Stay classy, San Diego.

Last week, we went on our first family vacation as a foursome. We flew to San Diego on July 4 and enjoyed five fun-filled days. Below are a just a few highlights of our trip -

  

Parade, park, grilling, and fireworks on Coronado. Grandpa was right when he said that it doesn't get any more American than 4th of July on Coronado.

Paddle boarding and sand castle building at Glorietta Bay.

A great bike ride around the island (sans children).

More beach time at the ocean including sand castle building and swimming.

Hours of endless playing with cousins at Aunt Sandi and Uncle Jerky's house including dungeon master and sprinkler/hose fun.

LegoLand.

San Diego Zoo.

It was such a great trip. Even though we were all wiped out by the time we returned home, every minute was worth it.

Grandpa - Thank you for opening your home to us. After spending a few days with you, we can understand why you love Coronado so much. We look forward to coming back and spending more time together. Madelyn plans to learn to swim before next time so she can paddle board out farther with you.

Uncle Jerky, Aunt Sandi, Emery, and Camden - Thank you for sharing your stroller, car, and toys with us. I don't have to tell you how much fun Madelyn and Sawyer had with Emery and Camden. The dirty bath water and exhausted children each night was proof! Wherever your travels take you, we'll fondly recall all the fun we've had with you at Pipit Place.

Baby, it's hot outside.

Our sprinkler system has been acting a little out of sort. Luckily, there were two children, with swimsuits handy, who were available to run through the hand sprinkler on Sunday afternoon.



First run through the sprinkler. The water's much colder than she anticipated.

Ready to play...and diaper free! It's so liberating.

Catching water in the frisbee to serve to others. How gracious and thoughtful!

Possibly the cutest plumber crack I've ever seen.

A friend to play lawn sprinkler.

Our little water baby. Too cute!

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Brother!

Two weeks ago, we celebrated the first birthday of our very own Little Brother aka Sawyer. It was a wonderful day that came much faster than I anticipated. Funny how 365, make that 366, days can fly by so quickly!

Sawyer had a great actual birthday which included macaroni and cheese, cake pops, and birthday presents. A few days later, in spite of the heat, we threw a big backyard bonanza and partied it up with our good friends and family. Below are a few pictures from the birthday celebration -

The birthday boy -- officially one year old!

Playing with a new birthday toy.

Give me that cake!

Mmm...cake.

Chocolate and frosting make a little boy happy.

No too much frosting on the face.



Cheese!

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures that caputre the rest of the party but it was quite a party. We had kids rumpusing in the yard, climbing the fort, and adults playing "corn hole". Cinderella even mopped up our deck at the end of the party! Uncle Gabe, Aunt Kari, and new cousin, Sloane, sorry you missed the party this year. But, we can't wait to join you at your first birthday NEXT year! Thank you to everyone for the phone calls, emails, cards, and gifts. Happy birthday, sweet Sawyer! You're one-derful (cheesy, I know) and we love you SO much.

And, last but not least. Vital stats from our twelve-month appointment with Dr Marc:

Height: 29-1/2 inches, or 50th percentile

Weight: 23 lb 5 oz, or 75th percentile

Head: 46 cm, or 75th percentile

Ladies and gentlemen, he walks.

Sawyer's been teetering on the brink of walking for a few weeks now. Over the last few days, I noticed that if no one was paying attention, and I watched out of the corner of my eyes, Sawyer would take 4-5 steps toward whatever he wanted to get to whether it be a balloon, Felix, or the tricycle.

Today, the 4-5 steps become greater. After dinner this evening, I guess he decided he was ready to show off for anyone and everyone and especially the video camera.

Miss Muffin took her first steps at Christmas 2009 which was roughly a week before her first birthday. Little Brother's first birthday is next week. So, it looks like he's keeping up with her milestones!

Oh, and I asked to have the baby gate installed at the top of the stairs on Wednesday.

Uh oh.

This morning, Sawyer discovered he can crawl up the stairs. Madelyn thinks it's hiLARious and encourages him. I think we've come to a new crossroads and yet I don't want to put up baby gates.

Give me a few more days and we'll see if I still don't want baby gates!

Bath toys

Sending a little shout out to the Noltes.

Thank you for sharing the extra bath toys with Madelyn and Sawyer. As you can see, we're having quite a good time with them!

xoxo,

Griff, Mollie, Madelyn, and Sawyer

Easter egg hunt (Part II)

Part II of this year's Easter egg hunt was a success. Two fields were prepared at Honey and Poppie's house - an outdoor one for walkers/runners and an indoor one for crawlers. Each participant collected all their respective eggs and then gathered together to examine their haul. By the way, Madelyn was an excellent big sister helping point Sawyer to his eggs if he didn't see them right away.

I was unsuccessful in getting a "good" picture of Madelyn and Sawyer. My hopes were to get one with them both looking and smiling. But, it turns out I still captured them quite well.

Hope you all had an enjoyable Easter! Many thanks to Kate and Trish for travelling to Colorado and spending the weekend with us. And, thanks to Honey for hosting such a wonderful Easter brunch. Good thing the Easter bunny came to your house!

Haircut

Sawyer was born with a head full of hair just like Madelyn. However, unlike his big sister, he doesn't get to keep his hair long and flowy. When he was really little, I remember discussing the over-under odds on him getting his first haircut by eleven months. Well, if you chose under, you won.

Buckled into the fire engine and ready to go. Spirits are high.

Munching on a few yogurt melts while the audience watches.

One last look at those beautiful locks.

"Just a little off the top and around the ears, please."

So much hair to trim. 

Almost done. 

The crowd goes WILD.

All done. So handsome and all smiles!

Soccer mom

It's official. I'm a soccer mom.

Madelyn's first soccer league started yesterday. She's on the red team for the Littleton Lollipops. The Lollipops is the starter program for the Littleton United Soccer League. Yesterday's "practice" was basically a bunch of game like exercises that help teach the little ones soccer fundamentals.

She did pretty well considering it was her first time. We've kicked the ball around in the yard and on the indoor turf at the rec center. She knew the ball should go in the goal. Occassionally, she'd leave "soccer world" and head for the goal. When that happened, one of her coaches would bring her and any other stragglers back to "soccer world" and the games would continue.

We think she enjoyed it. Considering she's the youngest on her team, she did really well. We were certainly proud of how well she listened and participated. And, she's so freaking cute. I mean, come on...

Ahhh!