Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Hiking May 2013 - Coal Creek Trail

Cody and I very much enjoy taking Vega and Hunter on some mini hikes.  Mainly just places close by and not too far, we were never really sure how Hunter would be on a super long, all day hike.  But Cody found a place that was only about a 15 minute drive from our house, so even tho it was a 6 mile hike, we didn't have to spend a long time driving there.  Thankfully, for May, it was a beautiful sunny day and Hunter was in a very good mood.  :)  We had never done this hike before, and we didn't know what to expect, but it turned out to be amazing!  There were some narrow places,  some wet spots, and some climbing, but it was a perfect hike.  Hunter was always a little concerned when Vega was out of our eye sight, but she always came right back.  Thankfully, Hunter LOVES his backpack that his GodMama Molly gave him.  :)

Starting the hike with Hunter bopping Daddy's head!

On the stairs down the mountain.

Posing!

Found some water...

Getting a drink and finding sticks!

Crap!  Lost my stick!!

So green!

My boys in all the greenery.

Hunter making sure Mommy is still there.

I thought that this sign was hilarious!!

A pond at the end of the trail, covered in cotton!

Of course Vega found the BIGGEST stick on the trail!  We had to tell her to leave it many times before she would follow us back!  Silly girl.

Pretty blue peaking through the green.


Love the sun!

On one of the bridges.

Look closely and you can see a Vega puppy!

Love being surrounded in all this green!


More stairs...



More posing in front of the tiny waterfall.


Almost at the end of our hiking day, we let Hunter get out and try out his hiking shoes.  

Hunter loves hiking, too!



Got my sticks and leaves!


Mommy and Hunter's hiking shoes!
It was so much fun, and we were so lucky that Hunter had a blast too!  We haven't been able to go on an all day hiking adventure since this one, but we have done a few more mini hikes, but we are hoping that many, many more are in our future.  :)

Monday, September 16, 2013

A Wonderful Wedding in Utah

And yes, we were headed back to Utah.  :)  Another short visit, only four days, but to celebrate a wonderful event - Justin and Alisha's wedding!!  Again, our visit was filled with lots of busy running around, but it was such a fun occasion, we didn't mind the busy-ness.

All the John girls the night before the wedding.
Practicing our best "duck face"
Before the ceremony.
Enjoying the wedding dinner.  So yummy!
Bucka and GeeGee with Hunter, Cody, and Laci.
Hunter LOVING the reception food!

The John girls, and our new sister and beautiful bride, Alisha.

The whole family!
Our "sexy" faces?
Happy John Sisters!
The wedding was amazing and beautiful.  We love having Alisha in the family with her two adorable children.  Congrats to Justin and Alisha, we love you guys!!


Monday, September 9, 2013

First 5k and Easter Fun!

As most of you know, I have been doing Stroller Strides for quite some time, and have an amazing instructor, Missti.  Now, something about Missti is that she makes you feel like you can accomplish anything, which is good and bad.  ;)  With this in mind, Missti had talked me into doing a 5k with her and a group of other moms, and I am no runner!  This particular 5k was the Hot Chocolate 5k/15k in downtown Seattle, and was only a few days away, so I did no training other than Stroller Strides and some Stroller Barre classes.  But Missti made me believe I could do it...and I did!  My first ever 5k was so much fun!  I didn't finish fast, and I had to walk just a few short times, but I did it!!

The girls after the 5k!

Later that day, Cody and I decided to go on a mini hike with Hunter and Vega.  I started my day with a 5k run and finished it with a hike...Seattle has gotten into my brain!!  ;)

Love my cute boys!

Soon after that, I went through training with some other Stroller Strides girls to become Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre certified and become an instructor and work for Missti.  It was a very tough and fun training for three days of training, but I'm so very glad we did it.  It has been such a blast teaching and working with Missti, Ashley and Sayeh.  :)

During training, learning lots! 
A big group of mama's getting certified!
Blurry picture, but this is us with SS Co-founder, Farel.
Missti's Redmond Team - Laci, Ashley, Missti, Sayeh

After the running and the SS training, Hunter and I had a great time with play dates, running around with Vega, and playing with daddy.

Vega wearing Hunter's hat.  She is such a good big sister!
Hunter looking at Maday's picture, he LOVES his Titi!!
I have no idea what Hunter is doing here, but it was hilarious!
I think he is practicing his yoga poses...this is downward dog!
Hunter LOVES to swing.  If we let him, he would swing for hours.

Happy dude!

Hunter found a new seat.  He needed help getting out tho.  :)
Mommy leaves the room for 10 seconds and comes back to find this...
Hunter "helping" put his clothes away.

Hunter started giving kisses this way...it is so cute and still so funny!  Love it!

Hunter thought that Vega needed ALL of her toys, so he piled them all on her while she was sleeping.  All you can see is her eyes!  :)

The week before Easter, my mom and step-dad came to visit and stayed in Port Townsend, a cute little town about 2 hours North West of Seattle.  We drove up and hung out with them and toured the little town, then had dinner at their condo they were staying at.  It was a fun little day trip, and it was so good to see them.  :)

Cody and Hunter watching the water. 
Hunter riding on Grandpa Chad's shoulders.
On Easter, we were back to our house awaiting the Easter Bunny...Hunter got a Hunter size chair, some treats, and we all got new hiking shoes, Camelbak water bottles, and Puma socks.  :)

I think the Easter Bunny found us!!
Hunter trying out his new chair and blanket.

For our Easter dinner, we were invited over to our friends, the Clark's, home to celebrate.  We went over early afternoon and let the kids all play together in their secluded back yard.  After weeks of rain, Easter day was sunny and a warm 68 degrees.  Perfect weather.  :)

Some extra goodies for the kids.

Playing outside.

Sweet Capri and Hunter playing with eggs and sharing stories.
Two sweet kids!
It was a great Easter celebration, and a big thanks to the Clark's for hosting!!