Vacation!

Doug and I went to the Washington Coast for the weekend. We left the boys with Ashlee and Konrad. We stayed at the Kalalach Lodge right next to the ocean. It was a pretty good place to stay. They didn't have a TV, phone, internet, microwave, or fridge, things you usually find in a hotel these days. At first we were a little worried what we'd do after dark since there wasn't anything to do outside of the hotel and we didn't bring books or anything to keep us occupied. But we luckily had games in our car, in the stow and go. I ended up being glad we didn't have tv or internet access. While we were there we went to the ocean and saw tidal pools and sea stacks. We also went to the Olympic National Park to the Hoh Rainforest and went hiking there. We also drove through Forks to see the Twilight attractions there and to get lunch on our way to the rain forest. There wasn't really anything exciting to see though, I didn't think. We did see Bella's high school and her truck and a ton of stores. But I really wanted to see a Beware of Vampires sign or something... We did see a Bella shops here sign and I thought that was kind of cool. We went a different way home and stopped by a lake and a waterfall. It was a fun vacation for us. The only thing that would have made it better was if it was warmer. It was so cold the whole time. Luckily we brought our coats. The boys had a great time with Ashlee and Konrad. Jackson didn't want to come home with us and today he wanted to go back to there house. I understand why though. It's more boring here without your cousins to play with. This was the view from out hotel window. One side of the room was just a huge window and we had a deck with a bench on it. I really liked our view.

Doug and I with the ocean behind us.

We went to the tidal pools the first evening we were there. They are small pools of water that are left between rock when the tide goes down. We went to them when the tide was almost at its lowest. It was crazy to think that just a few hours earlier the rocks were under water. We saw a ton of starfish and these green things. There were also a lot of black shells all over (maybe oysters?). We had to do a lot of climbing around on the rocks to see all the tidal pools. The beach we were at are supposed to have the best tidal pools and they were pretty impressive.

We found a sand dollar by the beach by our hotel. Doug had never seen one before and we were happy to find one that was pretty much whole. The cabins behind Doug are the cabins that were right in front of our hotel.

On our way to the Rain Forest we stopped by a giant tree. I think that it was a big Cedar Tree. But I could be wrong... It really was huge though. We could go inside of it.

The Hoh Rain Forest

We saw this bird in a pond on the way to our first hike. We weren't sure what it was. Maybe a pelican? It was pretty much the only wild life we saw which was disappointing. We saw some other birds and some fish but no deer or elk or anything else.

Someone offered to take a picture of us so here we are on a huge fallen down tree. There were a lot of fallen trees in the forest. There were all so big.

A lot of the trees were covered in moss which helped make everything look even more green that it already did.More trees with moss of them

Even more trees with moss on them.

Doug by the Sol Duc River.

This is a creek in the rain forest. There were a lot of them and the water was so clear. It was pretty amazing. We just couldn't believe how clear it was. It looked good enough to drink.

After the Rain Forest we went to see some sea stacks at a beach near us. Sea stacks are rocks that are at least partially covered by water when the tide is high but are just on the beach when the tide is low.

The ocean looked gray when the clouds were over it which was cool to see.

This is Crescent Lake. We stopped by here on our way home. It was so pretty. All the trees around it made it look good. The water was really clear and blue too.

The water was really calm and Doug thought it was prefect for skipping rocks. He's really good and skipping rocks. We did it several times during our trip, and I was lucky to get on skip our of my rocks but he got several skips out of most of his rocks. I have much to learn.

This is Madison Falls. We stopped here on our way home too. There were two waterfalls on our route home and we stopped at another one too but we would have had to hike for an hour and half round trip to see it. And part of it was steep. And we hadn't had lunch and we had a small breakfast so I was kind of hungry... And we thought the Madison Falls looked like they would have less of a hike to get to. So we didn't do the first one. We were right that the Madison falls wouldn't have much of a hike. We only have to walk for about 2 minutes to get there. There were really pretty. I learned that I really like looking at water. I loved watching the ocean, looking at the creeks, rivers, and lakes, and seeing the waterfalls.

We brought Jack and Jordan t-shirts from a rain forest gift shop. Jackson loved them both. Jordan didn't care about either of them. He was excited to see Doug though when we picked them up. He just kind of smiled at me when I came in, but when Doug walked in he said "daddy." It was cute.

Jack's wearing the other shirt we brought home in the picture. I thought they were so cute just reading their books next to each other. They're cute boys. We missed them while we gone.

We're having a...

GIRL!!!

At least that's what they think... The ultrasound lady wasn't 100% certain but said that all signs were pointing to a girl and it seemed like the head ultrasound person agreed too so it seems we'll be having a girl! We're pretty excited. I'm happy that I get to buy cute girl's clothes. So far the names we're considering are Makenzie, Olivia, and Taylor... But those could easily change in the next 5 months.

Another Haircut

Before:It was so long and crazy and usually sticking in up in different places.

After:

He usually doesn't like to smile after haircuts. He's too upset about the haircut process. the whole time he says are you done yet? But then today he kept asking me to cut his hair again.

Yummy Food

Now that Jordan eats real people food he makes a huge mess during his meals, especially dinner or when he eats yogurt or applesauce. We generally just let him feed himself since it's easier than us feeding him and the more he practices the better he gets. He's already improved his spoon using ability. But usually by the end of the meal food is still all over the tray and his hands and face, sometimes even on his forehead and the sides of his head, as in the above picture. I'm just glad that Doug's usually the one that cleans him off after dinner since he's the messiest then.

After eating Doug's yummy enchiladas on Sunday Jackson wanted some"ssert" and chose a cookie. I gave one to him and he started eating it, but after a few bites he said he didn't like the brown things in the cookie and started pulling them off his cookie and putting them on his plate. We thought it was pretty funny.

The Spring Fair

We went to the Spring Fair today with some of our friends. Jackson loved being there. We saw a lot of animals, pet some animals, watched a magic show, had an inside picnic lunch, did face painting and art projects, and watch dogs jump in a big pool. The kids did really good and were pretty happy despite walking a a lot (or sitting in the stroller a lot if you're Jordan) and not having good naps. Although my kids were pretty grumpy tonight before bed. Hopefully they'll sleep in tomorrow :) We really loved the fair and I liked that there were a lot of things to entertain the kids and that a lot of those things were free.Jackson and his friend Bailey watching the magic show. Bailey's mom and I were both surprised that our kids sat and watched for so long. I thought they were so cute sitting there watching.

Jackson with a shark on his face. I was surprised that he agreed to get his face painted. I've asked him before but he's never wanted anything to do with it. I showed him some other little boys face paintings and he thought they were pretty cool so he agreed. He sat still and did very well while the lady spray painted his face which I think is much better then using a paint brush. It's a lot quicker.

They got to touch a real alligator. I thought they were pretty brave.

They also were able to touch a snake, which I also thought was pretty brave.

There were a lot of free projects for the kids to do. They made a bug hat, made a fish, planted a pumpkin, made a potato head, and crushed some corn to feed take home to feed the birds. Jackson enjoyed doing them all and spent a good amount of time on each of them.

Jackson working on his potato head.

I let Jordan get out of the stroller for a little bit to play this musical instrument thing. Then he played on a giant checker board and with some legos. But he kept trying to run away from and escape outside so I had to put him back in the stroller.

Makenna's Visit

My sister Michelle and her husband and their baby went to her brother in law's wedding Monday through Wednesday. Since it was such a short trip and they had to fly they left Makenna with me. Jackson loved having her here. Makenna seemed to like it here too. She would only get sad at night and was a little happier after saying good night to a picture of her parents and giving them a kiss. Makenna is a bit more active than Jackson is and brings out the active side of Jackson. They had a lot of fun running and jumping and talking and playing toys and watching movies. Doug said they liked playing the Wii with him. They played really well together and didn't really fight at all. We played at the mall, went to story time where they were the crazy kids that were running around at the end, and we went to the Market. We had a lot of fun with Makenna. She's a funny and cute girl.

Jackson and Kenna playing in the helicopter at the Market.

Jackson and Kenna watching a movie together. She has her arm around him. I thought it was really cute.

Natalie had troll hair when she and her parents came to pick up Makenna. This picture doesn't capture how much her hair looked like troll hair, but it was hard to get a good picture and this is the best I had. You can tell that it's sticking up though.

Opening Night

My mom and dad have weekend season tickets to the Mariners' games. With their weekend tickets they also get tickets to opening day even though it's not on a weekend. When I was young and not married I used to be able to go with them and I always loved opening day. It's always so exciting to me. This year my mom told me that my dad had gotten to extra tickets from work and that my sister and I could have them. Ashlee ended up not being able to go. But she also couldn't watch my kids because she had lots of other things going on and this meant that Doug and I couldn't both go. Since I'm not the kind of person that would go to a game and sit by myself I didn't think I would be able to go. But then my mom told me that she would sit with me and my dad could bring a friend and so I was able to go thanks to a loving husband who worked from home and took care of our two kids and our niece Makenna who was staying with us so I could go. We had so much fun and it was such a good game. The Mariners' won in extra innings. It was especially exciting because Griffey is back as a Mariner again. The fans gave him several standing ovations. It was fun to be a part of. I forgot my camera that day. Well actually I thought I had it with me since I put it in my purse that morning so I wouldn't forget it, but then it fell out of my purse in my car so I didn't have it. But I found this picture of Griffey to add to my post. I don't even know if it's from opening night. I don't really think it is. But oh well...
It was really so much fun and i can't wait until I can go to more games. I think the only negative part of the game was that I got hungry and since I wasn't well prepared to satisfy my hunger I bought I pizza. I thought the personal sized pizza would be about $5. But it wasn't. It was 7.25. I couldn't believe it. It wasn't even that great because it was cold. I should have just gotten cotton candy... It would have tasted much better and would have cost me less. Next time I'll just have to eat more before I go and bring more food. Thanks mom and dad for letting me have your tickets... anytime you have extras you know who to call :)

Easter

Coloring Eggs

Jackson and Jordan before the egg dying started.

We let Jordan try coloring an egg. At first when we handed him an egg he immediately through it on the ground. Then we brought the dye over and he kind of threw the egg in it. He didn't want to touch the dye though. And he didn't want to color eggs anymore either. I thought he's like it more than he did.

Jackson loved coloring the eggs. He liked to use the spoon to turn them over in the dye. He had a lot of fun.

Doug getting ready to eat the egg. Jackson thought he was pretty funny.

Jackson pretending to eat an egg.

Doug with the finished products.

Michelle, Makenna, and Jackson ready to color eggs. After coloring eggs at home we went to dinner with my parents and sister and her family since my sister and her family were in town. We then went over to my parents and colored eggs again.

Jackson had fun coloring with a crayon on the egg. But after putting one egg in the dye both him and Makenna were finished and wanted to play with grandpa.

Easter Eggs Hunt #1

Jackson loved finding the eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny. He found both hard boiled eggs and plastic eggs that had toys in them. He didn't really care about finding the hard boiled eggs. He just wanted the toys.

Jackson with his Easter basket. He and Jordan got a bubble machine. Jackson loves it and was very excited to try it out.

The boys both got new crocks for Easter too. Jackson loves his.

Jordan loves his too. He went from hating shoes a week before to loving them. Whenever he finds a shoe laying around he tries to put it on his foot. Whenever he finds his or Jack's crocks he brings them to me to put on him. He often walks around with just one crock on since that's all he finds.

Easter Eggs Hunt #2

We went to my parents house for Easter dinner and then the big eggs hunt. There were 35 people there. It was rainy and cold the whole night. But the kids still had a lot of fun finding eggs. Jackson didn't really want to pick up most of the eggs we found. I don't think he wanted to get dirty.

Jordan and Doug found this egg. Jordan must have thought it tasted good.

Jackson, Alli, Sam with their candy and money from the eggs they found.