Random Summer pics

Loving his new train from John, Valerie & Malcolm! We are working on saying "choo-choo" instead of "beep-beep-beep"

Fun at the laundromat

Mount Rainier

As we pulled out of our driveway in Virginia, Doug and I both agreed that our biggest regret was going to be not bringing the backpack carrier for RJ. When we got to Multnomah Falls and hiked the falls, Doug was really wishing we had the backpack carrier. So, we ended up finding one on Craigslist for $15. It looked brand new, so it was a great deal. As we ventured to Mount Rainier, I was thinking my biggest regret was buying a backpack carrier because that meant that Doug was going to pick a more challenging hike that didn't need to be stroller friendly.

Doug and RJ crossing the river

One of the waterfalls with a rainbow

RJ loved eating the snow we found along the way.

RJ and Doug hiking back down the trail

We hiked 5 hours - 3 hours up 2200 feet and 2 hours down. RJ was able to catch a snooze on the hike down.

Portland

We drove to Portland for the weekend to visit Sara's cousins John and Valerie.

John, Valerie, RJ and Sara at the International Test Rose Garden

Sara and John on stage

Mount Hood - view from Rose Garden

Train ride to the zoo - Doug, RJ, Valerie and John

Portland Zoo Family photo

We stopped at Hot Lips Pizza for some soda, which is deliciousness, so we had to stock up.

Jamison Square Fountain

John and Valerie relaxing at the fountain

Valerie instilling a love for music!

On Sunday, we decided to take a trip to...

RJ, Sara & Doug by the falls

And once Doug discovered we could hike to the top of the falls, there was no convincing him otherwise.

So, he pushed the stroller along the hiking path to the top.

View straight down from the top. I ran off the overlook after taking this picture. Notice someone actually climbed out there to stack those rocks?

Sara and RJ happy to be at the top

Doug and RJ playing in the water at the top of the falls.

View from Vista House at Crown Point State Park

RJ doing the "downward dog" with Mike and Shannon's dog.

Visiting "DC" friends in Portland!

And the trip concluded with a view of Mount Saint Helens on the drive home.

A few things I love here...

The beach! (Can't figure out how to rotate picture...)

Ranier Cherries...I'm sure we can get these on the East Coast, I just didn't know about them.

OMG peaches...they really are delicious!

Seventeen Months

It's hard to believe RJ is 17 months already! He is a mostly happy little boy who loves to be silly, is practicing being loud (after being with his cousins for most of June) and is in to EVERYTHING. He scares himself by screaming loudly and then laughing, imitates everything and lets you know when he does not want to do something. And if you don't understand the first time, he is more than happy to clarify by repeating his NO! loud and clear. Although very happy, he also has meltdowns over everything...he wants water, then he doesn't want water, then he just doesn't want us to give him water and wants to do things himself. Then gets frustrated when he can't do things himself and gets mad because no one is helping him... So, basically, he is a toddler.

Imitating Dad...

I would love to blame the biting on Cecelia and Lydia, who seemed to enjoy torturing each other by biting. I guess when you don't have a sibling to bite, you just bite yourself.

Hiding behind the curtain

RJ collecting seashells

Becoming more brave in the water

The Space Needle - zoomed in view from our beach

Seattle

That last post was just Saturday's adventures. This is what we did on Sunday:

Back to Lake Union for a FREE boat ride. As you can see, RJ isn't super thrilled about the life jacket.

House boats
Doug thinks he is...

RJ was a little happier when he got to eat french fries for lunch. We graded ourselves a "C" for parenting this weekend, since RJ lived on crackers, fell on his face (resulting in another bloody mouth) and naps were in the car or stroller. :(

Watching the lock close so they can raise the water so the boats can move from Puget Sound to the lake.

Watching the boats rise in the water

A little friend came to say hello

Unfazed by the octopus

Watching the fish on the fish ladder.

Doug thought this job would be cool, but then decided he wouldn't like it because he would feel tied to his desk.

There is a botanical garden at the locks. I found a passion flower!

Can't remember the name of this flower...but I had one up until this year when it died because I forgot to water it...

Puget Sound

Crosswalk painted as a piano!