Gus, meet Mr. Jake

Many congrats to Jake and Andi who came into Spokane last weekend for a lovely baby shower. Gus and Jake have the same hair in this picture. A handsome style, for sure.

Camping at Beaver Lake

Gus and Grace at the wash table
Because just 1 grill is never enough
Story time. Mr. curly head had more important things to do.

Two weekends ago we went out for a last hurrah, end-of-summer type camping trip with a group of Matt's coworkers. There were 5 families (10 adults) and amongst the children there were: 1 fifth grader, 2 fourth graders, a six year-old, a four year-old, 4 two year-olds, a seven month old baby, and a partridge in a pear tree. We had a blast, the kids behaved themselves, and the food was excellent. Thank goodness for wet wipes, juice boxes, and granola bars. And the wire fence Tim built around the fire.

A New Favorite Photo

Thanks to Brooke for snapping this great photo of Gus. He looks like a big kid. He is a big kid!

Edmonds Report part II

Checking out Great Grandma and Grandpa's house in Edmonds. (Where Grandma Connie grew up)

Visiting Great-Great Aunt Dot.

We had a nice lunch out with Aunt Dorothy when we were in Edmonds two weekends ago. Aunt Dot took us to Arnie's, where we have had many lunches and dinners over the years. Gus charmed her by eating his chicken and fries, as well as handing his plates to the waitress when he was all done. Aunt Dot said, "that takes the cake!" Matt was able to crane his neck and catch the Seahawks game as we were adjacent to the bar. We all had a good time.

Hanging with the Ike clan in Edmonds

Ryan, Brooke, and Cora. They even look good with Ferry hair.
Gus playing in the Edmonds fountain at the round a bout.
Here we are at the Woodland Park Zoo.

We just got home from a wonderfully long and relaxing weekend with our friends; Ryan, Brooke, and Cora Ike, who reside in beautiful Edmonds, WA. My Mom grew up in Edmonds and my grandparents are both deceased, so it was really bittersweet- more sweet than bitter- to go back to the gorgeous place I visited so often when Grandma and Grandpa lived on 2nd. street. (right by the sound).

Brooke and Ryan have a beautiful home and they are both quite the chefs. Brooke cooked a soufle- yes, a real soufle- with gruere and chard- for breakfast one morning and it was tre manifique (sorry if I butchered the spelling just now). Ryan cooked traditional homestyle japanese cuisine. We had chowa mushi (custard egg soup) and suki yaki (grilled meats and vegetgables in special sauce), and it was divine (complete with sake and Asahi Super Dry).

Besides all the eating, there was a trip out to Langley (on Whidbey Island) and a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo, a lunch at Blue C Sushi (Gus called the conveyer-belt style sushi bar a sushi choo choo), a wonderful family dinner with Ryan's parents; Elaine and Andy Ike, cruising the Saturday market in Edmonds, and dining at Arnie's for lunch with great Aunt Dot.

So yes, there were a lot of calories consumed, but we did hike all over Edmonds and the zoo so we burned a bit of it off.

We were also able to pop out to visit Robin and Wyatt in West Seattle. They are expecting baby any minute and we couldn't be more thrilled for them. It was so fun to see them and say hello at this exciting time in thier lives.

Thanks Ryan and Brooke for your hospitality and the great time! Kiss Cora's buns/cheeks/fingers/ toes, etc. for us!

Big Boy Stuff

Fishing with Dad on the Kettle River (Labor Day Monday)
Helping Dad take down the crib.
Wow, look at Gus sleeping in his big boy bed! I took this pic quickly tonight right before saying goodnight. No more crib for this big kid.

Gus has done really well moving into his toddler bed. It was sort of bittersweet to take the crib down, but hopefully in the near future there will be another someone in that crib.

We are headed to Edmonds to visit the Ike's for a nice long weekend. We are so excited to see how big Cora is now and of course do some fun city things with Brooke and Ryan.

Caterpillar

I think that this is just the cutest thing. But of course, I am his mom so I am a little biased. Gus says "cat pe dep pe dep" for caterpillar.

Fun at Greenbluff

Gus was a natural on the pony.
Mmmm. Donuts.

We thouroughly enjoyed the Peach Festival Harvest days out at Greenbluff a couple of weekends ago. I am not sure which topped the list- pumpkin cinnamon donuts, pony rides, or the myriad of tractors, but Gus was having a really good time with it all.