Prince Charming

It has been awhile since I have updated our blog.  I guess that’s what happens when you have two babies under the age of two.   

Given my time constraints, I will try to post smaller posts more often.  This picture was taken of Jackson on Valentines Day 2010. 

Charlie’s sweater said “love stinks”, which I thought was very appropriate for a little boy still in diapers. 

Henry stayed warm in a cute little bear snowsuit given to him by Aunt Stephanie.  Looks like he’s keeping his blonde hair and blue eyes!

 

As you can see from the snow piled up at our church…it’s been a cold and long winter.  I’m looking forward to thawing out!

In the next few days I will try to get caught up and post “old” posts from Christmas 2009 and other fun events.

Cheers and Happy 2010!

Leslie and Lew!

First Day of First Grade

Today was Jackson's first day of first grade! I really can't believe it. It seems like yesterday that Brian and I were working and living in Wisconsin and expecting our first son. Six years later we now have Charlie and are expecting Henry.

We tried to make last night special and relaxing. We had a sit down dinner complete with candles. Brian started to object to the candles when I reminded him that we had to have candles for Jackson's first grade dinner! Jackson's face lit up when he realized that he was the source of all the pomp and circumstance.

After a nice steak dinner, Brian took Jackson to the grocery store to pick out a treat -- Milk duds for Jackson and mommy! After a quick call to Grandma, Jackson was off to bed!

This morning was a little rough. Jackson came downstairs clearly stressed out. Everything was wrong from the food to his socks, shoes, belt and shirt. I kept thinking: "For goodness sake! You wear a uniform!" However, I could see that this was simply nerves and Brian and I tried to console and reassure Jackson the best we could.

At one point, Jackson tried telling me he couldn't go to school because he wouldn't see Charlie "ALL day!" I reminded him that the first day was only a 1/2 day and that Charlie would be more than ready for him to play when we picked him up.




We all took him to school together as a family -- even Charlie. His friends all greeted him hello and he still looked so small sitting behind his desk with all his new supplies ready to go -- glue, scissors, pencils...fun! I took a mental picture of him sitting there. Still small, still innocent, still eager and willing to learn, still loving and still a child. Everyone says that time flies...so I intend not to waste a minute of it. I'll cherish my memories of today and look back on them fondly.




I hope Jackson feels how much we love him and how proud we are of him!

Happy first day of first grade!

Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon and 4th of July Fun

We decided to head out to Washington State over the 4th of July weekend this year instead of our annual early August trip. We oacked up the car and drove up to Chicago to spend the night before flying out the next day. Once we arrived in Chicago, Brian discovered that he had left his wallet in Peoria. Dropping me off with the kids, Brian drove all the way back to Peoria, got his wallet and then drove back to Chicago. Seems funny now...but at the time...well, not a great way to start the trip.

Normally the weather in the Seattle area is rainy towards the end of June. Growing up, we spent all too many 4th of Julys indoors. This year, however, we were blessed with amazing weather for our entire trip.

Our trip started with Brian running the Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon. While my parents took Jackson and Charlie down to the lakehouse in Olympia, Brian and I headed up to Jeanette and Kurt's home the night before the big race. Brian ran the full marathon, while Jeanette and Kurt ran the 1/2. I made my way to the I-90 bridge in the morning to greet and cheer Brian on around 10 miles. It was a gorgeous day -- Mt. Rainier was out and I had some kid-free time to soak in all the wonderful sights and smells of the PNW.

While waiting for Brian to finish his 4+ hours of running, Jeanette and sunned ourselves in her backyard and got caught up. When Brian returned, we drove down south to Olympia where my Great Aunt and Uncle on my dad's side of the family were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. We made the tail-end of the party and relieved my parents of the kids. It was nice to pop into the party, as we will be missing the annual family reunion (a.k.a. the "Marshall Open") this year.

The following day, we had a "June birthday party" for Charlie, Jackson, Great Grandma et. al. at the lake house. We enjoyed seeing extended family on both my mom and dad's side of the family. The kids/cousins all enjoyed boat rides and playing in the lake and finding trouble.

The next few days were spent back up in the Seattle area. I got a bit of shopping time in with my mom and sisters, and a much-needed girl-only dinner at the Roanoke Tavern on Mercer Island(fondly nicknamed "The Rowy").

Before we knew it, we were headed back down to the lake to get a jump start on 4th of July fireworks. Now that most of the kids are a bit older, fireworks are huge -- and my dad and Brian literally bought into their childhood fantasies. The stash of pyromaniacal madness was just that -- madness. Every evening for 4 days the kids gathered 'round and got to light off fireworks before bedtime.

Daytime rituals did not deviate much. It was the same fun day after day -- fun in the sun, on the boat, and playing with the cousins. The adults had their own little ritual. After the fireworks everynight, we brought out a new game introduced by my mom: Mexican Train dice! Put a bunch of attorneys in a room together and the competitive juices get flowing. I think we played until almost 1:00 a.m. one night! Unfortunately, we chose the wrong night to stay up late. Some type of flu bug hit us all and we were all down for the count the following day (or so).

On the 4th of July we were sad to have to say goodbye to Stephanie, Matt, Joe, Sam and Lauren. They all had to head back to Bend, OR before Matt's Boy Scout Camp. We lingered around the lake for most of the day. Brian and I took a boat ride around the lake, looking at homes and soaking up the remaining views of the PNW before our trip came to an end.














That evening we drove up to Tacoma, WA to my Aunt and Uncle's home. They live on a cliff overlooking Puget Sound. They have a pool, little golf course, gardens, and built in outdoor fireplace. While the kids frolicked in the pool and on the golf course, we enjoyed the beautiful views of the Sound and the gourmet spread set out. Just before the s'more dessert...tragedy struck. The kids had been running around all evening and Brandon accidentally ran into a pipe and cut open his face. Poor little kid was so upset that he was going to miss the fireworks because he had to go to the ER. Jackson was devastated for him and kept saying: "Poor Brandon" on the ride back to the lake.






We topped off our trip with Brian's firework finale at the lake. Clear skies graced the night and we enjoyed the firework displays from neighboring families from across the lake. It was a gorgeous night. Jackson sat on the grass snuggling with Grandma and whispered: "This is the best 4th of July ever." I can't imagine more gratification or thanks than having a grandchild say that!

All good things must come to an end...and the next day we were off to SeaTac bright and early to head back to Peoria. Jackson and I flew separately from Charlie and Brian. I have to admit that after all my single travels flying with the boys, flying with just Jackson was a treat. Entirely exhausted after all our fun we both slept a majority of the flight. Luckily Brian and Charlie caught a direct flight to O'Hare and we were able to meet up on time for our three hour drive down to Peoria.