Washington Trip Part 1

To end a fabulous summer, and add a third state to our travels, I finally had my dream come true of taking the kids to Washington state for the first time. Before I turned 30, I made a list of 30 BEFORE 30, basically a bunch of stuff I wanted to do or get to see before the important milestone. It was really fun getting to do a lot of them, and this summer I added another check to the list. It almost didn't happen though! The kids were flying on buddy passes, and due to weather a few days prior, a huge convention in Atlanta, and crazy full standby lists, we spent an entire day gate-hopping with next to no chance of getting on a plane. The kids did remarkably well, and we did get to ride the train a lot between terminals. But finally after we were all exhausted, we headed home convinced this was one trip not meant to be. We had ridden to the airport with my dad that morning, so Davey's mom had to come pick us all up since we had no car. Our luggage, however, did get to go on the excursion, so all our stuff, clothes, toiletries...everything...was in Seattle. Not too happy about that.

Until the next morning.  Davey woke up with a migraine, and unable to go back to sleep, he began checking flights again. I was still recovering after the long day before when he gently woke me up. "I don't know if it will work, but check these numbers. We may be able to make it to Portland." In my sleepy state I stared at the screen, wondering if we were crazy to start the whole process over again. Fly to Portland. Rent a car. Drive to Seattle. Hmmm. It might just work. Davey does not give up easily, and before long we were scrambling to find clean clothes (remember: luggage is sitting at SeaTac Airport) and hitch another ride with Davey's mom back to the airport. This would not have been possible without all the help from our family with phone calls, rides, etc.

Waited a LONG time to finally walk this way

Unbelievably, we made it on! We were so happy! I told the kids they couldn't scream in the airport but boy did Lailey do a happy dance!

Tired but happy

"We finally get to see Sadie!!!"

The kids had a blast riding on the plane, and they thought the whole experience was very cool. They didn't nap, which I was hoping, but I think they were just too excited about the experience.

My dad had already flown to Seattle the day before to attend a funeral of a good friend. He actually took the first flight we got bumped off. Having some free time, he was able to drive down to Portland and pick us up, helping us avoid paying for a rental car. See what I mean about family help?

So, one whole day at the airport, back to the airport again the next day, flying across the country, and driving 3 hours to Seattle, and it was all worth it for this:

 These sweet smiles!!!

Maddox went straight to bed when we arrived at the Malcoms' apartment in Ballard, too tired to greet anyone, but the next morning began several days of fun cousin time.

 While staying with my cousin Christy and her family, we went all over the city of Seattle one day.

My cousins, April (taking the above picture), and Michael (behind Maddox), came to see us while we were in the city. It was so cool to see so much family there.

These two were inseparable

Space Needle!

Flattening souvenir pennies

Christy, Jason, Sadie and Titus

All of us down at the waterfront

Boys on the ferry to Bainbridge Island

Leaving the city

Running around the ferry was his favorite part

Mt. Rainier unusually visible that day

They loved sitting by the railing spotting giant jellyfish in the water

Pointing at something

View of the Ferris Wheel on the Seattle Waterfront

LOVE this of the kids!

A trip downtown really wouldn't be complete without the experience of Pike Place Market...and an obligatory picture of the four little kids on the big pig.

After a few days in Seattle, we drove north to Stanwood to see my other cousin, Jen, and her family. It was only a one night stay, but super fun and also relaxing. Their friends invited us to their house on Lake Ki. It was so beautiful and pristine, and we loved the kayaking, paddle boarding, paddle boating, and jumping in the water.

My brave little leaper

Lailey was fascinated with the lilly pads and had to pick some

Squirting Daddy

Titus and Davey

The Akins, Satterfields, and the Malcoms (minus Jason and me)

After the short visit, we headed back to Seattle (Ballard) to enjoy another evening there. We went to one of the Malcoms' favorite parks, then visited the Fremont Troll, which is a weird public sculpture under a bridge. The kids were slightly weirded out since it was at night.

The next morning, we drove to Olympia, WA, where my grandmother lives, to begin part 2 of our trip. Coming soon!

Maddox Turns THREE!

No matter how much time you take to cherish every moment, the days fly by. Hard to believe Maddox is three! I want to just freeze time and enjoy this super fun age and get as much out of it as I can. And part of remembering it is telling all about this darling boy before he changes and I forget.

As you can tell from the first picture with all his "loves," Maddox is as sweet as he is "boyish." I never had a brother, so this is my first boy experience. Let me tell you, I love it. The same darling boy who grabs my face fiercely to kiss me in the morning is the same one slaying monsters before breakfast. The tender-hearted side of him makes us melt daily. He's as gentle as he is tough, funny as he is sensitive, and cautious as he is brave. I love the combinations. 

He enjoys sticks, and camping, and the outdoors. He doesn't need toys outside, just a stick or two will do. Oh, and the imaginary bad guys he's after. Instead of threatening his sister like he used to do, we've encouraged him to protect her, which makes him all the more fierce since he does adore her.

Fighting the daddy villain

What's amazing is that even with the absence of violent tv shows (we do allow Disney and other movies, and lately, old episodes of TMNT), he still plays so boyishly, slaying monsters, swinging swords, and wielding any weapon, usually one of his own making. I've seen him swing a banana peel like nun-chucks, use the spout of his water bottle like a gun, and when nothing else is available, his own hand works perfectly with sound effects to accompany. 

Maddox talks well beyond his age. Who knew with a second child and a boy that his verbal skills would try to keep up with his sister.  They are both chatterboxes, with one talking all the time...sometimes at the same time. Almost once a day I demand a little "quiet time" in the car or house.

Maddox is usually too smart for his own good, cracking jokes, saying "I'm just kidding," and doing all sorts of funny things to get a laugh. Yes, even passing gas. He's a boy, I tell ya. 

Stick in hand, ready to descend

He has not shown much parental favoritism, adoring both Davey and I most of the time. Though we have noticed the "coming to ask Mommy if Daddy says 'no'" thing lately. They all do it, don't they? Stinkers.

The picture below was around Easter time at the grocery store, and he wanted to hug this bunny. So I let him. And it was adorable. See the finger in his mouth? That means he was snuggling with it.

Just a boy and his bunny

Maddox really enjoys painting, but we don't do it too often because of the mess. And the time. He'd much rather paint than color, which keeps his attention for 30 seconds.

Chalk painting

He also loves Play-Doh, especially cutting it with plastic scissors. He and Lailey usually make "lollipops" with skewer sticks and announce "lollipops for sale!

Back at the beginning of summer, he and I went on a lunch date, and we goofed off taking pictures of ourselves. I think this is when the silly face phase started, because I didn't get one with him making a normal smile. Fine by me, since I think authentic kid expressions are much better than posed ones. I just gave in and played along.

One of his favorite things, like most boys, is water guns, and even better, the water hose. Unlimited supply of fun. 

 Maddox has never really slowed down on his eating. He loves most foods and will try a surprising amount of new things for his age. He loves typical stuff like fruit, cheese, spaghetti, and chicken, but then he'll totally dig different things like white bean salad, or barley salad, or spinach. He knows that the food in front of him is his only choice, so he usually partakes. Oh, and he loves bell peppers.

That's good ol' icing on his face. Nothing healthy!

I love this picture of my two sweet babies. He will occasionally decline affection from her (those unpredictable three-year-olds!), but usually he'll kiss her, hug her, and snuggle up to his "sissy." She often plays "mommy" with him, making him a little bed on the couch or floor, tucking him in, kissing his good night, and totally baby-ing him. He has to be in the mood, but if he is then he eats this up. 

First time fishing!

Still loves Baby Mickey after 2 years

Goofy face, waiting on Dumbo

Water guns!

More silly faces

Ice cream in Florida

Way too brave!

At the Bailey's barn 

Dirty, bruised face on an active boy

On the ferry to Bainbridge Island, WA

Not a day goes by that we're not thankful for this sweet, funny, and precious little life that God has given us. I hope he always keeps his love for life and that his sweetness never goes away.