Monday, August 3, 2009

Since I turned one... (Mega Post)

Atticus has had a very eventful summer since he turned one in June. The most important event being his auntie Sara moving in with us! It has been so much fun. She's been very diligently nannying for a family nearby that pays decently, but is very hard work. Meeting people her age has been difficult here, especially since we aren't the socialites we once were. :) We try our best though. We took her to not only her first Mariner's game, but first baseball game ever. I think she had fun.



The last weekend of June we went camping at Ensign Ranch with the Erickson's, Wheeler's, and Ferree's. Sara decided to sit out on this one. It was sort of a reunion since only half of us remain in the ward. Atticus thoroughly enjoyed this experience, minus the first night we slept in the cabin. He cried hysterically for almost two hours. We felt so bad for the Ferree's who were sharing a cabin with us. We finally got him back to sleep in a car ride.



On the way home, we decided to stop at Snoqualmie Falls with the Ferree's. They were beautiful, a close second to Niagra Falls. Atticus thought the waterfall was pretty cool too.

Adam had the opportunity to attend a two week Culinary Institute in Norfolk, Virginia with the top cooks in the Coast Guard. This was a huge honor and big deal for him to be asked. His parents also live in Norfolk, so we decided to make a family vacation of it! Bonnie and Leo hadn't seen Atticus since Christmas, so it was already a long overdue visit.
We were very lucky to be able to spend the fourth of July in DC. See the Washington Monument behind us? Unfortunately, the lucky spot we thought we found was actually kind of crappy because the fireworks were behind the monument. We still got to see the idea of them!
This was Mount Vernon, home to our first president George Washington. Guess what? He's my ancestor. See any resemblance? I am related to him through his madre Martha Ball.


This is a very bad picture of Atticus. LoL
It was also my birthday the week we were in Virginia. Adam was very sweet and romantic making me these yummy chocolate dipped strawberries when he got home from work.

This was Atticus's gift to me. He's learning from the best (his dad and grandpa)... before you know it, his gift to me will be some electronic that is really for him.
Adam partaking.
Again, Costco chocolate cake!

What would a trip to Virginia be without going to the beach!? This is always my favorite part of the deal. This time we went 3-4 times. For some reason this seems excessive to Adam and his parents. I would have gone everyday if could have! I was starting to get used to having a beach bum lifestyle.





We got to visit the Norfolk zoo in Virginia. Atticus took in all of the animals around him. It was really hot and humid that day, we were all troopers.



I can't believe he's big enough to sit on this!



Atticus and I came home from Virginia early. What a trip that was! I have never been so uncomfortable in my whole life (next to birth). Our flight was full and we were both crammed into a window seat, Atticus on my lap next to two grouchy old men. The plane ride was 4 hours and Atticus pooped during the first hour. There was no way of getting out of our seat to change him, so we both just sat with it, gross! He did sleep for 2 hours, which was sweet at first. I never knew how much he likes to spread out.


As I mentioned before, Atticus loves basketball! It's so cute to see how excited he gets over the hoop and the ball.

Most recently, we went to Wild Waves on one of Seattle's hottest days of the year. Sara and Liz came too. We had a fun time there amongst the crowds. We even took our own food which we had to eat in the parking lot. :( Adam, Sara, and Atticus pooped out midway and Liz and I stayed in the heat and played.


One Year Birthday!

Atticus's birthday marked many milestones. He saved a couple of them for his special day!
Our Landlord Bruce built an industrially, sturdy swing set and included a seat just for Atticus. Atticus officially became a "big boy" on his first year birthday because ironically he became unafraid of his swing on his big day!


On his birthday, he kept pointing his finger in the air so it looked like he was telling everyone that he was turning "1". It was sooo cute!

He was really just pointing to things he likes. The basketball hoop is a third world wonder to him... we think he might be a basketball player in the making.
Atticus's birthday cake consisted of the infamous chocolate-chocolate cake from Costco! Of course this was my choice-I figured I should have say on this since it was just as much my own celebration of giving birth one year ago. Atticus didn't really like the sticky, gooey sensation. I planted the chocolate spots on his face to get a good picture.