It's Party Time 6.14.09

Logan's favorite part of any party. :-)
Sophia was thrilled with her soccer ball.

I loved this clock...it's it beautiful?

Once a year we try to line up all the kids from our little gang in birth order...look at that bunch!

Charlie was full of kisses (aka bites on the cheek, neck, ear, anything he could get to) for his mama!

This Sunday Logan and I attended the 4th birthday party for our little friend Sophia. What a doll this little one is. She is absolutely all girl. This party had Dora and princess everywhere. Julie and Matt (Sophia's lucky parents) put on quite a party complete with lunch, cake and ice cream, an obstacle course, and goodie bags. I always have such a fantastic time when I get together with my "work" friends. Thanks for including us guys. Happy Birthday Sophia. Love ya. Life is good.

Emerald Downs 6.7.09

Waiting for the races to begin.
One of the horses that I won with!!!! (That's right, I said one of the horses.) :-)

I couldn't pry Logan away from Shaneo.

This is where the ponies were last time, Logan decided to walk the track and be a pony.

What a way to end the day. :-)

No, I do not have a gambling problem. Yes, we have gone to Emerald Downs twice in less than a month. Listen, Logan loved it. Kim, Shane, and Mike weren't able to go with us last time. And Mom thought it would be fun to go there to celebrate her 60th (Happy Birthday Mom, love you!). I'm pleased to report that we had just as much fun as last time, and I actually won!!!! Unfortunately, the pony rides were down for the day, but Logan improvised. Good times were had by all. Life is good with money in your pocket! :-)

A New Hat? 6.7.09

He thought he looked like a pirate.
Seriously?!?!?!

Ahhh, love.

If these aren't blackmail pictures some day, I don't know what are.

As potty training continues with good and bad days, Logan is starting to get a little silly. Today when I asked him to go put underwear on, he came out like this. Hmmm, not quite what I had in mind. When I started cracking up, he said he needed to see how he looked. So it was into the bathroom and the camera at hand. Man life is good sometimes. :-)

Awe Shucks 6.3.09

The boys took their job very seriously.
Logan loved shuckin'.

Craig was very into his corn...

...Logan, not so much. Oh well...we'll try again.

Man am I enjoying this weather. Today Karen and Craig came over after school for some play time in the new pool. For dinner we were having corn on the cob. Logan is a notoriously picky eater, Craig is not. My hope was that seeing Craig go to town on the corn would lure Logan into a sense of security and he would eat the corn. Well, I got a couple bites out of him before he decided that he didn't like it. In his words, "It's too good." One thing they did both get into was the shucking of the corn. Man, they could have done it all night. In fact, Logan was just sure that I had more in hiding somewhere when we were done with our three. Play time was great, dinner was delicious, and the company was unbeatable. Life is good.

New Pool 6.2.09

Water actually sprays out of the dinosaur's mouth, but Logan was having none of that.
Since Logan got a new pool, it was only right for Norm to get a new bone!

Needless to say, the new pool was a hit!

Every year it seems like our inflatable pool from the previous year ends up with a hole or two in it and Logan and I get to go pool shopping. This year we were in for a treat...Target actually had a dinosaur pool. Does life get any better? This week was fantastically hot (in the 80's in Washington in the first week of June...unheard of), so we broke out the new pool. Now for anyone who knows my little man, he's definitely not a water boy. Once the pool was full, some kids would have been going crazy, splashing, diving, swimming, etc.; not my dear Logan who wanted to put his chair in the pool and sit calmly playing with his sharks and whales. Ahhh, that's my boy. Also, he's very certain that any time in the water means nakey time. I'm trying to explain to him the difference between bath water where being naked is not only acceptable, but preferred, and pool water where it's not quite as kosher to be naked. Luckily our backyard is fenced, but I still think the neighbors above us got a bit of a show. Silly Logan. Life is good!

Later that day... 5.25.09

And so it begins...
I love this shot

He's gonna blow a gasket trying so hard to get those dang bubbles.

My beautiful Mother's Day gift from Dianne!!! Thanks Dianne.

After Becky left and Logan had a nap, it was back outside for some bubble fun. Logan's old enough now where it's constantly, "Me do it myself." I love that he's trying to figure things out. He was definitely in charge of bubbles today. Life is good.

Photo Shoot 5.25.09

I was lucky enough to have my dear friend Rebecca come over this Memorial weekend to take some shots of Logan and Norman. She has recently started her own photography company and I think she's gonna hit it big time...what do you think? Seriously, if you like what you see let me know and I can give you her contact information, or better yet go to http://www.rebeccabrethauerphotography.blogspot.com/. I'm already thinking of when I can get her to come down again. We had such a wonderful day. First she came to the house and got some great pics of Norman and Logan, then it was off to the park, and last, but Lord knows never least, it was a stop at our Starbucks. She even treated me to a coffee, geesh she's spoiling me rotten. Then two weeks later I received a cd full of fantastic images. Becky, I can't thank you enough. August, right? :-) Anyway, here are a few of the precious images she was able to capture. (All photos from this post, curtesy of rebecca brethauer photography.) Life is oh so very good.

A Beautiful Afternoon 5.24.09

The boys racing on our walk.
Norm and Mom kept each other company.

What a good looking group. Logan definitely had the silly's.

Mom and Dad live in the perfect location for kite flying.

Nieko, Norman, and Logan...thirsty boys. :-)

On Sunday, Mom and Dad had an impromptu get together with the family. It was such a fantastic day and really made it feel like summer was right around the corner. We went for a walk, had a fantastic lunch, flew kites and just had some great time with the family. I feel so blessed that we all live relatively close to one another and can get together so often. I'm a lucky girl. Life is good.

Our Routine 5.21.09

Can it really be an addiction when it tastes so good?
Logan's beverage of choice...apple juice.

Norm tired out from running/walking.

I get coffee. Logan gets a donut. (I think I get the better end.)

He's asking me where all the bread went...oops. Better bring more next time.

So Logan and I have officially gotten into a routine. When weather is permitting, we grab Norman and head out for a little walk. We talk, we look at all the things around us, we feed the ducks, we scare the ducks, we run, we pick up Norm's poo, and ultimately we end up at Starbucks!!! Life is good!

Good Times 5.16.09

Thanks for providing dessert Kara...Brenna sure enjoyed it.
Kids on a swingset...good times.

Look at those sisters. :-)

Griffin was definitely the daredevil that day.

And as always, Logan and Craiger were inseparatable.

Kids. Friends. Pizza. Playing. Good times! My dear friends Becky and Kara and Karen came over today and they brought their youngen's. We had such a terrific time visiting while the kids could go crazy both in and outside (thank you weather Gods). :-) It was really a great mix and I can't wait to do it again. Thanks guys for coming over and making our Saturday fantastic! Life is good.