Seattle, Part II

Troy and I took pictures most of the weekend, but here's a small collection of some of my favorites.










Can you tell we had one adventure after another? The Space Needle, the tide pools, a tourist "duck" tour, a motorcycle ride, a three hour time change, Pike's Place Market, the original Starbucks, three meals of fish and chips (yes, T & A, they had another meal at the airport:), a playground, the monorail, a personal tour of Fire Station #10, Ashley's wonderful cooking, the Seattle aquarium, two consignment stores, plenty of money in parking meters, one heartfelt conversation, and lots of love shown by an aunt and uncle.

Seattle

We returned from Seattle at 2:30 a.m. this morning. I have lots of pictures to post, but I'm not sure when that's going to happen with all the work I have to do with TFP this week.

Here's an initial favorite:

Grammy

My Superhero

It's a bird, it's a plane
NO-- it's The Destroyer Man!

Following his return from preschool, The Destroyer Man is seen in the epic action-adventure The Destroyer Man Returns, a soaring new chapter in the saga of one of the world's most beloved superheroes. While two weary parents plot to render him powerless once and for all, Destroyer Man faces the heartbreaking realization that he's not in control.

His latest victim:

My Formula

I've always had this formula in my head that goes something like this:

If the time it takes to play something is greater than the time it takes to clean it up, then I'm willing to let the kids have fun.

My formula backfired yesterday. It took a little longer to clean up than I thought!

Too Cute

Lydia and her friend, Delayna

New Room

We're decorating Lydia's room right now. I say "we" because my fabulous friend Beth is definitely the brains behind it all. I'm loving the process, and I think it looks beautiful so far. I'll post pictures once it's complete, but for now, Beth recommended that I take some fun pictures of Lydia in her room.

I tried a mini photo session with her on a whim yesterday. I didn't even brush her hair. I actually was trying to make them fuzzy which I'm not sure was the best idea. I guess it was an experiment for me to see what direction I want to head. I don't think I figured it out yet, but regardless, I think she looks awfully cute!

Haircut

Lydie had her first salon haircut last week. She thoroughly enjoyed it. She asked all day when she was going to see Miss Kara to get her "aircut at Body and Sole."


And, Ladies and Gentleman, we've got a track star in the house. I've noticed specifically in the past couple of days that Lydia's had moments where she just acts like she's three years old. She said, "Mark, Go, Ets [set]," repeatedly as she raced in a short line from our kitchen to the living room today after church. I'm excited for this next phase.

Today

A Day in the Life

Yesterday was a bad day. Bad. Bad. Bad. So I decided to completely change the focus of our day today. Pictures make me happy. Using my camera makes me happy. Here's a look at our GOOD day today:
9:00: tv time

9:45: outside time

11:15: hot chocolate to "warm our bones"

12:00 puzzles before nap time (notice the outfit chosen by Lydia, of course)

1:00: coloring during Lydia's nap

2:00: playing outside with Tyler, Jonah's neighbor friend

4:00: a snow party with friends

6:30: dinner with friends

8:30 Good night!

39 Degrees

Fun in Canton

Mike said on the phone this morning that Jonah needs some "Grammy-time" every few weeks to get him back on track. I agree!

And I think I need "Canton-time." I spent two hours wandering around Target by myself last night and shopped Old Navy clearance by myself this morning :)

Abby, my cousin, was here. We love Abby!

Quote of the day:
Jonah: "Abby, why do you have chains on your teeth?"

Midnight Fun

What do Mike and Traci do on a random night in January? Test photography equipment!

I've got a great husband. He's so supportive. I wanted to test focusing with a new lens and needed lots of movement. Mike was glad to help.

Hop on Pop

A cute picture that I had forgotten about...

Pop, you are the best!

Dick and Jane

Jonah discovered something the other night. He discovered that he loved to read Dick and Jane books. We heard him laughing in his room at 9:30 p.m.. I went upstairs to remind him it was bedtime. He was on page 78 of Dick and Jane. He was reading, comprehending, and laughing that Puff, the cat, had climbed the tree.

He amazes me.

The next day Jonah asked if he could read Dick and Jane to Lydia while they were drinking hot chocolate.

A Message from Jonah & Lydia

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!