Ride the Duck!!

Last Sunday we packed up for a fun day in the city with the Hovey's. The Hovey's are movin' on to their next adventure and have a "Washington Bucket List", so we thought we would join them on one of their final activities. We met them at Top Pot Donuts downtown and then headed out on the famous DUCKS of Seattle. We were a little nervous that it was going to rain on us, but we got lucky and the sun even made a quick appearance. They had blankets for us on the duck so we all (for the most part) kept warm. The girls all seemed to really have fun and Chase was even entertained the entire 90 minute ride. After our trip, we headed over to the center house for lunch.. although I think everyone agreed that we could forget that lunch. It was a fun day with our dear friends. We are going to miss them immensely while they are gone, but will look forward to trips to Monterey, CA, and Virginia to visit!

YUMMM!!



Claire's unique way of eating her donut


Mama's and kids


Headed to ride the ducks



All of us ready to RIDE THE DUCKS!



The captain of the Duck let us know that sometimes the quacker fairy comes to people's houses if kids put their quacker under their pillow. When Regen heard this, she got VERY excited because that meant more money (she is saving her $$ for a DS). After we got home she was all ready to put her quacker under her pillow, but then I mentioned that the quacker fairy TAKES the quacker away. She apparently did not understand that part because so far, she does NOT want the quacker fairy to come... dang.



The girls enjoying their ride


Me and Chase



All the kiddo's playing at the Seattle Center

Update on the baby bunnies

We went outside after dinner tonight to check on the bunnies and they were all gone. They grew up and left the nest. We thought it would be sometime this week, but we were all a little shocked that it was so soon. Regen shed some tears, and I knew how she felt. We were successful at keeping the bunnies alive and out of harms way while they grew up enough to survive on their own. Our job is done.

Zoo Time

We took advantage of the great weather on Saturday and headed to the zoo. Since we have a membership, we felt no pressure to stay there long. So, we basically just went to see a few things and were gone in less than 2 hours.

Chase had fun looking at the animals. The last time we went he slept most of the time.


Feeding the birds - one of the favorite things to do at the zoo


I had to hold the bird pretty far away from the flailing arms of Chase. You can see his eyes staring at that bird. He wants to eat it.


Both girls chose to feed the birds an extra stick over going on the carousel.


Regen following the rules and telling Claire to be quiet.


Checking out the new meerkat exhibit.


The girls loved playing in the meerkat holes.

Baby Bunnies

Since we have moved into this house with a big black dog who really likes to chase little animals.. we haven't seen many little critters in the backyard. No raccoons, cats, bunnies. We know they live here, because the neighbors on both sides of us have plenty, and bunnies like to munch on our plants in the front yard. About a month and a half ago I saw Guinness chasing a bunny through the back yard and I was shocked. Then about 2 weeks ago while Hannah the dog was visiting, her and Guinness found a burrow of baby bunnies and they were each 'playing' with a teensy tiny bunny. Luckily Cameron and Colin got the pooches to drop the prize before too much damage was done. We have had to build a miniature fort knox around the burrow to keep Guinness out, but luckily they have all survived.

Living with two small girls while there is a nest of cute, adorable baby bunnies in the back yard has been interesting and fun. All they want to do is see the bunnies. We have been checking on them almost daily, feeding the momma bunny nightly with carrots. In just under two weeks they have almost doubled in size and it won't be long before they go and live in the 'wild' that is the neighborhood of Chardonnay.

Here they are the day after we found them - we think there are about 5 or 6 in there




Colin building Fort Knox


So far, it has been sucessful at keeping Guinness OUT and momma bunny can find her way in - we see her in the evening go to feed the babies, so we know she can get in. (plus the girls built a carrot trail for her to find her way)


The other day when we went to check on them - Colin lifted up the bush that the nest was under and three baby bunnies shot out and ran. It was a mad dash by me, Regen and Colin to find them. When we did, we had the opportunity to hold them and cuddle them while we could. We were NOT expecting them to get so big so fast. hmmmm - this sounds familiar. I think somewhere the momma bunny is wondering how her babies got so big so fast, and thinking "I could have another one - just one more!"


Regen loves to hold them. She is so gentle and really REALLY wants to keep it.


Claire is actually pretty gentle too




Trent and Parker came over on Saturday to see them - one week after we found them

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's day was wonderful. I got to sleep in while Colin and all the kiddo's went to Starbucks and got my favorite drink, then when they got home they made breakfast for me. We went to Flower World so I could pick out a new Camellia for the backyard. The weather was perfect so we had a picnic in the backyard for lunch and then got some huge perfect steaks from Bill the Butcher for dinner. And best of all - Trophy Cupcakes for dessert! YUM! Momma was spoiled this year.

We could not keep the grass out of his mouth.


Me and the little people that make me a mom


Guinnes enjoying the sun and some ball time


Picnic in the backyard

Nostalgia

Today the weather is beautiful, and after couple of weeks of October-like weather in May it was so nice to see and feel the sun. Regen didn't have school so we decided to all go to Farrel McWhirter to see the baby pigs, other farm animals, and play on the tire-swings. (Regen's favorite). As soon as we got out of the car and started walking towards the animals, the girls running in front of me pushing Chase in the stroller, it hit me. The last time we were here I was in LABOR with Chase. All of a sudden I had tears in my eyes and was thinking back to that day 8 months ago. That one day changed our whole little family, and for the better. I don't think any of us can imagine our lives without Chasie in it. I kinda made me - GASP - want another baby. My mind knows that I am nostalgic for that period of my life-having babies-and is just sad that it is over, but my heart - well, I guess my heart is just plain nuts.

Checking out the Chickens


Chase having fun looking at the baby pigs. (doesn't he look like a little boy now?!?!)


Claire usually has to sneak a little kiss in every time she runs by him


The favorite tire swings


Claire kept calling this horse a 'horsie-cow'

Crawler!

Watch out everyone.. the boy is moving! So far, he isn't too quick, but give it a week, and he'll be off and running and I will be chasing him all around making sure there are no princess polly pocket shoes or paper scraps in his path. Maybe I'll finally lose the last 7lbs. We have a ton of video's of him almost crawling, but he usually just collapses in a pile of fussiness because he can't get where he wants.. so this is one I took today and he got where he wanted to go. It is interesting that so far he is following along the same time-line for the girls on almost everything. Regen crawled at 7.5 months, Claire on the day she turned 8 months, and Chase about 7 3/4 months.