11 Months

Oh Mac... he actually turned 11 months two weeks ago but I seem to be denying the inevitable that he is turning ONE in no time at all. This little baby of mine is growing up much too quickly. I remember when Lola was baby, being told by friends, family, and strangers just how fast it goes; babies, kids, growing up. No one mentioned how it goes twice as fast with the second baby.

Although Dan and I are absolutely loving the stage that our little boy is in right now. He is so curious, yet sly. He is fearless, wanting to climb slides & stairs and cruising all of our furniture. His sense of humor is starting to develop and we are all cracking up at his funny personality. Just today, my dad was riding in the car with us and said, "Hey Mac, ha ha ha." From the backseat, in his deep voice, Mac repeats, "ha ha ha." Which they continued to do back and forth, both getting louder and giggling/laughing through it all.

The looks that he gives are priceless. For as easy going and loving as he has always been, he can give some serious scowls. Sometimes it's a serious face, sometimes it is a face wanting food faster than it's possible to give him. Even with the scowls, he really does have the sweetest little face.

Mac's first experience with marinara sauce. He loved it so much he continued to sign "eat", rubbing it all over his face, and then would get so excited that he rubbed it throughout his hair. Marinara = bath

 Yes, that is an Emerald Green crayon that Mac got his hands on and was chewing. This was the look he flashed me when I swiped three chunks of crayon out of his mouth. It's amazing what happens in thirty seconds of not keeping him in my sight.

Love you, little man.

Opening Weekend

 Dan and I have six weddings that we are going to this spring and summer. When we were on our way to Seattle, we joked that it was Opening Weekend of our Wedding Season. Although it's going to be a busy summer, we are so excited for all of our trips to Seattle to see our wonderful friends & family and explore the big city.

 

I'm loving this time in our lives where we are not bound to any school schedule and make can make our trips last four or five days so that we have more time with friends. Dan's firm has an office in Seattle that he can work in while we're there, also making it easier to get away.

Play date with the Bennett's. We've missed our Hawaii buddies and were so looking forward to seeing them. When I told Lola we were going to see Risa, Tali and Brit, she said, "Oh! We just love those guys!" Yes we do!

 Getting to meet baby Deacon. What a sweetie pie. Of course Lola, the baby lover, adores him. We can't wait to see he and Mac grow to be good buddies too.

 Mac with Uncle Nolan...the Seahawks most recent and most promising staff recruit.

LOVE the Ellensburg family of ours. Can't wait to play at the lake with them all this summer!

 On Friday, Dan and I took the kiddos to the Aquarium and Ivars down on the pier. What a fun spot. What made it even better was having the Flaherty girls meet up with us.

 

 Two peas in pods

 This visit, we got an up close view of the sea otters. Last time, they had new babies and such a large crowd that we didn't get to enjoy them as much as we did this time. Lola and Kinslee were cracking up at them lying on their backs floating around.

 Four little friends

 Mac loved watching the tropical fish

 Watching the jellyfish together.

 Playing at the park with Kinslee and Tayslee

 Exhausted yet? Dan and I went to our friend, Kevin's wedding in Snohomish on Saturday night. Rachael and James were so great and watched our kids for us, taking them out to Mexican dinner- always a hit! So Dan and I got all dressed up and enjoyed a grown up night out. Of course, we took no pictures of ourselves the entire evening. Without kids around, I just forget to get out my camera! It was a great stay, fun night out, and can't wait to head back for more fun! Thanks Katy & Abo for dinner, thanks to Meghan for breakfast and Lola's flower girl "dress fitting" and thanks to the Bennetts, the Teasleys, and Rach & James for feeding us in your homes. Come see us in Spokane and we'll entertain and feed you too :)

 Pit stop in the Burg on the way home. Uncle Andrew was in a hockey tournament and after scoring three goals, received an MVP hat, which he gave to Lola. She loves it and loves her Uncle Andrew!

 Mac loved the cozy carpet at Grandma Linda's and Grandpa Jack's

 It was such a beautiful day, we had to take a walk around the property and get some sunshine and fresh air. Loving my boys in their Zags gear!

 Dan got some love on the kissing bench

 Grandpa Jack joined us on part of our walk as he took a joyride. Love you guys!

 



Keeping Busy

 Lola started gymnastics. It is the first class she's taking where a parent isn't participating with her so Mac and I get to watch from the viewing area. I love watching her with her friends. She is so cute in her little leotard and quickly learning how to do a somersault and other tricks.

 Enjoying the sunshine and heading to the park. I love my view of them while pushing the stroller. Every once in awhile, they sit up a bit to check out what the other is doing.

 We read "Green Eggs & Ham" before bed and Lola decided we should eat that for breakfast when she woke up.

 Mac is amazing me. Dan and I have been talking about how he learned to crawl and then things just started clicking for him. He figured out how to drink from a straw, he plays the kazoo with Lola, started signing eat, drink, & more when eating, shakes his head for no, and is pulling himself up anywhere he can. What a little person is is becoming!

 "I do like green eggs and ham! I do, I do!"

I made a course for Lola on my parents patio and she ran, walked, and hopped around it for almost an hour out in the sun. I can't wait for more days of warm weather to enjoy their patio and backyard. It is the best.

Easter

Dying eggs together.

Our Easter Masterpiece! Lola loved putting the faces on her eggs, turning them into animals.

I love how Lola sees a pillow on the floor as an opportunity to stop whatever she is doing and find a book to read. How life should be for everyone.

Easter baskets full of spring goodies from the Easter Bunny!

Helping Mac find eggs that the Easter Bunny left in the back yard.

 

New rain jackets, baskets full of eggs, ready to warm up inside with banana pancakes!

The weekend was so beautiful and warm. We had to get out to the parks and get some vitamin D!

My sweet kiddos, all dressed up for Easter Mass.

Since Nana & Bub were in Mexico, we had Easter dinner with Mama Bear. Enjoyed some sunshine on the patio, had a delicious ham dinner, and read stories together after dinner.