Summer Recap

I realize that it's been almost 4 months since we have posted anything on our blog. I feel guilty only because I am NOT a good journal writer and I count this as my journal for my posterity. Someday I plan to print it all out and put it in a binder as a type of scrapbook...

Anyway, this is our summer in review. We realized that we didn't really take very many pictures.

Our summer started out with Planter's Days in Woodland...the annual little celebration our town has. We watched the parade in the rain...typical Northwest June. Obviously Madeline was less than thrilled about the whole thing.


On the 4th of July we went up to Woodland and hung out in the sun next to the Columbia River. Madeline liked catching some rays with her aunt Abby.

She also liked the waverunner. So did Ian. He and Oliver "had the best waverunner ride of their lives" that day. Definitely something to be commemorated. I decided not to participate in the waverunner activities since I was 6 months pregnant. Not comfortable.

Other things we did this summer included...

- A short camping trip to the San Juan islands

- TONS of swimming in our apartment's swimming pool (I always said that pregnant women should never wear a swimsuit. They should just suck it up and not swim for that one summer. Needless to say, it was hot and I changed my mind. I completely stretched out my swimsuit. (darn - I'll have to get a new one next year) Sorry to all those at the pool who had to see me and my huge belly everyday.

- A trip up to the alpine slides on Mt. Hood (again to watch, not participate - pregnant).

- We (reluctantly) got rid of the pacifier.

- Madeline's vocabulary has taken off and s has learned almost all of her letters and can count to 4 before she starts naming random numbers. I am so proud of her. She loves learning and always points out all letters she sees.

- Ian passed all of his qualifying exams and now has his ARM (Associate in Risk Management).

- Ian got a job!!!! He got it on the same day he passed his final ARM test! He won't start until October 17 but he will be working for the State of Washington's Department of Labor and Industries. We are VERY excited! We will be moving to Tumwater, WA just after the baby is born but I will write more about that soon. I put in my 2 weeks notice this week and am so excited to stay home with the kids!

The last hurrah to our summer was over Labor Day weekend. We decided to take a short trip down to the Oregon Coast to use some Oregon Coast Aquarium tickets I had won from the radio in March.

My mom, my sister Abby, Ian, Madeline, and I drove out to Lincoln City on Sunday after church and stayed in a hotel. When we got there, Ian and I realized that we forgot our bag with everything which meant no pjs, no clothes, no toiletries, nothing. Fortunately we had packed a separate bag for Madeline which we did bring. On Monday morning, we woke up early and went to the store to buy clothes to wear (too bad we had to buy new clothes...). Then we drove down to Newport to the aquarium. Madeline loved it. I thought it was a little overpriced - luckily we didn't have to pay. She sat and watched the "sharks" forever. I have no idea why she started calling fish sharks, but she does. Here is one place we DID take our camera - hence - pictures.


They have cool stuff to touch.


Of course, you have to use hand sanitizer after you touch the animals. This was Madeline's FAVORITE part of the aquarium.


We stood and watched the seals for a long time.


After the aquarium we of course had to go to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and get ice cream. It was not very warm on the coast so we just went home without even going to the beach. It was a fun weekend.

Now we are just in the waiting phase for the baby to come and to move. I am due October 18 but am being induced on October 11 partly because Madeline was a week early and big and partly so we can have him born before we move and Ian starts his job (also, BYU comes to play Oregon State on October 15 and we have tickets, but we didn't mention that to the doctor).