San Juan Island

Holy smokes.  Where does the time go?

I went back to work in late July, and have theretofore been a bad blogger.  It is really hard to be back at work, but the good news is the our little Reed-O is doing great!!  He is perfect, and I think we are more and more in love with him every day.  I will now attempt to recap the last 6 weeks or so.

Karen's BFF's family has propert(ies) on San Juan.  We headed up for some island fun in mid-July.  It was super fun to see Caleb again, and also to meet sweet Malory for the first time.  We had an awesome time!

Reed's first WA State Ferry ride!

Ready for action!

 

Babies babies babies!

Mallory, Reed

Mallory, Reed, Caleb

 Caleb is a very sweet, fun, and thoughtful two year old.  I love him.  Mallory is Dream Baby.  She is so easy going.  She understands when it is time to eat, play, sleep, hike, smile, and be entertained by her big brother.  She is so easy going, she makes me understand how people sometimes forget they have a baby.  Not that she is easy to forget or anything....just a very goooood baby!

We were able go out on the boat and circumnavigate the island one beautiful day.

We saw countless orca on our voyage.  (sorry, Dad!)  Too many to count.  Nobody had a camera in hand--we all were too enthralled and not wanting to miss the bellyflops, the breeches, the tail thwaps, and everything else about these magnificent creatures.  It was truly amazing to see them from water level!  Unforgettable! 

Crabbing!!  We caught five boy crabs for dinner.  YUM!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took a little nature walk.  Always trying to turn the kids on to nature...  :-)

Walk up Young Mountain

me, Camille, Caleb, Bessie, Mallory, Reed, Karen

And a wind-swept Barley Boo!

Thanks, Bessie and Camille!  We hope to be invited back next year!!

All smiles

 This boy has really learned how to turn it on.  He smiles all the time now, and I LOVE IT!!!!  His smiles start in his eyes, then spread to his mouth, and then they seemingly pour over his entire body, as he kicks and kicks his chubby little legs.  He might just be the cutest boy ever.  See for yourself!!

And here are some other equally precious expressions of his....

The Wild West

What have we been up to in the last month?

Well, let's see if I can adequately capture our time and travels....

Karen and I went to Montana to visit my uncle Butch and aunt Sheila.  My dad came from Brookings, so it was a veritable reunion.  We had a great time!!   It was really fun for me to be able to introduce Reed to Butch and Sheila, and my dad had not seen Reed since the day he was born.  Well, Hello Family!!  We hung out, took scenic drives, watched afternoon thunderstorms, ate good food, learned how to drink gin and tonics (that would be me), spent hours on Sheila's beautiful deck, and hung out in just our diapers (that would be Reed).

Karen and I flew out separately, so I had my first solo flight with Reed-O.  I was really, really nervous to fly with him by myself.  But he did great.  No problem.  This is what he look liked the entire two hour, 5 minute flight:

 Thank goodness.  I'll fly solo with him anytime!

The weather really could not have been more perfect--sunny, sunny skies with temps in the 90's.  Sheila took us to her very nice country club where we introduced Reed to swimming.  He hated it.  He really hated it.  

Good thing (for him) our summers are so dang short--who knows when the next time we'll be able to try the swimming thing out again.....  So far Reed definitely does not have a love affair with water.

How cute are these two?  Love them.

This shot cracks me up because my dad's hands are so, so huge, compared to anything on Reed.

Thank you, Butch and Sheila!  We had a fantastic time!!

Incidentally, Reed's return flight did not go so well.  It was in the evening, during the time he is typically quite fussy.  Thank goodness that a) were two of us flying with him, and b) Horizon Air offers free wine and beer on their Billings-Seattle route.  (isn't that strange?  i cannot figure out why i have to pay $20 to check the carseat, but they are willing to give out free drinks to passengers of age...)  (i drank my $20 worth) (and then some?)

This is what Reed looked like the entire flight home:

I love you buddy.  You're still a pretty gosh darn good traveler!