Digging For Gold

We find him like this a lot...


Sometimes he goes all out...


Thankfully, there is currently nothing up there!

Zak Turns 2!

Zak is officially in the terrific two's!

He has changed so much over the last few months -- he's talking more and more, is very comfortable communicating his feelings in a passionate way (meaning he throws himself on the floor when he doesn't get his way), loves to play with his big brother and is a joy to be around!

Poppy and Grammy came for the weekend to help us celebrate Zak's birthday. A quick trip to the mall for a ride on the Merry-Go-Round -- a favorite for both boys. Lots of time spent outside playing in the water and the sand. Hot dogs and birthday cake rounded out the day.

Zak laughed and laughed on the Merry-Go-Round!

Oh -- so fun!


Zak's becoming a pro at opening gifts!


New fire boots!


A Strider bike -- and he knew just what to do!


Water wars!


Yummy watermelon!

Blowing out the candles!

What a fun birthday for a fun boy!

A Beach In The Backyard

Sam and Zak received a very special birthday gift from their Grandpa and Nana -- their own sandbox!

Matthew built it and it turned out great -- it fits in with the raised planter beds he is building.

Hours upon hours have been spent in the sandbox -- it is the favorite activity at our house! We've also learned that play sand is not the same as beach sand -- it does not just brush off -- it's a little dirtier, but the boys don't seem to mind.

Ready and waiting!


Sam wanted to know if they could get in it!

Lots of fun!

Pails are filled and dumped and filled again!

Construction vehicles working hard
to move all that sand around!

What a fun gift -- the boys are having a ball!

A Day At The Beach

We headed off to spend the day on the beach in Lincoln City -- it was great!

The boys had so much fun digging...and digging...and digging. We were there for hours! Matthew and I set up our beach chairs, got out our books and settled in to watch the boys play.

By the end of our time at the beach the boys were rolling in the sand. They rinsed off and changed clothes -- but still had so much sand in their hair and other places!

We did a quick walk through some shops and then headed off to Mo's for dinner.

We arrived home pleasantly tired, a little sunburned and ready for showers!

Sam is ready to go back -- he thinks we should go every week!

Thankful...

Thankful for our boys...


and soap...lots of soap!

A Visiting We Will Go!

While Matthew headed to Southern Oregon to help his parents out with a few projects, the boys and I headed to Edmonds to visit Poppy and Grammie.

We had so much fun and the weather was great -- so we were outside a lot. Here are a few highlights...

Zak knocked out in the car on the way up.

Poppy discovered a new use for golf clubs -- trike pusher!

Playing with giant exercise balls.

The boys had so much fun with the ball that Poppy went out

and got another one so they could each have their own.

Playing in the sandbox at the Beach Cafe.

Watching a boat being hoisted out of the water.

The boys were making us "coffee" in the
back yard -- this occupied them for hours.
The squirt gun added the flavor to the lattes!

The boys learned how to kink the hose.

It was a lot of fun!

Zak liked being on the receiving end!

Trying a little corn on the cob.

Always a fun time with Grammie & Poppy!

Sam & The Library Card

I hope he will still be using this same card when he's a teenager...