Seahawk Surprise!

David surprised me with an awesome date at the Seahawk game today.  He received tickets from guests from his work, got the day off of work, and arranged babysitting so we could go.

We had THE BEST TIME!  The tickets were awesome - 4 rows back on the 20 yard line!  The season-ticket holders in our section were great!  They really got into the game, and had us on our feet almost the entire time.  It was awesome!  I know I won't have a voice tomorrow.  

The view from our seats!

The game was beyond exciting...maybe a little frustrating, too, but it went right down to the wire.  We also saw two kickoffs run back for touchdowns.

I couldn't have asked for a better date!  Thanks, David!!  And thank you Grandma Karen and Grandpa Bill for helping make it happen!!  I know the kids had much more fun with you than they would have with us.

Lake Union Park

The kids and I went to the Lake Union Park Grand Opening celebration on Saturday.  I have been waiting for the park to open for quite some time.  When Ryan was 2 we would visit the area quite a bit to watch the float planes and ride the trolley.  There has been a fence up for almost 2 years, so we haven't been able to enjoy our favorite outing.  Yesterday was the day to enjoy!  The sun even joined us for the day!  We couldn't have picked a nicer day to be outside in Seattle.

They did an amazing job designing the park and had a great celebration to unveil their awesome work.  Not only are we able to enjoy the float planes and the trolley, but we can also enjoy the new toy boat pond!  Ryan was so excited.  I know we will be spending a lot of time there.

Kendall testing the waters.  She would have ran right in if I had let her.

Ryan enjoying the new toy boat pond.

The Big Day

 Kendall got to spend her 1st Birthday with Grandma Karen.  Both David and I had to work during the day, and then had an amazing wine tasting event we HAD to attend.  So Grandma came to the rescue.  The event started at 3pm, so we were able to sample some amazing wines, and still make it home to have birthday cake with our big 1 year old!!

Her and Grandma had a great day, so we didn't feel too guilty about ditching her.

Auntie Melanie joined us for dinner and birthday cake when we got home.  Ryan was happy to hear that this party wasn't "practice".  This was the Kendall's REAL birthday!

 

Kendall couldn't wait to get her hands on her birthday candle!  She knew just want to do with that #1 candle.  It just goes to show that practice does make perfect!

It was so much fun to see the joy on her face as she ate her chocolate cupcake!  Yummy!!

By the end of the end of the night she was exhausted.

It was a BIG day!

Happy Birthday, Kendall!

Dear Kendall,

Today you are one year old.  I really don't know where the year went.  It seems like yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital.  You have been such a blessing.  You are such a happy, silly little girl and I can't imagine our family without you.

You decided to celebrate the exact moment you were born by waking up at 3:42AM and wanting to play!  You were up for over an hour celebrating, then finally crashed!!

You started walking about a month ago, and you love your new found freedom.  You walk around the house all day.  You love to carry Curious George and Elmo around with you.  You always have something in each hand.  If it's not George and Elmo it's your shoes.  Your Daddy is getting a little worried about your shoe fetish already!  At the end of they day, your shoes are scattered around the house.  The look on your face is pure joy when you have your shoes in hand!

You definitely have a set of lungs on you.  Your screech is deafening.  It is the worst when you are in your high chair...you screech non-stop.  We can't figure out if you want more or if you are all done.  Soon enough you'll be able to tell us on your own.  For now, we'll put up with the screeching!  Ryan is constantly telling you, "No thank you, Kendall.  That hurts my ears".  You don't listen...you just keep on screeching!

You LOVE to be outside.  Playing in the mud and wandering around are your favorite things.  We go for lots of walks, and you love chasing Ryan down the sidewalk as he rides his bike.

You're a great eater, just like your Mama.  You eat almost everything we put in front of you.  Grapes, strawberries, blueberries and corn are a few of your favorites. 

Some of your other favorites are playing in the play kitchen, rough-housing with Daddy and Ryan and climbing steps.  It amazes me how you already know how to fix a meal in your kitchen!

Your smile is precious, and it's been fun watching it change over the last few weeks as your 2 front teeth come in.

You are one special little girl, Kendall Jo and I love you so much!

Happy, Happy Birthday to You!

-Mommy 

Peek A Boo!

First Day of School

Ryan started his Co-op Pre-school yesterday.  He was SO excited to be back with his friends!  He goes Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9:15 to 11:45.  Teacher Marianne is awesome, and so great with the kids.   We drop him off on Monday and Wednesday, and David or I will work at the school on Friday.  This is such a great part of the co-op experience.  It's fun for us parents to interact with the other kids, and fun to see Ryan in action at school.  He really is well behaved.  David and I love how he is so honest in his daily recap.  We always know which kids did not behave!  Thankfully, he is usually not one of them. 

His favorite part of the first day was playing outside!

One Year Ago Today

Wowza!  That is one big belly!!  I was so happy Kendall decided to join us a few days later.