94 Days of Summer 2008

Day 33

2008-07-23T03:31:00.001-04:00

Pacific Science Center

Day 32

2008-07-21T14:53:00.003-04:00

Woodland Park Zoo with Noah, Joey, Uncle Robert, and Auntie Amanda... And then to Woodinville for dinner (Shells, Bacon, and Cottage Cheese) at the Mazzer's house.

Day 31

2008-07-21T14:20:00.003-04:00

Daddy and Noah had breakfast with Grandma Carol and Grandpa Steve whiel mommy took pictures of baby Kira... then we had lunch at Tai Ho with Mike, Ying, and Kira (YUMMY!)... Then back to our hotel for a nap... Dinner at the Spaghetti Factory with Poppo and Grandma...

At 10:30pm Daddy, Mommy, Joey, and Noah headed to downtown Seattle to pass out food to homeless people that was left over from Noah's Birthday Party. We bought entirely too much food and didn't want it to go to waste! What a touching experience.

Day 30

2008-07-19T02:41:00.001-04:00

Noah is 2!!

4pm BBQ Birthday party on Grandma and Bubbies beautiful veranda

Day 29

2008-07-19T02:40:00.002-04:00

Seattle Mariners game (vs. the Cleveland Indians). We won 8-2!!! Whoo hoo...

Day 28

2008-07-19T02:39:00.000-04:00

EMP at the Seattle Center.

Day 27

2008-07-16T19:15:00.001-04:00

Today was a mid day trip to Windermere Beach on Lake Washington with grandma Edean and then dinner with Mike (aka: Hypno), his wife Ing, and their new baby girl Kira.

Day 26

2008-07-16T19:12:00.002-04:00

Today was Gene Jaurez Salon & shopping for the girls (mommy chopped her long hair off), and golf lessons for Daddy & uncle Robert (Joey tagged along to watch).

Day 25

2008-07-14T15:19:00.004-04:00

Pick up Amanda at Edmonds train station... Seattle Aquarium... Dinner at Grandma Edean's.

Day 24

2008-07-14T15:19:00.001-04:00

Pike Market

Day 23

2008-07-12T18:18:00.002-04:00

Today was a l o n g day of waiting.

Still in Chelan, we got up at our usual late time and after a slow start mommy cleaned up a few things and packed up our things. Daddy, Joey, and Robert entertained themselves playing video games on a very old Ninteno that Robert found in the garage. Super Mario Bros 2 & 3, Zelda, and Top Gun...

We had decided to bring Robert and Amanda back to Seattle with us and after a l o n g day of packing and waiting for Amanda to get home from work, she called and said that she had to work later than anticipated so we headed to Seattle without her.

Once we arrived in Edmonds, we had dinner at Grandma and Bubbies house (homemade Lasagna - YUM!) oh and (homemade chocolate cake - DOUBLE YUM!!)

Then we checked into our hotel room for some much needed rest, and scrapped the idea of going out on the town, instead watching the WPT on tv.

Day 22

2008-07-12T18:18:00.000-04:00

Jet Skiing on Lake Chelan.

Day 21

2008-07-11T01:04:00.001-04:00

Breakfast (just us) at the Apple Cup Diner. Attempted Bowling. Dinner at the Lake Chelan Winery.

Day 20

2008-07-11T01:02:00.000-04:00

Boat on Lake Chelan.

Day 19

2008-07-08T14:03:00.001-04:00

Today was golfing for the boys at Lake Chelan Municipal Golf Course, and pedicures for the girls followed by shopping in Historic Downtown Chelan. Rib eye steaks, corn, & salad for dinner. Oh and star gazing.... (3 shooting stars)

Day 18

2008-07-08T13:57:00.002-04:00

Today was explore Chelan, lunch at the Apple Cup Diner with the kids, shopping at Walmart, shooting on the property, and BBQ Chicken, squash & zuccini, and salad for dinner. Yum!

Day 17

2008-07-08T13:56:00.002-04:00

Today was Breakfast at Denny's with Grandma Edean, and then our 3 hour drive to Chelan with a fun stop in Leavenworth, WA (a Bavarian town).

Late night unfinished Cribbage game with Robert and Joey....

Day 16

2008-07-05T14:28:00.003-04:00

Today was BBQ Dinner at Grandma Edeans.

Day 15

2008-07-04T13:34:00.007-04:00

Today was the 4th of July!

Our first full day in the Seattle area... We spent the morning hanging around Bubbie and Grandma's beautiful Edmond's condo. Noah played in with the hose on the veranda and then we excitedly headed off to Gas Works Park at Elliot Bay just across the water from downtown Seattle. Though we arrived way too early (over 6 hours before the fire works), we had a great time enjoying relaxing, enjoying the view, people watching, and playing with the boys with the slue of toys that Bubbie bought for our 4th of July celebration.

The fireworks were the most amazing that I have ever seen!

This is the flyover just before the firework show began by a Fort Lewis-based Army Reserve Chinook helicopter that circled the bay to the National Anthem.

Day 14

2008-07-03T10:04:00.017-04:00

Departure Day - SEATTLE OR BUST!

We were up bright and early (probably a little too early as I have time to be blogging), but we will be leaving the house in the next hour for a quick 5 minute ride to the Newport News / Williamsburg Airport. We first fly to Atlanta, GA and then on to Seattle for an additional 5 hour and 30 minute flight arriving in Seattle at 8pm. Wish us luck that Noah enjoys his "pain" ride.

UPDATE: I spent a long period of time writing a heart felt post this morning (7/4/08) about our travels and after perfecting it to a T, as soon as I hit post I was redirected to a site asking for us to accept the Internet terms of use at the hotel, and the post was GONE!

I have been trying since then to rewrite it - at first being too mad - and even still now many hours later I can't reproduce what was said prior so I am just going to regretfully leave it as a void.

Day 13

2008-07-03T09:59:00.002-04:00

Today was slow yet productive. Mommy and daddy finished up a few odds and ends around the house... Mommy made a photo delivery... and we dropped Izzie off with the Curtis girls for her 3 week vacation... then home for a late night of packing!

Alarm set: 0 Days till we leave for Seattle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 12

2008-07-02T01:17:00.004-04:00

Today was too tired to post tonight! Will edit in the morning...

Well it is now Thursday morning, the day that we are leaving for our trip to Seattle and I am just now getting back to my blog to update the 12th.

Day 12 was running errands and some last minute shopping for the trip. Holly and her girls came over, and then just us mom's and babies headed to shop while Joey and Haley stayed behind. We spent 3 hours in Kohls and believe it or not, I didn't buy a thing. Then on to the mall for a quick peak in AE, mommy's favorite, and no luck. The only thing I came home with was a couple of things for Noah from the Children's Place.

Noah and Mikaela ate Wendy's before we shut down the mall... and once we got home it was another late night till bedtime.

Daddy started leave today after work!

1 Day till we leave for Seattle!

Day 11

2008-06-30T23:33:00.005-04:00

Today was errand and phone call day.

The day was off to a late start as seems to be the norm around here lately. All of the action seems to happen in the evening... Night owls i guess! So, after a lazy morning, a bunch of phone calls, and a late lunch, daddy came home and we decided to take yet another trip to the NEX (Navy Exchange) in Norfolk. After that we dropped daddy off at home (10pm), then the kiddos and mommy headed to Walmart (yuck) to do a late night neccesity shopping. We loaded the cart with toiletries and snacks for the trip, and some other odds and ends. Joey was the cart pusher (though Noah wishes it was self propelled), and Noah was the list holder (see below ☺)

Joey attempting to push the cart!

The list.

Notice the pen is not open ☺

What a helper crossing things off the list (with a closed pen)

Obviously going to the store with 2 kids is another task in itself, but I have to admit it was sort of fun... especially the taking pictures in Walmart part! People in the store were looking at me like I was crazy!!!

After we got home from the store and got everything put away, Noah got another much needed bath; except this time I snuck in a haircut!! No photos yet because I only have two arms, but you'll get to see it on Day 12.

2 Days till we leave for Seattle!

Day 10

2008-06-29T23:05:00.007-04:00

Today was "I hate dishes" day! Sometimes I can't imagine what in the world we were thinking by moving into a house with no dishwasher... But all in all, living here, the benefits outweigh the bummers. It took me a good part of the afternoon to get them all done, but it is done. Paper plates only till our trip!

Mommy and daddy spent a good part of the morning playing around with their new MySpace pages, while Joey and Noah did much of the same as yesterday... though Joey did make it outside for a short time to play some basketball with Evan and Mason. Noah took a long nap while daddy went to the Navy Exchange to pick up some uniforms that had been altered.

We are running low on meal options, but are avoiding stocking up the fridge since we are leaving shortly... so the kiddos had Dino Chicken Nuggest and fries (one of their fav's)and mommy and daddy had potstickers for dinner (Yum!).

Daddy went to bed at his usual time for a work night and me and the kiddos stayed up late for "pot" aka: popcorn and a movie: "The School of Rock"... Noah wasn't much interested in the movie (except for the very musical parts) but found entertainment with his empty popcorn bowl attempting to wear it as a hat! So cute!!!

4 Days till we leave for Seattle! Whoo hoo!!!!

Day 9

2008-06-29T00:41:00.004-04:00

Today was mowing the grass day and starting to get things ready for our trip to Seattle day for mommy and daddy. Joey and Noah did their regular... play, eat, play, eat, play, eat!

Joey hung out in his room (his safe from Noah haven), while Noah played with his toys through out the rest of the house.

After Noah, mommy, and daddy woke up from a nice long afternoon nap, we decided to put together one of Noah's birthday presents since we can't take it with us to Seattle... A Classic Radio Flyer Retro Tricycle!!!

He wasn't too sure at first, but by the end of the evening he was sitting on it happily watching "Shrek the 3rd" and eating "pot" aka: popcorn with his "bubba". I am sure he will be peddling away in no time!

5 days till our trip to Seattle!

Day 8

2008-06-27T20:44:00.006-04:00

Today was sleep in late (again) day! I think are just subconsciously getting ourselves adjusted to Seattle time in preparation for our trip...

After hanging around the house for the early part of the afternoon (while mom finished up some photography odds and ends), we headed over to Holly, Haley, and Mikaela's house. The plan was for Joey and Noah to hang out while mom went to do a Beach photography session, but leave it to this cRaZy VA weather to throw a wrench into that plan. Thunderstorms - session cancelled!

While figuring out what to do with our unexpected free time; Joey got invited to go bowling with Chad, Kelly, and Haley. So Holly and I took the little ones (Noah and Mikaela) for a ride in the wagon. When we got back Noah played "cars", and had his usual sharing issues with Mikaela... They'll work it out one of these days (I hope)!

6 days till our trip to Seattle! Can't wait!!!

Day 7

2008-06-26T14:31:00.003-04:00

Today was sleep in late, vacuum the sand out of the car, stay in your jammies, recover from the Beach Day.

As I said yesterday, Adam was on duty, so it was just the 3 of us here this morning, and we ALL slept in late! After breakfast (brunch), Noah and I headed out to Starbucks (still no sugar for mom's coffee) leaving Joey at home with his cellphone... and we made it no further than the driveway before our plans changed. Noah's car seat was so FULL OF SAND, I put a dishtowel under his bum and we drove straight to the carwash to vacuum it out. I let Noah "drive" while I vacuumed. And YES I set the e-brake to make sure we would stay put! So after 3 sessions with the quarter vended vacuum we were off to Starbucks for mom's much needed caffeinated beverage - ICED - after the sweat she worked up in this VA heat. We picked up some lunch at Wendy's and before we reached home Joey was calling us asking where we were... Happy that we had gotten him some lunch, he was no longer upset about our delay. Joey and Noah spent the rest of the afternoon laying around. Daddy got home, and we made spaghetti for dinner; YUM!

Noah eating (and wearing) cookies for an afternoon snack...

Joey never made it out of his jammies today! Well... neither did I really!

Mommy is also happy to report that she finally finished up with the Wedding Photos that she has been working on for the past 4 weeks, just in time to leave room for packing and preparing for our departure to Seattle. Whoo hoo - what a relief!

She has one more session tomorrow evening, and then will be taking a much needed hiatus from her work for the next few weeks!

7 days till our trip to Seattle!

Day 6

2008-06-25T23:57:00.009-04:00

Today was BEACH DAY!

Daddy was on duty and had to spend the night on his big ship, so to keep ourselves busy we made plans with Holly, Haley, and Mikaela for our first trip to the beach this summer. We went to Chicks Beach, our favorite spot in Virginia Beach on the Chesapeake Bay. We had an awesome time and what a great photo opp this turned out to be for day 6!

Joey and Noah were all geared up and enthused to head out of the driveway lookin' cool in their shades.

Joe cool testing out the waters...

Noah warming up to the idea with some help from "bubba"...

He likes it! - His hesitancy quickly disappeared and within no time he was walking straight out into the water (with help from mommy), doing belly flops into the surf, and floating on his back with mommy holding onto him.

Noah laying like seaweed? or sunbathing?

So you're buried in sand... hmmm... truck time!

Men at work.

Noah eating seaweed.

Almost time to go.

A very sandy and pooped out baby, asleep in the car before we even made it to the highway!

You must check out Holly's Day 6 - 94 Days of Summer Blog too!
Holly's Day 6 - 94 Days of Summer

8 days till our trip to Seattle!

Day 5

2008-06-24T23:01:00.010-04:00

Today was "eating fresh" (with cookies) and new DYSON day!

It started out an average day. The boys and I hung around the house in the morning while daddy was at work. We went out to get some lunch (Subway at Joey's request) because he wanted to "EAT something FRESH". Noah didn't care too much for his Turkey sandwich, but loved the Doritos that he picked out himself and chocolate chip cookie desert; which required another bath not 24 hours after the last...

Bubba did all the washing this time!

Then it was naptime!

This evening we took a trip to the NEX (Navy Exchange) in Norfolk for a couple of odds and ends and decided to invest in a new Dyson. All Dysons were on sale for 10% off and mind you that we pay no tax at the exchange... though still a large investment, it was quite a deal. And it will make mommy's life of constant cleaning much better!

"Say hello to my little friend" - Dyson DC17 Absolute Animal

Probably the closest thing we'll ever get to Rosie Jetson, but look at the resemblance! I'll have to name the new dyson "Rosie".

9 day till our trip to Seattle!

Day 4

2008-06-23T22:34:00.003-04:00

Today was attempted cleaning, bathtime, popcorn, and a movie.

We were off to a slow start again today, especially since there is no sugar in the house for mom's coffee! Joey cleaned his room and I made a half failed attempt to clean up Noah's toys to make room for the vacuum. I realized later that I should have taken pictures of the before and after, but I will surely have another opportunity for that photo shoot in the near future. Coming soon "The aftermath of Noah Charles".

The day ended with Noah getting a much needed soak in the tub. Joey showered, and the kiddos got their jammies on. After that the boys both got to do their favorite things... movie and popcorn. Joey LOVES to watch movies and has ever since he was very little, and Noah LOVES to eat popcorn (or as he calls it "POT"). So much for vacuuming today, but I am starting to take the saying to heart - "A clean house is a sign of a wasted life".

Bathtime!

Movie and popcorn!

10 Days and counting till our trip to Seattle!

Day 3

2008-06-22T16:22:00.008-04:00

Today was lazy and under-exciting. Breakfast, Garfield the movie, lunch... And Joey (being a great sport) helped mom try to work out some focusing issues with her new lens before a beach photography session this evening.

Noah and Daddy will be left to fend for themselves for dinner and lay around(literally)!

Noah giving running start kisses to daddy!

I invited Joey to come along with me to my session. He brought our point and shoot camera and took pictures of various things at the beach, but our time was cut short due to a thunder storm. Darn VA weather!

The pictures below were all taken by Joey himself!

Day 2

2008-06-21T17:38:00.007-04:00

Today was Air Show and L O N G naptime day.

Noah slept the day away and Joey was off again with another last minute invite, this time with his friend Evan Dunkley (our neighbor from accross the street) to the Air Show at Langley Air Force Base. He had a blast and came back with tons of loot!

Funny: Of all the loot Joey brought home, he was most excited about the free ear plugs that were handed out...

Day 1

2008-06-20T00:51:00.006-04:00

It is officially the first day of summer and my first of 93 more blog entries to come. Yesterday my near and dear friend Holly Curtis, and not to mention the most talented person that I know, called me and suggested that we document our summer with our kids by creating a blog of the 94 days of summer to share with our missed loved ones and friends. What an awesome idea!!! So here goes nothing...

Today was popsicles and June Bugs!

Joey was off with a last minute invite to watch his friend Chad's Little League Allstar Game in Suffolk, VA. so he missed the popsicle fun, but I think that he found plenty of healthy nourishment at the games snack stand ie: diet coke, hamburger, skittles, a salted pretzel, an airhead, and a bottle of water! I think he spent 27 dollars (just kidding).

Of all the days events, my favorite moment was this evening when Joey attempted to save Holly from a June Bug that had found it's way into her house. While attempting his manly duty of taking it outside on his open palm as not to hurt it (per Holly's orders), it flew off his hand and he said "oh yeah, i forgot that they fly"...

Joey is so sweet and makes my heart smile!