Space Man or Drummer Boy

This past weekend we had Grandma & Grandpa Allred over for a visit. They flew in from Utah Thursday evening. We played trains, built tracks, ate good food and played fun games. In this picture we where all playing in a band and Jacob was on the drum or maybe the drum was on him. Jacob and Andrew love all there Grandparents! --emily

Tulips

My tulip garden did bloom!

I was so worried with all the late snow that they would die. Also living where we do lots of people said to me, "don't plant tulips because the deer eat them." But I love tulips so I took a chance on it. I am so glad that I did because they are brilliant. So against all odds, here they are. --emily

Grandma's house

A couple of Saturdays ago we went to Grandma & Grandpa's house in Bellevue for the afternoon. The boys always watch too much TV and eat too many M&Ms, but that is why it is so much fun. We did get outside and got some fresh air. My boys always love to visit a new park. I wish they made kid parks more like dog parks though. At a dog park the whole place is fenced in and there is plenty of room to run and play, but it is gated so they are contained. My Andrew will always find the opening in a "normal" kid park. It is always a game with him--to run to the opening and escape. In the dog park style my kids could really run and play in a confined space and be safe. --emily

Science Center

Growing up in this area, my parents took us to the Pacific Science Center as kids. I loved running around and seeing all that there was to enjoy. Some things have changed, but not much. As a kid I remember coming here with my cousins. My older brother would ride the weighted bike and I always wanted to take a turn, but was way too scared to do it. When we where kids I remember a big hamster cage play area a lot like a McDonald's play land, but much bigger in my memory. I was sad to see that wasn't there anymore. But they do have a butterfly house that is new. I would have loved that as a kid. I love that I can share this fun place with my kids. It is so fun to be able to share something that I enjoyed as a kid with my own two little guys. Here is Jacob playing with the water canons, trying to place the water just right and move the paddles.

Jacob on Grandpa John's Shoulders. 

As a family we enjoyed the 3D movie "Under The Sea" at the IMAX theater in The Pacific Science Center. Jacob didn't really get into it. I think it was hard for him to focus his eyes. He kept taking off his glasses and didn't want to put them back on. Andrew was more into his jam and soy butter sandwich. All in all we had a great time. The kids were good so at least we could enjoy the movie. I haven't seen a 3D movie since I was a little kid. It might have even been Captain EO at Disneyland when I was 15 or so maybe. --emily

The Trash Man

Friday mornings the garbage man comes to pick up our trash, and every Friday morning my boys will stand on the back of the couch so that they can watch out our back window as he does his job. They are enthralled with how the trash can attaches to the side of the truck and how loud and crashing everything is. Jacob loves it when the trash man does the compacting in front of our yard. This morning the Trash man waved and then went back to his truck.  A couple seconds later he was walking toward our house with something in his hand. I thought, "Oh no we got a fine or something like that!" But no, the trash man had a story book/coloring book for each of the boys.  It was called, "Garbage Gus and Driver Mike." It was a cute story about street smarts. The boys loved it! Thanks Trash Guy for taking an extra moment to make my kids' day. --emily

Safety first

Yesterday the weather was very nice outside so Jacob and I played with our neighbors in the alley as Andrew napped. Jacob was being stubborn about wearing his helmet. He stated: "I don't want to wear that helmet," referring to the one in my hand. He said that he would do it himself. He stomped into the garage and came out with these safety glasses on. At least he was thinking about safety. I was thinking "head" he was thinking "eyes". So this is what Jacob wore without any complaint the whole time we were outside. 

Silly kid! --emily

On the hunt!

What a fun morning! Our friend Sommer planned a very fun egg hunt for the kids. Each family was to pre-pack and deliver eggs to her house the night before. Then this morning the bunny's helpers placed the eggs in a local park for the finding. She planned a 0-4 age group and a 4 and up hunt so the big kids could hunt without trampling the little kids. It was well thought out. We had rain of course but the boys had a great time searching for eggs in the sloshy grass anyway. I made the carrot bags the night before with scrap fabric I had laying around so the boys didn't have to carry girly baskets. Yes, for some reason I had carrot fabric! --emily

Easter egg dying

The day's fun continues . . . 

We went over to our Grandma & Grandpa's house in 

Bellevue to decorate Easter eggs. 

Jacob and Andrew where enjoying pealing and 

eating the eggs as well as dying them. 

I love that Andrew is smashing this egg into the glass. 

The egg has cracked and he is not stopping 'till the egg is in the glass. --emily

Can we get some SunShine please!

Andrew Loves to hand me my sunglasses whenever they are out of place (not in the car). I will usually humor him and put them on myself, but today I put them on him and he thought that was funny. 

 The red polo shirt that Andrew has on used to be Jacob's and this morning 

Jacob says: Mom I have a shirt just like that.

Mom: That is actually your shirt but you are to big for it. 

Jacob: He looks so cute in it.  --emily

Sill Snowing

This picture was taken 7:30am on April 3rd 2009. We are still getting snow and I can't believe it. See my sad tulip garden in the background, I hope they actually bloom. --emily

Dog Pile

Jacob had his friend Madelyn over to play today and they had a great time. In this picture Andrew is giggling, Madelyn is laughing, Gordon is licking the nearest face and Jacob has topped the pile. What is that, a Spiderman costume? Madelyn and Andrew where sitting in the hall playing nicely with Gordon when Jacob ran down the hall and  jumped on the other three. Of course he was wearing his Spiderman Halloween costume he refused to wear on Halloween but loves to wear any other day!  --emily