Our Anniversary

It's still four days away, but we will be out of town celebrating, our four year anniversary! When I think about it all it's truly amazing. Let me give you all a little background and bare with me all of you who already know!

Cory and I have known each other for about twenty years! We met at Cascade Middle School when we were in the sixth grade. A friend had been talking to me about these "twins" and she had a crush on one of them. I had no idea who these boys where so she had me come to her locker because Tyson's, Cory's brother, was by hers and that's who she had a crush on. So we were standing there and both of them were at the locker. I don't recall seeing Tyson at all, I just remember asking her who the one in the green jacket was. I still remember what he was wearing when I first saw him, a pair of jeans and his green Miami Hurricanes Starter jacket. I am not sure what it was about him maybe because he was one of the few who were as tall as me or taller at that point. I was 6'0 already but I did know from then on I was smitten.

We "dated" or whatever you do at that point in your life. In the 8th grade we kissed. He was my first although I was not his! He says his was a friend of mine. We went onto high school and went to dances together. That picture is us at one of the dances, I think it was our sophomore year. We had a lot of mutual friends so we would see each other from time to time. We dated other people and went off to different colleges.

We reconnected in the summer of 2000 and have been together ever since. It's crazy, we have been together for nine years and married know for the last four. I can't believe how time flies! If you would have told us back then what we know now, we would have told you, you were crazy! It's been a blast and I look forward to the next twenty plus years! So we are headed down the Oregon coast to go to the dunes and ride the quads. We are both looking forward to it. Our parents are both watching Alyssa so it's complete freedom! The weather is supposed to be good, but the real thing I'm looking forward to besides spending alone time is the possibility of sleeping in! I of course well let everyone know how it was and will post some pictures when we get back!

Busy, busy, busy week

This last week we have been so incredibly busy. Almost every day we have had some sort of activity planned or something. Last week was the Mariner's Opening Day and Nicole and I attended and it was a blast! I didn't get my garlic fries like I wanted to but that was alright. We did get a picture taken with the Moose though and that was worth it right there. They ended up winning and it was a great welcome home for THE KID. Although he's not quite the "kid" anymore considering he is, if not the oldest one on the team now....but that's alright by me! G. Grammy watched Alyssa and they had a great time like they always do.

Later in the week we met up with my good friend Michelle and her newborn son Cole. We went to IKEA and did a little shopping, had lunch, and did more shopping at Southcenter. It was great to see her and catch up.

On the weekend we went to a birthday party. My friend Mandy's son, Owen, was turning one. It was a great party and fun to see him again and how much he has grown. They grow so darn fast! Mandy did a fantastic job, like I'm sure she always does! She had wonderful food and the decorations were adorable. I still want that recipe for those yummy cookies!!!!!! The kids seemed to have a good time. I was kind of worried how Alyssa would do in a room of strangers, but after fifteen to twenty minutes she was gone and tearing through the house.

Monday we headed to Gymboree for open play with our MOSS group. That was a blast. It's so nice that I joined this because I only have to pay $5 for the open play rather than the $79 a month. Alyssa was a lot more brave than the first time I took her there. She was climbing all over the toys and going on the bigger ones. She loved the tunnels and the balls. I can't wait to do this next week again. We're going to a similar one in Shoreline.

Tuesday we met with our playgroup at a park here in Everett. It's a great park right on the water at Silver Lake. Alyssa seemed to do very well on the equipment and she loved the swings, of course. It will be fun to take her to the park throughout the summer. Hopefully we continue to have this great weather.

Cory has been busy working Mariners and has been gone a lot : ( I guess there is a silver lining, next week we are finally getting away for our anniversary and heading down to the dune in Oregon for a few days!

Easter

Happy Easter to all! We had a great weekend. Cory's parents came up and spent the weekend with us. Saturday the men spent all day doing some projects outside while us woman went shopping for some clothes for Alyssa. She is out growing hers so quickly and I needed to pick her up a few particular items. We also dyed Easter eggs, which I haven't done in years. Alyssa didn't join us, she was napping but next year it may be fun to try with her. Alyssa has continued on taking more steps and is getting more brave by the day. She is so funny when she does it, she gets pretty excited and proud of herself. I'm trying to get a better video of her.

Easter was good. The Easter Bunny came several times for Alyssa. She got four Easter baskets! It was fun watching her with them. She still doesn't get it, the idea of gifts. It sure is fun to give them to her and watch. G. Gail tried to give her a peep but Alyssa would have none of it. I don't like marshmallow either so that was fine by me! Grammy and G. Uncle George were able to come up and enjoy dinner with us as well. It was a relaxing day. The men watched the Masters, which was phenomenal, and us ladies cooked and talked. Alyssa was entertaining herself pretty well. At one point I heard a tapping sound which sounded somewhat like her pounding on the door but a little quieter and I didn't want to go check it because I was in the middle of fixing something. The sound continued and I went to look and she had spilled all of Harley's water out onto the floor and was playing in it. She was soaked, literally from head to toe! Thank's to Cory who took her and got her all changed. Dinner was good and everyone left shortly after so they could get back to Seattle & Longview before dark and the weather got too bad. We were exhausted afterwards. My biggest surprise came though when my mom had sent something up with Cory's parents for me. She got me an egg plate that I have been wanting for soooo very long. Thank you mom, I love it : )

We have such a busy week ahead of us. We have two play dates, opening day, meeting my very good friend at IKEA to do some shopping, ladies night, and a birthday party. It's going to be crazy but fun. I would so rather be busy than not having anything to do at all. It's supposed to be nice later this week, so that will be something to definitely look forward to!

A Quick Step

Here is a video I took of Alyssa taking some steps. It's pretty quick since I was trying to do it all. Will get another one and post later. Enjoy!

Is spring here?

It sure felt like spring has arrived! This last weekend was beautiful and we took full advantage of it. On Saturday we spent all day playing outside and working in the yard. It was much needed and now we are ready to get some flowers planted and get some color going. Hopefully we don't have anymore of the dreaded "s" word though until winter!

Sunday Cory and his dad headed up to Vancouver to watch hockey. It was his birthday and Christmas present from us. I was jealous I didn't get to go, but oh well next time. Alyssa and I had a great day. We headed down to Nicole's place in West Seattle and took the water taxi over into downtown and walked around the Pike Place Market. It was perfect! I should have got some fresh produce and flowers but decided to go for selfish purchases. It was the opening day for the water taxi so it was free, always a bonus, and they had music, food, and balloons to help with the kick off. At the market there was a BBQ contest going on, with a ton of vendors set up. It sure smelt good, too bad I don't like BBQ. Well I shouldn't say I don't like it but it's definitely not my first choice. Nicole got some wonderful mango's and we went to the Rocky Mountain Candy Store. I think that is the name of it. We got our caramel apples!!! Ohh....they were soooo good!!!! I got the Hawaiian one, it had caramel, white chocolate, macadamia nuts and coconut. YUMMY!!! She got an apple pie one that was also delicious, it tasted like biting right into an apple pie! If you haven't ever been there, even if you don't like caramel apples, this is a great place to check out!

On Monday we spent another day soaking up the wonderful sunshine. We all played in the backyard, Harley included. He loves the nice weather but wants you to be out there with him. He is so funny! I was sure to put on a lot of sunscreen on Alyssa, I'm so scared of getting her fair skin burned. She got that from me....poor kid. I on the other hand didn't put any on myself and got a little color on my pasty white skin.

On Tuesday Alyssa and I went to our MOSS (mother of south snohomish) meeting. It will be fun to get to know some of the woman and get Alyssa into a play group. It's nice to because they have activities planned throughout the month that will be fun to get her involved in. When we got home she was playing in her room and wanted out. I went and undid the gate and she walked to me! Yes, I said it SHE WALKED!!!! She took about five wobbly steps. Then we went downstairs and she was doing it some more! Oh how I love that little one!

Tot Spot or not

Today Alyssa and I went to check out this coffee shop that I found the web site for in Woodinville. It's called Tot Spot Cafe. The concept of it is what attracted me and disappointed me all at the same time, only because I had somewhat of the same vision of doing a business of the same. The cafe is a place for children to play while moms have coffee/drink and/or something to snack on. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. When I first walked in it seemed very chaotic and I thought I would hate it because I hate chaos. Knowing that's what you get with children and lots of them I just took a deep breathe and continued in. I ordered my coffee and the clerk had me sign in and told me to have fun.
So picture a square and in the middle of that square is another one full of toys for all different ages along with some couches. Around the outside of the square are more tables, chairs, sofas and more toys. Adults are welcome to leave children inside the square and play while they are enjoying their coffee, book, or whatever.
Alyssa started playing right away and it was fun to watch. Her thing right now is climbing. She loved climbing on all the mats and climbers that they had. She also loved playing with this big school bus that had all kinds of little things on it to play with. She was so happy playing, although she did get on owie. She was pulling herself up and slipped and bit her lip and it bled a little bit but it didn't slow her down. After I wiped her off and gave her a kiss she was gone. My tough girl!
I think it will be a place we go back to, how often though I don't know. You pay by the hour and the prices are good. They do serve snacks for both adults and children. Maybe another rainy day we will go back.

My Sassy Girl

Alyssa is developing quite the little attitude. She continues to blabber at me when I try to redirect her and than continues on doing whatever it is she is doing. When her daddy tells her she will smile at him and move on. What's up with this!? It's the most annoying thing ever!!! She is starting to point at things that she wants. She seems to always want my coffee cup. Hmm....maybe that's because Cory started to drink coffee at such a young age or at least tried it. Her latest word that she is saying a lot more is "Hi" and starting to wave when saying it. She is loving being chased and playing peekaboo.

She hasn't started walking yet but is walking around with all of her toys. She loves pushing her little table, that's in the picture above, and will get frustrated when it doesn't move quickly enough. It's not supposed to be used for that. She does a real good job at walking holding my hand and everything but just gets scared when standing on her own and faced with it. Oh well no hurry she will do it soon enough.

I am getting her into a play group soon, so hopefully she will be able to play with more kids her age more often. I think since she is not in day care it's important for her to be around children her age and older/younger so she can develop social skills and have some fun. I was thinking the other day about getting her into preschool and how I can't wait for that. I have sooo many good memories of when I went.

She rode her quad by herself the other day for the first time. Well I can't say the first time because she would always push backwards but it was the first time she went forwards. It's pretty cute she can't get on or off really by herself but when she attempts to get off she has the right moves. She swings her lef around but than gets stuck but if you hold her hand she will do it all by herself. I can't wait until she is old enough to have her own and we can all go to the dunes or Straddeline and camp and ride. That will be a fun vacation for the family. Hopefully she is interested in doing so. Or maybe it will be one of those things that her awful parents will "make" her do.

Her Grandma Gail came and spent a few days to hang out with us, well it was basically to see Alyssa and we were just a bonus. We didn't really do anything to exciting but hang out. Grandma needed to get some alone time with her little girl. I think they both had a great time.

I also want to say that when we signed Alyssa up for the GET program and we had to list people who could contribute I wasn't aware that they were going to send them info. about contributing. So I'm sorry! I don't want you to think we are asking you to do this or whatever. I have been a little embarrassed about this. We have a busy next couple of weekends. Cory and his dad are heading to Vancouver for hockey, Easter, a bday party...someones turning 1, and our getaway to the Dunes.