Day 4 Tacoma Trip

We started the day at NW Trek
We almost didn't get in because they weren't accepting credit cards due to a power outage (who carries cash anymore?) I guess a watermelon truck had hit a power line in the middle of the night and the surrounding area was without power. They took our credit card and we ran to catch the 10 am tram.
The tram ride was fun and we saw Moose, Elk, Bison, Deer and Mountain Goats up close and in their natural habitat. Everything was great until the hour long ride ended up being 15 min too long for Eli. We had a baby melt down on a scenic nature tram, not too fun.
We thought after we got off of the train he'd be more interested in seeing the other animals. The electric fence was up and running by this time, so they had let out the bears and big cats out.
Eli was unable to recover and we had to flee the park.
We did get to see the watermelon wreckage on the way out.

Later that evening we went to Salter's Point beach and Eli got to throw some more rocks in the water. There were railroad tracks close by and we got to see a huge freight train barrel through going top speed.

Day 5 Tacoma Trip

We started the day at Wapato Park, but it just wasn't too fun. So, we packed up and headed to the next park on the list where we found a lot to do.

McKinley Playfield

Eli getting dizzy in the spinning bucket

Ben wants to be like Eli

Eli wants to be like Ben

The spray ground looked cool, but the weather wasn't warm enough for us to get wet

Just for Chris

Thanks Uncle Chris for the cute Hawaiian outfit! He'll need it to help him stay cool this summer.
Eli says "hdxnHBIU FRFJFCJINRFE L;,W2Xn"

New Duds

I bought Eli his first dress shirt and tie yesterday. I waited until now because he's been growing out of things so fast I didn't think it was worth it. He looks so cute (and he thinks the tie is hilarious) I wish I had splurged earlier!

The Coast

We went to the Oregon Coast today!
We checked the weather before we left and it said 85 and sunny.
We didn't bring jackets, and regretted it. Ben had to wear a towel, but it wasn't like we were going to be using it for anything else on a day like today.
We visited the Cape Mears lighthouse, and a giant Sitka Spruce tree.
We headed to the Tillamook Cheese Factory for lunch. Eli was fascinated with the cheese assembly line, and of course who doesn't love German Chocolate Cake ice cream?
We had fun, just not the kind of fun we envisioned when we left the house. Maybe we'll use the pail and shovel next time.

Timothy Lake

We went camping again this weekend!
We stayed at Gone Creek Campground on Mount Hood, which is possibly the most beautiful place I've ever camped. The water was clear, the trees were green and the mountain was majestic. Our site felt private, our neighbors were quiet, and they have bathrooms.
What more could we ask for?
Eli slept better this time with the pack-and-play set up in the tent. I was impressed with how quickly he fell asleep, and he still slept 12 hours on both nights. That's right, we didn't have to come home early this time! It was pretty warm the first night, but last night was freezing.
Eli spent a good amount of time chasing chipmunks around our campsite. He kept holding out his hand and saying "nice"(which means he wants to pet it). The rest of the time he played at the edge of the river, what more could a little boy want than water and rocks?
We hiked a little bit around the lake, but Eli gets tired after a short distance and the umbrella stroller isn't all terrain. The Kelty Backpack won't fit in our tiny car with all the camping gear, I think we need a rooftop carrier for our next adventure.

Where's the dip?

Eli wants dip with everything he eats. Ketchup seems to be the favorite, but anything will do.

The other day he was saying "Num Num", so I stopped and picked up some chicken nuggets for him. I thought this would hold him over until we could get home, but it backfired. He held up his chicken nugget and cried the rest of the way home, apparently he was unable to eat it because I wouldn't give him dip in the car.

His greatest challenge to date has been "how to dip a drink", he worked hard and came up with a successful technique. Please watch the following demonstration including chocolate milk and ketchup.

First: Dip the spout of the sippy cup

Second: Soak to ensure saturation


Third: Sit back and enjoy

At the River with Grandma Rowe

While Daddy went on a three day backpacking trip, Eli and I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Rowe in The Dalles. We drove during nap time and, with the help of Harry Potter on tape, the 2 hour drive seemed short. Eli loved playing with his Cousins (sorry no pics) and exploring Grandma and Grandpa's house. He could open all the doors (including the front door) so nothing was off limits, although the pantry seemed to be a favorite for obvious reasons. He slept great in the Pack and Play (this was the first time we've used it) so this gives us hope for our upcoming Tacoma trip. Thanks for a fun weekend Grandma and Grandpa Rowe!

The (little) Man I Love

Camping

We went on our first family camping trip!

We stayed at Lost Creek campground on Mt. Hood.
Eli thought camping was great, and sleeping in a tent was the most fun thing he's ever done. We got in bed at 9:00 and thought he was really tired. He ended up running laps around the tent and dancing until 11:15. He took a great nap on Saturday so we had high hopes for Sat. night, but Eli had other plans. He started with the dancing and gymnastics routine again, after about 45 min. I called it quits and we came home early.
There was a neat little nature trail in the campground, we walked it a couple of times. Eli loved throwing rocks in the creek, and of course we made smores.
Ben went on a "Bear Grylls" adventure during nap time, complete with a swim.
Overall it was a success and we're looking forward to going again in a couple of weeks.

Climber

The other day I was doing my hair and noticed the lights in the bedroom turning on and off. I peeked out and there was Eli on top of the dresser. I finally caught him on film the other day, usually he does it when I'm not looking. I just can't believe how strong he is!

Sprinkler Fun

Elmo

I found this Elmo at Goodwill today. It's a brand new Target "salvage" item, so no one has owned it before and it works perfectly. At first Eli only liked it when it was quiet, as soon as Elmo started dancing and singing ELMO to the tune of YMCA he got a little upset. He got over that pretty quick and was dancing around the kitchen with Elmo.

He wanted Ben to hold him and dance while Elmo sang to them.

Conversations with a 1 year old

Me: Eli where's Jesus?
Eli points to Jesus
Me: Can you say Jesus?
Eli: DaDa
Me: Say Jesus
Eli: Mama
Me: Jesus
Eli: Elmo!

4th of July Parade

Catch me if you can!

Zoo

Grandma Rowe went with us (sorry you didn't make it into a picture) and took us all on the train. Eli loved it and stayed interested through the 40 min train ride through Washington Park.

We borrowed the leash from the Churches, and it worked out great! Eli walked around the whole zoo, I don't think we used the stroller at all.

Surprise, surprise, Eli climbing on everything.

It's Summer Baby

Between the yard, park and zoo, we've been outside like 8 hours a day this week.
Grandma and Grandpa came to visit a couple of times.
Eli dropped his first bomb in the tub, then cried because it scared him.
Daddy killed the big spiders in the garage (thank you).
Ben's still fighting the cold we've passed all around the family.
That's our week!

Superman

Ben loves Superman, but I could never get into it.
Part of my problem is the outfit.
I just don't understand why he has to wear his underwear on the outside of his pants.
It reminds me of a story my Mom told me about her trip to Africa, when she gave bras to some of the Native Women.
They were so excited to be like "Western Women", so they put their bras on over their dresses so they could show them off.
So, I'm thinking maybe they didn't have underwear on Krypton, and when superman made his outfit he put the underwear on the outside to show them off.

Trouble

This is Eli's latest trick! He climbs up on the toilet, turns the water on, and brushes his teeth. The only problem is he can only turn it to hot.

Here's our new rubber band child safety device. It's one more obstacle to over come when visitors try to use the bathroom. We already have a toilet lock and a duck covering the faucet in the tub (making it impossible to turn on the shower).

This reminds me of the first time I put the toilet locks on, Ben had already gone to bed. He woke up in the morning and of course had to use the bathroom. He ran in and found a complex baby lock which requires two hands to use, pull a button out and push down a lever at the same time. He did manage to get it open in time, but admitted he almost had to use the sink!