Avery Puts Everyone to Bed

  Just recently Avery has decided that some special stuffed animal friends also need to be wearing pajamas to bed. At night she gets extra pajamas out for them, and then I find myself putting night gowns on stuffed cats and pandas.

This is everyone arranged just so for bed.

Avery was more than happy to show off her friends in their pajamas.

On this particular night kitty got to have his own special bed made up for him on the floor.

Hitchhiking the Toddler Way

   I found Harper sitting in some open luggage today in our closet.  She kept saying bye as she was sitting herself in it.  This girl cracks me up.

Buckling herself in for a safe ride.

Hi!

Bye!

Introducing Reagan Hope

    At three o'clock this morning I heard my phone give me the text chirp several times, and I thought to myself why am I getting texts right now.  After several minutes of sleepy thinking I realized that it could very likely be that my sister Nellie was in labor.  I was right; it was from my brother-in-law Paul.  It didn't take Reagan long to make her debut around four thirty this morning.  She was six pounds, fifteen ounces and nineteen inches long; and has a much more impressive amount of hair than poor Harper at eighteen months.  I love her so much already, and we can't wait to meet her!

The Happenings of the Week

   Here's a bit of a recap of our week.  Avery gathered all of the stuffed animals around for what appeared to be a pretend picnic.  All the more astonishing since we have never been on a real picnic before. She just continues to be one funny girl.  Harper has made the leap into a big girl bed. About a month ago we stuck a toddler bed in the room next to the crib, and now she's decided that she will sleep in it.  Then this weekend there was a lot of lightning. I would have to be a much better photographer to have gotten a picture of that though.   

Harper and Sebastian checking out the picnic.

That looks good.

Harper rocking the toddler bed.

Avery wasn't asleep yet when I took the picture of Harper, so she wanted her picture taken too.

Like I said night pictures are hard to take, and I am not really that skilled of a photographer.  This gives you idea of what it looked like the nights all the lightning was flashing. 

Nellie's Baby Shower

   This last weekend we drove down to the Sacramento area for my sister's baby shower.  Nellie is due at the end of the July.  My sisters DeAnna and Alex were there with my niece Addison.  Also my aunts Dianne and Joanne came with my cousin Lisa and her daughter Jen.  Additionally, our old friend and neighbor from Auburn, Kate (Stephens) Nally, was able to come to the baby shower with her super cute girls Maddie and Ellie.  

    We did a lot of swimming in Nellie's pool and just had a good time in general.  Daryl gets special kudos for watching all three little girls (Harper, Addison, and Avery) while I went with my sisters and oldest niece to get pedicures, and then watching Avery and Addison during the baby shower.  As always the trip was way too short, and we can't wait to see all our family again.

Harper right after eating a Klondike bar and looking fabulous as ever.

Avery and I in the pool. It is obviously very sunny.

Kate and DeAnna

Mom couldn't be there in person, so she Skyped with us for part of the baby shower.

Aunt Joanne and Ashlyn

Alex got Harper to fall asleep on top of her.

Nellie, Lisa, Aunt Dianne, Jen, Alex and Harper

Harper playing with Jen.

Ashlyn was being a super cool older cousin and let Avery and Addison play with her stuff.

Addison chose to wear some low cut Converse.

Paul and Daryl discussing manly things of course while Harper consults her calendar.

Alex and Nellie

Harper is still facing backwards, so she tries to turn her head as far as she can to watch the television screen in our car.

Fourth of July

   For Fourth of July Aimee and Tyler came up to spend the day with us (Karl had to sit this one out since he was still recovering from an illness).  Since it was low tide we went down to the beach and let the kids look at all the sea creatures that were revealed.  The kids really enjoyed it.  We saw crab molts, sea anemones, starfish, and lots of shells. Harper gave me a run for my money too trying to wade into the deeper parts of the water on the beach.  

   It was actually a nice day, so we were able to enjoy our deck furniture for one of the first times this summer.  Tyler had a great time playing the Kinect.  He had some awesome helicopter moves while playing Fruit Ninja.  Then we just watched fireworks from our deck. Avery and Harper watched for a little bit before they had to be put to bed, and Tyler fell asleep watching them. There were fireworks everywhere.  Vashon's show was really nice to watch.  It was a great holiday.  

Tyler wanted to help push Harper down to the beach.

Avery getting personal with a discarded crab molt.

Harper not impressed with a crab.

Tyler poking a starfish.

The kids also had a blast popping some bubble wrap I had laying around.

Yay we could use our deck furniture!

Tyler playing Kinect.

Night pictures are hard to take, but this gives you an idea of the show we had from our house. There were fireworks going for well over an hour.

A Visit from Alex and Addison

  This last weekend my sister Alex and her daughter Addison came up to visit.  The girls were very excited to see their aunt and cousin.  We had all the girls sleep in one bedroom, and they did okay.  Some nights they did party hard in there, but they eventually all found sleep.  While Alex and Addison were here we went to the Seattle Aquarium.  They had a tidal pool area where you could touch starfish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, anemones, and other little critters, but the adults were the only ones who wanted to touch things.  Avery and Addison were happy to get their faces painted there though.

    We also walked down to Alki beach one night for dinner, and we decided to let Avery ride her bike down.  Since there are a lot of hills Daryl attached a bungee cord to her bike to keep a hold of her.  Avery was thrilled.  Addison and Harper were mostly happy to hang out in the stroller together.  

   Sunday we were able to visit Adam and Angie, so Alex and Daryl could see their new home.  Avery and Addison had a great time trying on Angie's shoes.  Avery really liked her red heels and wanted to wear them all over the house.

Harper trying to go to bed with Addison while Alex reads everyone a story.

Addison wanted a starfish.

Avery really wanted the octopus.

The gang at the aquarium.

Daryl and Avery on Alki beach.

Harper wanted to get out and walk on the beach.

Avery twirling while wearing Angie's shoes.