Memorial Day

"God's country" it's been called and this weekend I could not have agreed more. Kennewick was sunnier than expected so we spent 2 1/2 days lounging by the pool and soaking in the sunshine and time with the whole family.  Ronan's first experience in the pool was entertaining (other firsts include some time in a swing and a ride down a slide!).  He's a very serious little man sometimes, analyzing and evaluating every new experience.  It's as though he's thinking "I'll give everything a shot, at least once."  May not be much of a risk taker this one.  Anyway, in his own way I think he loved the pool. He certainly loved Auntie Rachel blowing bubbles on his toes :) 

We swam around for probably 20 minutes without a peep or even a little smile. But no tears. He didn't even mind going under all the way.

Pretty much sums up our weekend



We could almost imagine we were at the beach :)



We also celebrated Rachel's and my birthday. Her's on the actual day, mine very soon :)  We indulged in great food, wine and the best chocolate truffle cake ever.

Then treated to pedicures the next day. Our toes are ready for summer!

 IT WAS A PERFECT WEEKEND

The OR and a great chair

Last Saturday my (Patrick) class had an Operating Room workshop.  We were fortunate to have one of the OR suites reserved for our entire class of 27 plus three instructors - a huge group of people in a room made for 5 people + patient. Also a long wait at the scrub sinks outside the room, where we all "scrubbed in" for 10minutes a piece (first time for me). Some of my classmates have had experience in the OR before, as nurses and technicians, and I could tell there was a bit of nervousness and excitement, maybe from remembering some past experiences.
Our instructor Robert was great, letting us in on the "do's and don'ts" of the OR. This is not a place to touch what you're not supposed too or pull rank on anyone. Like Robert said, the operating room teams are like a "closed" family - they don't take to outsiders easily, so do only what you know you can do, and don't act like an idiot. Also, this is probably the cleanest (and coolest) we'll ever be in an OR again!


Patrick's in back on the far left looking right at the camera.





Patrick's in the back row, in the middle





And while Patrick was doing that, I (Nikki) was (dreaming of) buying this:

Image courtesy of Design Within Reach



Marissa and I packed up the kiddos, grabbed a coffee and met her mom and grandma at the Two Women Barn Bazaar out in Spangle.  We are hoping to be a vendor in a similar show this summer or fall, so we decided to go on a "scouting trip." :)  You know, to see what other people are charging, selling and how they're displaying. :)  So, trying to be frugally responsible, I only took $20.  Apart from an old flour sack ($1!) I bought nothing. But I fell in love.  With an authentic Herman Miller Eames DCM Dining Chair. For $40!!!! (Sidenote: I love Herman Miller and I love modern chairs. I even got to go to the HM factory in Michigan a few years ago and fell even more in love with Eames and other classic designers. Yes, I'm weird about chairs as my brother so kindly pointed out.  We dream of owning one of these one day and fight over who's chair it will be.  http://www.hermanmiller.com/Products/Eames-Lounge-Chair-and-Ottoman As if that's a real fight.) So there I am with not enough cash and a baby shower I need to get home and get ready for. So I can't go back and I just know the chair will be gone by the next day.  Enter my super-amazing-fantastic-one-of-a-kind hubby.  He went and bought the chair for me while I was at the shower. Isn't he great?!  I know I seem crazy for going on about chair, but it inspires me and makes me happy.  I think sometimes God gives us little gifts of happiness. Not because we deserve it, but because he delights in us. :)  Here's where it may go:



The Tooth

I may have mentioned this before, but Ronan has a tooth!  The next one is close behind, but not quite through yet.

Another great shot.

You can see it here too

 



 

Chewing feels so good





Quite possibly the funniest face ever.

    

It's hard to take pictures when you've got mom's strap, bud

And we're done.

More Pics

Here are a couple photos my brother took when we met up last week and then a few of their family.  We're going to get together again and practice our portrait-taking skills. It's not as easy as you may think!

Picnic in the Park

Friday was probably our warmest day of the year so far, so we met up with some friends and had lunch at Manito.  It was a great time, but a bit chaotic! There were kids everywhere! With 3 babies and 2 adventurous, social kids, let's just say our hands were full.  Thankfully we had a couple extra pairs of hands and eyes on hand.  We may have to find a new (quieter) park next time - if that's even possible at this time of year! All in all, fun was had :)

Super baby. 

Wyatt: Always on the move, chasing after a new friend,
squirrel or seagull. "Wait seagull, wait!"

Kadence: Miss Adventurous. This toyset's got
nothin' on her treehouse.



Thank goodness for Todd, who wrangled in the toddlers while we were all busy with the babies.

  I snapped a few shots of sweet little Laelee.  She was fascinated with my camera  :)  Isn't she beautiful?

Yesterday was the perfect combination of family time and sunshine. Patrick had the afternoon off so we headed out to Nine Mile to take some photos for my brother and his sweet little family.  More pics to come of that, but here is a quick sneak peak for our family. Isn't Keegan a cutie? What a Cabbage Patch doll. And that hair. Awesome!

Patrick and Ronan chillin while I take some photos.

We took some photos of our own when we got home.  Ronan is incredibly patient with us. First the photos at the park, then Winco, Target and he still let us take photos at home :) I had a hard time narrowing the choices! Ronan was full of smiles and funny faces.

He doesn't mind the grass at all and loves exploring all the fun new things on the ground

My sweet boy. I love him so much

Our Week in Review

We had a great week of sunshine (most days), yardwork, family and friends!  Monday: thankfully a down day. Tuesday: dinner with my grandparents (such a treat to see them). Wednesday: hangout with my longtime friend and Ro's future friend Laelee then bible study with some pretty awesome gals. Thursday: girl's night out at Savory with friends. Friday: Patrick was home most of the day (yay!), we had dinner with my parents and brother and nephew. Saturday: witnessed an AWESOME sunrise (not so awesome was that I was up with the sun), date brunch for at Chaps! then burgers and drinks with good friends. Sunday: Rain! and the Medical Lake Young Life Fun Run. Phew! What an awesome week!  As you can see, we manage to keep busy while Patrick is studying :) 

In the midst of all this social time, Ronan managed to cut his first tooth, practice rolling over and sitting up, and work on his vocab of baby sounds. He's breaking out a bunch of consonants and working on many different decibel levels :)  With his teething, he has had a few cranky periods, but is surprisingly happy in general.

Nothing like the Sunday morning paper and newsprint smudges to kick off the week

 

Mmmm...sweet potatoes.  We tried carrots this week too.  What we have not successfully captured on camera yet is the awesome full body shudder Ronan does after the first couple bits of something new. It's pretty hilarious - but, he continues to open wide for the next bite!

Still not a huge fan of being on his tummy and probably never will be. He is learning to relax though and in these picture he finally gave up the fight :)

Lovin' daddy's hat!

Gnarly new duds just in time for the sunshine

This kid cracks me up. He loves Ronan and I'm sure will love the day they can get into trouble together

PS. Can a woman not just have a minute to herself?