Change of Scene

We have had a series of hot days here and are burning out, so to speak. Saturday evening we needed a change of scene, so we loaded up the new truck and headed for Walla Walla. Mitch sang a very cranky (read: teething and feverish) Shannon to sleep so the trip was enjoyable.

Once there, we got burgers at our favorite place and found a school park in which to picnic and play. Shannon was happy to play, and her brother was overjoyed!

Snuggling

Mitch wanted to hold his sister in the 'car' and he did a great job!

Happy to be up past her bedtime! Ah, bedtime. I think we have claimed SJ was an easier child to put to sleep. Those days are GONE. She fights us tooth and nail the minute she is put down. Could be the heat. Could be the teeth. Could be generational revenge. I've been told my mother didn't sleep through the night for 5 years . . .

She loved the slide and proceeded to climb up it with her sticky feet.

Mitch was the master of balance and traipsed across these things over and over again. They move when stepped upon so hanging on to the pole is instrumental.

"Take my picture!" This is his silly poser face.
Summer vacation is ending, but we've enjoyed ourselves!

Lucky Chuck

Mitch was introduced to Lucky Chuck by his Uncle Russ.It's been a month or so since reading it, but we still talk about Chuck. Whenever Mitch sees a motorcyclist, he says, "Don't lay it down, Chuck!" Therein lies the background for the following photos.

As always, Mitchell has a rapt audience in his sister. Shannon was getting an early driving lesson and she managed to park and watch the Chuck antics.

Here is Mitchell's version of Lucky Chuck, complete with biker boots, gloves and a helmet. He is purposefully tipping over his motorcycle and exclaiming, "Don't lay it down, Chuck!"

Here's the resulting carnage. Poor Chuck! Will he never learn?

The Fair

Mitch enjoyed Fair Week in Hermiston last week.  He enjoyed the parade, as well as the fair itself. We saw the animals and touched a snake. What he loved most of all was riding some rides!

The first time he went riding, Dad accompanied him. Bryan looked like an enormous kid in the roller coaster - he didn't fit and he was very uncomfortable!

He was a good sport, though, and Mitch loved it! He even returned another day and rode by himself with his arms in the air the whole time! What a daredevil!

Mitchell is 3!

How did it happen that our firstborn has finished his first 3 years? What a delightful little child our Mitchell is! He speaks so well, loves books, trains, dancing, hot wheels, brightly colored flowers, baseball, and his sister. He loves to build towers, play in Dad's truck, pretend to be a spider and be naked as often as possible. We're working on potty training, good manners, and getting his face wet when in the water. A common phrase as of late? "I don't want to do anything!" And he really means it. He's also started calling us "Mom" and "Dad" instead of the Mommy and Daddy of old. 

We had a birthday party with some family at our place on Friday. It was a lovely time and we appreciated having people help us celebrate!

9 Months Old!

Shannon is now at the most balanced point on her life's timeline: she's been in the world as long as she was in utero. Never again will I have the "she's been with me longer" ace because the world will forevermore have the majority. And that's as it should be. 

Miss SJ has (almost) four teeth in her lopsided smile. She bounce dances, grins, crawls in many styles at top speed, and tries to walk as often as possible. She's a menace with food, hair, and anything spill-able. Sometimes she growls in an hilarious way. She loves the water and kicks like a frog when swimming. Shannon follows Mitch whenever possible, doesn't like to sleep alone and adores hanging upside down.

We love our feisty little girl!

Toyotas Reign!

 Bryan bought his 1999 Toyota Tacoma in the fall of 2003. Here he is with some sweet long hair proudly showing off his new ride.

 We just sold it - or actually had Russ sell it - to a teacher in Canby. Here's Bryan saying good-bye to the truck we loved.

Enter the new love. A 2006 Toyota Tundra with 4 doors and room for kids. We're pretty pleased with the upgrade! Bryan started work as a principal today and he softened the blow of a shorter summer by riding to work in style.