day. 

She also discovered her hand this month.  It's so fun to watch her analyze that fist!  I would love to know what she's thinking as she's checking it out.

She has grown even longer this month and is now in 6 month size clothes.  She is just starting to lose the hair on the back of her head as most babies do.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it comes back just as dark.  She is definitely a healthy, happy little girl and we are so blessed that she is ours!

Photos by Lisa

My friend Lisa watched Natalie for me yesterday while I volunteered at Ryan's school.  She captured these amazing pictures of Natalie using her iPhone.

Love! 

Thanks, Lisa!