Enjoying the City

It's so fun doing summer things with all four of us! Ryan keeps reminding me that we need some down time, too, but I just can't help myself - outings are just better with Daddy around!

We took Ryan to one of our favorite parks and ended up on a walk to the water where we fed the ducks the only thing we had . . . Cheerios. Next time we'll be more prepared!

I read on Thursday that entrance to the Space Needle was FREE for the first 10,000 people on Friday - yipeee! We got there right when it opened and waited just a few minutes before riding the elevator to the top. It was a warm, clear morning - perfect for enjoying the spectacular view of a city that we love - and even better because it was free!

Wrapping up our Trip

Gretchen loved getting to play with her daddy on our trip . . .

Did I mention it was SO HOT while we were in Oklahoma?! We thought 98 degree weather and 105% humidity was a good reason to introduce Rooke to snow cones!

Callie and I met up for coffee early one morning. We've been friends since the beginning of college. It was a great way to start my day!

I also got to have a girl's sleepover with Kenan and her daughter, Emsleigh! It truly was a slumber party in our friend, Dara's guest room. Gretchen slept in the closet, Emsleigh slept in the bathroom, and Kenan and I stayed up way too late talking until one of us (who will remain nameless) fell asleep mid-conversation!

We loved all the time we got to spend with Grammy and G-Daddy . . .

Deborah fixed a wonderful Sunday lunch and when Rooke saw her apron, he insisted that his napkin be turned into an apron for himself!

And now, after a nice break to visit family and friends, it's great to be back home. Ryan and I felt like expert travelers as we made a smooth trip from the airport back to our apartment using the Light Rail! I pushed Rooke in the stroller, carried Gretchen in the Ergo and pulled a small rolly bag while Ryan pulled two rolly bags with a car seat strapped on each one and carried his backpack. I wish someone had taken a picture of us as we emerged from the underground light rail tunnels and stepped onto the streets of downtown Seattle . . . just picture a modern day version of the Clampetts! We made it!

Oooooooooooooo - klahoma

Relaxing with my kids at the Payne's home (Gretchen was more comfortable than she looks!)

We loved spending time with our dear friends, the Campbells. Their boys gave Rooke a lesson or two on "how to be a boy". The trampoline was part of his initiation.

It was SO HOT while we were in Oklahoma. All the more reason to enjoy ice cream cones!

Staying with grandparents = free babysitting for a date night with this HOTTIE!

Gretchen has been BUSY perfecting her mobile skills. First it was just getting up on her knees: "Hi Daddy!"

"Are you ready, Mom?"

"I'm so proud of myself! But this is getting old. There must be something more I can do to freak my mom out . . ."

"I know. . . I'll work my way up these stairs to get Puppy Dog"

That's right, folks. Our daughter is climbing stairs at 7 1/2 months. I tested her with a toy today to see how high she would go. We got up seven steps and I had seen enough.

Visiting Family

Reunited as a family of four, we were excited to spend some time with Ryan's side of the family . . .

We hung out with cousin Blake who has been elevated to best friend status in Rooke's life after giving Rooke a few cars character toys from the Cars movie. Gretchen thought he was pretty cool, too!

Aunt Kaydonna getting some cuddles

We spent some time with G-Daddy in Stillwater and ate at the infamous Eskimo Joe's

I didn't do this, Dad. I promise.

How many men does it take to figure out how to set up a new train track?!

Rooke heard that Uncle Sean has a present for him. He was anxiously waiting and was speechless when he opened up a remote control car!

Aunt Jess is a professional reader. Seriously. Being a elementary school librarian means that she is an expert at reading books to little people! She has also never given Rooke a book he didn't love.

More Fun with Nana - and others

We had a bit more playing to do with Nana before we met up with Ryan . . .

We were super excited that my Uncle Kent and Aunt Debbie would be staying with Nana a bit while we were there! The kids had never met them (they've been living overseas), so it was a special treat for us to get to play together. Crazy Uncle Kent got Rooke started on his Macgyver skills:

Aunt Debbie was a pro playing with the kids

Rooke enjoyed dessert,

. . . while Gretchen worked on freshening her breath!

Look at those teeth!

I was extremely blessed to spend time with two of my dear friends during the week, Tricia and Alora. I'm sick that I managed to not take any pictures with Alora and her three handsome boys, but I did catch Tricia's daughter, Myla, and Gretchen having fun getting to know each other and Tricia passed on one she got of us with our kids.

As if crawling wasn't enough, Baby Girl decided she needed another new skill to show off to Daddy and started pulling herself up to standing. Seriously?!

Last time we visited Nana, Rooke loved riding the mini-train, so we headed there again. The whistle was a bit too loud for him this time around!

Gretchen was perfectly content to cuddle with Nana the entire time. It was so sweet.

And then we met up with Uncle Konnor and Aunt Tana! Konnor used to teach swimming lessons and was amazing with Rooke in the water.

Gretchen, on the other hand, didn't need any help being convinced that playing the water is fun!

And then . . . we met up with DADDY! He played with us by the pool for a while and then this is how I found him not long after we were back in the hotel room. He was one tired test-taker, but he's FINISHED! Law school and the Bar are completely over! It's time to catch up on playing together . . . and sleep: