Whew it's hot!

Like most places in Washington, it has been quite hot the past few days...okay hot for Bellingham standards (in the mid 80's). To beat the heat yesterday, we packed a picnic, put on our swimming suits and headed to Marine park to go play at the beach for the morning. The tide wasn't out very far, which is why we were sitting on rocks instead of sand. Lexi didn't mind though, especially since her favorite thing to do is throw rocks. We had such a great time, Lexi loved digging and wading in the water. We even met another little friend named Zoe and the girls had a fun time eating string cheese on our blanket!

Our bathing beauty!
Cheese!
Playing by herself in the rocks.
A bucket full of sand, rocks and clam shells...cool!
What's over here, Mommy?

A Big Week!

What an exciting couple of days it has been at our house! On Tuesday, Lexi started showing an interest in using the potty and each day since has successfully used her potty chair several times! As funny as it seems, it is a little sad for me because it means that my baby is growing up. I quickly get over that when I think of the money we will be saving without diaper costs! Stay tuned for more updates on the potty training saga... The other big news is that Lexi has her own bike (trike) and helmet. Doesn't she look adorable? We are still working on how to use the pedals, her feet tend to slip off a bit. She just looks so grown up on the bike. Where does time go?

Such a big girl!
Lexi and Maddie (our neighbor) playing on the slide in our backyard.
Look, it's a tunnel! Peek a boo!
Lexi and Daddy were playing hide and seek and it was Lexi's turn to hide. She chose to hide in the middle of the living room. If I can't see you, you can't see me!

Bath Time Fun!

Last night, Lexi decided (as she often does as a two year old) that she didn't want to take a bath. She loves her baths, so it didn't make much sense to us. Whatever, right? So Chris offered to take a bath with her. That sealed the deal, she was ready to get in the tub. He is such a great daddy and so good at playing with her in a way that I just don't do. I love that she has this balance. They are so silly...here are a few shots from last night.

Do you like our new hats?
Okay, I think I have 2 kids actually!
Who's the bigger kid, you ask?
A silly hair-do after having her hair washed (not her favorite thing)!

We're Back!

School got out on Friday the 13th (appropriate!) and Lexi and I packed our bags and headed for Vancouver for the week! Chris had to stay home and work (he really was okay with us being gone-it gave him plenty of time to work in the yard and go golfing!). It was nice to have lots of quality time with Grammy and Papa, yummy dinners and playing with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Nick, a visit to Kid's Club to play on the slides, a trip to the Oregon Zoo, and a fun time at the Vancouver Farmer's Market. It was a very busy week, we always enjoy our time down there. Mommy especially likes that there are several more sets of hands to help out with Lexi duties! She was completely spoiled and just loves to see her family. Although Chris had a good week too, he is glad that we are home!

It is really fun to play in the ball pit..until the big kids come in!
So many things to see and wonder about at the zoo.
Hey Mommy! Check out the zebras!
Look Grammy! This is on the zoo train!


Petting Grammy and Papa's neighbor's cat.
Happy Father's Day, Great Papa!
Licking the beater after Grammy made whipped cream for strawberry shortcake. Mmmm!
Just being silly.
Lexi loved sitting on the "dool" (stool) watching Grammy in the kitchen.

Thanks to everyone for a great week! We love you all and cherish our time together.

Daddy's Glad We're Home!

Here is a look at how we spent our first evening back at home. Lexi has finally taken a liking to her pink chair that she got for her birthday. So cute!

Reading stories before bed with daddy. We missed him!
One of our favorites!
Ni-night! Shhhhhh.

We spent Saturday night at the Willow's Lodge in Woodinville for Chris' cousin Gordy's wedding. It was a wonderful celebration. We spent the evening eating, dancing and utilizing the open bar! Needless to say, we had a wonderful time. Grandma and Grandpa agreed to have Lexi sleep in their room so that Chris and I could enjoy an evening together. It was awesome! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa. Today before we headed back north, we decided to take Lexi to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. She loved all the animals, most especially the monkeys. It was a very fun weekend, we have an extremely tired little girl...

You mean, I actually get to touch this animal? (It's a goat if you can't tell by it's behind!)
Mommy, the elephant is cool but I'm really having fun with Daddy's glasses!
But my gum is WAY cooler than the elephant!
Lexi loved looking at the Komodo Dragon blink.
Lexi was bonding with the gorilla. He just sat there and looked at her, it was really cute. Every once in awhile, he would tap on the glass or take nibbles of his bamboo leaves and celery. They're in their own world.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

After playing in the yard with Daddy tonight, Lexi was wet and cold and asked to come inside. I was making dinner at the time. Another of her favorite things is to sit on the counter while I cook and "see? see?" everything that I am doing. I love these times with her. I have such fond memories of sitting at the counter while my mom would cook. We'd talk, I'd ask questions about what she was doing and even help out when she could convince me to do so. I look forward to spending lots of "counter time" with Lexi over the years to come.

As she sat on the counter, she was chewing gum (yes, she chews and does not swallow it) and acting particularly silly. Here are some shots of her silliness...

Like Father, Like Daughter...

Lexi loves to be outside with Daddy. Today while I went to Target and ran a few other errands after work, Chris and Lexi planted flowers, watered them and mowed the lawn. I saw some really cute gardening things for kids at Target and couldn't pass them up. So, I came home with some fashionable new yard supplies. Check out the gloves and watering can. Now she can be such a good helper. And, if we're going to work in the yard, we might as well look cute while doing it!

Watching a little TV

Ahhhh, this is much more comfy! Thanks for making me this pillow Grammy!

Lexi is preparing to watch "Ariel" (The Little Mermaid) before naptime yesterday. Such a cute pose!

"Mommy's tote (coat)?"

When I picked Lexi up from Katrina's today, she unzipped my coat, had me take it off and said "On Lexi." She then insisted on wearing it home. She looks a little like Darth Vader!

No nap for you...

Okay...so right now Lexi is in her crib (supposed to be taking a nap) yelling "Mommy, come here" and crying very pathetically. She goes through this no nap thing every once in awhile for a stint of a few days. She still needs naps so I know that is not the issue. She is SOOO stubborn. Where does she get that?

When Dad's away...

Lexi and I were being really silly when Chris was at work yesterday. She is really into me taking pictures of her and then showing her. "See, see?" is what she says after I take her picture. Here are a few of our self portraits! Don't mind my shirt that says Camp Skeeter on it. The last 2 weeks of school, we turn our classrooms into cabins and have "camp" for 2 weeks. I was still in "Uniform!"

More of the tulip fields...