Mac's Laugh

 

http://youtu.be/EFzCs8s8Ysw

Pear Picking Video

 

http://youtu.be/vJR27Z7PzWw

 

 

Pear Picking

Every year, the pear tree in my parents back yard is full of pears, ready to be picked the first week back in school. For years, so many of the pears went to waste because there was not enough time to do anything with them. Since I'm at home with my kiddos and not teaching, I've made it my mission to pick pears and do something with them! Lola helped pick and we have made pear butter, pear-apple sauce, and pear puree for Mac to try in a few months. We still have a bucket half full of pears so I'm checking out Pinterest for more pear ideas! As always, Lola is my helper in the kitchen for all of these recipes and is loving her pears!

 

4 Months

Mac is four months old! It amazes me how fast time has gone by and how much he has grown in four months. This sweet, happy boy has completely stolen my heart. He is so smiley, giggles, is rolling from back to front and front to back, and even starting to rock when he's on his tummy. He loves to be held and is so cuddly. When Lola comes into the room, his eyes get big and he turns his head to find her right away. He looks at her like he is in awe of everything she does. He is very different from Lola in that he is such a security guy, loving blankies, binkies, and little stuffed animals. Such a lovebug!

At four moths, Mac is 14 pounds, 13 ounces (50%) and is 25 1/2 inches long (75%)

2 1/2

Since Lola has turned two, has six new teeth and grew three inches. Now at 2 1/2, I told her that she's growing too fast and that she needs to stop for awhile. I said, "Lola, who told you that you could get bigger?" She said, "I don't know Mama, I think it was Nana."

We spent most of Saturday in Coeur d'alene. Heading to the park, we went to the playground first. I grew up playing here and always was amazed at how enchanted it felt. Lola had fun, but the highlight for her was definitely going to the beach!

We had a late lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant in CDA, Toro Viejo. As we were walking in, I remembered being there when I was about 12 weeks pregnant with Lola. Eating chips and salsa, I felt her "flutter" for the first time. We tell her that's because we knew she loved Mexican food and she loves that!

Wednesday

Once a week, for the past two years, I get together with a group of moms to do a stroller run or walk. We trained for races together with Team in Training and continue to meet and let our kiddos play together. There have been three babies added to the group since we started, and we are now expecting two more to join the group. It cracks me up to be a part of this group of double strollers taking over the Centennial Trail! 

 Our happy little boy. He just smiles and coos through his whole bath.

 Playing with each other.

Art time. Inspired by Pinterest.

Labor Day Weekend

Before we even knew each other, Dan and I spent Labor Day weekend camping at the Gorge for three nights with friends to see the Dave Matthews Band in concert. We then camped together when we were in college, and now do not camp and have scaled down our nights at the concert to one! I do miss the days of being with our friends the whole weekend, camping, cooking out, swimming, and soaking up every ounce of the last days of summer, but I can honestly say I do not miss the port-a-potties, no shower for three days, and enjoy sleeping on a mattress after the concert rather than in a field with thousands of strangers!

This year, Dan and I had a date night at the Gorge seeing Dave, but stayed in Ellensburg at Grandpa Jack and Grandma Linda's house. We went to the Ellensburg Rodeo Fair and Parade (Dan is very proud to have grown up in Ellensburg...home of the third largest rodeo in the US) and made it to town in time to celebrate Grandma Linda's 65th birthday with dessert!

"This is the house that Jack built"...literally!

 Walking around with Grandma Linda

 Visiting Dead Horse Pond. This is the pond in Dan's backyard where they grew up canoeing across and skating on. Grandpa Jack recently added the "Kissing Bench"

 So of course, we had to share a little smooch on the kissing bench!

 The Beach Cabin. Recently updated with a wood burning stove where Lola pretended to make us eggs with pepper and pepperoni.

 Linda's garden.

Dan is very proud of the wall that he built :)

 Throwing rocks into water - one of Lola's favorite things to do!

 Carrots from Grandma Linda's garden.

 At the fair. Lola was very interested in this goat, but I believe it was because of the boy who was talking to her.

 Auntie Beca and Teal went with us to the fair. Lola warmed up to the animals (and Teal) by the end of the day.

 The Ellensburg Rodeo Parade.

The Ellensburg High School Marching Band.

 The Yamaha Jack's Float! Auntie Beca rode in the back and Lola was sure she was the prettiest girl that she saw in the parade.

 Post-parade meal at Grandpa Jack's favorite Mexican restaurant in town.

Date Night

Dave Matthews at the Gorge.

 Back at home, we spent Monday with Nana on her last day of summer before she went back to school. Went for a walk through Manito Park and headed back to pick flowers in her yard and make a bouquet.

Sister Love

I love this. So often, Lola is doing something, paying no attention to Mac, or anyone else for that matter, and Mac is so captivated by what she is doing. I can just tell that he is watching her and trying to figure out how he can get his little body to do exactly what she is doing. When Lola comes into the room and starts talking, Mac's head turns in her direction to find her. I tell Lola that he cannot wait to follow her around and play with her. That makes her so excited!

One of the first nights we had Mac at home, Lola finished her dinner, left the table to curl up next to him and started whispering in his ear. Dan looked at me and said, "Oh my gosh, they're going to have secrets! This is going to be so much fun!"

I realize it won't always be so blissful, but it sure is fun to see our two kids loving each other so much already!