7.25.12
Indian Beach
Brent decided to try surfing his little white water kayak in the shallow waves. I liked it because it feels a lot safer to me than being on the river. He liked it becasue it was, well...fun! I think we have a keeper!
all ready to shove out to sea
It was Oliver's first year really getting to *play* at the beach. Last year, he was hardly mobile and we kept him in a pack and play for safe keeping. This year he LOVED it. Absolutely. And it is the lowest stress activity to do with all our kids. We set up camp and stay put, and they stay put and can play for hours. Easy! This is Ollie playing at the little stream, which flows across the beach into the sea.
Here Brent was pushing the kids around in the calm, ankle deep water.
a little more than 3 weeks old here
we set up the small tent on the beach this time, and that was the best idea ever!
Ollie eating snacks in the tent, not such a great idea.
This was about as close as Toby would get to being in the boat and the water. Maybe next year?
10.22-10.23.11
If ever I had a second family, they are my beloved Norwegian family. I met Marianne when I was in first grade. By second grade we were best friends and spent all our spare time together. We went to family dinners, sleepovers, camping trips, boating trips, vacations, to church, and much more together. Marianne's family taught me so many things. Health, fitness, feminism, acceptance for those of different faiths and different opinions, and respect to name a few. Marianne's family took me in the week after my dad died (when I was 10) and kept me busy and safe. Marianne's family moved to the Seattle area the summer after 8th grade, and we tried to keep in touch but eventually drifted apart. Several years ago I got back in touch with her parents and then Marianne, and now that we're living in the Northwest we try to get up there to see them every once in a while. Marianne's parents Inger and Alan are so gracious to allow us to come stay at their lovely waterfront home.
Katie+Mar=bestfriends4eva! And I'm pretty sure that Inger is the bestest 2nd mom anyone ever had (besides my mother-in-law, Jane :). And if that wasn't enough, our two little guys are only three weeks apart! Goody gumdrops!
In turned out that it was pretty rainy. Yeah, in Seattle...I know, what a shocker! I didn't bother us girls at all because really all we wanted to do was sit and talk; catch up. But Brent (who loves to sit and talk and listen to my childhood stories very much) was really hoping to go kayaking! It did not bother him that it was raining...no, not one little bit. So he borrowed Inger's really nice kayak and went for a spin around the lake!
Later that evening we went to a fun little Halloween party at Mar's older sister's house:
the festivities abounded, as pumpkin carving, treasure hunts, very spooky decorations and dinner were enjoyed by all! It was really good to see Marianne's older sister again too!
The next day was great because even though it was cold, the rain cleared up for the afternoon and Alan took us on a boat ride! Inger packed a delightful picnic lunch.
Joshua and Toby LOVED going on a *fast* boat. They ride on our slow boats all the time, so this was a thrill ride!
{just an aside, Toby decided on his own that he is an Oregon Duck fan. The rest of us are neutral.}
such well-behaved boys!
ah...I LOVE these ladies.
one of my favs... hydrangea.
It's always so much fun visiting our friends up there, and we can't wait to come back in the summer when there's swimming, hiking, water-skiing abounding.
End of Septemberish-
Brent had another birthday!! Yay! He had the day off and we were sitting around talking about what we wanted to do while the boys were at school. Somehow the conversation turned to kayaks, and how much Brent would really like one. We've had this conversation before. Several times over the duration of the past two years. I.am.scared. of Brent going out on the river by himself. I *know* he would probably, most likely be fine. But I have a really hard time trusting "probably" and "most likely". I've been let down by them in a big way TWO TIMES. Once was my dad when I was 10, and then Elsa of course. So...I've always managed to steer him away from the idea of getting a kayak. I already get in enough of a panic when he comes home late from work.
BUT...I know this is not a healthy attitude. I know that Brent needs to be trusted. I know that I need to loosen my iron fist a little. So after he PROMISED to be VERY, very careful and ALWAYS wear his life jacket...I gave in and we started searching craigslist for a used kayak for his birthday. It turned out we found a great deal that very day and went to pick it up. After retrieving the boys from school, we drove to the river to try out the new kayak!
Then Toby wanted to get in and try it:
it turns out it's a little tricky with a kid on your lap
Then Joshua wanted a turn too:
and if having Toby in there were tricky, having Joshy in there was downright dumbfounding
ahh...that's right, this kayak was only made for one guy
HaPpY bIrThDaY
to the best, darn guy I know!
We came home and feasted on delicious leftover carrot cake from Costco. Thanks to the lovely ladies at Brent's work for sending it home with him so I didn't have to make one!
Brent has since used his kayak several times. The first time he went along the river, I followed along on the bank almost the whole way to make sure he really knew what he was doing. Hahaha! I think he's going to be ok!
