coffee boy

As most of you know, Evan worked for Starbucks coffee for many years and is still quite the fan. Sometimes we will take Tucker in a store with us and he will go straight for the cooler with the little milks in it or the bags of whole bean coffee and proceed to take it to the register and try to had it to the person behind the counter! (he has been well trained) Since we no longer brew drip coffee as we have an espresso machine that does it all for us, Tucker enjoys playing with our old coffee machine - we caught this shot this morning (=

Tucker's 1st time camping and playing at the beach

Well, this last week Evan, Tucker and I spent camping at Sunset State Beach with 26 other families from our church at "family camp." Overall, it went well, was fun and we hope to go again next year, especially since Tucker will be older! (he was the youngest there)

The week started by us setting up our tent that we purchases and last used before we had any kids, which I will add has been used twice, only to discover that there is NO way all 3 of us and our stuff will fit in the tent! So most stuff stayed in the car for the night, as the morning fog drenches everything left out, and the stuff was joined by Evan and his sleeping mat. We promptly went tent shopping in town after the morning bible study. There was slim pickings this late in summer but we were please with our new roomy bright green tent. (Our first tent would fit in the new one 2 1/2 times!)

Though we visited the ocean in southern California last summer, the shore break was way to intimidating for a 6 month old and yes we did just spend a week at Lake Tahoe, but as we keep trying to explain to our friends here in Sacramento, a beach at a lake is not the same as at the ocean!

Tucker was excited to play in the sand and the water in his buckets, oh and had no problem eating his sand covered cookies or drinking the salt water if he was thirsty. By our 3rd trip to the beach he allowed daddy to hold and dip him in the surf; carried his bucket of water up and down the beach on his own; and even played with the "big" boys some. He has come a long way from our timid little boy of a month ago.

Since Emily puts everything in her mouth, we have been very careful what toys we allow in our home. but now that Tucker is getting older we are starting to designate some toys for his room only. Bright mommy that being in the great outdoors would be entertainment enough but I soon discovered my error, so we bought Tucker his first cars - a BIG hit!

Before heading home we took a trip a little south to the Monterey Bay Aquarium - a favorite place of ours to visit! This was Tucker's first "theme park" and did quite well despite the short attention span and over stimulation. He loved the giant deep sea tank and talk non-stop pointing at everything that swan by and also the fresh water otter displays where he could stand up against the glass with the otters swimming right past him over and over again. (Unfortunately because of the low lighting and extra thick glass in all the displays very few of our pictures turned out well)

Water baby

Earlier this summer Tucker and I took a "Mommy and Me" swim class and I thought Evan would enjoy the class too so we signed up for another class. These pics were taken on the last day - I'll just say when he took the class with me I couldn't get him off the stairs and now look at him. (= They had a blast together! Grammy, Grandpa, and uncle Paul came to watch with Emily and I After swimming, we fed the ducks at the Elk Grove park. This was the first time we fed the ducks and Tucker didn't immediately run straight for the water. The ducks are so tame here they came running toward us before we even had food out. I grew up doing this as a kids and it is a joy to now share the experience with my own kids. We all had fun enjoying the experience with Tucker!

"run Forest run"

I have discovered one way to wear my son out enough to take a good nap - have him run back and forth across the yard! Gosh, and he looks so cute while doing it too (=

Family Reunion at Lake Tahoe

We just got home from a week at Camp Richardson in South Lake Tahoe with 30+ family members. Every summer my grandfather rents a house somewhere in CA, usually by the beach or Lake Tahoe and we all get together and hangout. This year one of my cousins got married 2 days after everyone arrived and most everyone only stayed 4 days. Sleeping in the same room as the kids was hard to get use to, for all of us, and it was a bit tricky at times to accommodate Emily's needs, but over all the week was great, and so was the weather too - warm but not hot, accept for the day of the wedding. I apologize for not having any family pics as when we were with them we were completely preoccupied with the kids so I will have to get a few from my aunts it include later! The kids experienced several firsts during the week, including their first boat ride;

Tucker's first snow cone and ice cream cone (which he insisted we put in his own cup)

and swim at a beach;

miniature golfing (we failed to convince Tucker that the game was to be repeated at each new whole not at the same one over and over and over);

playing with a puppy (I see a dog in our distant future!);

Tucker saw lots of chipmunks and squirls and got to see some horses too, though he would not pet them. Tucker now says "oh-no" and "yum-yum" and we think "Emmie" which brings his word count to about 10; he also started signing two words together such as "more please" - which I know is a big deal and we are very excited he is picking us sign language so quickly since he is not talking yet. Ooh, and he let other family members play and watch him while Evan and I took care of Emily, etc. which was a BIG deal for our very cautious and timid boy. We also went for walks in the woods and along the beach.

We visited with our friend Vince and his parents who happened to be vacationing in Tahoe the same week. We took a family photo all dressed up in old western wear, which turned out GREAT and is something I have wanted to do for a long time. And Evan got to go fly fishing with my uncle and cousin and has discovered a new love! It is good to be home though it won't be for long - Evan, Tucker and I are going beach camping next week!

Emily's new ball pit

For Emily's birthday we ordered a ball pit for the playroom. Emily has already mastered getting out of it and is working on getting in on her own - by crawling in on all fours! I think Tucker thinks it is all for himm though. What kid wouldn't want one of these in their own home! Thank you, thank you to the friends and family who contributed to its purchase!

brotherly love

Tucker and Emily do not interact a whole lot, apart from him bringing her a toy or her taking his blanket from him and annoying him greatly while she lays there and snickers - but this precious moment was caught on camera! (Tucker was talking to Emily and then trying to help her with her bottle. And Emily is saying "hi" by touching his face and hair.)