ocean freak out

Watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH_UjjNBkTQ

Dungeness Spit

Carl encouraged us all to make a spontaneous trip to the Olympic Peninsula this weekend and it turned out to be a pefect way to spend some time together. We hiked out along the Dungeness Spit (shown in the last photo), though didn't make it all the way out the 5.5 miles to the lighthouse. Alden played in the sand, watched the whales from the beach, and tried to eat a few rocks. We are back home now, happy and refreshed.

hairbrushing

To watch movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iWzLeyeZXY

Summertime!

Well, for most of us (Alden included), summer time means opportunities to explore, to play, to enjoy the parks, and on occasion to climb around inside of giant silver tubes. Alden makes the most of these beautiful summer days and appears to love every moment of them.

For a few other folks (mainly, Carl), summer time means a chance to be stung by bees -- frequently. Poor Carl, pictured below with his latest injury, was stung in the eye (!) by a bee while he was riding his bike home from work last night. He is still only partially able to open his eye today, but went to work nonetheless. We are glad it's the weekend!

And, "...at the end of a summer day," as I overheard Carl saying to Alden this evening with his eye nearly swollen shut, "everyone likes to wind down with a cold brewski sometimes."

okie wedding

Alden, his folks and nanny Sara just finished out a great half-week in San Fran, celebrating the marraige of Thomas Edward "Okie" Duncan to Elena Margot Satut. The couple is pictured above on the group ferry they engineered to Sausalito (above, below). Alden did well on the plane, but was mostly happy to explore the polished floor of the Oakland Airport. All the way at the bottom, is the gazebo where Carl performed his first gig as an officiant. Look closely in the picture for the tie that Elizabeth sewed (italian silk!)

The weekend also included some fun side-projects: Burmese food/mojitos with J.Y./Lena, coffee with cousin Aimee and family, burritos with elizabeth's college frien Lauren, Sara's jaunts to EVERY corner of the bay area, and somehwere in there, a 1 am beer-soaked shuttle for E/C singing "Bohemian Rhapsody." San Fran abides. . .

toy store

A wednesday afternoon found alden, his parents, and ali free to walk the wallingford farmers market. Unfortunately, it was too hot, so we were forced into some consumerism -- the TOY STORE. Alden wondered where we were keeping this grand hall of stuff to play with for so long.

In the Wagon with Grayson

Bookshelf!

I guess you know that you have made the right decision to start a family, when as a couple, you decide that what you really, really want to do -- actually crave doing -- over the weekend is not to go away to Orcas Island or to a Mariner's game or even out for drinks with good friends, but instead to stay home and baby proof your home. This weekend we are taking care of all things domestic and enjoying every moment of it. Shown off here is our new living room set up and Carl's latest (and possibly greatest) woodworking feat, Alden's very own book and toy shelf, just his size (notice the 'A' in the side!) Ahh, the organization!

seattle summer

Suddenly there is sunshine and shadows to explore. Fortunately, the ability to explore (crawl, pull to stand, dump things out, knock things over) has come just in time. Below, a few of many moments with grandma Lois, who we had a wonderful July month with.

sippy cup take 1

Demonstrated here is our newest dining area - Alden has his own spot at our table now, and his own vision of how best to use the sippy cup.

Heres the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5YLQkdSoFg