How Does Katie Feel About Being Home Alone?

I think it's partly because there is more time for pretty pink nails, tea parties, dress-ups, and princess movies.

Downtown

I've been needing to get out and scout some new locations for my photography, especially some urban spots since that's the way I want to do the kids portraits this year. On Saturday we did just that and Jason gave us a tour of the big city where he often works. We went to the alleys and awesome graffiti walls, the capital building and grounds, some lovely parks, and ended it all with a delicious little donut shop. Sometimes it's fun to be a tourist in your own city, definitely with such a great tour guide.

First Day

I took these pictures this morning, then I edited them and I've already posted them. It's because I have time. Lots of time. School's back in! Don't worry, very soon I will be missing them awfully. Just give me a minute to do absolutely NOTHING first and enjoy our clean, quiet home. They were very excited this morning, two bright shiny pennies ready for their first day. Look out 1st and 4th grade, here they come.

Tea Time

What a nice grandma Katie has! While we were visiting Katie got to have a tea party extraordinaire! Finger sandwiches, raspberries, strawberries with cream, tiny cupcakes, and tea (lemonade and hot chocolate). We all dressed up and had a great time. Katie loves tea parties and as I am typing this she is in her room hosting one for her big princess dolls.

Where the Sun Always Shines

We just got back from a great visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house. The kids had the best time swimming the days away. It was nice to have a little sunshine, since our dear Washington has been lacking this summer. Kids....they could stay in the pool ALL DAY if you let them. We all loved going to the water slides, it's been forever since I've been on one. Katie was not a fan though. Katie had a cute little tea party (more on that later), and loved playing with Grandma's dress-ups! The kids all got to go to build-a-bear and pick out a stuffed animal. Considering he's ten years old Noah really liked that and determined to come back later and pick out more clothes for his dog, Jack. Grandpa got some Looney Tunes DVD's and the kids cracked up over duck season vs. rabbit season!! The kids love to be with their cousins and the week went by very fast. Jason's cousin Jessica was there visiting. We love her and had fun hanging out playing Trouble, reading together, and she taught me how to knit! We even squeezed in a kid free night going to dinner and to see Inception (finally!). Lloyd and Laura thanks so much for having us down! We miss you and as Adam said when we were leaving, "I like Grandma's house. The sun always shines there."

Swings, Dogs, and Dress-Ups (misc pictures from Grandma's)

Summer Nights

We have been going to the Wednesday night concerts at the park and they are pretty great. We get snowcones from the farmers market, then come and relax on a blanket to hear the different bands. The kids pick the wildest flavor combos for their snowcones, it makes me laugh thinking of how it can't possibly taste good together, but they eat them all every time. This Elvis impersonator was very good. We also really liked the Beatles tribute band we heard. It's fun sitting right by the ocean and when the train goes by it's almost more exciting to the kids than the music. Adam likes to go up front with his friends and dance, he has some pretty sweet moves.