Splish Splashing with Friends

Monday was HOT! So I made a impromptu invite to some mommy friends of mine and we all headed out to the splash park for some cool down fun. Eli was the oldest kid there so he mostly did his own thing but Kai got to play with the pretty girls! I think he is going to be a bit of stud when he gets older!

Rainforest Cafe

we decided to trek down to Southcenter and go to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch on Saturday. Its a theme restaurant and its all done up to look like the jungle, complete with apes and elephants. Eli and Kai were entranced from the minute we stepped under the tropical fish archway. The apes would start moving and making all sorts of noise followed by the elephants every 15 minutes. And every half hour the whole place would start up like a thunderstorm with lightning and rain sounds. It was really cool and the boys heads were constantly on a swivel looking around at all the happenings. It was probably the first meal Brian and I have eaten in peace and quite (if you call a jungle quite!) in a long time!

Afterwards we went to Ikea for the very first time. MAN what a store! so much to see and it seems like the building never ends. We picked up a few odds and ends and we saw the bunk beds the boys will have when they get a little older. Interesting place and I can see how you could spend a small fortune there!

Of course since we were out and about and heading home from the eastside we stopped at Theno's Dairy and got some very tasty ice cream and shakes!






Kai digging IKEA

Ahoy there me matey's

Today was the day of the Wiggles concert. Eli may be only 2 years old but he already has a favorite music group. These 4 guys from Australia are idols in his little eyes. We got great seats (row 6) so everything was right up close. my mom and I put together a Captain Feathersword costume so Eli could dress up as his favorite wiggle. At the end of the show all the guys came back out on stage to wave goodbye and Brian had Eli on his shoulders. they were right up close tot he stage and when the Captain saw Eli he said "Ahoy there me little captain" and shook Eli's hand! that little boy was starstruck I tell you! What a great memory this will be for me to share with Eli when he gets older. What a great day. Bummer thing is we couldnt bring in the camera so I have no pictres from the show but here is a picture of Eli in his costume.

He's in the Army now!

Kai has become a mover and a shaker and can army crawl across the room now. Oh my soon he will be full on crawling and then walking and then I have my hands full!

2009 Arlington Fly-In

Yesterday was opening day and kids day at the EAA Fly-In. of course the boys and I went to see the airshow and enjoy the fun. we will be up there again on Saturday and Sunday I am sure to visit daddy who is volunteering again this year. Here are a few pictures from our day there ysterday.

Happy 4th!

on Thursday we set off on a boat trip to Lopez Island in the San Juan's. we stayed at a resort called the Islander. Its a little bit dated in style but clean and comfortable. The weather was fantastic and we spent a lot of our afternoons lounging by the pool and soaking in the sun. It was great to get away and some quality time with my guys.

My folks also went on the trip as it was a outing with the Everett Yacht club. So there was lots of boats, food and fun. It was also nice to have some extra hands with the kids so I could relax for a bit too. Here are some pictures from our trip and of course pictures of the fireworks.


Stuck in a hammock



A snack with a view




A little too much swimming whips a little one out!

Kai being goofy while watching the parade!


And the fireworks! Doesnt the last one look like a bomb went off?

Whirl wind of a weekend

This weekend came and went so fast and I am pooped! Friday Melissa came over to watch the boys so I could get baking cakes for her birthday and my nephew Mile's birthday parties. My kitchen looked like a flour bomb went off in it sprinkled with some food coloring, but all has returned to normal now. The cakes turned out great and tasted even better!





Melissa even got in on the fun and made some cupcakes for her BBQ party.



Saturday morning was a big day for me. for the last 2 months I have been training to run in a 5K race. 5K = 3.2 miles for the math challenged out there, LOL. I had never ran a day before that first day in my entire life. I am not a runner! Hell I am not even a sports (playing) kind of person. I rather like being the spectator. But I decided that it was finally time in my life to take charge. I am going to get in shape, lose some weight and be the role model for my boys that they deserve. Over the course of the 2 months I found myself getting stronger, faster, and actually enjoying myself. Running has become very freeing for me. When I am out there I concentrate on just the next step, not all the laundry that needs to be done, or the errands that need to be ran, just that next step.

Back to Saturday. I ran a 5K! I was hard. the first mile and a half maybe 2 miles were mostly uphill. and we were running on gravel, dirt and wooded paths. there was no way I trained for this! I really thought that I was not going to be able to do it. but then the path got a little wider, a little smoother and not so uphill! and I found myself with the confidence to keep going and to keep going strong. I finsihed. Yes I bawled crossing the finish line. I never knew that it would be emotional like that, but I guess when you work so hard for something and you achieve that something emotions just take over. Oh and all this running...... yup, I am 20 pounds lighter in that last 2 months too! YIPEE

41:47.2

those numbers plus 128 (my race number) will always be in my head for the great memory that they are. I know I can do better than that time, but it was mostly uphill! So I am registering for my next race already. The run of the mill in 2 weeks!







Kai being my water boy! Thanks little man for the drink!


Then after getting home from the race we were off to relax up at the cabin with Melissa, Tony and Vinny to celebrate her upcoming 30th birthday. It was a great way to spend the evening and we all had fun. Thanks for inviting us!




Kai obviously had too much fun!



Then Sunday it was off to Seattle to celebrate Miles turning 3! Cant belive it has already been 3 years he is getting so big and grown up. Hope you had a wonderful birthday little man.