Life Lately

Life since returning from Kauai last month has been crazy - all good stuff, just lots of stuff going on.  Here are some of the highlights.

We went to Yakima over Memorial Day, which was relaxing for us, and lots of fun for the boys.

Jackson & Cole are both enrolled in summer soccer, which began last week.  Jackson has done several sessions and Cole has been occasionally reminding us that "I like soccer", so it was time.  Jackson moved up a level and is now scrimmaging during his practices and is doing great.

Jackson is also participating in gymnastics. He has been enrolled in a class during the afternoon school program but wanted to do it on the weekends, too. He started today and caught on quickly.

Speaking of school, his last year of preschool ended last week and next year, he'll be in kindergarten.  He'll stay at his current school for that, before moving on to the nearby public elementary school for first grade.  We're so proud of how great he's been doing in school (reading, multiplication and now some division, spelling, etc.) and can't wait to see what he does next year.

Last day of school!

School was closed for several days after the last day, before summer camp started, so I took those days off work and my mom came over and we went on some adventures with the boys, including a trip to Woodland Park Zoo, the ferry to Bainbridge for breakfast at Streamliner Diner, and the Great Wheel.  The boys had a great time, and it was nice to do some "touristy" stuff without having to fight the weekend crowds.

They just loved the wind on the ferry

Seriously.

Could they get any further apart?

We celebrated my grandma's 94th birthday a few weekends ago, and it included a surprise trip from my uncle. It was nice to have everyone together to help her celebrate.

Corey and I are training for the San Francisco 1/2 marathon at the end July, which we're doing with Sara and several other friends to celebrate her birthday. So, there's been lots of running for us.  We've also been doing some workouts together at home which has been fun.  Today was my longest run in over 6 years and I felt great...aside from the coyote sighting at the verrry beginning of my run. That definitely had me picking up my pace (and heart rate!) for a bit.

Corey's been busy at work these days, and I had a work trip to Chattanooga a few weeks back.  Corey handled everything around here flawlessly while I was gone, and appreciated Joan's help picking up and helping with the boys.

With warmer weather, we've been spending lots of time outside playing with bubbles, water, driving cars, and riding bikes (which J is getting really close to doing without training wheels!).

I wish I knew what was going on here, but I just love the different take each has on the situation.

Cole LOVES cats, especially our neighbor's cat, Tigger.

Gramma's new place is within walking distance to Central Park.  Score! 

Discussing his (imaginary) lemonade stand

He really wanted to vacuum my car; how could I turn that offer down??  He actually did a really good job, too!

After eight years of condo ownership, with the last four renting it to Joan (best tenant ever!), she purchased an adorable townhouse in the Issaquah highlands.  We just love having her closer, and the location and unit is perfect for her.   And timing wise it made sense for us to sell the condo,so we put it on the market last month. It sold in 4 days over asking, and we couldn't be more thrilled with how everything turned out, though it is a bit bittersweet considering it was our first purchased home together, we brought Roxy and Jackson home there, and we just love all that Ballard has to offer.

Cole loved exploring and playing in the empty condo during our last visit

Last condo pic!

Kauai 2016

Last week, we headed to Kauai with the Reeders.  We had an amazing trip and thoroughly enjoyed our week of fun in the sun.

The boys did well on the plane, though it was a bit exhausting keeping Cole occupied for more than a few minutes a time (he's not into shows/tablets yet, so we packed all kinds of snacks and activities that we rotated through).  And both boys adjusted quickly and easily to the time change both ways.

Cole enjoyed watching the activity out on the runway while we waited to board our flight to Kauai

Cole slept for around an hour on the way there, and about an hour and a half on the way back!

So much STUFF

Hads and J were so cute on the train to baggage claim upon our return

The house Lisa found us in Kukui Ula (near Poipu Beach) was perfect - 3 bedrooms (all with their own bathrooms) in the main house, and another bedroom and bathroom (where we stayed with Cole) attached to the garage.  There was a great pool with a waterfall that everyone enjoyed.

We spent some of the days at Poipu Beach in the morning, followed by lunch and naps (or quiet time for J) at the house and then some pool time.

Cole liked digging in the sand but in general wasn't a huge fan of the ocean/beach.

J had fun on our first few trips to the beach but was ready to stick with the pool by our last trip, though he did like looking at the crabs that were found all over the rocks towards the back of this photo

Just sweeping the beach with some seaweed.  No big deal.

Cole says his favorite part of the trip was seeing this seal, who was sunbathing on the beach

J's favorite part of the trip was the pool.  He got some great swimming practice in (even without his floatie!) but especially loved when the guys played "catch" with him.

While Cole didn't love going in the pool, he sure did love squirting all of us with the squirt guns. He has surprisingly good aim.

On other days, to avoid the kiddos being in the sun too much, we did other activities. One day we made it to the Kauai Plantation Railway where we had a tour of the plantation by train, complete with a pit-stop to feed pigs (a highlight for the kids for sure).

Who knew killing time while waiting for the train could be so adorable?!

A rare full group photo

Another day, we drove to the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge.

Loved these flowers in the back of this truck, right near the bridge

And another day we hit up Spouting Horn, which the boys thought was pretty cool.

Boys were excited to pick out souvenirs, courtesy of the money Grampa & Gramma gave them for the trip

All breakfasts were made at the house, many lunches were courtesy of several local food trucks (delicious fish tacos!) and some dinners were at the house while we braved a few restaurants for others.  The final night, the dads cooked an amazing dinner of freshly caught tuna (purchased directly from the local who caught it the day before) and grilled veggies.

Group shot before our last dinner out

Shave ice was a favorite of the boys, and was enjoyed nearly every day.

Sharing The Fresh Shave oh so nicely

Cole's lips were blue for hours after this

We also just had lots of fun relaxing at the house, and spending quality time together.

Cole could often be found in Hadley's room, in her bed, cuddling with her animals.  He especially loved her panda bear.

I told the boys they could each pick out a necklace.  This was Cole's interpretation of what I'd said.  (Rest assured - after much much negotiation, they each left with just one.)

Love that all three of my boys have the same smile here

The kiddos loved watching the Princess and the Frog one night

Cole enjoyed washing rocks in the outdoor shower

Strong hubs, hauling 80+ lbs of squirmy boys to the car

You can't tell but Cole's arm is around Hads...

Love these boys so so much!

We arrived home to rain and temps in the 50s but even though the boys didn't get to bed until after 11, they were troopers when we woke them up at 6:30 for school the next day.  Luckily the work/school week went by quickly, and we have lots of fun memories (and tans!) to remind us of the fun we had last week together.