Swimming adventures

It seems like lately we've been swimming almost every day! That's what summer is all about I guess. (And yet another reason I'm glad I decided to quit my job...what's better than sitting by the pool everyday?) Claire and I just finished our third session of swim lessons and I'm kind of ready for a break. It'll be kind of nice not to have to go every Tues and Thurs...but I'm sure we'll miss it too.

Here are a few pics when we went swimming at my mom's neighbor's pool with Drew.

Love that belly.

Drew kept trying to kiss Claire and she did not like it. Finally, she caved.

Grandma and the kiddies.

The next day, we went swimming at my sis-in-law's house. They have a pool in their community that just opened up...so much fun! These are my nephews, Corgan and Drew, and Claire.

Then a few days later, I went swimming at my good friend, Katie's, parent's house. There were a bunch of my friends from high school there and it was a blast! Here are all the kiddos...

I've been watching Drew for a few days while his parents are out of town. So he came along and they were loving the pretzels.

Finally, that day Claire had the biggest meltdown in the history of Claire Meltdowns. She was obsessed with carrying this green chair everywhere with her. Well, someone tried to take it from her (me) and she freaked out and cried like this until we left. So, being the loving and caring mother I am, I had to document the tantrum.

Of course, within two minutes of being in the car, she was asleep.

Discovery Gateway

Have you been there? If you haven't, it is time for you to go. We went with some friends last week and had a blast! Claire loved playing with the water and balls.

Josiah was loving it too!

They went up and down this slide so many times. Hours of entertainment just from this slide.

We took a fun music class while we were there. Claire only stayed with the group for part of the time. The rest of the time she was obsessed with the magnet board.

In fact, we had so much fun that we took Nate back later that night!

Now I want to get a pass there! How great would that be during the winter when we can't go outside?

The Emerald City

I'm finally getting around to blogging about our 4th of July trip to Seattle! That's where Nate grew up and his parents still live there. We love it and almost moved there, (we both got job offers there after college) but just couldn't afford the cost of living. :( So we try to visit Nate's parents a few times a year. We had another great trip!

We arrived on the afternoon of the 4th and we straight over to a great park by Nate's parent's house.

This was the day Claire figured out how to walk up the stairs instead of crawl up them...hmmm....still not sure how I feel about this.

Nate showing off his awesome climbing skills.

Nate's brother, Chris, proving he's got muscles too.

Nate's dad is just so cute with Claire! The whole trip she would sign and say "bampa" over and over.

That night we had some family over for a BBQ. Claire decided she wanted to "bump, bump" (jump on the trampoline), and she was the center of attention as usual.

Having fun with Uncle Chris

We went over to some friend's house for fireworks over the lake, and I'm not sure how this happened, but I didn't take any pictures.

The next morning, Grandpa take Claire how to play the piano.

Then we drove over to Snoqualmie Falls. Of course, it started pouring the second we got out of the car. So we ran for cover and only got to spend about 20 minutes there.

Saturday night we played a rousing game of Turbo Cranium...let's just say it got a little late and Mehren and Sheri (Nate's sister and mom) got a little giggly.

After church the next day, we went to the Washington Park Arboretum to take a walk. It is a huge botanical garden and it's beautiful! Claire got to ride on Grandpa's shoulders.

But she did not want me to hold her.

Ahhh...I love these two.

Group shot, minus Chris.

Family photo, thanks to Nate's dad.

On Monday, we "bumped, bumped" in the morning...Claire's hair got a little static-y.

Went to the beach in the afternoon.

And had a picnic at another park for dinner.

Claire mastered the bridge.

Tuesday, our last day, we went to a city farm. Claire loved the horses and kept signing all the animals.

With Aunt Mehren

What a great trip! We did so many fun things and Claire loved spending time with "Bampa, Gama, Uncle Cis, and Aunt Mera." :)

Gone Country

If you can't tell from my major lack of posts, we've been out of town for the past three weeks. We were in Cali (see post below), then in Wyoming (oh joy of joys), and then Seattle. The best part about summer is traveling right? Well, this post will be dedicated to our Wyoming trip.

Ahhhh....Rawlins, Wyoming. Never did I dream that I would get another fun-filled week in Rawlins. But oh boy, my dream did come true. Nate had to spend THREE weeks there, working seven days a week, twelve hours a day. Claire and I joined him his last week there. This was the most entertaining part about the drive...the windmills!


We did a little exploring the first day there and found a state park called Seminoe. It had these white sandy beaches that made you feel like you were in the Carribean. It was crazy to find a place like that in Wyoming!

Claire was having an awesome hair day.







Pretty much the rest of the trip consisted of this...



this...




and this...




The only two eventful things that happened were when Claire and I got to meet the Rawlins Fire Chief while in line at the post office. We had a good 10-minute conversation about the tricks to fighting fires in Wyoming and his seven granddaughters. Then one night at dinner we met a nice couple from Tulsa and after about five minutes of talking, they had given us their home address, home and cell phone numbers so we could stay with them the next time we're in Tulsa. We're supposed to remind them how we know them when we call. Apparently, they give this information out to a lot of people.

Finally, Claire and I did an impromtu photo shoot in an alley behind the town furniture store.








Claire on the way home. She kept demanding, "ip, ip". She loves the Sun Chips like her Mom.




I think we really did have as good a time as you can in Rawlins. It was just good to finally be with Nate - we missed you babe!