Visit with the Block's

First stop was Pioneer Park

The first of many practices on the tractors available for all toddlers to 'test' out.




Peach and Orange Ice treat!

Buds!

Future accountant??

Nick and I love visiting our friend's Shannon and Andy and their kids Hadley and Jameson in Walla Walla. While visiting any town where you have good friends it makes the experience much more enjoyable but I am positive people would love it regardless. Wine, gourmet restaurants, farmers markets and fabulous weather...seriously what's not to love. Aside from getting to spend time with our friends one of my favorite things about Walla Walla is how small it is. I'm sure there are draw backs to small town living but honestly it is so refreshing to be able to walk anywhere and if you do drive everything is within 5 minutes.

While we were there Shannon scored us a baby sitter that allowed all four parents to leave all three sleeping babies two nights in a row. We grown ups did the Fair concert/beer garden the first night. I had never heard of 'The Band Perry' but let me tell ya, the lead singer is one awesome performer. If you have the chance to see them live do it! The next night we celebrated another good friends 30th birthday in a nearby town...a full 20 minute drive (nothing compared to our usual 50 minute drive to Seattle) and ate some of the best food and had some of the most unique drinks that would rival any restaurant on this side of the State.

We spent the rest of the week chasing our insanely cute children in their gorgeous back yard, at the country club pool while the boys played golf and at their newly purchased office building where they will be moving their tax practice to this week now that renovations are complete. We had an amazing time (again) and feel so honored that they keep letting us come back to invade their home and make their kiddos share their toys and parents with us!!

6 Month Check up

Deven had his 6-month check up today and it was very successful. Deven had three shots...he pretty much hated that part but as soon as it was over and the nurse and I provided a little distraction in the form of baby babble he was all smiles again. The doctor says he is doing great and has told us to start thinking about baby proofing the house. I think we have some work to do as I look around our living room.

After a nap at home (for Deven, Sam and me) we headed out to meet my friends Shannon and Robin for lunch. Shannon had her daughter Hadley in-toe; Deven was very pleased. At one point they held hands while we all ooo'd and aaah'd. This of course distracted the love birds and we couldn't get a picture. I suspect we may have plenty of opportunities in the future!!

This was Deven's first time actually eating in a restaurant (food from home) and it was also the first time he used a high chair at a restaurant. I know it is a bit cheesy to mark these as accomplishments but it gave me the opportunity to eat with two hands again so I was very excited! Here he is just chillin' after his meal:

Deven and I had a great day together and I can't wait until I have another good excuse to hang out with our little man on a weekday!

New Year's at the Wright Cabin

We were so excited to have the second annual New Year weekend get-away at the Wright Cabin. A special thanks to Steve and Karen for letting all the crazy kids celebrate by taking over their awesome house in Cle Elem. Deven was able to play in the snow for the first time, Sam was able to get out some of the energy he has been bottling up since Deven joined the fam and Nick and I were able to grab some great moments with great friends.

Pumpkin Patching!

Deven and I took a Field trip to Remlinger Farms today and met up with the Blocks. As with most of our field trips, Deven is a little young to totally "get it" but we had a really good time hanging with friends seeing his first pumpkin patch (and pumpkin for that matter). We went to the actual farm and saw sheep, hens and bunnies. Deven wasn't too impressed but maybe now he will understand a little better when we sing Ol' McDonald at home! Here are some pics from our trip!

a. Shannon and her pumpkin Miss Hadley with Deven and me at the pumpkin patch. b. Deven took a snooze when we were looking around the market (woke in time to see the animals). c. Me and Deven chillin' on a pumpkin! d. Me and the D man!

Happy 12 weeks to Deven!!

Nick and Deven have been having a blast this past week and a half. We (and by we I mean me) getting used to being apart every day but Deven seems to be pulling through just fine! Here is Deven on his 12 week birthday in his favorite play chair. He is pretty excited because Nick is going to have to change is diaper after he puts the camera down. Here are some details on our growing little man!

Likes:

• Thumb - when Daddy is making a bottle or when he has to go to sleep but needs a little soothing first.
• Einstein chair - especially the cow music
• Auntie Jaymie - who watched him while Daddy ditched him for golf and while Mommy had to work.
• Sammy - because he always likes up the drool on his face
• Walks - to the lake with Dad and Sam facing out in the stroller
• Standing - this is still one of his favorite activities
• Bath time - because mom makes funny faces to make him laugh
• New Friends - Charlie was born last week and Deven can't wait to play with him
• Talking - "baby" talking
• Listening to Dad read - we are on the 2nd chapter of White Mountains

Dislikes:

• When he has to wait for a bottle to warm up or for mom to get home work so he can have his dinner!
• Still HATES getting dressed and undressed
• Afternoon naps - they just aren't cool

As you can see there are a ton more likes than dislikes. Nick and I are having blast playing with him and getting to know him. He is really developing quickly and seems to learn/discover something new everyday.

D's first UW tailgate

Although I don't think that any of us actually went to UW a bunch of us have embraced the college and the tailgating experiences it has to offer. As a fellow fan stated yesterday, "we are starting our little guy early." Thanks to our friends Ryan and Erin Deven was all ready to go in his Husky Outfit.

Deven had to take a pre-game nap to ensure optimum tailgate activity.

On our way in to the parking lot to meet up with the gang.

Chillin' under the tent, eating some ribs and watching football on the flat screen with great friends.

Not the greatest picture but here is Deven giving daddy one last hug goodbye before mommy brings him home for bedtime. We had a great time, he was a trooper!!

Girls Night Out!

So the Mariners had a "Girls Night" at Safco on the 29th and I decided that it was a perfect opportunity to get some friends together for a much needed night out! Codie's fella was our chauffeur and brought us to Pyramid where we all got our drink on; except for Renee who is expecting!

The Mariners were giving out free-bees which included a fashionable pink tote...we got the tote but decided that drinking and gossiping was much better than standing in line. Who needs a mani/pedi anyhow (most of us!).

We had a great time and even watched the game a little. We all made it home safely thanks to Alex who picked us up from the game even though he was sound asleep when we requested his services again!

Twenty-Nine...

Aaron and I are now twenty-nine! Aaron pointed out that we are still in our twenties but even so, it is weird to be so close to the big 3 0 ! We marked the day with a BBQ at our house thrown by our friends Codie and Alex! There was wine, beer, hamburgers, Nick's sweet potato empanada's and tomatillo verde salsa not to mention to-die-for cup cakes provided by Codie and Bethany. I of course forgot to take pictures...it might have been due to the wine I was drinking but we go one of the birthday cup cake. Aaron (not pictured here) was also sung to but the cup cake (and possibly few others) was ALL mine!! ; )

D has a girl friend...

So our friends finally moved back from Switzerland and we are so excited because D has another friend to grow up with. Here are a couple of pics of Deven and Hadley's [second] meeting; D is drooling over her already!

We still travel!

Though, it was just a one-nighter! Our friends John and Bethany Wilson invited a bunch of us to go up to their cabin (just over Snoqualmie Pass). It was a spontaneous trip that we managed to get ready for in just about an hour. Given that it used to take us three hours to just leave the house for dinner Nick and I are patting ourselves on the back. So with dog crate and pack n' play in hand we had our first over-night trip. D was a champ and Sam had a blast! So can we go to Mexico yet...maybe in a few months! ; )

Pictures - Left: D in his baby byorne on his first mini hike! Middle: Nick is about to go practice casting, he almost caught a fish! Right: Sam was so excited to be off leash and is still sleeping off the excitement a day later!

Its done...almost!

Nick,with the support of a bunch of our friends and family (you know who you are), was able to finish up construction on the inside of the nursery this week. We then got to go crazy putting away all the goodies that all those friends, family and co-workers gave us to help dress, feed, diaper and clean the little guy! Here are some quick pics of the room...we still need to put the dresser, curtains and wall deco up but we are calling it good for the moment.

The doctor is still "hoping" that he decides to come in the next week. We are trying not to get too antsy about it though because if he is anything like Nick or me, he will show up when he is good and ready! So for now we are enjoying hanging out at home, venturing out for weddings, hockey games and what seems to be endless trips to Target and Baby's R Us.

We will keep everyone posted! This is me at 37.5 weeks!

First Baby Shower

Our friends Shannon and Andy (with their new little one Hadley) came to visit us and together with our friend Michelle give our little fella shower. We had about 20 people drive all the way up to our house to celebrate. It was so great! The ladies ate homemade 7 layer dip, caprese salad and cheese cake while the boys went to see the Mariners vs. Red Sox down town (yes I was DD that night too). This is me opening my room full of presents half. We had such a great time and this little man is officially spoiled!!

Our First Live Sounders Game

On April 25th we got to pretend that we had season tickets to the Sounders!! Our friends Pete and Emily just got hitched and they needed to give their tickets to somebody...we of course offered!! Our other friends Alex and Codie (who also have season tickets)geared us up for the event. We were equipped with sweatshirts and the infamous sounders scarf!! We had the best time and can't wait for our next opportunity. Thanks Pete and Emily!!

Nicks Birthday (part1) - Gnocchi Night

Nick's 28th birthday was yesterday and I celebrated by cooking for HIM for once! If you don't know, Nick is generally the cook in this house. I do it only as a last resort! ; ) Not for lack of know how mind you...

I know it sounds lame but we have been wanting a food processor for the longest time and so yesterday on the ride in to work I had a brilliant idea. I (thank the shopping gods) work right next to Pacific Place, Nordy's and all the other fun boutiques down town. So on my lunch break (yes I actually took one in honor of Nick's birthday) I headed over to William Sonoma and consulted with a sales associate. I came away with a fabulous new four cup Cuisinart.

I decided to create an Italian meal with Pesto Gnocchi, a bottle of our favorite Bogle Petite Sarah (no I wasn't drinking and yes, I know this is straying from the Italian theme) and Tiramisu for dessert. Below is Nick's documentary of the blessed event where is wife actually cooked dinner for him.

Below: Top- notice the new Cuisinart used to make fresh pesto for the meal. Bottom - the Gnocchi squares before boiling...I make them a little big but they were yummy!!

Below: Me and my almost 24 week belly about ready to put a batch in for the boil. Notice the basil plant in the back ground picked clean for the pesto. Yes, we grow basil because we use it a lot and it is really expensive!!

For Part2 of Nick's birthday we are off to Redhook Ale Brewery in Woodinville, WA this evening with a bunch of friends. As I will likely be the only sober one at the event I will be sure to capture the moment and post them soon for your enjoyment!!