Our First Family Camping Trip

Sean and I have been camping many times in the past 10 years, but we had yet to go on a camping trip by ourselves. We finally did it 10 years and 2 kids later we headed up to Priest Lake. Mae was so excited to go camping. She couldn't wait to set up the tent, build a fire, and just play. Mae was so fun to camp with this year because she is talking up a storm. The two things I really remember her talking about were the outhouses, and peeing in the lake. She called the outhouses "Stinky Outhouse" and "Cold Outhouse". She loved loved loved peeing in the lake. If you ask her what her favorite part of camping was she will actually tell you that peeing in the lake was her favorite part of camping. 

First things first when we got there was set up the tent and get everything put away. Mae actually helped put the poles together, and Owen sat nicely in his car seat (huge help). Then both kids had a blast playing in the tent.

The sun was out, we got on our suits and we hit the beach. I feed the beast (Owen) and he passed out.

Sean and Mae building a Kingdom. Sean was working on the moat.

Mae was having so much fun just being able to play in the water, and build her sand castles.

Mae had to have her chair down on the beach with our chairs. She was so funny carrying it down, she would walk a few steps then peek out, walk a few more. Eventually she made it to the beach safely. 

Fire time! For the campfire we decided to go with the tee-pee formation and thus began Maes safe fire building 101. First: start with the basic structure.

Second: collect kindling to start fire.

Third: place kindling in center of tee-pee.

Fourth: light and enjoy.

Fifth: make smores!

Day 2, the sun was out and we were ready to hit the beach. We were not quite sure if we would even be able to get out of the tent in the morning due to the insane rainstorm the night before. But when we woke up there was not a cloud in the sky and it was so warm!

Playing in the sand, all day long.

Owen was a trouper during the camping trip. He did comfort eat a lot, but who cares he was happy and we all got to have a good time.

"Look at Me. I'm so cute!"

After a long day on the beach we decided to go for a little "hike" really it was a walk but Mae kept calling it a hike.

Mama and Owen sitting around the fire.

Thank Goodness we brought the Bumbo chair. Owen loves that thing, he will sit in it for over and hour sometimes. Since it was just our little family camping we didn't have any extra hands to hold the babe, Owen got to rock out in the Bumbo. His little fat face is so cute.

We did it we survived our first family camping trip. It was so much fun and relaxing. We have a few more trips planned with friends and family this summer and we cant wait. 

Track & Cousins

I finally got Misty to bring her kids out to a summer track meet! It was so fun having them all out and running together. 

Mae and Clara running the 50.

Clara loves it!

Gabe always with his tongue out.

Aria did a great job. She was pretty nervous at first, but then she rocked it out.

I love these next two pictures of Mae. Her smile says it all, she has so much fun at these track meets.

Bubbles

Big boy blowing bubbles.

200 Meters

This last weeks meet Mae had a blast once again. Her and the girls are all getting more confident. At the 200 they all lined up on their numbers and stayed there until the gun went off.

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Mae was checking to make sure her friends were coming.

She has so much fun at these meets and always runs with the biggest smile on her face.

Sleeping On The Floor

Owen is always falling asleep on the floor. He covers his eyes sticks his thumb in his mouth and covers his eyes. Then he passes out.

Friends At The Meet

Its all comer track meet time again! Mae loves the meets. Its quite the kiddie social event. Mae runs the races but she is most excited about all her friends who are there. For the past few years I have been trying to get Mari to bring Madi out. She finally did and Madi LOVED it, and Mae LOVED having Madi there to run and play with her.

My old teammate and friend from track in college showed up with her cute little boy. Baby Jace as Mae calls him. She loves his smile and "fat" hair (that's what she calls it). Hes quite the ladies man already, if I do say so myself.

Owen was once again a trouper. I wore him for most of the meet so he slept, then I had to change him and I layed him down. He wouldn't take his eyes off the track the whole time. The question of the day is will he be a runner or thrower?

Pikes Place

Sunday we headed to Pikes Place Market. I love the vibe of Pikes Place. The last time we were able to visit the Market I learned the the bronze pigs name is Rachel, I even bought the shirt that says "Rachel the Pig". I of course have to get my picture with the pig who shares my name every time I go.

As we were walking we came upon a trained bird. Mae was so amazed that the bird was letting kids hold it. Much to my surprise she even wanted a turn. She did so good holding still, while the bird played dead.

Brook took a break from editing, and came down to meet us. We walked down to the Pier, and came across this crazy piece of art. Mae was really into it.

It was a great trip to Seattle. Lots of good times were had by all. Hopefully it doesn't take us a year to get back.

The Seattle Zoo

We headed over to Seattle for the first time in over a year last weekend. It was a great weekend and we spent the time over there being tourists, which we don't always get a chance to do. We stayed with Kevin and Erica, so they played tourist with us. On Saturday we went to the Zoo, Mae had been talking about it and the weather was supposed to be nice. To tell you the truth I was actually pretty excited to go myself, I hadn't been since I was a kid myself. 

This was Maes reaction to the first animal we saw. So cute! I'm not going to lie I was a little worried how she was going to act around all the big animals. I think it helped that the first animal was a Zebra and her favorite movie is Madagascar.

Kevin, Erica and Mae watching the Giraffes.

Owen was passed out for most of the Zoo adventure.

Mae kept wanting to look at the map and be our little tour guide.

Sweet shot of the Lions.

A real live Dragon! Mae wanted to get a good close look.

Look who's finally awake. 

The Gorillas. Mae was pretty nervous being so close, but as long as I didn't let go of her she was kinda OK.

Crazy face shot of the Gorilla.

Thank goodness for shoulders.

Family photo opp at the end. The Mae wasn't really into it as you can tell.

Mae And Niles Together Again

Mae and Niles got to hang out for a bit when we were in Seattle last weekend. They are so funny, and picked up right where they left off. Running all over the house, having fun and fighting all at the same time. We did a nice little photo opp and they were both being hams.

Mae kept pushing Niles over into our bags and they both thought it was the funniest thing ever.

Wanna dance? (sorry Malia I forgot to edit you out.)

My Little Flower Girl.....Again

Mae is quite the pro when it comes to weddings. In fact she LOVES weddings and talks about them all the time. Lucky Mae has now been in 3 as a Flower Girl. The first 2 she didn't have enough hair to really style. So it was kinda fun when she let me diffuse and curl it, for Nicole and Carls wedding.

I wasn't able to get any pics of her walking down the isle, well actually she ran down. But she did make it all by herself this time around. By the time dinner was over Mae was getting pretty tired. I kept asking if she wanted to go home, she didn't want to go home until after the dance party she said. So dance we did.

Note the pail, she has been playing with it ever since the wedding.