Hair Cuts!

On Saturday, Dusty was shaving the dogs so they would be cooler in this "hot" ;) weather we have been having. He was all finished and Kimball said, "My turn Daddy! I'm a doggie...woof, woof!" He sat very still (unlike the dogs) as Dusty buzzed his head. I guess Kimball wanted to be a little cooler too! Now he looks like a little trouble maker!!My garden gave me a beautiful birthday present! My favorite flower...star gazer lilies! I am sad I only planted one bulb, but I wasn't sure they would grow here. Next year...

12 Down, A Lot of Work to Go!

I finished my quilt squares! I pieced together the 12 blocks for Kimball's new quilts for his bunk beds! I actually made 24 squares since I am making to twin quilts. I can't believe I finished them! It seems like I have been working on them forever. Don't look to closely at the corners matching...this is a hand made quilt and I am still learning to use the sewing machine.

However, as Dusty pointed out now the work is really beginning! I have to piece together the top and then actually quilt it (which strikes fear in my heart!). Anyway, I am placing a slide show of the 12 squares below. Any ideas on what color the sashing (the fabric between the squares when I peice it)should be? I was thinking maybe black or yellow. What do you think?

Hiking Mt Rainier

One of the perks about living in Seattle is that everywhere we drive, we have beautiful views of Mt. Rainer! I have been dying to hike on it. There is a list of kid friendly hikes going around our play groups. Saturday all the National Parks were free, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to go! It was supposed to be a beautiful Saturday, so we invited a few friends to go hiking with us. It was fun to hang out with the Stephens for the day! We went to Mowich Lake on Mount Rainier. After traveling about 13 miles on a gravel road, I was releived to make it to the Parking lot! Kimball loved kicking the snow piled up on the sides of the road as we waited for everyone to don their hiking gear. We intended to hike to the Spray Falls about 3 miles. However, the trail was still snowed in! After a lot of slipping and sliding we turned back to the campground...only to find out we had been on the wrong trail! We started down the correct trail. But by this time, we were a little worn out! Two pregnant ladies and Dad's with 30 pound kids on their back...we turned around! We ended up eating lunch at a picnic table surrounded by SNOW. Seriously, the benches were still covered!I could not believe there was so much snow in July! We have been having such warm weather! Kimball loved running in the snow and of course falling down because, "Not hurt Mommy!" Of course the highlight was Dusty teaching him to make snow balls....to throw at me! After lunch, we hiked around the lake. The views were incredible and the company was even better!It was a gorgeous day and the lake was crystal clear! We could even see a frog sitting in a shallow pool. Kimball was intrigued with how it swims (something we usually can't see in murky water). Even though it was the perfect temperature outside, Dusty was lured by the crystal clear water. It was freezing! To round out our idyllic day, we stopped by a fruit stand on the way home and ate the juiciest, sweetest, Rainier cherries!

We're having a BOY!!!

As you can tell by the title of the post, it's a boy!!!


Ok - just joking - we don't know yet... I'm bored and thought I'd have some fun...

--Dusty

A Day Out with Thomas the Train

Kimball loves trains! If we go to the toy store, he will play with them for half an hour. Someone from Dusty's work is letting us borrow their "Thomas the Train" movies. Kimball LOVES them, but I must admit that I am tired of watching them!
However when I heard about Thomas the Train being at Snoqualmie Falls railroad museum, we had to go!! As we walked up to the museum, the train was pulling out of the depot. We waved at the people on the train as they rode by. Kimball started jumping up and down shouting, "Thomas! Hi Thomas!" Then, he looked at me, beaconing me with his little hand out, and said, "Come on Mommy, Kimball ride Thomas."While we waited, they had a whole bunch of trains sets to play with. We could have spent hours there! Kimball was able to climb all over old train cars and walk on the rails. There were puppet shows, a coloring station, and even a temporary tatoo station. Kimball was protective of them for days after he got them...refusing baths and wanting to wear pants so that the helicopter on his shin would get "broken" like the Thomas on his arm "broke."
Here we are waiting in line to get on Thomas. Kimball was waving his ticket and jumping up and down in glee! How many 2 year olds can stand in line for a half an hour? Kimball can when it means he can ride Thomas!!
I love the look of joy on his little face as the train started moving!Here we are on the train. Kimball was thrilled by the sound of the train whistle! He kept repeating it to the amusement of everyone around us.Kimball loved the rocking of the train and watching the trees fly by the window!We ended the day with a little picnic lunch right outside the depot complete with chocolate ice cream! Kimball was thrilled with the day! On the ride home, he called out to me, "Mommy, Thomas on Kimball's shoes!! Thomas the train!"

Concert in the Park

One of the things I love about living in Washington is that we can actually enjoy being outside without melting! Last Wednesday, we did not have mutual (Girl's Camp). So, we took the opportunity to go the Concert in the Park in New Castle. The band was great! Kimball entertained everyone in the area with his unique dancing. He has a new move where he kind of Donkey kicks and points his toe. I think he is taking his cues from "So You Think You Can Dance!" He is an avid fan, just like his Mommy!

Raspberry Jam

One of our Enrichment groups for Relief Society is a self reliance group. This month they focused on canning. We went to a U-pick farm and picked raspberries. I picked about 6 lbs in an hour and they only cost $8 and change! I was amazed how easily they slipped off the vine into my hand and the taste of a warm raspberry straight from the vine is amazing!Then, we went to Sister Smith's home where she taught us how to make Raspberry Jam. We used her steam canner. I could not believe how easy canning is when you have all of the equipment. Why have I not ever done it before? We have been enjoying the jam ever since!!! I can't wait until blackberry season to learn how take the seeds out of the jam! Kristina, we hope you are enjoying the jam too; thanks for watching Kimball for me. We are almost done with our first jar!

FireWorks!

After Brooklyn's birthday party--Dallas, Colleen, and Landon came over for dinner. They are up here visiting Colleen's family. Kimball loved playing and mimicking his cousin Landon. After dinner, we went to Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island for their summer celebration that included fireworks! I was so excited since we missed the fireworks on the 4th of July because we were making the trek back to Seattle starting before the sun went down so that Dusty could get back to work on Monday...it is a 20 hour drive from San Diego.It was fun to hang out with Dallas and Colleen before the fireworks began. Their reflection was beautiful over water. Kimball was not happy about how loud they were! After the first one, Kimball said, "Go Kimball's house now!" Notice how he was clutching Dusty's shirt! He kept saying, "Too brite! Too loud!" I am always awe inspired by a great display of fireworks set to Patriotic music. I was glad that we didn't miss them completely this year...however, I am glad we didn't stay for them in San Diego because Kimball did not enjoy them!

Birthday Splash!

The Saturday after we made the long haul back to Seattle, Kimball's friend and babysitting co-op playmate had her 2nd birthday party. Kimball had a blast seeing all of his friends! He really missed them! He loved to jump and play with them in the wading pool/sprinkler. But, the highlight of the day was the slip and slide!!! Brooklyn's dad, Erik, had to push the kids down the slide, but hey really enjoyed it!Kimball loved chillin' with Troy (Brooklyn's brother) eating watermelon. They were the only boys there! Seriously, check out the "Ring around the Rosie" picture! (Kimball was a little fast on the--all fall down part!) I console myself that Kimball will be one of those sensitive boys with all of the female influence! Thanks for the fun time Marcie!

Quilting...

So, I have been a total blogging slacker since we got home from California! I have been dragging my feet because our camera battery died half way through and I have been waiting for pictures. However, I am going to back date posts...so be sure to scroll down if you want to hear about our adventures in California and see some cute pictures of cousins on the beach! There will be at least three posts, so watch for them! The weather has also been incredible here in WA, so Kimball and I have been out and about quite a bit! However, the real reason I haven't posted is that...I have been using my blogging time to make quilt squares.
For one of the Enrichment groups in our ward, there is a quilting group where a lady who is a professional quilter is teaching us the tricks of quilting. Even though I am a novice seamstress (can I even call myself that?), she has been so patient with all of my questions! I have gotten much better and my corners are beginning to line up! I have been gone so much this summer that I had to catch up!!!
I must say, I am so happy she is sharing this talent with us as both my Grandmother, Ione, and my Great Grandmother were amazing quilters. I have such fond memories of playing under the quilting frames at my Great Grandma's house with my cousins and helping push the occasional stubborn needle through. I remember going to Ione's house and helping her make two baby quilts for my future babies. Unfortunately, they both passed away or were to feeble to quilt before I really had the time or the motivation to learn everything about quilting!
Anyway, I am making two twin size quilts for Kimball's new bunk bed (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the birthday present!). Can you tell that Kimball loves the ball theme? I have three more quilt squares to finish and then I begin to piece it together. I will slide show them all when they are completed! I am hoping to have at least one of the quilts done before Christmas...

Happy 4th of July!

The Grand Finale!

Beach Bums

Just wait!

Legoland

Stay tuned...

Sea World: Part 2

On Wednesday, my family went to the San Diego Zoo. With Dusty's allergies, he is miserable at the zoo and for a few days afterwords! So, we used the 2nd day on our Sea World ticket. The first stop of course was Shamu. We were so close this time! We were drenched, but Kimball loved watching the Killer Whales again. This time the trainer rode the back of the whale like a surf board. Kimball was wearing a surf board shirt. Now every time he wears it, he says "Shamu surfboard." Too cute!We also spent a great deal of time in the Kid Zone. When we arrived, they were having a show with all the Seasame Street characters. Kimball was thrilled clapping along and said, "Elmo! I came see you! Missed you!"They have a huge play structure with nets to climb and tunnels to crawl through. Kimball loved being "Way high!" and looking down at me! This time, it was my turn to go with Kimball on the "Flying Fish." It is similar to the Dumbo ride at Disneyland. Kimball loved toggling the fish up and down.But his favorite this time by far was the Oscar's Eel ride. He went on it several times! See the video at the bottom.Next Kimball played in the splash pad. He kept trying to see down the hole and it would squirt him with water! He was laughing and playing getting drenched!!! He had a blast and it cooled him off.Next we hit the Manta Ray exhibit. Kimball was NOT thrilled to touch them! The tide pools were also a bust. He did not want to put his hand in the water! We did manage to find "Dory" and "Nemo" in the coral reef exhibit. In addition, Kimball loved the sea turtles though. Our little Tuga.After the turtles, we went back to our hotel for naps. Kimball desperately needed one because he missed his nap the day before! Then, it was off to the beach for a treasure hunt! The kids actually had to follow a map to an "X" made of sea weed down on the beach. The "treasure" was a set of military scriptures. The perfect size for Kimball. Unfortunately, our camera died at this point! So I also missed the "Show" that Alyssa taught all of her little boy cousins complete with turns, waving arms, and a dramatic exit of running through the courtyard! Kimball has so much fun with his cousins!

Sea World: Part 1

The whole clan went to Sea World on Tuesday. My Mom bought all of the cousins matching outfits and they were adorable running around together! I loved to go to Sea World as a child. I loved watching all of the shows and seeing these amazing sea creatures! It was fun for Kimball to experience it all with his cousins. I felt the thrill of seeing the shows for the first time through the joy and suprise of my son!The first stop was Atlantis. Dusty and the older kids loved this ride! It got them pretty wet for the beginning of the day.
While they were in line, Kimball and Corbin checked out the "Baby Whales." I think they were actually a type of porpoise, but Kimball was thrilled to see them!And of course, they ran and ran and ran! Which is their favorite thing to do when they are together! Fortunately, the circle in the side walk gave them a path, so Holly and I could just sit and watch!We love to watch the "Nature" show on PBS with Kimball. The week before we went on our trips, it was all about killer whales. We kept telling Kimball that we were going to go see the whales. He was enthralled with Shamu! He loved all of the jumping and laughed at getting splashed (we were definitely in the "soak zone" as it was a hot day!). Kimball was riveted the whole time! My prego hormones were raging and I cried during the whole show. Those animals are so beautiful! When the show was over, Kimball said, "Okay, go home now." Little did he know there was a whole lot more in store!Next, we went to the "Shark Encounter." I am not sure who told Kimball that the shark would bite his little finger, but he was convinced it was true and clutched Corbin's hand as they ventured into the dark! I don't think Kimball was that impressed with the small sharks. Until we got to the moving tube. Dusty picked him up to show him the sharks right as a great white was swimming overhead. One look at those teeth...and Kimball couldn't wait to leave! Kimball was also less then impressed with the 4D Seasame Street movie! Kimball had a death grip on Dusty! He did not like the water hitting him or the air blowing, but he did love the bubbles!We broke off from my family for awhile and went to the Kid's Zone. Kimball actually got to "meet" Elmo, Zoe, and Abby. He was thrilled, but thought the photographer was crazy!He also loved the Abby's"tea cup" ride. It was "Race car fast!" But his favorite was "Elmo's Flying Fish." He rode in the dog fish and loved going "So High!"We joined back up with my family to see the sea lion show and dolphin show. But the highlight for Kimball was the pet show. Even though it was nap time, Kimball loved watching all the dogs and cats do tricks! We rounded out the day by going on the "River Ride." Dusty went on it four times! He was soaked and shivering as we ate an amazing dinner! Thanks for an amazing day and such fun memories Mom and Dad!

Ocean Beach

In perfect Arizona tradition every summer when I was a little girl, we would come to the beach for the week. We stayed in a dumpy little hotel across the street from the beach...it was dirty and it was paradise for me! Ocean beach has a surfing beach, a swimming beach, tide pools (where we would get sunburned combing through the shells), a peir (where we loved to walk at sunset and admire fishermans' catches of the day) and cliffs to walk on (and chase crabs on!). My Mom came to this beach as a little girl and now we have brought Kimball! They have since cleaned up the beach hotel, but the memories remain!We told Kimball the whole way to California that we were taking him to the beach to play in the sand. When we arrived, we had to unload the car. Well, Kimball and Corbin found the sand toys and Kimball kept saying "Beach Mommy! Beach!" as they dug in the left over sand on the patio!
I was excited to take Kimball to the real beach...but for him the highlight was the ocean. He loved the waves! He clutched Dusty's hand to be sure not to be swept away by the waves, but he kept dragging Dusty back to the water line. He would giggle as the water tickled his feet and belly laughed as the wave would knock him over!For dinner, we went to an Ocean Beach landmark...Hoodads for the best burgers and fries! It was even featured on the Foodnetwork's show, "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." Kimball loved eating next to his cousins! Besides the good food, we love reading all the personalized liscence plates all over the walls...some of them are hilarious!Next, we walked on the peir and saw seals jumping and an 8 inch rock bass someone had caught. Kimball wasn't too sure about the giant pelicans flying overhead. He loved running on the peir though! We rounded out the evening with a trip to "Lighthouse Icecream" that has the best waffle cones around! I loved introducing Kimball to my family's traditions!