A Date with Ryan

We were so excited to take Ryan to the Seahawks game vs. Jacksonville on the 22nd.  When you have more than one child any chance you get to get some one on one time with them is super special.  He loves going to the games as much as we do.  It's the perfect thing for us to do with him.

He hates that he has to wear ear protection, but it's a must.  It gets so loud!  Our deal is that he has to wear them when the Hawks are on defense, but can take them off when they are on offense.  This works well.  He loves to cheer loud and really gets into the game so we have a pretty good time.

Ouch

We're not sure how this happened, but I think we'll have a reminder it happened forever.

Natalie woke up from her nap and started screaming.  She obviously took a tumble but we are not sure what she hit her eye on.  Poor baby.  We felt so bad for her.  Of course, she handled it like a champ.  She is one tough cookie.

Train Movie Night

As I've mentioned before, these kids come up with the craziest, most creative ideas.  It's amazing how quickly these ideas come, and how they all get on board with them with such excitement.  This particular night they turned regular old  "Movie Night" into "Train Movie Night" by lining their chairs up in a row.  They thought this was so awesome!

Movie Selection: Dumbo

More Presents

Jenn and Chris came bearing birthday gifts for Kendall.  She was thrilled to have more presents to open, and even more thrilled by what was inside - a tea set and princess dolls!  Kendall loved these gifts.  The princesses have tea almost daily at our house.  Kendall meticulously sets them up just so.  I just love her little ways.

This is what I came home to the following day:

Kendall's 1st Day

Kendall started her first day of preschool at Issaquah Co-op Preschool on September 17.  She was beyond excited to go to school again.  She was a little shy the first few days, and continues to be shy the first few minutes of each class but then starts to come out of her shell.  She's starting to make new friends, which she loves most.  It's going to be a fun year watching her learn and grow in this new environment.  I'm so excited for her!

This is what happened when she got home from her first day:

She must have had way too much fun.

Hello, Aubrey!

Aunt Jenn, Grammy Chris (Jenn's Mom) and Aubrey stopped in to have dinner with us a few days after Kendall's birthday.  The kids were so excited to see Aubrey, as always.  It's such fun to see how much she changes each time we see her.

Aubrey loved the talking spider!

Kisses for Aubrey.  It does look like Natalie might be giving her a head-butt, but I assure you she was giving kisses!

Cousins!

From Ryan

Love this card Ryan made for Kendall for her birthday.

Kendall's Birthday Celebration

On the morning of her birthday Kendall woke up and asked so sweetly, "Am I four today?".  I just love this girl.  She's just got a way about her.  She's so appreciative and excited about the littlest things.  When I was decorating for her party she said, "Oh, is this for my birthday celebration?".  As if she was so touched that I would decorate for her birthday.  She's just so sweet. 

She was so excited to open her presents the morning of her big day.  Natalie thought they were hers, of course.  And Ryan hardly let the birthday girl open her own gifts.  She was so excited to get her own pink legos and a princess drawing set!

Still a little sleepy, but ready to open gifts.

Yay for pink legos!

Who's birthday is it here? 

On the day following her actual birthday, we had a "princess" celebration with friends.  We let Kendall invite 4 friends, since it was her 4th birthday.  The girls decorated crowns and had a blast just playing so nice and quietly together.  The boys, Ryan and Eli, bounced off the walls like fools.  Such a difference, I tell you!  Thankfully the sun peaked out and we were able to head outside to enjoy the nice day.  It was such a fun morning enjoying time with friends.

Silly Natalie in her decorated crown.

The crazy boys.

The girls table.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!

MMMM....strawberry cupcakes are the best.  Natalie mimicking Miss Muriel.  What a hoot!

Clara.

Kate showing us how the "googlie" eyes worked.  So cute.

There's that boy digging into the presents that aren't his...again.

A huge Hello Kitty from Grandma Karen!  So awesome!

The Guests:
Grandma Karen
Ana, Eli and Temri Pierson
David, Sharon, Ava and Ellie Huang
Moses, Laura, Muriel and Clara Leslie
Aunt Melanie and Gabe
KC, Charlie and Kate Morgan

An Early Celebration

While my parents were in town we celebrated Kendall's birthday.  I think the "any excuse to eat a cupcake" runs in the family!  We stopped at the local cupcake shop in Issaquah to pick up a few delicious cupcakes for our little celebration.

My Mom and Dad also gifted Kendall a new scooter.  Riding scooters was one of her favorite things to do at the cabin in Minnesota, so it was only fitting.  As we were picking it out, Ryan decided that would be a great gift for his birthday as well. 

So special that we got to celebrate together! 

I love these sweet and innocent pictures of Kendall blowing out her candles:

Subsequently, the duo has been putting plenty of miles on their birthday scooters.

Happy 4th Birthday Kendall!

Dear Kendall,

Today you turned 4. You came out of your room so quietly and asked, "Am I four today?". You are so precious, sweet girl.  You always have the cutest things to say.  And you give the best hugs. I hope neither of those things ever change.

I feel like you're growing up too fast.  Much faster than your siblings.  I'm not sure why that is, but I don't like it.  I just want it to slow down a bit.

You look so much older now.  All your baby / toddler look is completely gone.  You are definitely a little girl now.  And you've started acting so much older, too.  You are so particular about your clothes.  Leggings and t-shirts are your thing.  You love your cotton, girl!  Tags must be removed promptly as well.  And you are becoming a little neat freak.  Everything has to be just so especially when setting up your "house" and putting your laundry away.  You absolutely hate when Ryan and Natalie mess up your things.  

You are my little nature lover.  You love to be outside digging in the dirt, and aren't afraid to touch bugs.  You also love riding your bike and your scooter.  You are so content to just do your thing outside.

One of the things I love most about you is how caring you are.  You are just so genuinely in tune to everyone around you and are always making sure every one is ok.  You are so loving.  This also makes you very sensitive and your feelings are hurt easily, which makes it very hard to get mad at you.  I hate having to scold you, but sometimes you are naughty.  Not often, but sometimes.  You just collapse into a puddle of tears when you get in trouble.

When you do something that isn't nice, it usually involves your sister.  You just HATE when she gets into your things. The two of you have started playing nicer together now that Ryan is off at school all day. You can get so frustrated with her, though.  Understandably, but we are still trying to make the days go a bit smoother by using words instead of hands.  

You and Ryan have a tight bond.  The two of you have so much fun together. You love to laugh and be as silly as possible.  Your giggles are priceless.  

You started school this week, and were very shy.  It will be so much fun to watch you come out of your shell and embrace your new school and make new friends.

You really are the sweetest thing, Miss Kendall.  I love that your sweet face, your sweet voice and your sweet soul bless me everyday.

I love you sweet girl! 

Happy 4th Birthday!

Mommy

Cub Scouts

Ryan attended his first Cub Scout event last weekend.  The pack visited the Renton Municipal Airport.  They got to visit the control tower, take a bus tour of the airport and pretend to fly a small airplane.  Ryan loved it!  He was so engaged and asked lots of questions.  I was so proud of how he made himself right at home with the rest of the pack. 

The three hour experience made me realize that I am not cut out to be the Cub Scout parent.  Not only was I bored out of my mind, I brought Kendall along who was beyond bored as well.  We managed to keep it together for Ryan's sake, but both of us were near tantrum stage when we left.

Here's hoping David will be available on the next outing!

Loving every minute of it!

Flying the friendly skies...or pretending to at least!

Kendall was so unimpressed with sitting in this airplane.

It's fun to have friends in the same pack!

Big Foot

Andrew and Lexi and Coho

My cousin Andrew, girlfriend Lexi and sweet dog Coho visited us a couple weeks ago.  They spent their summer working in Sitka for Angling Unlimited and were making their way back to Minnesota.  We are so happy they took the time to stop in. 

After we were able to drag Ryan and Coho out of the yard, we visited Wild Fin for dinner.  The next day we headed into Seattle to explore REI, the trolley and the market.  Kendall, Andrew, Lexi and I were the only ones to venture into the city which was really great.  I loved being able to give Kendall a little one on one time.  We also stopped in to watch the para gliders a few times.  The weather was beautiful while they were here which means tons of para gliders in the nearby sky.  Such a fun visit!

I didn't take any pictures (so lame) so was thrilled when Andrew texted me this shot the other day:

Loud and Louder

Date night at the Seahawks game!  We knew it was going to be loud, but how cool to say we're part of the Guinness Book of World Records for stadium noise.  A whopping 136.6 decibels.  The paper this morning reports that an aircraft carrier deck is 140 decibels.  No wonder my ears are still ringing.

We had a great time despite an hour long storm delay.  Like good Seattle fans do, we made it a coffee break.  We thought it a much better option than a $10 beer that would have us sleeping by halftime.  It could also be a sign we're getting old.  By the time the game resumed we were fueled up and ready to make some more noise, and that's all that mattered, right?

The offense was sloppy, but the Hawks defense played amazing.  What a big 29-3 win against our biggest rival.  So much fun to be there.  I can't think of a better way to spend date night.

Thanks for the awesome tickets, Bill (which are under cover so we were able to stay in our seats during the delay unlike most of the stadium)!

Labor Day BBQ

We had an awesome gathering of friends, family and neighbors to celebrate the last (unofficial) day of summer.  I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I wanted but that's because I was having so much fun.  It really was a great time.  We feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.