Our California Adventure -- Day One

The morning we left for California was a very early one at our house -- and we usually get up pretty early anyway! Both boys were bright-eyed and ready to roll.

We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare (married to Matthew -- that's a given!) and navigated security with all our paraphernalia. We tried to pack light -- and I was pretty sure we had until we put everything on the conveyor belt -- then it looked excessive! You add a couple of car seats, a stroller, a backpack for each traveler, four pairs of shoes, etc... it's a little overwhelming.

Our master plan for success was to board the plane separately. Matthew took most of the bags and the car seats and got everything set up on the plane and the boys and I waited until the last minute to board. It worked perfectly!

The first stop was Mormor's house (Matthew's Grandma) in Carlsbad. We had a great time visiting her for a few days -- enjoying restaurants, the pool, the beach, San Diego Zoo and of course, Mormor!

Sam and Zak were all smiles when the plane landed.
They were great on the plane!

They didn't last long in the car.

Fun with Dad in Mormor's pool.

Sam loved jumping!

Zak loved the water too.

Flying Lessons

In the last couple of weeks, Sam has developed a fear of flying -- to the point that he dissolved into tears in the backseat of the car and declared that he never wanted to fly on an airplane.

Not what we wanted to hear when we're getting ready to take off on vacation next week!

Matthew came up with the great idea to visit the airport so that Sam could see where we were going and what was going to happen. There are no longer observation decks at the Portland Airport, but the top of the parking garage was a great place to watch planes take off and land. Sam loved it! Then we walked across the sky bridge and saw where we would check in and then looked at some of the shops and saw where we would go through security before we boarded our plane. Sam kept saying how much fun it was at the airport.

It was a very successful trip!

Sam watching the planes take off and land.

Waving goodbye to the planes taking off.

Goodbye Little Curls

Somebody got their first haircut today! I hadn't anticipated getting Zak's hair cut quite this soon -- but it was out of control!

We took him to the same place where Sam had his first haircut -- a cute little place that caters to kids. Sam had a very positive experience -- Zak's experience was quite the opposite. Thankfully it all turned out fine in the end!

Zak's excited about sitting in his own car!

Things quickly went downhill.

Can you see the big crocodile tears? Poor little fellow!

He survived -- although still a little sober.

Zak doesn't look like a baby anymore -- he's a big boy!

Sprinkler Fun

This afternoon was pretty warm around here, so it was time to take out the "wiggly sprinklers" and let the boys loose. It was Zak's first time in the sprinklers and he seemed to enjoy it. He kept spraying himself in the eye, but couldn't quite figure out how that was happening.

All Sam wanted to do was get Zak wet. And he did it over and over again!

Zak was soaked and freezing by the time it was over --
but still pitched a fit when I made him come inside!

Gate Crasher

The gate we normally use in our family room was out of commission for a couple of days -- so I had to improvise. I thought I did a pretty good job of strategically placing a couple of large baskets in front of the doorway.

Apparently, we have a climber in our family. I've always suspected that Zak would be a climber. Sam was never a climber -- it was great! Zak, on the other hand, will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Especially if it's forbidden!

Caught in the act...

The Piano Man

Zak has recently discovered that we have a piano in our living room. He's discovering lots of new things that have always been around, but now that he's pulling himself up, a whole new world has opened up to him. Books are no longer safe on the end table...watch out for that cup of tea...the coasters keep disappearing. You get the idea.

Back to the piano. Every time he gets loose from the gated family room, he heads straight for the piano, pulls himself up and begins to play -- he likes to play on one end and then walk down to the other end and plays a little more.

Just in case you haven't already guessed...everything is played fortissimo.

Zak's First Birthday

We drove up to Edmonds to celebrate Zak's first birthday with family and friends. It was supposed to have been a picnic/spray park party -- but the gathering clouds, lack of sunshine and cooler temperatures prompted us to move the party indoors.

A fun time was had by all and we'll have another little celebration on his actual birthday, which is this Friday.

Zak loved all the balloons that Poppy and Grammie had at their house.

Opened lots of fun presents!

Zak had a lot of helpers when it came time to open gifts.
He didn't have to lift a finger!

Zak and cousin Drew playing together.

Tuckered out from too much fun!