The first of many

Today was our first family day on the boat!  We started our day at the Farmer's Market in Lake Oswego which was so much fun.  We went back to the house to give Ava a nap and then headed out in the late afternoon for some boating.  The weather was perfect...mid 80s.  The water wasn't even too cold so both Nate and my Dad did some wake boarding.  The kids wanted to swim so we let Andrew jump in and he then decided it was too cold and got out of the water.  Both kids did enjoy putting their feet in and splashing around on the back of the boat.  Ava wasn't to sure about being on the boat; she was pretty quite (which is not like her) and just kind of took it all in.  She was a little worried when Daddy & Papa went wake boarding, but by the end of the day she was having a great time.  Andrew was absolutely giddy with excitement.  He loves the boat and had so much fun.  I think he smiled the whole time!  He even got to drive the boat a bit with Papa.  Such a fun family day!!!

6.16.2012- Andrew 4 1/2, Ava 2

At the park

After swimming lessons today we took a little walk to our neighborhood park.  Ava can't really do much there because it involves climbing and she doesn't like swings, but they still had lots of fun.  The played chase and Ava tried to do everything Andrew did.  I, of course, practiced taking pictures of these cute kids.

  

 She is so sassy.  She wanted to climb up, but once she was up there she didn't want to go down the slide.

Waiting for "baba" to come down the slide!

Swimming update

Andrew finished his first swimming session at Children of the Sea and did amazing!  They said he is so  good that he gets to skip the next level and go to Beginning Stroke 1.  Last Friday he received all of his badges from Basic Water Safety 1 & 2.  He was so excited that he got more badges than everyone else.

Today he had his last day of this session, Water Safety 2.  They did a boat safety class where they put them in life jackets and tried to give them an idea of what it would be like if they fell out of a boat.  Andrew really enjoyed the class!

I'm so proud of how far he's come in just a few months of swimming.  Excited for the next session that starts next week.

Chuck E Cheese

Last Monday Andrew's friend Cole had his birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.  It was his first time at Chuck E Cheese and he loved it!  Be advised, these pictures are really poor quality.  I wanted to practice shooting inside on manual.

 Andrew with his friend Landon.

 Andrew with Landon, Cole & Cole's brother

  

 Trying to play rock band but the guitar was a little heavy for him.

After the party Andrew and I went on a little date to get some frozen yogurt.  I don't get much one on one time with him so it was nice to go and do something special with him.  He really is such a fun and sweet little boy and is growing up so quickly.  I can't believe how grown up he is, especially when he talks.  He is so good at grown up conversation and is quite the little charmer :)

6.11.2012- Andrew 4 1/2 years old

Photography

Last Saturday my sister and I took a photography class that we bought on Groupon.  We both love taking pics of our kids and want to learn how to use our cameras better.  The class was only a few hours and we got some good info, but I think I'm still a bit overwhelmed with it.  I think it comes down to just practice.  I've been trying to shoot in manual lately.  That day when I got home from the class, I practiced taking pictures of the kids- lot harder than the stationary objects we practiced on at the class!  I told Nate about what I learned and I think he has a better eye for it than me. Anyway, the pictures you see on the blog from here on out are mainly in manual...practice makes perfect, right?!

 These have terrible lighting, but I had to add them because of her facial expression.  She really didn't want me taking anymore pictures!