Chelan!!!

Chelan 2011 baby!!! Lisa had a great idea to take an annual picture by the Wapato Point sign. Next year we promise to actually put pants on Sam. Sorry. : )

The tradition is to go with our wonderful friends Greg and Jessica, who bring their niece and nephew Jackson and Sophie along. As a kid, is there anything better than vacation buddies?

Audrey and Jackson are definitely graduating to the lake. I know I've said this before, but my little girl is growing up. Dagnabit!!!!

And Sam and Sophie are still 100% content with otter-pops and beach balls. God bless their little hearts! Sam is trying to show off while Sophie is making sure to keep up. Oh Sophie, you'll soon learn what a little knucklehead he is.

Greg, an absolutely wonderful childhood and adult friend, knows Sam's weakness.

"Ahhhh, how nice is Mr. Greg now that he is whipping you around in a tube behind the boat!". "Don't worry, Daddy has you safe.". I'm not ashamed to get a little love where I can!

In another Chelan advancement, the kids actually made a few trips to the putt-putt course this year. Audrey is doing her best to teach Sam the nuances of golf.

"Sammy, this is where you tee your ball, pay close attention Sammy!".

"And now you follow through like the boys daddy watches on TV. Hold the follow through . . . hold it . . . hold it!".

"What?! This is the last hole?! Come on, where did the ball go?!".

Am I a total romantic, or is seeing your kid's foot prints in the sand a precious moment?

The precious moment depicted in the previous picture was actually just the every afternoon journey down to the ice cream shop. Sam went rainbow sherbert every single day. He didn't realize heaven was this close to earth.

"Fine Sam, just don't eat the styrofoam".

And here we have Audrey mid brain freeze on a snow cone. She couldn't believe Sam wouldn't try it. "Audrey, I think you only need to see yourself to realize why none of us were willing to try it!".

If you're reading this blog you are probably on our Christmas card list . . . and now you have a preview of what is likely our 2011 Christmas card.

Of course, we got back to Seattle to mid-60's July weather. What?!!!!"Okay kids, it's time for smores in July. "."But daddy, it was so nice in Chelan, why is it so cold here?". "Well kids, we live in the northwest where the weather is very unpredictable.". "What?". "Never mind. We'll go to Chelan again next year to enjoy the summer.".

Summatime!

Audrey resorted to wearing mom's shades in hopes it would spring some summer weather. "Mommy, All these sun dresses and nowhere to wear them!".

Ahhhhh, finally some summer weather. You can tell by Audrey's stance that it's early in the season. She commented "daddy, I'm usually better after Chelan" (our annual July trip). Honey, we're all a little better after Chelan.

Sam didn't even attempt the water. He's more of a "toes in the sand" kind of guy.

Right after our first blast of summer weather we were back into some good old NW June Gloom. Heavy coat, hiking, and mossy trees, so very Seattle.

A few months back Audrey took her first pony ride. She's now graduated to the real thing. Sedro Woolley horse camp, here we come!

One of those classic pictures that makes you gasp at how they are growing up without you even noticing.

"Hey Sam, want to ride the horse ?". "No way dad, only gas powered rides for me!!!!".

"Preferably the diesel variety!!!!".

"I'll even roll battery style, as long as I can wear a manly hat!!!".

We've officially entered the age with Audrey where she can attend summer camps. Here she is at her dance recital. The songs ranged from Elton John to Todd Shaw. If you don't know who Todd Shaw is, he's a.k.a. Too Short. If you don't know who Too Short is, you aren't freaking out like I was the first time I heard her dance to him.

Here she is at the finale of her acting class. Our little drama queen definitely flourished in this camp. Pay attention to the dragon costume above.

Yes, Audrey helped supply the camp production from her own personal supply. Sadly Sam did not get to attend the camp. He didn't deal well with the rejection.

I felt so bad for Sam that I told him I would put on a "camp" for him. Sam, welcome to landscaping camp!

Next we moved on to bubble camp.

Safe to say he excelled at bubble camp. I mean, look at that bubble production!

Nothing says summer like a lemonade stand.

We recently snapped the above photo of Sam at our favorite park and I immediately remembered a similar photo of Audrey. Turns out they were almost the exact same age at the time of the photos. Ahhhhhh, slow down time!

A Month of Firsts!

I took the kids on their first official "self propelled" hike this past month. A LOT of hemming and hawing about "why can't we go to the park instead", "it's going to be sooo boring", "why do you hate us", etc. preceded the event. The promise of rock throwing into a creek was the only thing that got them started.

Audrey was smart enough to sense any threat of nettles and sticker bushes, politely giving Sam the lead. Smart girl! He, on the other hand, was oblivious to the obvious ploy. At least he's cute! : )

While they started to enjoy the obstacles, they were beginning to doubt the promise of rock throwing. "Good things come to those who wait kids". "What?". "Never mind".

WATER! I was actually starting to worry that my credibility was going to take a hit.

Dumb luck had me put their rain boots on before heading out. I guarantee I would have had to carry Sam out had he gotten his feet wet. Phew!

I on the other hand did not wear rain boots. I had to rely on Audrey's common sense to not go too far. I mean, I wasn't going to get my feet wet!

Sadly Sam's boots are the low-rise variety. While we make fun of his intelligence on a regular basis, score one for him to know his "boot limit".

We had a great little hike and they are now hooked. And by hooked I mean they might complain a little less the next time I drag them onto a trailhead.

Audrey had her first field trip this month. The trip was to a local farm. Buddy system was definitely in effect. Luckily, her buddy was her best friend in her class, Erin.

Okay girls, "buddy system" means you need to hold hands while outside the bus.

Yep, no chance one of these two is wandering off.

Lisa decided we should do a last minute staycation for Memorial Day. "Uh, what?". "Well Tony, it's where we get a hotel room in Bellevue and play tourist in our own backyard". "Oh yeah, that sounds great. Uh, what?".

It turned out to be a great weekend. We started by taking the kids to Snoqualmie Falls. The Falls are beautiful this spring. Audrey was "vice grip" tight on me. While it looks very pleasant, the back spray from the falls had us all soaked within 10 minutes.

Sam on the other hand had no fear. He literally wanted to "jump in da wader" from the lookout. I fear his teenage years!

Here he is trying to climb the fence. Knucklehead.

Prior to the start of the "staycation" Lisa commented that it will be great to force the kids to enjoy each other. And here's proof that once agan Lisa knows best. I think Audrey's comment was "someone has to make sure he doesn't kill himself!".

After the falls we headed into the small town and hit the candy store followed by the train museum. The candy store we knew about, the train museum was a bonus. Wow, staycations are kinda fun.

Evidence photo #2 that the kids actually enjoy each other when forced. Lisa's legend grows.

The train behind the kids does a 90 minute circle through the cascades. We were about to jump on when a family departing the the train said "No bathrooms on board". Abort, abort! Staycation disaster diverted. Phew.

By the time we reached the hotel in Bellevue the kids actually thought they were a world away from home. The lap pool that I'm sure serves the business travelers during the week was packed with kids.

I was shocked to hear how many people there were locals taking a staycation. Am I that naive?

The real surprise was the two families Lisa met from Mercer Island that stay at the hotel once a quarter. What? I will say they offered Lisa a beer from their 18 pack of Coors Light so this clearly wasn't their first rodeo.

"Now Sam, it's okay to jump on the hotel bed, but you know you can't do this at home right?".

"Audrey, check me out. Can you handle this?".

"Oh yes, yes I can. Sam, you mess with the bull, you get the horns!".

To end the night, we took them to a "fancy dinner in the city". Well, Maggiano's at BelSquare is about as fancy as we're willing to go with these two monsters.

There's no doubt where Sam gets his blue eyes.

Audrey's comment on the restaurant "Daddy, they make the best bread". Oh Audrey, we really need to get you out more.

Sam started to get a little rambunctious. What do parents do nowadays in this situation . . .

. . . give your kid the iPhone of course. It really is the best silencer out there.

Wiped-out kids in the hotel room = total staycation success. We had a great time and I'm now 100% on board with these little "getaways".

In a follow-up note, Audrey took the "Serenity - Do Not Disturb" door hanger and it now resides on her bedroom door. I only wish I would have thought of that!