8 Teeth, and a couple on the way

And what better way to use all of those chompers than with corn on the cob!

Obsessions

John Paul's latest obsession is to talk on the cell phone. In fact, it doesn't have to even be a cell phone. It could be any object. We found him talking on a plastic turtle, a cloth washrag, and most commonly his hand. But on whatever he finds to talk (and to whomever he is calling), he talks with such expression and detail in his jabbering.

Sights of Seattle

We started our Monday touring off with the infamous ferry ride. For many of our visitors, this is a first trip on a ferry and just adds to the excitement. But our excitement actually started before the ferry even left the dock in Bremerton as a fellow tourist took off the mirror of Shaun's rental car while parking on the ferry. NOTE TO SELF: Always leave more than enough room and if you think you might hit a car, just inch around them instead of going fast enough to take off the mirror.

Another family photo opportunity.

The day was a little cloudy but the sun peaked through at the end of our escapade. John Paul has noticed the seagulls this trip. I have pointed them out several times, but this time he took notice. He is growing more and more each day!
We toured Seattle on the Duck! It is an amphibious vehicle so the first hour was around downtown Seattle and the last 30 minutes were touring Lake Union. It was really interesting and fun (and I am usually not a fan of these sort of things, )but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to see Seattle in a fun, downhome, cheesy sort of way. QUACK!!
And the Space Needle. Would it be a visit to Seattle without the Space Needle?
Or Pike's Market. I actually saw someone buy a fish at the Fish Market. Most of the times I go there, there are TONS of tourists waiting for someone to buy a fish so they can see the infamous throwing of the fish.

Great Friends and Beautiful Views

Our friends, Shaun and Lisa, came to visit from Minneapolis for the weekend. It was great to see them and we are really excited for their wedding in August.
They flew in on Saturday morning and that afternoon was too beautiful to pass up a sight-seeing opportunity. We drove around the Hood Canal and stopped at the Mount Walker scenic viewpoint. This is an awesome view because on the south side of the summit, you can see all of Hood canal and Puget Sound and also the Seattle skyline. I hope you can pick out Seattle in the background of this next picture.

Here's a family picture before our trio becames a quartet.

John Paul loved to just explore--so much that it was difficult to get him back in the car.
We did several other fun things during their visit--boiled live crab for the first time, had a bonfire and roasted marshmallows, toured Seattle, and just great conversations. More pictures to come!

Big Boy Bed

So what do you think of Matt--I mean John Paul's new bed? Last week we went ahead and purchased a twin boxspring and mattress for our little 15 month old. A little young, probably, but it is SO MUCH EASIER!! John Paul was still sleeping with us quite a few nights as he has yet to sleep all the way through the night. And he was in our bed because neither of us wanted to take the time it took to rock or sooth him back to sleep. We wanted out beauty rest too. But with the twin bed, we can just lay beside him and he falls back to sleep almost immediately. (Or we fall asleep next to him and try to sneak out an hour later!) And it is much easier for me to read stories to him while laying in bed as my lap is quickly disappearing! Before we were sitting in the rocking chair reading books, and JP was practically holding on to the near edge of my knee just to stay on. Anyway, for the most part, he likes it and he can crawl off if he really wants to. Most of the time he just hollers until one of us come to his beckoning call. Now the goal is to get him sleeping through the night--on his own!

And, please ignore the basket of laundry beside the bed. You would think I would have noticed that BEFORE I took the picture!

Congratulations, Aunt Kristina!

She did it! She made it to the end! Aunt Kristina graduated on Saturday from Kansas State with degrees in Accounting and Agriculture Business--Summa Cum Laude!! Great work! John Paul is really proud of you, and loves sporting his Wildcat gear!
Also, Kristina and Gabe are engaged and going to be married on November 8! Party in Olpe!! We are all looking forward to the big day and having Gabe as a part of our family.

Signs of summer

It was beautiful and, in fact, HOT on Friday and Saturday. Here are some pictures of John Paul enjoying a popsicle. He only got about half way through it before Dad threw it against the house. That was quite an accomplishment. For John Paul, not Dad.

*****So John Paul dropped his popsicle in the dirt and Matt was trying to get rid of it before he wanted it back. He didn't mean to throw it against the house. He was not in some sudden rage or anything. Just wanted to clear that up.******


Of course, he wanted to share it with everyone.

Here's a shorty, but cute one of JP eating his popsicle.




Saturday, we checked out the Salsbury Point Park that views the Hood Canal Bridge.

Wheeeeee!
Ready......
Set.......
GOOOOO!!!!!!!

Mailbox Makeover

Although we knew our mailbox leaned and needed to be fixed, the real motivation came when the mail lady left a written warning. (I'm not sure what the punishment would be, --no bills or junk mail????) Anyway, we decided it needed some attention. John Paul loved digging. This kid needs a sandbox, but we probably won't be getting one for him. So any invitations to play in your sandbox would be great! ;)

The finished product! Although, it is my camera skills that make it still look crooked! Believe me, my husband had level out and everything!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

When I saw some rhubarb for a good price at Jose's Fruit Stand, I just couldn't resist making a strawberry rhubarb pie. It was so tasty that I thought I would share the recipe.

Pie crust (makes 2):

3 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
1 c. shortening
1 egg, beaten
1 t. vinegar
1/3 c. COLD water

Mix flour and salt together. Cut in shortening with pastry blender. Mix liquids together in separate bowl, and add to flour mixture. Add a little water or flour to make dough the right consistancy.

Filling:

3 c. rhubarb, diced
1 c. strawberries, diced
1 2/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. flour
couple pats of butter

mix rhubarb, berries, sugar, and flour together. Pour into pie pan. Add the few pats of butter. Top with second crust. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour or a little more.

UPDATE: I forgot to add that you should really let the pie set up. I made this one the night before so it could set and cool.

Happy Mother's Day!

We want to wish all of the mother's out there, reading this blog, a very Happy Mother's Day!!

And I wanted to show off my Mother's Day card. See the nice portrait of me in the corner. I guess it is a pre-pregnancy picture.
John Paul even wrote in it. He provided all of the light streaks of color and some dots too. It was pretty funny to see him writing though. He was going "ah....ah....ah..." every time he made a different stroke. It sounded like he was talking himself through it.
And my Mother's Day gift....this beautiful hanging petunia basket.
Doesn't it look great on our front porch? Hopefully, I can keep it blooming or at least not kill it!
Matthew and John Paul also made a great French toast breakfast with scrambled eggs, sausage, and fresh strawberries. Yum!!!! Have a wonderful day!!

Hang Time with Dad

We might have a basketball star on our hands. At 15 months old, he can hang on the rim and he makes it look so easy!
Or use your teeth...What ever works, Buddy.


So this is really the full picture.

Fun in the Mud

Today was such a beautiful day!! Our friends, Matt and Andi, and their children, Sydney and Saul, made their way down here to the Belfair State Park with their canoe! In fact, it was their first chance to use it too.

John Paul loved to play in the mud, and sand, and even water.
"Don't worry, Mom. I won't eat it. (or I'll just wait until she is not looking.)"
"Ok, let me go! My friends are playing in the water!"
I couldn't get the boys to look at me for anything! There were just way too many more exciting things going on.
Tossing rocks were another favorite of the day.
Matt and Matt made their way down this shallow stream with the canoe as they headed to the Hood Canal. One oversight: check the tide tables. It was low tide!! During high tide, the water comes up to the shore. Or at least a little closer!
They took Sydney and Saul out with them. Syd wasn't so sure of the ride at first, but once they got into the smoother waters, she enjoyed it just fine.

On the Water!
"Man, they make me do all the hard stuff."
He's up to something.....
Then, it was back to our house to enjoy a lunch of Seabeck pizza and watermelon. John Paul didn't quite make it to this point. He's crashed out for his nap.