Look who's 4 - and a first...

Wow, Aidan turned four on Sunday...crazy! I still remember vividly being in unproductive labor for 29 hours that ended in a c-section four years ago! How time flies.

We took a couple pictures on the day to commemerate (you can see the cooperation gleaming in his eyes), but will obviously have many more from his party this coming weekend.

He got some great dinosaur gifts from his Great Grandparents, Aunt Di, Patty. He also was able to purchase his own items (mostly dinosaur related) from gift cards he received - which he really enjoyed!

On his birthday, we went to his friend Reese's birthday party - she turned 4 on the 8th. It was a bowling party and Aidan had never bowled before! He had a blast and bowled a 70!

Here is a video of the master in action:

(if getting this via email you will need to access the blog to see the video)

Visit from Grandpa Jim!

It was great to have Jim's dad out (Grandpa Jim) for a visit a couple weeks ago. Sad that Lois and Tod couldn't join them! Saturday Jim and Grandpa took Aidan to see "Night at the Museum 2" which they all enjoyed. I unfortunately had to take Makena to the clinic because a cut on her palm got infected!

We had really nice weather so on Sunday we went to NorthWest Trek - a local place where they only have animals native to the NW. The best part is the tram ride that takes you around the 400 acre open space! The massive bison were RIGHT NEXT to the tram in many spots along with their cute little babies. If you were allowed, and were so daring, you could actually put your arm out the window and pet them - that is how close some were.

We also saw mtn goats, big horn sheep, elk, caribou, deer. Makena would actually see some things before I did - especially the sheep - and would tell me by pointing and saying "baaa!". It was very cute.

I didn't get many shots but here are a few - do you see the bison in the background?

They have bears, wolves, big cats and more (basically all the carnivores) in enclosures too. The two furry brown lumps in the background here are grizzly bears playing. It really is hard to get shots of animals AND people!

The rest of the afternoon was spent playing in the backyard.



Grandpa Jim had to leave too soon for our liking!

Sunny days and new tricks

Been meaning to post for a few weeks...but here are some pics of recent great weather days.

And one of Makena's many new tricks - climbing! The other is opening doors...fun!

Easter!

We had our first ever Easter Egg hunt this year - but of course, true to WA, we had to have it inside because it was pouring rain and cold.

Aidan had fun looking for all the eggs, especially finding ones with candy or money! Makena found some on her own as well.

Grandma Lois made a beautiful dress for Makena - I wish we had more places to have her wear it!

Taking pictures got a little old for both of them, but we got some good shots! Keepers!

Sunny spring day

So from snow to sun...finally! We had a really nice weekend and that means getting the kids outside as much as possible. Crazy to think but this was Makena's first real encounter with grass! Last time we were outside much she wasn't even crawling.

She was a bit hestant at first, but then was running all over the place. She also took a liking to Aidan's mower...

Aidan found a new outside pasttime as well - tree climbing. I turn my back and there he is, like a little monkey, up in the maple tree. Thankfully it is a small tree, low to the ground, perfect for little kid climbing. He did find that you get scraped up in trees, lose your shoes when they get stuck between branches and sometimes find yourself hanging and afraid to fall. Good lessons!

Having these recent nice days, plus it staying lighter later in the evening, makes me very excited for summer!

We also colored easter eggs for the first time this weekend. Aidan had a great time but of course wanted to dunk the eggs in all the colors - so I think most of the eggs look exactly the same - kinda muddy.

Now we wait for the Easter Bunny to arrive!

Aidan goes ice skating!

Cyndi and I took Aidan ice skating for the very first time this weekend. I knew it would be a total hit or a total miss. Well a hit it was!

He could actually walk in the horrid plastic skates, but the ice was a different story.

Aidan had a great time having us drag him around the rink. Luckily Cyndi and I didn't fall either but I was worried that Aidan would fall and clip our skates and we would all go down in a heap. Nope! We did have to switch sides every so often so each arm could get a rest for awhile. There were times that I barely had to hold Aidan so maybe next time he will be able to balance by himself a little more. I think the problem is that he has no fear and is TRYING to skate (or do what he sees other people doing with their feet) so he doesn't cautiously glide on the ice.

But he was able to just stand there on the ice for a minute with no help!

A helmet may be necessary - or a couple hats!

If you are getting this via email - you will need to go into the blog to see the videos.

Then we went for an early dinner and Aidan slept over at Aunt Cyndi's house! Thanks Cyndi!

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