Geocashing

A friend of ours introduced us to geocashing which is basically a treasure hunt trying to find a box that someone has hid.  There are many websites that identify locations where cashes are hid and give you clues to find it.  Some are easy, some are hard.  I think they are all hard. Inside the cashe there is usually a pen and piece of paper to write your name and the date.  You can bring something to put in the cashe and then take something out.  Or you can just check it out and put it back where you found it.  We've only done a few but hope to do more before Summer's over.

Here is a description:

Geocaching /ˈdʒiːoʊˌkæʃɪŋ/ is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world.
A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook (with a pen or pencil). The geocacher enters the date they found it and signs it with their established code name. After signing the log, the cache must be placed back exactly where the person found it. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (Tupperware or similar) or ammunition boxes can also contain items for trading, such as toys or trinkets, usually of more sentimental worth than financial.


One we did was hid under a bush in front of someone's home in West Seattle.  It was suppose to be easy but we had to ask a neighbor for help.  I think they are usually hid in parks and public places but this family must not mind people looking in their bushes.

Mindcraft Mania

This video game Minecraft has become extremely popular with kids, especially kids at our house.  Keaton was obsessed for awhile.  I let dad and Keaton play the video games and I stay out of it. Sometimes they let Nolan play...kind of...  Nolan has also decided he likes Minecraft and is probably one of the youngest kids to own a Minecraft shirt or even know what it is.

This creeper (character in Minecraft) is everywhere.





 













And super cute mini Minecraft fan!

Polar Bear Plunge

Every year in West Seattle they have a polar bear plunge on New Year's Day at Alki beach.  Some how Keaton found out about it and wanted to do it.  He got all dressed and was really going to do it.  He did take the plunge but I think the only thing that got wet was his boots.  It was fun to watch all the other people jump into Puget Sound in January!

We're back...

There has only been one blog entry in 2016, Keaton's birthday.  Life with 2 boys is getting busier and busier as they get older.  But I'm back at it.  And am going to do a bunch of blogs trying to recap what we've been doing for the past 6 months.  To start, here's some cute pics of the boys:

 Brotherly love! And one of my favorite pictures of them!























 Pirate for a day


















Movie night.....or excuse to eat candy and popcorn while dad is out of town.

 Nolan's got his coat on upside down and not happy about taking Manny for a walk.

















Pizza at Zeeks! Nolan talks about Zeeks every time we drive by it in West Seattle.

3 boys eating ice cream :)

Keaton turns 5!

I can't believe he's 5 but he is. I keep asking him things like: are you my kid, there is no way I have a kid this old, maybe I took the wrong kid home from the gym.  I probably shouldn't be saying things like this but it is amazing to me that he is this old.

He wanted a chocolate/chocolate cake with a house on it so this is how it turned out.  It also has PJ Mask characters on it (his favorite TV show).

We also planned to go to the Great Wolf Lodge (a hotel with a giant indoor water park and lots of other kid activities). I got the flu a few days before and Nolan was sick so he had to stay behind. 

Daddy and Keaton had fun. When I made the reservation I said that it was his birthday so they gave him wolf ears with a party hat and he could get unlimited ice cream when ever he wanted.

2015 Christmas

 We went to Massachusettes for Christmas to visit family and the kids had a great time (and were "pretty good" on the airplane). Instead of a white Christmas we enjoyed weather in the mid 60's. 













Nolan's not to sure about this...

Christmas morning was awesome for the kids! They were a little confused on why we had to drive to Nana and Grampy's for presents instead of them being where we stayed. But they still believe in Santa so you can pretty much tell them anything and they believe it.

Keaton was super excited to get his very own shooter.

Keaton has been telling us for weeks that he wanted Santa to bring him a science kit. Santa must have been listening. 

Nolan is really into brushing his teeth so this might have been his favorite gift.  All he wanted to do is brush is teeth after he got it.

While we were there Nana celebrated her 60th birthday.  The kids have young grandparents on this side of the family (unlike their other grandparents). We went to this crazy restaurant, the Kowloon to celebrate. It's a Chinese restaurant that has a tropical theme, full of fountains and overall a crazy place.

It was a great trip and the kids definitely got spoiled with all kinds of treats from Nana so I think they will be looking forward to the next trip!

Boys & Baptism's

This past Saturday, Nov. 11th, we had Nolan baptized at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle.  There was another 2 year old girl also getting baptized.  While she sat quietly next to her parents, Nolan was drawing on himself, handing the lady behind us markers, stuffing bear crackers into his mouth. However, both boys were really good...for being boys!

Nolan and Keaton were quite curious about the whole thing...

 

Aunt Claudia was Nolan's God Parent and was the perfect person for the job.  She has been such a huge part of his life and a VERY important person in our family's life.

 

Happy Family! Time for Cake!

 

Congratulations Nolan!