Fall's almost here

Which means Back to School and Football. 

I know next to nothing about football but have jumped on the "bandwagon" to cheer on the Seahawks.  It's fun to see Seattle fans explode with enthusiasm.  Speaking of enthusiasm, Keaton is pretty excited about the whole thing too!  Although he was pretty disappointed when we wouldn't turn off the TV so he could dance during the home opener.

 

 

Keaton started a new preschool this week.  And he's had a great time so far.  On his first day he found out there was a guy in his class he already knew.  Plus he got a birthday invitation on the first day...and cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  Nolan looks pretty excited to have him out of the house for a few hours!

 

 

So on Mon/Tues he goes to the YMCA school to get strong and healthy and on Thurs/Fri he goes to the Andover School to get smart.  And Wednesday's have been reserved for fun with grandpa.  My goal is to have a consistent schedule, which will be hard since I typically decide what we're doing the morning of.  But I think it will be good for him (or super boring since he's use to spontaneity).

 

Up next...Halloween...already have 2 pumpkins and more scarecrows than I can count!

Summer's Over

We tried to do as much as we could before Summer was over (well I guess it hasn't officially ended).  Getting outside was the priority since rain is right around the corner.

Whidbey Island

The fair

Scarecrow extravaganza at Remlington Farms

 

 

 

More Cousin Fun

Becky, Emerald and Crystal were hear a few weeks ago. When I was getting ready to take them to the airport Keaton starting packing his suitcase.  When we were leaving I told Crystal she could sit in Keaton's car seat.  His response was "Where will I sit?" I think he really did think he was going with them.  Then the next day I asked him if he wanted to go to the park.  He asked if we could call Crystal and Emerald to see if they wanted to come too.  It must be very confusing to a three year old to have them in his life around-the-clock for a week and then gone.

Swimming!

 

 

Dance Party!

 

Craft and Reading Time!

(Keaton is wearing pink pants, a straw belt cause they were too big, and a brown/pink shirt. Thank you cousins for letting me borrow your clothes since I had SO many accidents.)

 

 

 

 

Group Picture!

 

Nolan Couldn't Keep Up...Nap Time!

 

 

 

Mt Rainier

When we were kids we practically lived at Mt. Rainier.  Running around and around the visitor's center (that use to be round) waiting for mom or dad to get back from climbing. Somehow our parent's even got all three of us to Camp Muir when we were very young (base camp for those going all the way to the top).

My dad has climbed Mt Rainier 26 times and my mom 4 times.  This was a very, very special place for both of them.

This weekend we took a trip down there to remember our mother/wife and honor her wishes at this mountain that was such a big part of our parent's life.

Annual Swedish Summer Run

I'm not sure how many years we have been doing this but it's something I started with my Mom and my friend Misty started joining us back then.  This year "Leah Morgan's Marchers" were: TJ, Rachel, Keaton, Nolan, Dad, Aunt Claudia, Misty and Rae.

We did take a little short cut this year which was expected due to a certain 3.5 year old walking instead of being in stroller.  But Keaton's practice at the YMCA paid off and he ran pretty fast for awhile, until he fell down  Instead of learning to walk, he started out running before 1 years old and skipped the walking part!

It is probably the activity we look forward to most during the Summer. Spending the day remembering the most giving, patient, loving Mom/Wife. 

Summer!

We've quiet for since the beginning of June.  That's because we've had a busy summer.

Taking swim lessons at the YMCA. Playing at the YMCA where they have fantastic activities during the Summer.  Yes, we've been spending a lot of time there. 

 

The second child sure does get to do many activities a bit sooner than they probably should.  Big brother always thinks his little brother can do everything he can do.  And big brother adores his little brother and want's him to be part of everything.  At least until Nolan starts playing with his toys, then things will change.

 

Keaton driving Nolan around on a bike made for two.  Poor Nolan wearing a boxing helmet instead of a bike helmet.

 

Keaton showing Nolan how to hold the kayak paddle before he goes off into the lake with Grandpa.

 

Keaton convincing Nolan it's a good idea to cruise down to Alki to check out the toddler girls.  Luckily they didn't make it out of the backyard.

 

Keaton sharing his shoe with Nolan.  Nolan was pretty excited to get it in his mouth as soon as possible because everything goes in his mouth.  I was there to intercept before shoe was in mouth.

Keaton playing in the wading pool at Lincoln Park and only wanting to play with Nolan.  Nolan only got to dip his feet in but next time we will remember his swim suit so he can splash around with big brother.  Nolan did get to taste the grass while Keaton found a friend from preschool to play with.

 

These are only some of the many, many fun things we have been doing to keep busy this Summer.   It is great that Keaton has so much fun with Nolan.  And you can already tell that Nolan really looks up to his big brother and has more fun with him that anyone else.

Smoothie Madness

I'm not sure I was successful with my first trip with the 2 boys.  It ended well so I guess I was eventually.

First Trip with 2:
Keaton, Nolan and I recently went to visit a good friend of mine from high school.  April lives up in Sumas near the Canadian border.  It is about a 2 hour drive.  This was the first overnight trip I have been on with Keaton and Nolan and was Nolan's first trip anywhere.

The Smoothie:
On the way up I told Keaton we could get a smoothie from McDonald's.  I saw one but couldn't figure out how to get to it so I told him we would stop at the next one I saw....and I didn't seen another one. 
I found a Jack in the Box and told him we would see if they had smoothies, which they did.  I don't know if this was a good thing or bad thing since we will never visit the Bellingham Jack in the Box again and I'm pretty sure we aren't welcome anyways.

Crying to Screaming:
When we went inside Keaton was crying since it had taken so long to get a smoothie.  Nolan was crying because he had a poopy diaper.  We got 2 smoothies and headed for the bathroom. The minute we went in the lid came off Keaton's smoothie and it spilled all over the floor.  Keaton went from crying to screaming.  And they had no changing table for Nolan so he was now screaming too. 

Screaming to Total Hysteria:
I told Keaton he could have my smoothie when we got in the car.  As I handed it to him the lid fell off and it spilled too.  Keaton went from screaming to a totally hysterical child.  I changed Nolan's diaper on the floor in the backseat of the car and tossed Nolan's dirty diaper and the remainder of the smoothie into the garbage outside.  The smoothie hit the side of the garbage can and some sprayed on the front door of Jack in the Box.  At this point I think I was crying a little too and had to drive away, leaving the remainder of smoothie #2 on the door. 

Fixing Problem:
We were all a disaster but I really wanted to change that!  My last try was the drive thru Starbucks across the parking lot.  They had smoothies and cups with screw on lids!!!!!!!!!! Impossible to spill!!!!!  The lady did manage to spill a little on my car when giving it to me but I didn't care.  Keaton didn't spill any.

Happy:
During the last half hour of our drive I told Keaton I was sorry we were having such a bad day.  In a very happy spirit Keaton responded by saying "Mommy I'm not having a bad day"  This made all the smoothie chaos worth it. 

Uneventful Ending :
The rest of the trip was wonderful and uneventful....except when we were 5 minutes from home and very excited to get home and Keaton had to go to the bathroom.  He spent at least 30 minutes in the Taco Time bathroom going potty.
Here are two boys riding in a police car.  Luckily it's not a real one from leaving a spilled smoothie on the door of Jack in the Box.