Three Years...already?!!?

This last weekend we celebrated Charlotte's third, yep third, birthday.  This was the first year that I just let go on all the party planning and let Char decide - ok there was still some guidance.  Earlier in the year, we were introduced to indoor bounce houses and she LOVED them!!!  A new one opened up in town and the first time we were there, we booked the party.  She had been looking forward to it ever since; and we are talking weeks of looking forward to the party, which converted to almost three year old timeframes, is decades.  She wanted to invite ALL her friends (picture Charlotte telling us that with her arms stretched out as far as she can reach) to the BOUNCY house!  So we did...and below are the pictures.

Getting the wristbands before bouncing

Oliver was a little nervous to get in the boucehouses

Olivia never stopped running - never stopped running with that big smile

Charlotte and Tate running through one

How many kiddos can fit in the hurricane simulator

Look at those smiles

Waiting to go to the next room of bouncing

Bonked heads means a little cuddle time with Daddy

BOUNCING

Even Lyn got in on the action

Family photo op

I have never seen 15 kiddos sit down and eat at the same time - it must help to tucker them out with an hour of bouncing

Cupcakes and pinwheels

Three candles

Got a special cape from the kangaroo

Holidays in Hawaii

Just some shots of Christmas time on the Big Island...

Hawaiian Times

***catch up post***

This year we spent a week in December on the beautiful big island of Hawaii.  Technically the trip was to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday, however we were about 1.75 years late with all the family schedules and opportunities to get away.  (When she actually turned 60 - Andrea was in Kenya, Charlotte was a little still under one, Chris was working on the mountain and it was a bad time for any of us to take time away from work.)  But this worked out so well, we were able to all enjoy some much needed sun in the middle of winter.
We stayed in a house right on the ocean, overlooking Kahaluu Bay.  You just rolled out of bed with your coffee and sat on your lanai watching the surfers.  Not only did Steve and I get some time away from home in the sun but we also had a seven adults to one child ratio - which is a vacation in itself.  That meant that both of us read a book (yep, a whole book in one week), got to get out a couple of nights for drinks, and really take some time off.  Enjoy the photos!

Waiting at the Kona airport

Time for some fun in the pool

The ladies rocking out on the lanai

Morning coffee/milk and a book

Beach time

Heading to the water with Dad

Sea Turtle looking for a place to sunbathe

Checking out the sand (more like rocks)

Taking a break at the pool

Now this is how to dry off

Needing some time in the shade

First drink with its own little umbrella

Just smiles

Odd filter but its parents night out - this place had about 36 beers on tap!!!

Enjoying some sand in the shade

Family photo op on the lanai

Big Spoon and Tea Spoon

Flight home

Showing off her backpack at the Portland airport

Happy Easter

Charlotte is starting to really like celebrating - anything from birthdays, holidays, getting home from daycare, well, just about anything.  So Easter was a lot of fun this year, we celebrated by spending time with our little family in the morning and joining the rest of the family later that afternoon.  I will let the pictures tell the story for themselves.

Spelling

Char recently went to the pet store with Grammy Pammy and learned how to spell "open". The store used a "silly O" not a regular one though.

First Family Road Trip

At the end of August, we loaded up the station wagon (ok, the subaru outback, but still a wagon) for our first family road trip.  My cousin was getting married in Jackson Hole over Labor Day weekend and we decided to just pack up and drive out there.  It took two days each way but we tried to make it fun.  We left VERY early in the morning so we could get to Boise at a decent hour to hang out with some good friends that afternoon.  This early hour meant we got to enjoy watching the sun rise over the Columbia River (ok, Steve got to enjoy the sunrise as Char and I were passed out).  Steve was the best dad/husband - drove pretty much the whole way, allowing me to be on point with entertainment for Charlotte.  We took our time and had pit stops that included packed lunches at parks...much better than restaurants with a 2 year old.  I also had read that it helps to have things for her to do in the car, so I packed up little bags with activities, new sunnies, books or DVDs to pull out when ever she got restless.  This bought us quite a bit of time but she mostly wanted to just watch shows on her phone (an old iPhone of Steve's) or on the DVD player.  The best thing that worked was me climbing into the backseat with her to have a "Subbie Salon" where we both painted our nails for the wedding. 

Sunrise over the Columbia River

Play time at a park in Baker City

Best park ever, had all the old school play equipment

One of the "activities" where she created a little garden on a poster-board with velcro flowers and birds

Dads walking to dinner with their little ladies - so great to catch up with old friends

Once we got to Jackson Hole, we had a few days to take in the sights.  The first day we went on a hike to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Forest.  Although it wasn't a crystal clear day, we had no problem experiencing the majestic mountains and lake.  On our way to the lake we ran into a couple of volunteer rangers that ended up having lunch with us.  We didn't get to experience any big wildlife up close and personal, which was fine with me, but Charlotte LOVED the "chick-monks" who we named "Bob."  We did see a bear on the last day in the park but it was from the car and I had no interest in sticking around to see what it was up to.    

Chatting it up with her new friends at lunch

Learning to smile for the camera

Family photo op

Beautiful

Time for hoods, it had started to sprinkle.  And yes, I am still sporting the Becco carrier - I think its time to invest in a real back-pack carrier soon!

Running

Moose

The next day we took some time to head into town and check it out.  We had some yummy food and saw the farmers market.  We were also able to meet up with some family that was there and reconnect before the wedding too.

More sprinkles so hoods go on!

Town Square

And the day of the wedding it cleared up, but it was a calm before a storm kind of day as we had one of those rain and wind storms roll over the wedding just as we were all settling in for some pie at the reception.  The wedding was beautiful, both with the natural surroundings and how everything was thought through.  The food was delicious and the cocktails were so tasty; all around a fabulous event.  We didn't get to stay for the dance floor long but it was just starting to take off when we headed out.  Also, it helps that Charlotte just loves all my cousins; this was the second time that Charlotte has made it one of my cousin's wedding (see first trip here) and it was the same reaction as the first time.  These ladies have a way to get Char to open up, giggle, and dance.  I have to admit, they are a fun bunch so I am not surprised one bit.

Beautiful setting

Table 5 for us

My uncle, the bride's father, made this sign that posted where everyone who was there had come from - great idea!

All smiles for cousin Amy

Not quite in the mood for another family photo

Exploring the grounds with dad

Going to feed the fish with the bride and her mom

Playing at the alter - also made by my uncle

Shadows on the mountains

The last day we were in town, we headed back into the park for a little more sightseeing.  I was in awe with the mountains as you just drove along next to them. I was also very jealous of all people out on their bikes - next time we are bringing the bike and golf clubs!  

Another beautiful mountain

Posing

Heading down to put our toes in the lake

Promptly after this shot, she sat down in the water and was very upset with a wet bum!

Took the tram up to have happy hour on the mountain

On our way back home; we made it to Bend to see Uncle Spoon who had been out fighting fires all summer and lucked out to have the time home as we were coming back.  Here we are at one of our fav spots - 10 Barrel Brewing!