I just added about 60 pictures to our 2009 photo gallery – including shots from the Spring up through our recent vacation.
Kicking in the Rain
We had our first official soccer practice tonight for Andrew’s soccer team. It rained all day and I was hoping it would take a break for practice, but no luck. The kids had a great time, and I think the adults enjoyed it also. Our first game is Saturday.
East Coast
On Thursday, we got back from a two week vacation. We spent five days in Cincinnati, for my cousin Jeff’s wedding, five days in Leesburg, VA, for a work conference, and then three days in Virginia Beach. The trip was capped off with two straight days of driving – the first being nauseously hilly, the second being mind-numbingly flat.
It was a really fun trip and everything went well. It was nice to see family/friends/coworkers while in Cincinnati. We were really busy, but we got to see a lot of people.
The conference in Leesburg was for ColdFusion, a programming language that I use for work. I had a great time at the conference and Susan and the kids had a nice time at the hotel. They were swimming for at least 4 hours every day and the kids had a great time.
Once that was over we got to have a few days of real vacation in Virginia Beach. The kids (and I) really liked playing in the ocean. It took a little while to get used to all the sand, and the taste of the water, but after that it was smooth sailing.
Some time in the next few days I will get some pictures posted.
Potty-Training Update
Elliot has been doing well with the potty training. He has been staying dry at night and has been relatively accident free. We just need to work on getting him using the potty more, and the tree less.
Some Videos
Here are some videos from the past couple weekends.
The first video is Mari riding her bike. She is a little distracted by the camera, I think, and forgets to make the turn at the end, but you get the idea.
Mari Riding a Bike
If you can’t see the video, Click Here.
There has also been a lot of hula hooping going on this summer. Here is a video of Mari trying to get things figured out.
Mari Hula Hooping
If you can’t see the video, Click Here.
The third video is just a short chat with Elliot. Generally, he is a fairly quiet kid, who would much rather use body language than words.
Elliot Talking
If you can’t see the video, Click Here.
No More Diapers?
Is it a possibility? Possibly.
Elliot has not been wearing a diaper for the past couple days and has been doing very well. This morning he even woke up with a dry diaper, which surprised me. We did not really push it, but it just sorta happened. I will be happy if it works out.
One of the coolest things about it is that he invented his own way to pee on a tree. It is a great technique for him and and both Susan and I thought that the other one had taught him.
Cousin Camp
Andrew just got back from the first ever cousin camp, at Aunt Mary’s. it sounds like he had a lot of fun and stayed up too late. Mari and Susan went down for one night, and then he stayed down with Ian and his Kansas City cousins, Joe, Luke & Colin.
Activities included berry picking, swimming, Luke’s baseball game, a water slide, a petting zoo and a campout.
Big Creek State Park
Today, after we finished painting, we hit Big Creek State Park. We played at the beach for a while and then hit the playground.
80/35
So the 80/35 music festival is going on right now, yesterday and today in fact. This is only the second year and we were not in town last year. Turns out that the festival is in our neighbor’s back yard. OK, not exactly, but is sure sounds that way.
The festival is actually about 2 miles from our house, in downtown Des Moines, but the music is still really loud on our front porch. Last night was Public Enemy. Tonight is Ben Harper. Tonight should be extra fun – with fireworks and the music, and then fireworks at the conclusion of the show. I look forward to it.
Twin Cities
This past weekend we made our annual pilgrimage to the Twin Cities. The drive was a little shorter this time, which made it nice. We had a great time staying with Hope & Jeff and seeing a lot of friends. I think that the kids spent most of the weekend adjusting to various dogs, and it has been mostly what they talk about since we returned.
The Dishwasher is my friend
We have always had a dishwasher. In the beginning I appreciated it for its function. It certainly did do an OK job washing the dishes, most of the time.
When Andrew was young sometimes he seemed to be soothed by its rhythmic noises.
Now, as our kids get older, and recognize the rustling of a bag, or a utensil clanking against a plate or bowl, the dishwasher serves as a cover, as I sneak a few chips, some ice cream, or a piece of cake.
I guess it is a good thing we have never chosen one of the really quiet ones!
Mari’s 4th Birthday
Yesterday we celebrated Mari’s 4th birthday. It was a fun Summer BBQ, water-balloon fight and all.