A Day at the Coast

Funny: Days before we went, Kelley mentioned once to me that we should go to the beach, but he spelled the word 'beach' and whispered because Seoul latches onto everything we say. The next day she asked if I wanted to go to the beach with her. I was surprised! She had spread her blanket out on the living room floor and that was the "beach." Did she read our minds or did she learn how to spell beach?!

So, Memorial Day weekend we went to the beach.... down to Newport to hit up the Aquarium. It was fun! Seoul loved the water and playing in the rocks. She's a goof! We enjoyed the seals, the birds, and the fish.

We went to Lincoln City to play on the beach. Seoul had so much fun making a castle and throwing sand in Kelley's moat. I even got her to take off her shoes and step in the water, although she wasn't a fan of that. Then we hit up Mo's for their clam chowder. Yum!

It was a lovely day at the beach... the weather was great and it was fantastic to spend the day as a family!

(Unfortunately there are no pictures of the second half of the day because this is the day our camera broke.)

clarification

So for the funny (above), I realize I should clarify... Grandpa doesn't generally give Seoul crazy dangerous things for gifts. He got her a Baby Genius Pet Care Center. She latched on to the scissors and the thermometer initially, and they went with her everywhere for a while. Now she pretends to feed us popcorn from the bowl and likes to use the stethoscope on Sydney (which is hilarious to hear her say) to make sure she's healthy.

Oh, and as I looked for a picture to post I found out this was selected by Dr. Toy as one of the 100 Best Children’s Products 2009 in the Socially Responsible Products. There are lots of good reviews about this fostering imagination as well as responsible play interaction. Way to go Grandpa!

Seoul's Funny:
One morning she asked me, "Who gives me scissors for my birthday?" I told her it was Grandpa. She said, "Great job, Grandpa!" (very enthusiastically)

swimming like the fishies!

Seoul took swimming lessons and she LOVED it! First of all, she loved her Spongebob swimsuit. Second, she loved being in the water. What a difference one year makes... last year she cried almost every class at some point. This year she went under water, blew LOTS of bubbles, stretched out to swim on her tummy & back, enjoyed the floaty board thing, and even floated by herself with the noodle. She didn't so much like the life jacket. When Kelley did the sign language for "more" she would blow bubbles. It was a fun game between the two of them. Good times! We may do swimming again this summer for her, which would be another parent-child class. When she turns 3 she will have to swim by herself (with the instructor)... will she like that?

(Kelley and Sydney made all kinds of little friends while they watched Seoul swim.)

Ella got baptized!

Ella turned 8 years old and was baptized in May. What a beautiful young lady she is becoming. We are so glad to know her and be part of her family... we love her!

blessing dress pictures

I tried to take some more pictures of Sydney in her blessing dress. Let's just say I have no talent for being a "professional" photographer... I'm just a mom taking pictures of her girls. At least the girls and the dress are beautiful!

Behind Again...

We're keeping busy! The girls are growing! Kelley is working (a lot!) I am trying not to go crazy :)

Seoul still loves Spongebob Squarepants... this little Spongebob goes most places with us.

Seoul loves to "drive" - whenever we are in the car she asks, "I drive one minute, OK?"

Sleeping babies are so beautiful.

Love this mischievous face (and the one off to the side also)!

Already sassing me by sticking her tongue out at me! Haha!

What? Why do you put me on my tummy?!

Our happy girl... we love to play, play, play!

Big girl in the stroller...

Little girl in the stroller...

Love ya sis!

Chillin' together (you can't see but they are holding hands under the blanket).

The girls of the family :)

Seoul loves to sing these days... everywhere, anything.

Loving the swing, as usual!

So intent. We thought she'd be a thumb-sucker for a while but she hasn't lately.

Planting the garden... tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and of course our strawberries are already in.

I LOVE MY WIFE!!!!

Happy Friday everyone and no this is not an attempt to get really cool Father's day present(s) this Sunday.

I also love my Princess Petunia (Seoul) and Princess Peach (Sydney) very much!

"Business Trip" to Seattle (from April)

In April Kelley went up to Seattle for a week to do some extra training for work. (No, he doesn't go on business trips very often). He had full day classes Monday thru Friday, so he left Easter Sunday in the evening to be up there for Monday's class. This was the first time he's been apart from the girls that long and it was rough.... maybe more for us than him since he was occupied all day, every day. Seoul constantly asked if she could "see dad on the computer" [Skype] and "I go on business trip now, too?" I survived with the girls (and thanks to my mom I didn't have to make dinners every day because she invited us over!)

Finally Friday rolls around... Seoul finally gets to join dad on his "business trip". He's a good sport because he was exhausted! The drive wasn't bad and we made good time. Once there, the first order of business (besides lots of hugs and kisses!) was swimming. Seoul got it stuck in her head she wanted to go swimming. So we got ready and headed down to the pool....

... but sad day. It wasn't open until May (which we later found out was May 30th, not May 1) - BOO! So, awesome parents that we are... we made a swimming pool in the bath tub. I know, even the girls knew this wasn't nearly as cool.

More hugs because that experience was quite the letdown.

Saturday we had quite the adventure going to Pikes Place Market. It was fun and busy! Seoul had a scary experience at the hotel when a lady's dog got up in her grill so every dog we saw she freaked out. And there were lots. The fresh flowers and produce were so enticing! Maybe the samples of apples and the fresh strawberries we bought made up for the dog experience... maybe...? The whole week Seoul had it in her mind to "catch a fish" for some reason so it was super fun for her to see the fish being thrown around in the Fish Market. Nice 2-year-old that she is, that fulfilled her dream. Glad it was easy this time!

Seoul wouldn't go near this penguin down by the water front. Fortunately I can put Sydney anywhere I want these days :) The weather was perfect today! The carousel was a hit, of course. Seoul discovered the carousel last year in Seaside and loved it!

 

We went to the aquarium and Seoul enjoyed watching the wall of fish. She wasn't a fan of the wave pool for some reason.

Such a fun family adventure! We missed Kelley while he was gone, and this was a fun way to reunite!

Home at last... the drives with the girls weren't bad, thank goodness! Sydney is stretching her legs  by practicing standing. The girls are showing off their new shirts. Seoul is practicing her photography skills. Good times!