Letterboxing

Through various people I have heard about letterboxing but knew I had to wait a few years before I could do it with my boys. When Sean stayed with us I was thinking of things to do when I remembered this idea. I looked up some information and we went letterboxing. You can check out the details here www.letterboxing.org

We had a great time and Sean seemed to really enjoy it. Our first park was Robinswood and we found two out of the two clues we had. After we found the letterboxes we played at the playground for a little while.


Sean & Brody walking along the trail looking for a letterbox.

You can actually do this with 3 year olds if you have someone older reading the clues.  Brody loved following Sean.

The first letterbox.

The 2nd letterbox. (I asked Sean if he could see me through his hair and he assured me that he could).

We came back and had some lunch then went to Lewis Creek Park and found one of the three boxes.  Papa Bob picked Sean up that afternoon and they stopped at a park on the way home and found one more.   It is such a great activity that gets you outside and moving and there is no cost (except if you want to buy a stamp).

Big Cousin Sean

I LOVE my nephew SEAN! Well, I love all my nephews. Sean is the oldest (by more than 5 years) He will be 12 in October. He is such a great kid and was able to spend a few days at our house (and hopefully will spend some more days with us over the next few weeks).

Brody & Colt love him too! He has been such a great help and he is one cool kid especially with his new guitar and hairstyle.

Sean even let Brody & Colt play his guitar.

I didn't even have to ask, Sean offered to read books to the boys before bed.  Brody is so excited and Colt is so serious.  (He is wearing this cozy hat when it is really hot outside.  What a goofy kid!)

Now they are listening closely.

Sean even spent the night on the floor in their bedroom.  He is such a great cousin!

Boating

We were invited to a friend's house on Lake Sammamish. (Their daughter is one of Brad's cross country runners) We had a nice barbecue dinner but more importantly we had the chance to go out on the boat. Brad and Brody even had a chance to ride on the jet ski.

One of our few family shots.  Brody & Colt aren't sure about this boat ride (or maybe its the life jacket).

Colt driving the boat with Eric.

Brody's turn.  He is so focused.  (which is exactly how I want my boat driver to be)

Colt sitting on the jet ski.  This was enough to make him happy so he didn't actually ride on it.

Brody trying one out.

Brad actually took Brody out for a little ride.  They both loved it!

Gunner's Birthday

We celebrated cousin Gunner's 2nd birthday a few weeks ago.   It was a great party and the boys had plenty of fun.

Swimming in the whale pool.

The birthday boy!

Eating cake!

5 of the 6 boys at the party (Ollie was sleeping)

Colt, Brody, Gunner, Mack, Talen

Colt loved playing with this ball.

Washing the Jeep

Brad is always anxious to take the top off his jeep. He always makes sure to wash it before he takes it off. This time he had his two helpers.

They spent so much time in the soapy water that their hands were really pruny (it doesn't look as bad in this picture)

The nice clean Jeep!

The boys telling us what they are doing.

Driveway Trains

The weather has been nicer so we have been getting the boys outside.  It drives me crazy when they just want to stay inside and play so when Colt insisted on bringing some trains outside it didn't bother me.

Brody and Colt spent a lot of time with their trains in the driveway. Brad and I were able to sit up on the porch and watch them.

It looks like they don't have pants on...because they don't.

Brody is playing with Scrambler (a character from Bob the Builder) and the trailer that it is towing.

Beach Reading Time

When we were at the beach we would still try to keep to our nighttime routine of reading books. In this video Brad is trying to read Alice in Wonderland but keeps getting interrupted. We just love the way Colt is asking what something is (you can't understand his words but we know that is what he is saying) and then he says "oh".

Colt was done with Alice in Wonderland but Brody was still captivated by it.

More beach fun

A few more pictures from our time at the beach. As always we loved our time of being away and being together as a family.

And a few more videos.

S'more S'mores Please!

Brad and I wanted to make s'mores. (Well, Brad was a little more determined to make them than I was.) It seemed a little too windy to do them but Brad set up a little fire.

Brody & Colt waiting for their smores.

I LOVE this picture of my boys! 

Brad put the fire next to the log so it would block some of the wind. We also used Ollie's stroller for some protection. (and we do realize that wind and sand is not good for keeping the stroller clean)

Enjoying the s'mores.

Even though Ollie was our wind blocker we did keep him nice and warm and he was happy!

We do believe that our boys consumed a high amount of sand.  But they definitely loved them and wanted more.