Ian's Heaven

Visiting my family is always a nonstop party (winter not excluded). And since it snowed a ton while we were there we spent most of our time having fun outside.

Here is Ian and Grandpa riding the tractor up to snow blow the road.

Then back down because Ian fell asleep

We also went snowmobiling almost every day. My first time out (not ever - just this trip) my sister Cami stopped me to give me some sisterly advice that went something like this, "if you don't start going faster Dad isn't going to want to ride with you anymore." That is when I realized why snowmobiling is so fun.

Here is Ian with my mom - He didn't go for long rides - just a couple of times around the field.

We also went night sledding - which was the best because the snowmobiles take you to the top of the hill so you don't have to walk.

Ian also fell asleep on the snowmobile. He was pretty much sleep deprived our entire trip.

This was the night I learned that Ian turns into a mean drunk when he is really really tired. I tried to take him away from his cousins and he pushed my hands away and screamed "no!"

More fun outside...

Nicki's birthday party.

Trying to keep Ian busy in the car.

Last but not least - ian's favorite person. He would ditch me anytime for Uncle David.

The newest marrieds

A couple of weeks ago Ian and I took a trip to DC for my sister Ash's wedding. She was beautiful and she and Hank were really happy. My dad performed the ceremony - which was emotional and very sweet. And we spent all night eating and hanging out with the new couple - it was perfect.

While we were in DC we also got to hang out with some old friends - which was so so fun. I wish I had had a few more days so I could have seen everyone.

We stayed with Kimberly and Lindsay (the bestest hostesses ever - thanks girls)

Lunch with Whitney and Justin

Suzi and Isabel and Kim and Lillie

We went to our favorite old park with Atticus and Melanie

Curt's sister Nicole and her kids Micah and Sadie

Micah with the best Bat Man costume ever.

Ian spent the weekend giving out kisses - especially to Megan and Ash

On the way to Grandma and Grandpa's house we stopped in NJ to see the Eisenmans and the Kanucks. Here is Corissa Jon and darling little Peyton.

Since Ash lives in our old apartment and we stayed mostly in our old neighborhood - it felt a little like I could just slip back into our old life. I loved looking at all my favorite town houses again as we walked around and having the parks and restaurants (and friends) so close by. I think this is my favorite picture because it is right in front of our old apartment - on the walkway that I walked for four years. I miss it.

A few good reasons josh should move (immediately) to the pacific NW

1. Cindy is here. First of all - she lives in a darling neighborhood in Seattle with a view of the water. Secondly - she throws really fun parties - like the one she had on Friday night.

Here are the two stars of the show - Cindy the hostess on the right and Sarah the artist on the left (she displayed and sold her fantastic jewelry at the party)



the food was delish - and the punch was the yummiest, slushiest stuff I have ever tasted.

and lots of friends were there - like the Penrods, the Egberts and the Mosers -

Grant loves his new little sister Evie - AND loves taking pictures with his new little sister evie
Ian was also there, but he was too busy running around like a maniac to get his picture taken. The best thing was - there were tons of kids so I didn't even feel bad about it.


2. Amelia could be best friends with this guy...

3. Your favorite city is here and also your favorite hometown, your best friend, and your family

oldies

My mom's latest project is scanning all the pictures from her millions of albums into the computer so she can make us all discs of the pictures. While she is doing it she keeps emailing us random pictures of the family when we were little. Here are a few...
My brother david and me

My (older) sister nicki and me

Nicki on her wormy - I would love to find one of these for Ian


david (I want one of those little pianos too)

Me and ashley


And finally - like mother like son

Stolen

I had to steal this picture off my mom's blog because I think it is so cute. Ian was down at the beach playing and we decided to go sailing so my mom took him upstairs. He was so sad that we were leaving without him. This summer he will have plenty of time to learn to sail.

Yo Gabba Gabba

The Berretts, our friends from college helped produce a kids show that is getting picked up by Nickelodeon called Yo Gabba Gabba. Kristyn sent us a copy of the pilot so we could see it and it is ian's favorite (and only) thing to watch. This is what happens when you turn it on after a couple days of not watching it...

Joe's art

Friday night we went to Joe Penrod's art show opening at the The Black Front Gallery . The art was fantastic and the set up was amazing. Ian was really impressed (or just really happy to run around the gallery with Grant.)

Curt's Favorite.

The artist.

Joe's twin brother Josh showing Ian a picture of himself.

Joe and Michelle's new baby, Evie.

One of the best parts of the evening was seeing our good friend Cindy, who drove down from Seattle with some friends to see the show. Afterwards we all went to the Penrod's to hang out and eat yummy food - but apparently our camera was already retired by that time of the night so you'll have to check out Cindy's blog for more pics.

Here is how I look 30 years old.

And here is how Ian looks shoving my birthday cake in his mouth.

The Ceremony

When we first moved here I signed Ian up for a Little Gym class because we didn't have any friends to hang out with and I thought he could use some kid time. He LOVES it. Yesterday was his "graduation" - meaning the end of his first six months. He got a medal and Curt came along for the ceremony.

























The funniest part of the class is ball time, when Ian runs around screaming ball ball ball and stealing them away from all the kids (not necessarily fun for me). Then when it is time to put them away he takes them all over to the big bucket.




Oreos - Ian's motivation for staying in the cart at the grocery store. And it still doesn't work.