Family Update

Big changes have abounded for us! Besides the boys getting ever older, there's been a career change, a cross country move, and a new baby coming in October. Kirby's last day in the Army was also his birthday. We closed on our house the day before, and the boys and I flew out the day after. Kirby and his brother Evan drove the cars up that weekend. And just like that our Army days were behind us.

Moving to WA has been quite an adjustment, the rain is a big one. But when its nice its REALLY nice. Here's the view from my kitchen window

We can drive 20 minutes to Birch Bay and here's the view from there.

And of course there's the cousins, so many cousins!

The boys are getting so big, Oliver just turned 4 and a half and has learned to ride his bike with no training wheels! Quite an accomplishment. He's registered for preschool in the fall and is talking up a storm. He is constantly surprising us with the things he knows, and with his observations. He loves to paint and draw, play outside, ride his bike and most of all play with the cousins.

Dash will be 2 and a half next month! He has been diaper free for 5 days now and we are hopeful it stays this way! He's doing a great job and although he is stubborn about a lot of things this doesn't seem to be one of them. He seems to have given up his naps though which I guess is the trade off. His language is developing steadily, although with Oliver around he can never get a word in edge wise. But he has no problem communicating his needs and making himself heard. He loves to play with "arches" (trucks) "dig arches" (back hoes) he loves being outside, riding his little bike and playing with "Rahrah" (Oliver).

And our newest little boy, due October, is cooking nicely and we are very excited to meet him!

Boys

Here's a picture of the boys to tide you over from my lack of blog posts.

My Beautiful Friend Gwen

My friend Gwen started this blog last month when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her writing is beautiful, honest, and heartbreaking.

Gwen's Blog

Happy Birthday Oliver

Birthday Boy!

Soon to be Birthday Boy in 1 month!

Opening presents from family.

Getting the Party started!

Working on their Dino Eggs-cavation.


Close up of the cake, Dino Carnage!

Dinosaur stealing an egg

Wading into the jello pond

Complete with dry ice.

Kids chowing down.

The Fam.

21 months old

Mischievous, emotional, naughty, strong-willed, good eater, nudist. A few words to describe Dashel Edward. He's becoming more of a boy and less of a baby everyday. He's out of his crib and wants to be out of diapers. Not that he wants to be potty trained he just doesn't want to wear diapers or anything.

Road Trip - Memphis

As we left Kentucky and headed into Tennessee the rain finally stopped and we had beautiful weather once again. We stopped somewhere in the middle of Tennessee to have lunch at Loretta Lynn's Kitchen. A little restaurant with tons of Loretta Lynn memorabilia and a pretty tasty buffet. Good thing about the kids being so little was that most places we went the kids ate free.


We called ahead to Memphis and made a reservation in downtown Memphis at a hotel close to the restaurant we wanted to eat at. Here's the view from our room!

We saw this restaurant featured on Man vs Food as one of the best places to get BBQ. It was so close to our hotel that as we were swimming in the pool we could see and smell the smoke from the BBQ wafting over us. It was amazing. If you find yourself in Memphis definitely check out Charles Vergo's Rendezvous.

"walkin' in Memphis"

and running in Memphis!

Beale Street. Reminded me of Bourbon St in New Orleans and 6th St in Austin. Definitely the place to be for the night life. There were walk up stands that you could get frozen drinks and beers at. We got a drink and found a place to sit and listen to live music.



The next morning we woke up to a fire alarm and saw a ton of fire trucks down below, but still didn't feel the need to evacuate.

We were right across the street from the world famous Peabody Hotel. Its the one that has ducks in the lobby.
It was Thursday and we had planned on getting back home on Saturday but we felt like we'd had enough, so we went to Graceland on our way out of town then made the big push home. Both kids had fallen asleep by the time we drove the ten minutes to Graceland and we debated whether to get out and see it or not. We are really glad we did, it was really neat to see the inside of the house. Nothing has changed at all since Elvis died and its really a unique time capsule.

Dining Room

Living Room


His parent's room on the first floor. We weren't allowed to see the upstairs because Elvis never allowed guests upstairs.

Media Room.

Jungle Room.

Pool. I wanted to jump in, it was a HOT day.

Front of the house.

Even though we were on our way home I still wanted to stop in Natchez, MI and see my favorite antebellum home there. I had gone before when I was a kid and the house really made an impression on me. We got to Natchez at dinner time so we thought we'd stop and have a nice dinner. Both boys were asleep when we got there, we got them out of the car and they both cried for 45 minutes straight. We gave up and just left but not before driving by Rosalie, it was still as beautiful as I remembered!



Next Stop: Home Sweet Home