More Vacation Fun

A few more shots from our family vacation on the Oregon Coast: 

"Makin' a cake!" with daddy.

Sandy boys.

Beach bum. 

Never a dull moment with this kid!

Proposal Rock

Rolin wasn't much up for standing in the giant shark mouth. Can't say I blame him!

Breakfast at The Cafe on Hawk Creek. 

Sea stars at the aquarium. 

Magnet fishing at the aquarium.

Hurricane simulator at the aquarium. Rolin was...well...confused:

We had packed a picnic lunch, but, in true Oregon-Coast style, it was pouring rain during lunch time. We made the best of it in the car!

On our way back to Washington at the end of the week, we stopped at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Ore. It's a HUGE complex, made up of several buildings. The Spruce Goose is there, along with quite a bit of air and space exploration paraphernalia. It took us about three hours to get through what we could before they were closing up shop, but it would be easy to spend an entire day or two there, if you're really in to aviation and space (like any wife and mom of two boys should be, I (now) understand). 

Rolin got to ride solo -- meaning by himself and as the only one on the ride -- in this neat airplane ride. They had the area roped off as there was a field trip happening, but upon seeing little Rolly, the older gentleman in charge of guarding the area offered to let Rolin in for a little fun. He was all smiles the whole time!

We ended our week at Justin's grandma's house for an early Mother's Day celebration. It was fun to finally see everyone all in one place!

Washington trip

I forgot to mention previously we met up with some buddies the first day we landed in Spokane. We grabbed some lunch and ice cream at one of our favorite old haunts on the South Hill, The Scoop, then hit up Cannon Hill Park to let the boys run around a bit before we strapped Rolin in the car for the trip to Grandview. Baby Jack and baby Rolin used to spend a lot of time at Cannon Hill Park, but they were never able to walk on their own, for they were just babes at the time. Jill and I did quite a few walks around that park, so it was especially fun to see Rolin and Jack running around, chasing each other and looking for ducks in the pond. 

The boys talking about good ol' days at the park.

Jack, Jill, Rolin and me looking for ducks near the pond.

Jack and Rolin at the park:

We spent a few days in Grandview before and after our beach trip. Rolin loved running free at Grandpa and Gigi's the week we stayed with them in Washington. I think his favorite part was he could get someone to take him outside any time he made the request. It wasn't too hot to go outside and there was always a grandparent willing to open the door and follow him outside. I can't believe it's almost been two months since we were there!

We got to see quite a few relatives while in town. He relished all the attention from grandparents, aunt, uncles and cousins (second cousins, but cousins all the same). 

Playing catch with the ladies.

Posing for a pic with Aunt Brianna and Uncle Joe (after a rousing game of wrestling on the couch pillows with Uncle Joe). 

Riding the rocking horse that we used to ride as kids! He kept saying, "Cowboy! Yeeeeeeeha!"

Helping Gigi at the flower nursery.

If you hang around long enough at Gigi and Grandpa's, you'll want to join in on the yard work. 

Checking out Grandpa's tractor.

"Cowboy!"

Rolin has been pretending a lot more these days. The following video was one of the first few times he did some pretending with one his stuffed friends. Here are Rolin and tiger, sharing a little peanut butter toast with berries:

Rolin pretends to feed his tiger:

Grandpa and Rolin also had several pool noodle fights. We have some noodles at our house now too, so if you hear his war cry coming from behind you, be sure to prepare to defend yourself!

Rolin vs. Grandpa, Round I

Visitors

Whew! We had a busy end to January, which flowed over into February.

One of the hardest things for me when we moved the first time was knowing all my family was together celebrating at most holidays, birthdays, nice weekends, Cougar games or simply just because, and I wasn't there. That was how I grew up -- we always got together with family. I was shocked to learn that what we did wasn't really the norm when little country mouse (me) went to the "big" city (Pullman) and met lots of different people. I couldn't understand why their mom didn't make spicy cheese dip for tortilla chips when an aunt, uncle or cousin would come by, or why they didn't sit out on the patio for hours after the sun went down, eating that dip and chatting. I thought everyone did that??!! You don't play nerts with everyone at Christmas until it's almost the day after Christmas??! You don't you all live about a mile away from family??!!

When we moved to California, we didn't know anyone. Well, save for a couple people in San Francisco, but that was like a two hour drive away, even though it was only about 25 miles away. Our first New Years was spent in a cheap hotel with cheaper pizza and the cheapest champagne. Our first California Easter was just the two of us and too much ham (again). Same for 4th of July, Halloween, birthdays, Christmas...I can't even remember what we did that first Christmas. It must not have been very exciting because, according to this blog, I just made Elf Yourself videos and never even blogged about Christmas.

This repeated itself over a few more holidays, but then we found the Bracketts and our lives changed forever. It still feels weird not to celebrate a holiday with the Bracketts. But I digress.

What I'm trying to tell you is we had a lot of family come visit this January and February. More than ever came to visit us when we LIVED IN WASHINGTON. Go figure ;)

The best part? They all came at once!

The worst part? I really failed at taking many pictures.

Plus, most of the pics were taken in the early-morning time frame when no one should be photoed.Also, the weather wasn't as warm as it had been or as it is right now, but those visiting from Chicago thought anything was better than -6F and the "polar vortex!"

Drew was the first to arrive, though it was just for dinner. He was in town for a business trip, so he came by to say hi and treat me to Jimmy Johns :) WOOT!

The Olmsteads were also here in their RV, but on the other side of Phoenix. Rolly and I made a trip over for an afternoon outing where he went swimming with Rah Rah for almost an hour. He loved being in the water, especially after we took off that dumb rash-guard shirt that made him freeze.

Rahrah and Rolly swimming.

Next came some of the Rabes and the rest the Chyterboks, sans Drew this time. Maggie brought her two little bugs, James and Owen (who was just 2 months old at the time). Mags and the boys stayed here while the Rabes stayed at a hotel a few miles away. I was excited to see Rolin and James together, especially because James is a year and two days older than Rolin. They got along pretty well for the most part, especially considering Rolin kept swiping James' toys, which more or less forced James to share his goods without being asked. He was good about sharing his trains, the most prized possessions of them all. In short, we've since purchased a couple Thomas the Train trains for Rolin as they've been the latest requirement for nap time (wheee).

Pajama pals cleaning up after breakfast.

What Rolin is really saying here is, "James, take this awesome duster..." So I can go play with your train by myself.

Dinner time!

Hugs!

Rolin was also really interested in baby Owen. He kept a close eye on him and made sure we remembered he is, in fact, a baby. "Baby! Baby! Baby!"

 Rolin making sure Owen knew he had a nose. "Nose!"


Making sure Owen's swing was swinging and playing music...

Cousin Laura joined us Friday night, after driving about seven hours to get here (wowza!) and stayed at our house. Maggie's friend Maggie, her husband and baby girl came down from north Phoenix for an afternoon at the park -- we were going to hit up the train museum and farm-themed park, but opted for the park in our neighborhood for logistic and food reasons, ha! Kids have a way of derailing (no pun intended) the best laid plans from time to time, right?!

Daddy and Rolly at the park.

Laura had to leave early Sunday to get back home, but we're so glad she made the trip to see everyone! The kiddos were glad to have a non-parent adult around to play with them, that's for sure!

One of the early-morning shots before Laura hit the road. 

Sunday afternoon was the Super Bowl, and Team Thompson hosted a viewing party. Everyone brought snacks, we enjoyed a chili bar with all the fixin's, and finished with football cookies and these cute "Seahawk Nests" Maggie and I made.

Seahawks nests for the Big Game. 

It was a great game, and having everyone here made Seattle's victory that much sweeter.

Thanks to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Lou, Mags and I were able to sneak away for (desperately needed) pedicures and some time to ourselves. It was a great treat! My parents got in late Monday, then everyone hit up the aquarium Tuesday. James and Rolin loved it, particularly the "water spot" on the floor, made by projectors, smoke and mirrors. We could hardly get them away from it. The underwater tunnel was also a hit.

Swimming in the "water," aka "the spot on the floor."

A little hesitant about stepping out onto the water!

James and Rolin checking out the shark mouth!

"Swimming" in the tunnel

The Rabes and Chyterboks left Wednesday, but mom and dad were still with us for another five days, so we weren't going to be all alone all at once.

Another early-morning shot before the Rabes and Chyterboks left for the airport. 

All the visitors kept our schedules packed, and I loved every minute. Mom and Dad's trip included a weekend getaway to Sedona, by way of Prescott, which we'll save for another post.

Stay tuned for more!

Rolin's 1st Birthday

We changed the location of Rolin's 1st birthday party at least three times.

Plan A: Have the party at my parents' house and invite the universe.

Plan B: Have the party at our new place in Spokane (and con a comparatively smaller group of invitees to carry in and/or unpack a box during their stay). Invites went out with this plan.

Plan C: Have the party at a generous friend's house in Spokane (and con an even smaller group of people -- who still actually were ok with me changing their weekend plans around AGAIN -- to periodically remind me to take a deep breath in the midst of all the craziness).

Plan D: Have it at my parents' house after tacky-fully sending out late-night text invitations a day and a half before the party (and con people into actually coming so my kid will see pics of people at his 1st birthday celebration).

We executed plan D and had the party at my parents' house. I unpacked boxes of birthday decorations that I'd packed to move up the hill, revised the menu a bit, threw everything in the car and we drove to Grandview on Friday, also known as our fifth wedding anniversary.

Justin's parents arrived that night, too, and mom prepared a nice surf & turf anniversary dinner for everyone. We thought it was fun to celebrate our fifth anniversary in the same place where we married -- we even went out to the site of the ceremony for pictures.

This is the spot where were were married exactly five years before. (They still host weddings in the yard, hence the backdrop set up).

Rolin didn't care to listen to wedding tales of old. "I'm outta here," he said. 

The next day was a scramble to get everything together. Everyone jumped in to help hang up signs, make dishes and entertain Rolin. Thank goodness my parents had actually purchased hot dogs and buns. They also let me raid their cupboards for random condiments, decorations and other tidbits.

The party "theme" was Hot Dog Smorgasbord, similar to the S'mores Smorgasbord I did for Justin's 30th birthday. I created different themed hot dogs with matching toppings, my favorite being the Californian. I also used a lot of light/sky blue, yellow and red. A sort of picnic-esque look, you could say.

 

The "outtakes." Because of the small crowd and limited time (caramelized onions...what was I thinking?), we cut out a few choices. 

   

Some of the goodies, plus a few of Rolin's baby books for people to peruse. 

The hot dog bar.

Because we're still managing Rolin's cow's milk protein allergy, I made him a watermelon cake. It's a cake made of...wait for it...watermelon. Thank you, Pinterest! The coconut cream I chilled and whipped worked pretty well for the frosting.

Mom also made cupcakes, which we arranged in the shape of a number one. I made a last-minute mini happy birthday banner to stick in the cupcakes to add a little decor to their presentation.

Watermelon cake!

I've thought about his birthday since he was born, of course, but with all the last minute changes to the party plans (not to mention our lives) most of this was done on the fly. I think we did pretty well and it all came together nicely, thanks to everyone pitching in to help.

Yay! We survived one year as a family of three! 

As you can tell by the smirk on his face in the following pic, Rolin had no problem being the center of attention.

Birthday lovin' from Uncle Joe and Aunt Brianna.

 Time for presents!

A little croquet with Uncle Joe & Aunt Brianna.

Playing ladder golf with Grandparents Thompson.

The next day we headed back to Spokane, but not before stopping for brunch with everyone in Tri-Cities. And also not before finding a cowboy hat to complete Rolin's awesome cowboy ensemble. 

YeeHaw!

Brunch with the fam-bam.