Northwest String Summit

In July we went out to North Plains, Oregon to attend the 9th Annual Northwest String Summit. Marc and I have gone since the first year. It is kind of like summer camp for adults (and their kids!) This year was Lucy's second. It is always such a great time, with music, camping and hanging out with good friends. Yonder Mountain String Band plays each night, and several other bands play. This year Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart were there. They were the drummers for the Grateful Dead. During Yonder's set they came out and played New Speedway Boogie into Franklin's Tower which was awesome! We were able to spend lots of good time with some good friends. Lucy seemed to enjoy herself, and she is so much fun to take out!

Summer's Here!

Although summer has been long in coming this year, we are finally getting a taste of warmth. Today it was in the high 80s, and it felt so nice to be so warm. Lucy is doing great! She is learning more and more every day, and she amazes me all the time. Today she said "bubbles" for the first time, and she is using sign language more and more. She is getting some molars, and has been fussy at times from it. I also think that she is fussy at times because she is a toddler! She sure does have an opinion, and can throw a fit at the drop of a hat. We are getting through it, and teaching her what is OK and what is not. :)

We went on a nice trip to East Lake for our anniversary and had a great time. It was pretty cold out, but we were still able to spend time playing outside, then go inside of our cabin to warm up! It is beautiful there and Lucy enjoyed the campfire and playing on the boat. The following weekend Marc went rafting with the guys and I went with Rose and her cousin Amber up to Northern/Central Washington to Lake Chelan. It was a fun road trip, with the adults and 3 kids in the vehicle! The weather was AWESOME! Lucy loved her floaty, and playing in the sand at the water's edge. Baby Evan learned how to roll over, which was exciting to see. It was a trip to remember!

Thanks for checking in! Lucy is rapidly becoming a toddler, and it is so fun to be with her as she grows!

Spring fun!

We traveled up to North Idaho over Memorial Day to visit with family. Lucy, Marc and I had a great time. We went out to the North fork of the Couer d'alene river (I think that is right!) for a night and had so much fun hanging out. Lucy loves her cousin Mason, and her Auntie Stephanie and Uncle Matt. She also enjoyed playing with her GrandPappy Bob, and her Grandma Linda spoiled her with love and presents! One of the gifts Linda gave her was a stroller with a baby. She loves her baby doll! She spends a lot of time taking care of her. Today we headed out to Hideaway Lake with Rose, Robin and Baby Evan. When we were almost to the lake, we ran into snow on the ground, in some places about 3 feet deep! We tromped in through the snow and had fun. The boys went fishing and Rose and I and the kids hiked around the lake, which was a bit of a challenge with the snow and water, but we made it! After our hike, I started to eat an apple, but Lucy grabbed it from me and chowed down. Happy weekend! :)

Lucy is doing great! She loves to be pushed around on her trike. She has great balance, and we zoom all over the yard. She doesn't want it to end. Today I got her a helmet so that she can get used to wearing it. She has been using more words lately, and in proper context. Last Saturday, Marc brought her into bed around 5 am, and she went back to sleep. About 2 hours later I opened my eyes to Lucy's face right next to mine. She had a huge smile on her face and said "hi". It was awesome, a great way to wake up. She is our sweet, bright shiny girl! (Although she has been testing out screaming the past week or so...let's hope that she stops that soon!) :) Smile, smile, smile!

Happy May!

We have been having a good May. We started off the month in Southern California for a visit. I am glad that we were able to go down because it was a good trip. We saw old friends, including one of my first friends Monet. It was so nice to reconnect with her and meet her son Terje. Lucy and I stayed the night with Shannon and her family, and Lucy just loved Shannon's daughter Bella. What a sweetheart Bella is. We were also able to spend time with my family at Huntington Beach for the day, and in Lake Elsinore. Lucy liked the ocean, and kept wanting to get in the water. Lucy liked playing with her cousins, playing with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Pam, Auntie Katie and Uncle Nick. She went to her first baseball game, the Lake Elsinore Storm. I worked at the stadium the team's inaugural year. We met up with Marc for a night, visiting with Aunt Ronda and her family, and GG Marian. Marc, Lucy and I had breakfast in Venice Beach, and saw the Governator and his family out on a bike ride...cool!!! While in Venice, someone came up to us, and said about Lucy, "she is so cool, I am so glad you had a kid like that!" There is something about Lucy that some people really respond to.

Lately Lucy has been saying "Uh-Oh" all the time. It is really cute. She is beginning to go from walking to running, and she definitely has more of an opinion about what she wants to do. She is an affectionate, fun loving little girl. She never wants to miss out on a social event, and she loves to laugh and smile. Books are a favorite activity, as well and going through her art box and making art. We love her so much! Thanks for checking in!