Oregon coast

A few weeks ago Justin & I got to enjoy a quick getaway to the Oregon coast to celebrate my dear friend's wedding. Though our trip was short, we had a great time. The wedding was beautiful - and they could not have asked for better weather! Of course, it was awfully cool to those of us used to 90+ degree heat, but it was perfect for a beach wedding.

the few from our room

it was a little windy, but we kept trying to get a picture of the 2 of us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the view at the beach closest to wear we stayed - just a couple minute walk

The morning of the wedding we explored Seaside. It's an adorable little beach/touristy town. With the nice weather, lots of people came to the beach. Very little swimming, but lots of fun in the sand, kite flying, and dogs playing.

The wedding was lovely. K & I have known each other since we were 5 :) So fun to share in the day.

Beautiful

parading to the reception

Reception site

A lovely weekend escape

Mama saw Mickey!

I had the opportunity to go to Orlando a few weeks ago for a conference for work. I actually left on my birthday. It was strange going to Disney World without my kids, but it reaffirmed my preference not to take them there for many more years. I'm just not that patient! My co-workers and I had a great time, though, and Daddy survived without me for 5 days.

I bought them each a set of ears as souvenirs. Will was so excited to see all the pictures I took. He'll love going there someday...when he's 8 or 9!

Will was very clingy when I first got home. J & I went out for a date 2 days after I got back and Will was crying and so upset. He was fine once we left, but he was so troubled thinking about it. Then I worked late one night the following week and he was very much questioning where I was. "I know were Mama is. One of her students is having a party!" Well, not quite a party, but I was with students! He seems to be better now, but it was interesting seeing the reaction in him. Elle was not phased. She's such a mommy's girl when we're with other people, but she didn't appear to be troubled at all by me being gone. Well, she did get called a "holy terror" by her day care provider one day while I was out. But I chalk that up to being 18 months old!

Labor Day

Labor Day weekend featured two exciting events for our family. On Saturday we had the first KU football game of the season. The kids did great! Will is getting more interested in the actual game. It helped that Jason (his imaginary friend) was on the field playing for the Jayhawks. Ellie Kate waved to the Jayhawk (across the field) and blew him kisses. Otherwise, she was keeping busy with snacks. Unfortunately, the game did not turn out so well for the 'Hawks. After the game Will said, "Mommy, I am sad the Jayhawks did not win." It's a good lesson to learn at an early age, right? We don't always win.

I couldn't get a great pic of EK in her game day attire.


Daddy is teaching her to wave the wheat in preparation for the game.


Will and Aunt Casie - what a pair!


On Sunday we went to visit my grandma in small town KS for their Labor Day picnic. We went almost every year as kids and I have such fond memories. This was my kids' first trip. They had a blast playing at the city park across the street from grandma's house and at the picnic itself. At the park, Will learned of the joys of "underdoggies" on the swings - thanks, GoGo! Subsequently, we all got a chance to try -- and we are not a short family, so he got going pretty high! At the picnic, we played games, won candy and prizes, and certainly most exciting for Will he got a "big boy sword" from Aunt Casie. This was an item Will had already put on his birthday list, but Aunt C "won" it at the picnic and shared with Will. Will & his sword are now virtually inseparable.

Camping

I'm way behind on my posts as this actually happened a few weeks ago. We celebrated Kit's birthday with a family trip to the lake. J's FFL draft was that weekend, so I and the kids (and Aunt Casie, thank goodness) drove down on Friday after work. Will talked pretty much the whole 90 minute drive. He was pretty excited about camping and seeing his cousins.

I use the term camping loosely. People who really camp would not call this camping. But for me - it was camping. We had two lodges (AC, electricity, shower, kitchens, etc.) GoGo, Grampy, Casie, EK, Will and I in one; Jeff, Sarah, Amy & 6 kids in the other. I think we won, don't you? Will was perhaps most excited about this trip because he got to share a bed with Mama. What a treat! Well, for him it was. Double bed with me, Will, 2 guys, 3 pillows, a blankie, and lots of kicking = not a lot of sleep.

Regardless, we all had a fun time. Will loved the campfire, though I don't think he even ate a hot dog and he preferred his marshmallows untoasted. He loves his older cousins and they are so good to him. He attached himself to Liz this trip. Pretty cute. Will was the last one to bed Friday night (thanks in large part to the half bag of marshmallows he ate) and the first one up Saturday morning. Grampy made chocolate chip pancakes - yum! Then we went for a quick ride on the boat. Will was not sure about the whole boat ride. He kept asking me when it would be over. I think the speed (though we weren't really going very fast) scared my cautious little boy. Elle, on the other hand, found it very peaceful and fell asleep in Aunt Casie's arms. She became quite disgruntled and restless when the boat stopped. Next summer, she might be ready to swim in the lake. Neither of the kids particularly enjoyed the swimming beach. Will much preferred the playground. Go figure. Maybe they'll be lake kids later in life, but for now, not so much. It was a fun trip, but I was sure glad to get home, shower, and sleep in my own bed!