Good times had by all!

Michelle and Jules' visit came to an end earlier this week. It is always so hard to say goodbye when we know it will most likely be another year before we see eachother again!

We sure did have a good time though!

No family gathering is complete without a few John Prine songs! These songs are such a part of our family I used to think my dad wrote them all!

Jules playing the official family instrument . . . the kazoo

Yes, little Ellie, you will be a kazoo player someday too!

Jules added a new word to his vocabulary this trip also . . . the FORT! Drew showed him the cool space underneath Ma-Pop's maple tree. It was the highlight of the evening.

It's an alien, it's a monster, it's a crazy women . . . NO it's Ma-Pop in my art creation from Creation Station. Drew and I took Jules to this cool store where you make art out of all kids of recycled materials. Jules described it as . . . 'a store where you get to touch stuff.' We had a blast. If you live near us you should check it out at: http://creationstationinc.com

The art of sharing

Here is one of those moments that you would probably forget if it wasn't for photos!

Jules wanted to give Ellie her applesauce . . .

One for you . . .

One for me . . .

The best bath yet . . .

Some of my favorite photos from my childhood are the ones of me and my big brother in the bath together, we just look like family. Since Ellie will be the older sibling someday, I hope she will look back on these photos and know she's so lucky to have a big cousin.

Summertime is the best

The fun continues . . . Jules is a waterbaby just like Ellie! He's not afraid of the water at all! When we got to the pool he jumped right in the deep end!

Paul was tossing him and we all thought he would get water in his nose and say "no more." But each time he'd come up, catch his breath and say "again!"

I just had to post this photo . . . if this isn't a poster for reasons to breastfeed then I don't know what is!! :) One warm day last week we went to the arboretum at the University of Washington to rent canoes.

We beached our boats in the arboretum and had a picnic snack. Here's Jules picking the M&M's out of the trailmix

It was a great day!

Did you know . . .

that my sister is a photographer??? Well, here is the proof, beautiful pictures of our week together.

Last Sunday, we spent the day at Drew's parents house at the beach. Here is Jules with the old family Conch shell . . . Laura used to blow on the shell to call Drew home for dinner when he was out playing in the neighborhood. Delicious strawberries from Jon and Laura's garden. Jules said the kelp on the beach looked like "salad"

Beautiful summer day!

Jon took Jules and Paul out on his sailboat. They were only going to go for a quick ride but the current took them down the beach and then the wind died down. They were out on the water for almost 2 hours! We were worried Jules would be tired of the boat ride, but he arrived back on land a very happy little sailor!

2 years . . .

Drew and I celebrated our 2 YEAR wedding anniversary yesterday!

We splurged and went to our favorite fancy restaurant . . . Daniels Broiler on Lake Union. It was a beautiful evening, we had view of the sail-boats on Lake Union, and the BEST food and service. We always feel like VIP when we go there.

Drew and I decided our wedding day was the best day of our life . . . yes, Ellie's birthday was amazing but since the first half of that day included LABOR, the wedding day was better (Ellie's birth was the best moment ever, though!)

Cousins!

Super Happy Family Fun Time has arrived! My sister, Michelle, brother-in-law, Paul and my favorite nephew, Jules arrived from NYC last week. We have been having a blast. Last time I saw Jules he was nearly 2 . . . now he is 3 and definitely a BIG boy!

Ellie is enthralled with watching her cousin.