End of a three day weekend...

Is this three day weekend really over? Is tomorrow really a work day? Ugh.

At least it's a short week (we leave for Maui on Wednesday!!!). Unfortunately tomorrow is a busy day of getting some last minute things done...and then on Tuesday I have to fly to Juneau for a meeting...literally flying up, meeting with the state regulators and flying home...on the ground for no more then three hours...but in the air for six.

Last night was a typical firework display in the neighborhood...since we live in Snohomish County, fireworks are legal...and our neighborhood feels it is their duty to put on a show equal to the professional one over Lake Union. The mortars seemed to slow around midnight...but Sarah says she heard some as late as 3:00am. Lucy was none too pleased with any of it and stayed as close to us as possible.

Today we got our suitcases out to begin the packing process for Maui...it is amazing how much more stuff you need with a baby. You'd think that her clothes wouldn't take up much room...I am more then ten times her size...and I think we have the same volume of clothes; It's incredible. Obviously with the suitcases out, Lucy is getting anxious...she had an "accident" while we were at dinner this evening, her first one we returned from our last trip...I consider it more of a warning shot to show her displeasure...little does she know that Grandma and Pappo are coming to stay with her...she might not want us to come back from vacation with them around.

So...to end the weekend, a few pictures and two videos before heading to bed.

First pictures are from yesterday, after we got home from the Edmonds parade.





These next five are from this month's "Family Dinner". It's a somewhat new tradition we've created where we have a standing dinner as a family every first Sunday of the month. We rotate hosting and the person who hosts is responsible for everything...that way you get a break 8 months out of the year. As the host you can go all out with a multi-course meal with paired wines...or pass out styrofoam teriyaki boxes since the purpose is for us all to get together at least once a month. It's been great...



This time Maria really got into the dessert...with a little help from Grandma...





Finally...a couple more videos from this weekend.

The first one is from yesterday, Maria using a spoon. She's been using a spoon for several months...but before this weekend, she was putting the spoon down, using her hands to load it, and then using the spoon to feed herself. Here she's actually using it as a scooper...and to eat rice none the less, a TRUE dos Remedios trait.



Second video...from today...90 seconds of our two babies (human & fur) eating blueberries together, awfully cute.

Happy Independence Day!

Yesterday we kicked off our three day weekend with an impromptu BBQ with friends. Nothing too crazy...we offered up brats and burgers and asked a few friends to come over bearing side dishes. By Seattle standards, it was a warm one...85 or so...and our back yard somehow seems to make it warmer. All the same it was a great time.

Today we ventured into downtown Edmonds to check out the festivities. We were hoping to hit up the Edmonds Market which is usually held on Saturdays, but I guess they decided not to hold it with all the other events going on. Bummer because we went there looking for something yummy from one of the many bakeries that sell their goods. Starbucks figured out a way to help us survive.

The highlight of the trip was the children's parade. Going down, we were under the impression it was a parade to entertain children...WRONG...it was a parade for children to parade. OOOhhhh! That worked quite well as Maria is always very fascinated by kids. She had a great time watching...and there were many people in the parade to watch. We felt bad that we didn't know better otherwise we would have joined the parade with Maria...she would have liked to walk around, wave and say "Hi!" to everyone. Guess we'll just have to do that next year.

For the rest of the day, nothing too exciting...a little relaxation at home. Probably some laundry to get us ready for our trip on Wednesday. Cannot wait to enjoy some family vacation in Maui...as long as we can survive the 6+ hour flight with our squirmy one...it'll be awesome!

To end...some pictures from today's parade.


HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

What a difference a year can make...

Maria on July 4, 2008
I remember thinking she looked so big and grown up in this picture...(sigh)

"Hi Sky"

Last week Pappo and Grandma Judy visited. They hauled their gigantic sailboat over and stayed on it in the Edmonds Marina. During the day they would take day sails around the Puget Sound...not a bad way to enjoy the amazing weather we've been having!

While visiting, Maria fell in love with Sky. Every time she saw her, she wanted to just tackle her and crawl all over her. She likes doing the same to Lucy...but our fur-child doesn't really enjoy it, more of a required tolerance where Sky seems to enjoy the attention and pays Maria with a little "suga" (dog kisses) when she thinks no one is looking.

Sky has been gone for almost a week...but we're still hearing about her..."Hi Sky" to the chair..."Hi Sky" to Lucy...everything and everybody is or was Sky for a couple days. Then, when Sarah got a picture of Pappo and Sky out...well...just watch...





Today is the last day of June and it should be noted that this is the 12th post for the month...a new record for me...maybe I'm actually into a groove on getting things posted. Hope SOMEONE out there is reading and enjoying.

Ball-Pit!

Sarah was flipping through her favorite catalogue, "One Step Ahead", and saw a pool/ball pit toy and had to buy it...it arrived today. Maria was very cute and knew that it was for her, climbing in and out of it, as Sarah pumped it up. Today we used it as a ball pit...but later this summer when it's warmer, Sarah plans on taking it outside for Maria to enjoy some pool time.

Good fun...

Mid-Week Video

Ahhh...Summer Vacation! It's wonderful! Sure it would be nice to have the rest of June, all of July and a good piece of August off...but I'll take the benefit of not having to walk Lucy in the morning...and having my family around to enjoy when I work from home.

This afternoon I pulled out the video camera and filmed Maria a bit. Here's a small clip. To get this, I turned the screen around so Maria could see herself as I recorded. It made for a very funny clip. My favorite part is how she instantly goes from fussy to very happy once she sees herself at the beginning.

Enjoy...