July 2015, part 2

When we couldn't get a flight that would allow us to bring Reggie to the lake, we took some crazy pills and decided to drive.

It was actually kinda fun. 

We did a reasonably good job keeping the kids entertained the old-fashioned way, but there was definitely a heavy dose of iPad shows on the third and final day as we hurtled toward Cass Lake.

A pitstop outside Yellowstone at Dairy Queen

Teddy making sure we didn't get overcharged

We planned our mileage so that we could end each night at a Super8. Dog friendly, complimentary breakfast, 'nuf said

It was another amazing visit to the cabin. This summer Teddy was way more adventurous and totally comfortable in the water. Luckily he's pretty tall and can stand from the shore almost up to the dock.

Jo was equally comfortable in the water, but without the height advantage

He didn't say so, but I think he was grateful we spent 6 days in the car so he could come, too.

On the road, Brian came up with the idea to make up stories, kind of Mad Lib style. Teddy had some great additions and we ended up with a story about robots in space who like to eat burritos and travel to many moons in search of a lost pair of rollerskates. When we got to the cabin, Brian illustrated the story and Teddy inked it in. Priceless. 

Living the good life on the porch

Jo got a new puzzle and did it so many times that trip she had it mastered by the time we left. 

Just some girls talkin'

What happens if I push this button?

Teddy, Prince of Breakfast

Lots of swimming. Off the dock...

... and at Steefel Beach

Maisie - so good with the camera!

Sharing the best corner of the porch

(Heart melting)

July 2015, part 1

Teddy got his first professional haircut. We'd talked about it way in advance and scoped out the salon. We'd even decided on the special chair he'd sit in (Lightning McQueen). Once we got there, he made a game time decision to sit in the Barbie Jeep. For some reason he balked at wearing the drape, but once we talked him into it, he was good to go. Have to say, the cut wasn't any better than the ones Daddy does, so we'll be returning to the Rouspil Garage salon next time.



We spent a couple days in Calistoga over 4th of July weekend.
We stopped at the original Gott's in St. Helena, one of my favorites.



They only ate the fries and drank the milkshake.

The kids got to put their swim skills to work in the mineral pools.

The geyser was much more sporadic than it had been on past visits, 

so we waited a long time to get a picture in front of it. 

But it eventually came, as geysers do

Ice cream in Petaluma on the way home. 

I believe Teddy regretted his order, and I was forced to eat his original choice. 

Teddy really getting the hang of swim lessons

July brought Bring Your Child to Work Day again, so Teddy and I got to spend a whole day together.

First kid in the bounce house!

Crafts

Treats

Silliness

We went to the Oakland Zoo with the Deryncks and Teddy insisted on holding the map. He dutifully carried it around and pretended to be able to read it the whole time.

June 2015

The ever elusive natural Teddy smile

Snuggles with Dad

Snuggles with Mom

Pool snuggles

At the Exploratorium

Our 6th Anniversary, "Candy"

We did 4 weeks of summer swim lessons. Jo was in the Parent & Me class. Teddy was with the bigger kids in the shallow pool. They looooved it. Fearless Jo "swam" circles around all the other little ones. 

Not sure what "bunny ears" have to do with swimming, but Teddy was way better at them than this other kid. 

"Diving" for rings in the 2 ft deep pool

"Hi, Mom"

The girl behind Teddy is doing it right, but Teddy convinced the other kid to do it his way

Ice cream baseball cake for Daddy's birthday

I don't remember if there was an occasion for Jessie's visit, but we went to the San Mateo County Fair. We brought our stroller, too, but Teddy preferred to pile onto this one. 

Me and Nate on the swings!

Teddy had been on the waitlist for 2 preschools for over a year with no opening in sight, so we decided to enroll him in summer camp to be around bigger kids than he was used to at daycare. 

This was his first day. We took a tour and got to know the surroundings. 

It was an unstructured camp, so I don't really know what he did all day. I assume he hung out at the playground, ate snacks and went in the bouncehouse. There were a few days when he really didn't want me to leave in the morning, but by the middle of summer he was telling us about the friends he was making and that was what we'd hoped for. It was the first time his day didn't include a nap, so by the time I picked him up everyday around 5:15, he was wiped. One day the head counselor told me he'd inadvertently fallen asleep on the bean bag chair in her office. Such a cute little camper.

Reggie's still got his looks

At the end of the month we went to Boise for my cousin Luke's wedding. 

The balcony at the hotel. 

We were between Grandma and Grandpa's room and Jessie and Ben's room.

Boys adventuring near the Boise River

Almost falling into the Boise River (thanks, Aunt Jessie!)

It was 100+ degrees for the outside ceremony, so we camped out indoors as long as possible. 

Teddy's bowtie only lasted for about 10 minutes after this picture was taken.

At the reception Jo and Nate danced up a storm. Teddy was a grump pretty much the whole time.

Our flight was delayed and then cancelled, so we spent a lot of time at the airport and ended up spending a bonus night in Boise. But they had huge cookies, so... worth it?

Catching some zzz's on the way home