A Special Visit

Ryan and I have known our dear friends, Chris & Ashley, since college. We were blessed by a visit from the girls in the family this past weekend. Ashley and their youngest (of four!) came up and we had a great time walking around the city (in the rain and sun), eating lots of good food, and just hanging out.

Their daughter was so easy-going, but a little bored at our house since she's used to three older brothers to play with.

After putting the kids to bed, Ashley and I went out for Chinese dumplings in this little dive. The lady behind Ashley was making them on the spot. Delicious!

She was happy to be riding the light rail with Daddy

Thank you so much for coming, Ashley. I know it was a big sacrifice for you to leave those boys at home and spend the weekend with us! (go to her blog to see better pictures of our time together)

Smiles

Our family is all smiles when KayeK is in town!

It's hard not to smile when my niece is around. Look at that cuteness!

She gnawed and gnawed until KayeK's finger was sore!

Come back and see us soon! (and bring Big Daddy with you)

Just in Case You Forgot . . .

. . . My husband is a law school GRADUATE! Even though he's already started his Bar-prep courses and we are back in a full-time-student-study-schedule, I still can't get over the fact that he's really done! To help us celebrate, my dear friend, Jessie, was willing to spend a morning following us around Ryan's school and working hard to get our kids to stay focused for some family photos (meanwhile, managing her own two kids as well!). She did a fantastic job. I am so thankful to have these (and there are many more!). Thank you, Jessie!

Trying on Daddy's hat

This one makes me laugh out loud - such innocence in his face!

We were just a bit excited!

The graduate and his proud parents.

Rooke and his Buddy James taking a little run-around break from the photo shoot

"Your sleeve is a little too puffy, Gretchen. Let me fix that for you."

Thank you, Sarah, for these pictures of my son. I like your view.

Sleeping

Do you take pictures of your kids sleeping? You should. My mother-in-law encouraged me to take pictures of Rooke sleeping when he was a baby and I'm so glad I did. Not only is sleeping a significant part of a child's life in the early years (at least that's the hope!), I think it's a rare beauty to see a child at such peace.

I Need a Vacation

My graduation present (yes, I got a present, too!) was a family trip away to the coast. I was determined to get the four of us out of Seattle for at least four days to relish in the joy that is law school graduation. We had a fantastic time. I read once that when you have small children, instead of trying to take a "real" vacation, just think about doing life somewhere else. That's exactly what we did and loved it. We took naps, cooked together, worked a puzzle, watched movies, threw rocks in the water, went for walks in the sun, watched the rain pour down on the water, played the piano, read, and overall enjoyed being together as a family.

The kids slept on the way there:

Rooke got right to work with his wheels on the back deck

Kicking back, watching a movie

Our morning rock hunt

One of my favorite parts of our get-away was getting to play the piano. Rooke and played and sang together a bit one morning, then I stepped away and Rooke practiced on his own: