Need A Cord

My mini USB cord does not work anymore so I can't transfer videos off of my camera onto the computer.  Our card reader bit the dust when Reade shoved coins into it at our old house.  The USB cord will arrive in the mail tomorrow.

Here is a dump of things we have done in the past week.

This Not That

What my brain wants to do:
1. Make Piper a duvet with a pink and gray chevron print.
2. Spend $9/piece on modern skinny pavers for the backyard
3. Hang up my outdoor strands of lights

Urban Outfitters

Modern Landscape by San Luis Obispo Landscape Architects & Designers Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

Modern Patio by Vancouver Home Builders kbcdevelopments

What I did do:
1. Got up an exercised (man that felt good)
2. Took my kid in for her 1 year check-up and enjoyed the pleasure of a baby after four shots
3. Took my kids to swim lessons
4. Went grocery shopping
5. Looked around at my messy house thinking tomorrow will be the day I tackle that problem
6. Got lazy and baked my frozen pot stickers instead of frying them.  I actually like that better.  I put them in a bowl with some oil and then put them on a foil lined baking sheet at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  Yum.

Sac Time

Visiting my Nana in Sac again. Quick weekend with Piper as my sole sidekick. She loves the newness.  It is like she is aware for the first time and is exploring everything as if it was her first time here.

Ha!

This California girl had to laugh when I got this email from Blake's school (in bold):

Here’s a reminder of key dates for next year’s school calendar:  

• First day of school: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013
• Winter break: two weeks, from Dec. 23, 2013, to Jan. 3, 2014
• Mid-winter break: Feb. 17-21, 2014, including the Presidents Day holiday
• Spring break: April 14-18, 2014
• Last day of school: June 19, 2014

The calendar also builds in four snow make-up days, including Jan. 31, 2014, May 23, 2014, and the two days after the last day of school, Friday June 20 and Monday, June 23.  It’s important that staff and families plan for students to potentially be in school during these days, and to note that the last day of school could be Monday, June 23, 2014 (if snow days are used).

Last Day

Soooo....it is Mia's last day here in Seattle.  I had to help her go out big.  

Why not chase some fame.

Everyone has seen this:

It was filmed here in Seattle.  It was partially filmed at the Goodwill outlet in SoDo.  I had to take Mia there to relive some music history:

A still from their video:

Mia searchin' for some come ups:

"They're in those big *** coats, from the thrift shop down the road"

STUPENDOUS DAY

2nd To Last

2nd To Last Day

Spent at the beach.

Nails

Spa day with Mia.  Her first manicure.  It was polish only so next time I will throw in some hand treatments for us.  Wow, I look like I have old lady hands!

Bainbridge Islanders

We took a ferry to Bainbridge Island to explore the shops.  Really cute town that did not disappoint.

Eye-Fi

This is going to save my blogging.  My new iPhone 4s has the worst camera ever.  That is why all my pictures are blurry now.  I can't stand it so I researched buying a new camera that has built in Wi-Fi.  Unfortunately, the new line of Samsung smart cameras are expensive and aren't Mac compatible.  So my next option is the Eye-Fi.  I am loving this thing.  I stick it in my camera and it automatically uploads my photos to my iPhone (or computer if I want it to).  At only $99 it allows me to keep my camera and phone.  I am still a bit confused about the logistics of having two copies of pictures, but I am sure I will figure that out in a day or two.  Get ready for some quality pictures again.

Ker-Splash

Swim Lessons - Summer - 2013

Last year, Blake learned a couple of strokes in swimming and was jumping off the side of the pool like a pro.

This year, Blake has developed a fear of the water and was lowered a level each of the two times he has been in the pool.  He is now in Reade's swim class.

Reade screamed his brains out the first lesson because he had fallen asleep in the car on the way to the lessons.  Today, he had a blast.  

We might have to do swim lessons a couple of times per year to keep the momentum going.

Ducks Cont.,

Better photos from our 

Duck Tour:

Duck Touring

And we're off...

33

Happy Birthday Andrew.

We love you - a ton.

Busted Those Muttons

Vancouver Rodeo - 4th of July - 2013

Getting ready for the rodeo:

Drill team ladies:

Blake excited to mutton bust:

Cousin Mia being a great cousin:

Reade trying to take a nap:

Getting ready for his event:

The first video is a close up of his ride and the second video includes them talking to him after the ride:

 


Blake took second place.  The first place kid was a rodeo pro who rode the sheep all around the front and then back behind the sheep pens.  Blake took the cake from the novices!!!

Time To Party

In the pool celebrating Blake's 2nd place victory as a mutton buster.  All of our video footage and photos are on cameras so I will upload them tomorrow. I am a proud mama.

P.S. Blake was beat by a Jr. Rodeo kid who wore chaps, a chest shield, and a serious helmet.  His dad was in the rodeo and when he was asked if he likes riding sheep he replied, "I ride baby bulls."  

Rod-eh-oh

Yee-Haw!

Wake Up

It's rodeo day and my kids are still sleeping at 8:34am.  Happy 4th of July.

ETA

They're here.  Andrew's family is in town for the next week to celebrate 4th of July, as well as his birthday on the 6th.  Meet Olive.  She is the newest four legged member of the family.  Part dachshund/part ?terrier?.  She is absolutely adorable and maybe the most well-behaved dog I have ever met.

Blake is stoked to have his cousin here: