Celebration Time!

About a month ago we had our annual celebratory weekend. Joe's birthday and our Anniversary are only one day apart, and our Anniversary is also our nephew's birthday. This year our nephew had his party on Joe's birthday, so we attended that as a family. Then, my parents took Kai home with them for his first "real" overnight at their house, while Joe and I enjoyed a quick 24 hour mini-vaca! We were in the same city as him, but we definitely enjoyed the adult only time and went to one of our favorite restaurants, the Me1ting Pot, where dinner can take a couple hours or more. We savored every moment and every bite! The next day we indulged in his and hers foot treatments then saw P0rtland in a while new way... on a jet boat tour! It was amazing what new things we saw and learned about the city where we both grew up. Later that afternoon we picked Kai up from my parents and travelled the whole 6 blocks to Joe's parents house where we had a little birthday gathering for Joe. Kai had a blast playing in their wading pool, but wasn't too sure about this new little girl that seems to be intruding on his grandpa time. Our niece on Joe's side turned one this summer, and is acting more like a person than a baby... K wasn't too sure about that situation! (Kai, by the way, did great on his overnight stay and really enjoyed some one-on-one grandparent time with my parents!)

Total Yumminess!

Another satisfied customer!

Awww...

Looking slightly wind blown on our jet boat ride!

Punching water seems to be a theme this summer.

Neither one was too sure about this whole "grandpa sharing" thing.

Kai using all his will power to not be crazy in the pool

On the lookout!

The Fence That Joe Built

Way back in early August, my hardworking hubby had a week (plus a few extra days) vacation from his paying job. So, he spent it working hard on projects at home... bless his heart. A few weeks prior, we had our driveway poured (it was previously gravel). After being given a few days with some serious uninterrupted time, he "pounded" out this beauty... no pun intended. We have fabulous neighbors, but they also operate their restaurant and catering business from their home. Viewing all the hub-bub and other commercial type stuff over there got real old real fast. I think he did a great job on our new fence, and even our neighbors love it! Now we even have a start on the beds with just a few plants planted... we've got a ways to go!

Summer Catch-up

Seriously... where has the summer gone?? Or more appropriately for our region... when will it start? I can't believe it's nearing the end of August and we've yet to see any serious summer weather. It's been sunny and not much rain around these parts, but we've only seen a handful of days over 85. I was looking forward to summer and finally being warm, and now it's almost over and I'm still waiting. Oh well, at least it hasn't been wet or super, super hot. Amazingly, my tomatoes are ripening and my melons (watermelon and cantalope) are getting larger everyday. I can't wait to see if they're actually edible!

We've been having a fun and super busy summer, as you can probably tell by my bad blogging. I can seriously say it's flown by, but we've had lots of fun along the way. We've spent time with family, playing and working in our yard, watching hummingbirds, lots of time in the car off on grand adventures, and lots and lots of time at our neighborhood park with new friends.

I have great intentions of taking the next week to do some summer catch-up posts, complete with pics of our adorable, vivacious boy! Here's a little teaser from our latest adventure!

Swimming Lessons!

Kai is on week 4 (out of 4) of his first session of swimming lessons, and we couldn't be prouder! His first class was pretty rough, but after a class adjustment (switching him to the one his best buddy from preschool is in) he has been doing fabulously and making great strides! I am sad this is the last week, as he is just finally starting to get comfortable and relaxing a bit, but I will definitely watch for fall/ winter classes at this great indoor pool. He can now do a full front and back float with coaches assistance, blow bubbles, and not freak out when he gets his face wet or goes underwater. Not bad for his first go...

Here's a few pictures from week 2 of lessons. Notice how he won't do a full front float, but now he can!

"They want us to do what?!?"

Jumping in!

Yay! Smiles!

Blowing bubbles

Preparing to front float...

Attempting the front float...