Blakely

Kyle and I had the treat to escape to Blakely Island with some good friends.  We had an absolute blast and were able to unplug and just play with our kids.  Blakely is filled with many good memories and it was fun to be able to create new ones with our kids.  It's definitely a different experience with 5 kids ages 4 and under!  Thanks to Cameron and Annie for hosting and so fun spending the time with them and Nelson and Sarah. 

Some highlights:  Many adventures including riding in the "jeep" all over the island, swimming in the 1st lake, visiting Spencer cabin, the schoolhouse, the 2nd lake, sunset at the summit, catching crab and making crab cakes, mexican train doms, beach time, watching many planes take off and land on the air strip, picking out eggs and Lindy's chicken coop and pulling carrots out of her garden, lots and lots of laughter, and catching up with old friends. 

A weekend that will not be forgotten!

 

 

And some from Kyle's phone...

 

Wellness Check-ups

Andy and Katie had their 4 and 2 year check ups today.  We switched pediatricians and are really excited about our new clinic.  I'm not surprised with their stats, but it's interesting to compare how differently they are growing, and how similar they are in size despite the 2 year spread. 

 

Andy at 4 years, 1 month:

 

Height:  38 inches (5 - 10%)

Weight:  30 lbs (5%)

BMI: 14.6 (10 - 25%)

 

Still very little, but keeping to his curve.  Hooray for finally breaking the 30 lb mark!

 

Katie at 2 years, 3 months:

 

Height:  36 1/2 inches (95 - 98%)

Weight: 25lbs 7.5 ounces (50%)

Head: 48 1/2 cm (75 - 90%)

 

She jumped off her curve and chose a new one : )

 

After visiting with the pediatrician, we went to Andy's preschool orientation.  Both kids are excited for school to start.

 

 

Baby g #3 at 28 weeks

We had our 28 week ultrasound earlier this week.  Baby g #3 is thriving, growing, moving, and looking as healthy as can be.  We are very thankful as we were unsure how this ultrasound was going to go.  At this point, the placental abruption has not gotten worse, which is the best news we could have.  We are so glad to be at the 28 week mark and are hopeful that she will continue to grow to full term.  It's looking like a Thanksgiving baby girl!

 

She is very active, which is reassuring as well.  My placenta is along my spine for this pregnancy, whereas it was frontward placing for both Andy and Katie, which absorbed much of the movement.  I am glad to be able to feel her move and know that there is activity going on. 

 

With 3rd trimester here, I am feeling BIG and getting more uncomfortable, but generally am feeling great.  Counting our blessings!

 

Labor Day Weekend

We enjoyed Labor Day weekend with the whole family up on Whidbey.  It was the official "close" weekend and we cleaned and put the big toys away.  Sad to have the end of the summer here, but I am excited for September.  We have a lot of fun things planned and it's going to be busy!

 

The boys and Bapa

 

August - Phone Dump

August was a great month - with NO RAIN.  We took advantage at Whidbey and fit a few other fun things in as well.

 

These are the images I will hold onto when it's dark and dreary from November - March

The boys returning from their fishing trip

We spent many hours in the ferry line.  The kids love climbing up front to sit with Daddy.  Such a genuine smile, Katie.

And this is what has kept me on my toes.  They were coloring nicely on their paper.  In 5 minutes they found the one permanent marker left in our house and did THIS.  Thankfully, our Mr. Clean pads and some elbow grease from Kyle got these out (and stripped the paint!).

A trip to the Bellevue Mall.  Andy was in heaven - ferry boats that he can climb on?!?  I think we'll be making a trip back.

His new scooter

Henry enjoying his bone. 

Passing time in the ferry line

A treat with daddy after an afternoon walk/park trip.

Daddy's girl

A zoo trip with the Williams and Wises

Andy mimicking the flamingos (what he said he was most excited to see at the zoo)

Buddies in their "kitchen/restaurant" at Whidbey

Dentist for Andy and Katie (Katie was not too happy, so couldn't take a picture).  Thank goodness for the Cars movie to distract Andy.

Water and beer in celebration of our Anniversary!

 



8 Year Anniversary

Ok, I've taken over (only for one post though as this blogging thing is not for me). Annie always posts about everyone else, but no one ever posts about Annie. It's our anniversary (ok it was on August 28th so I'm a little late).

Annie: Happy 8th anniversary! Our first date at Maggie Bluffs was 12 years ago. It only took a couple months before I knew it was you (or maybe a couple days). Your intelligence, your respect for others, your energy, your competitive nature, your laugh, your smile (and your dimples), and your love for family were evident from the beginning. And the obvious...the hottest damn women I've ever laid eyes on...then and now! You become more beautiful every day. I can't help but wonder sometimes what I did to deserve you. It's amazing how much we've experienced in 8 years of marriage...good and bad. Our relationship has grown to be something of a rock. Of course the rock can shift every now and then, but I love more than anything that we run to each other if our rock shifts at all. So many people turn away, but we turn to each other.  As the years go by we desire to spend more time with each other. We create reasons to do so, and I love that about us.  I love how people are drawn to you.  I love how people respect you.  I love your integrity and honesty.  I love your desire to always work on our relationship.  I love your methods….

You’re methods:  I love how driven you are to succeed in everything you do.  Those who know you well know that there is no middle ground with something you’re working on (be it photography, accounting, family, etc.).  If you’re going to do something, you’re going to do it 110%, and be very successful at it.  I rag on you about it sometimes because you tend to wear yourself out…but I LOVE that about you.  Nothing in our household that you work on is half way done!  I love your stubbornness and feistiness….

Your stubbornness and feistiness:  You know that these are the things that sometimes would bug me early on in our relationship.  As time went on I began to enjoy these traits…a little!  But, since Katie’s personality has come out, I have fallen in love with them.  Katie is so FEISTI and so STUBBORN…and I love it!  I love your focus on love languages….

Your love language: Words of Affirmation.  I’m horrible at this, but I try.  I love how you tell me exactly what you need.  No beating around the bush.  This keeps our relationship strong and current…I don’t feel like we’ve ever had to catch up for lost time.  If we’ve disconnected at all due to life, we can reconnect in an instant.  I love to watch you as a mother….

Our Children:  This one gets me.  As you know, I’ve never been a very emotional or deep person.  But kids can change that quickly.  They have made us so much more attached to each other.  Probably the thing that has challenged us the most, and tested our relationship and faith, is the emotional struggles we endured to have children.  Through the struggles, we now have 2 healthy, amazing children (and another on the way).  I know we don’t believe in comparing, but in hind sight we are so fortunate.  Some people endure so much more.  Andy and Katie (and Baby G3) are our lives.  Everything we do is for them.  Every decision we make affects their lives, and their future.  As every parent does, we have such big plans for our children.  We want to provide an environment where they thrive and are given opportunities to grow as individuals and live successful, healthy, and happy lives.  We both believe that if our children see and understand our relationship as husband and wife (our love and respect for each other…as well as our differences), they will not only understand the value of a healthy marriage, but will be more confident people in life.  You are a wonderful mother.  I love how our children adore you…how tightly they hang onto you when they need Mommy…how when you come home they run to you…how you have very specific traditions with each of them.  Andy is our little individualist.  His creative and curious mind that is so eager to learn fascinates us every day.  Andy Man is such a sweet little guy, but rough around the edges…and I love it.  He loves to do projects with Daddy.  He’s our buddy.  Anderson and I have an unbreakable father/son bond….but the Mommy bond is just as strong.  Katie Baby is our half girlie girl/half tom boy.  She loves to hang with the girls, but loves to play in the mud with the boys….feisti and stubborn, but sweet as can be at the same time.  I love how she wants to do everything Andy does.  We love our little girl.  And I love that special relationship I have with her…she’s got me wrapped around her finger.  I love how she tries so hard to wrap Mommy around her finger, but it just doesn’t fly.  Your Mommy/daughter relationship with Katie is beautiful.

Eight years and counting.  You are my soulmate, my everything.  We will celebrate our 50 year, and hopefully 60 year anniversaries if our health prevails.  I love you more each day and can’t wait for the wonderful years ahead with each other, and our growing family.