Ice Cream Social And Mutt Strut

The days seem to be going by quickly and in a blur. We have been doing so much stuff but yet when you ask me I can't even tell you what. Cory and I joke about our lists we have but I honestly do have one because if not my mind tends to forget what I'm supposed to do or what I have to do. I have to say I also get some sense of accomplishment of crossing the items off of it as well.

On Friday I had an Ice Cream Social at the house with some Moms and their children. I was hoping for some nice weather and I somewhat got my wish. We had our fun inside but were able to play a little out as well. The kids played wonderful together which is always nice, since it gave us adults a chance to chat. One of the ladies is on the board of Alyssa's Co-op Preschool so we were able to chat about that.
We had so many toppings for the kids. I felt kind of bad but at the same time like a "cool" parent. Alyssa had just got up and I hadn't fed her breakfast yet so that's right she got a sundae for breakfast! How cool is that? Yeah, that normally wouldn't fly in this house but it happened and she had M&M's for lunch! Ha, guess it's a good thing she is going to the dentist tomorrow!

Saturday I took the family down to Langus Park. This is where I like to go walking / running, it's right along the Snohomish River and is a very pretty place. The parks department was having their "Mutt Strut" day. It's basically where a bunch of vendors all having to do with animals mainly dogs / cats set up and they have contests for the dogs. It was a lot of fun to go and see all the other dogs. I had to laugh because I'm not kidding you almost every other person that I walked by had to tell me I had my hands full. Really? You mean two kids in a jogging stroller and walking a dog is a lot??? People make me laugh especially when they point out the obvious. Everyone was very well behaved. I was worried about Harley and how he would do but he was perfect.

I had to laugh because I'm a responsible dog owner. When I take him out I bring doggie bags and clean his pooh up, I make kids ask if it's OK to pet him, etc. but it seems you always have one snotty dog person. For example, we were walking and Harley smelled this other dog. Didn't jump on him didn't do anything but smell him. Now for all of you who don't own dogs this is NORMAL. The lady got grossed out pulled her little dog away huffed and turned away after glaring at me. I laughed and someone behind me made a comment about her. People are so strange. Anyhow that's my little rant, don't you love those!

Knox is getting so big. I'm making his food now for him and it's fun to see how he likes different stuff. The other night I gave him avocado and he loved it. Alyssa had to come over and get some too. It makes me laugh because we all love avocado in this house and I never thought we would fight over something like that. He continues to enjoy his bananas, applesauce, and he will eat his cereal but isn't a huge fan. I don't blame him that stuff is nasty. I'm looking forward to him getting a little order and being able to experiment more with his food. I hope he enjoys eating all kinds of food like Alyssa does other wise he is going to have a hard time in this family!

Summer Coming To An End

I can't believe September is almost here I feel like Summer just began! We have been having so much fun and doing a ton of stuff in the area that I'm not ready for it to end just yet. These next three weeks I have the days packed with fun stuff for the kids or I should say Alyssa to do before we start to hunker down for our weekly routines starting back up in the fall.

Summer is always fun chaos with Fall just a little more structured chaos. Starting in September I have signed Alyssa up for ballet and tap class once a week and than she also has her Toddler Class at the Preschool. I'm so excited for her to start both and to see her grow! I have narrowed down my preschool choices for her the following fall. I know it sounds weird to be doing this already but most of them start signing up in January. One that I'm interested in I don't think I will be able to do because I will have Knox with me, it's a Co-Op. I'm not going to waste any more time talking about that because I could go on and on about that. Hmmm, maybe another post in my near future!

Almost more exciting than that, not really, is college football and hockey are starting up! I love those two sports and can't wait to take the kids to the Silvertips games and spend my Saturdays watching those college men hit each other up! It will probably be another long season with my Cougs, but that's OK I'm a true fan!

Halloween is fast approaching, I know two months aways, but it will be here before you know it. I'm thinking of having a party for a few of Alyssa's friends but can't bring myself to commit to it just yet. I have figured out what Knox is going to be for Halloween but the jury is still out for Alyssa. I'm trying to let her pick but really she is going to still wear what I put on her so I think I can get away with it for maybe another year.
Before you know it the rest of the holidays will be here as well! I love this time of year. It's so much fun and we are enjoying our family traditions that we have started.

Cory and I decided that we needed to get away together in October for some much needed alone and relaxation time. We kept playing around with places we wanted to go and when we started crunching the numbers and Las Vegas became our destination. I'm very excited. We got some amazing deals and I'm crossing my fingers that this time I don't get the Norovirus like I did before. Let me tell you it sucks! Anyhow we can't wait!

Vancouver or Bust

Last week Cory's mom, Gail, and I headed up to Vancouver B.C. for the night. It was our birthday present to her and Cory's way of getting me a night away. I was very excited to be going because it's one of my favorite places to go. The only thing I wasn't stoked about was driving because it's so crowded up there and their flashing green lights. It wasn't a big deal at all but more on that later.

We left Monday morning and got up there around one. At two we had an appointment to do High Tea but with the traffic and such we ended up not making it. I knew exactly where we were supposed to go but let's just say the streets don't run like they do on the maps. So, my course was a little rerouted, which wasn't a big deal but wasn't a straight shot. I have been there several times and new the layout and such but wasn't prepared for the street that is closed to traffic in the middle of the block! We cancelled tea and decided to grab something light for lunch and we would do dinner at probably my favorite restaurant other than the Melting Pot here in the states.

Once we arrived at the hotel it was kind of taken them a little while to check us in. He asked me how long ago I had made reservations and if he could see my confirmation. I showed him and after several more minutes he told me he would be upgrading us to their guest suite and if that would be OK. He told us it didn't have the two beds we requested but had a king bed in it's own bedroom and the couch made up into a sofa bed. We were like yeah, that's fine. When I walked in I wasn't prepared for what we actually got. It was so nice it had a full kitchen, dining area, living room, patio with table, bedroom and a nice size bathroom. It honestly was probably the size of my apartment I had when I first moved to Seattle.

After we got settled in we headed out to check out the city and go get sushi at Tsunami Sushi. It's our favorite sushi place up there. Located, almost across from the hotel and on Robson St. which is their shopping district, we headed on over. We sat at the bar where the sushi boats go a long and dove on in. Not literally but you get the point! I have become a huge sushi fan and I'm not talking California Rolls, that's not sushi people! What I have been trying to do is try something new each time I go out. Well this time I tried two new items. One was a "omelet" type item. At first I wasn't too sure about it but it actually was pretty good. It looked like a thick egg but when you bit into it it was a little sweet. My second choice was octopus and not just any one but baby octopus! I had seen it going a long on the boats and after they closed it down I thought I would try it but I would get the smaller one. Well when it arrived it wasn't at all what I thought but I wasn't going to let that ruin my plan of having it. After some ribbing from Gail, who loves lamb, I ate both pieces and surprisingly was very good. It reminded me a lot of calamari.

After that we headed out to Sears, and yes I said Sears. In Canada it's a lot different than ours in the States. We did some shopping and than headed down to the water front and enjoyed the weather and sites. Once down at the Pan Pacific Hotel which is located in the convention center we stopped and got a little something to drink and enjoyed outside. If you ever get a chance to stay at the Pan Pacific it's a must! Very spendy but well worth every penny. We headed back to our room but not before passing a vendor that was selling JAPA DOGS. I was really excited but I knew if I got one I wouldn't be hungry for dinner so I decided to wait because I knew there was one outside of our hotel as well.

Once we got back to our hotel we relaxed for a little while before heading down to the swanky hotel lounge where we ordered a few glasses of wine and had a some great conversation. Around eight o'clock we decided to head over to the restaurant where we would be having dinner. The Salt Tasting Room! There is a link on my blog under favorite places if you want to check it out. It was amazing as usual. What they do is very unique. They take either three cheeses or meats and pair them with a condiment and you can also have them compliment each with a wine. We let them pick because for one, I had no idea what most of the cheeses and meats even were. Some of them really aren't your every day cheeses. Once again another amazing experience and time.

We got back to our hotel around 1130- midnight watched a little television and called it a night. The next morning after having breakfast, I went and got my JAPA DOG! Now I know first off it sounds as if we just ate while we were up there but we didn't. Secondly, yes I did just have breakfast but I was on a mission to get my JAPA DOG and they were closed the night before. I headed out to their stand which was in front of the hotel and waited. They didn't open until 1130. Right after I walked up I turned around and I'm not kidding there were probably eight if not more people behind me waiting for one too!
You ask what is this JAPA DOG? It's a bratwurst with sushi! OMG it is fabulous! I got a three cheese and jalapeno brat with special sauces and seaweed on top! DELICIOUS! Cory and I watch a lot of the Canadian Television and had seen a show where it did a segment on the JAPA DOG and had always wanted to get one but never had. Until now! If your at all interested in learning more check out the website, www.japadog.com

It was a fabulous time and Cory had a good time hanging with the kids. I know it sounds like we ate the whole time we were there but we didn't and our meals we had were not your typical restaurant style meals! Cory and I talked about this and hopefully this can become a yearly tradition with a few days added onto it! One was just not enough! The pictures aren't all in order but Im sure you can figure it out and the baby octopus is out of focus but you get the picture right!?

Kayak Point

Friday the weather was amazing hear in the PNW and as usual summer has arrived now that it's August, but that is OK with me because normally it will hang around until October. Finger's are crossed now that I did not jinx us!

The kids and I made plans to hang out with my step sister and my other step sister's daughter. They came over to the house and we loaded up the car and went out to Kayak Point Park.
We had an absolute blast! The kids ran around picking out rocks, playing in the water, wrestling, playing in the park, and catching some rays. Kayak is one of the family's favorite spots to go and I love sharing it with anyone and everyone. Especially because they all fall in love with it too!
After about being out there for six hours or so we headed back in and were allexhausted. The kids all did great especially for not getting their naps. I'm not a huge believer on having to have a nap anyways so no worries there.

We have a lot of stuff coming up in the next few weeks that we are excited for. I keep wondering when things are going to slow down some and I just don't think they are going to but that is perfectly fine with me!

Update on Knox. He is doing wonderful! His bottom two teeth are starting to come in so that has made him a little fussy especially at night but it's really not that bad. I think his top two are starting to come down as well. He's such a good baby and I have loved watching him grow in these last few months and things are starting to get so much more fun.

My Time Alone

This last week Cory was gone working the Mariners and Nana Gail offered to take the kids for me and give me a break.

I had several things planned and couldn't wait to get to it. I was finally able to use the birthday present Cory gave me and went to the T-Spa at the Tulalip Casino. I got my hot stone massage that was fabulous! It's funny because that is the massage I normally get and every place does them a little differently but all amazing. If any of you ever get the chance I highly recommend going here.

I was also able to get in many other things pedi, haircut, lunch etc. etc. but it was mainly just nice to have some time to myself. Friday morning I woke up with a stiff neck/back and Cory told me to call our massage lady and see if I could get in. Surprisingly she had a cancellation and I was able to go right in! Really, two massages in three days who could complain!
Of course while up at the Tulalip Resort I managed to get a little shopping in as well. I picked the kids up some more clothes. ALyssa got some "school clothes" and it was so much fun picking stuff out as usual. Her favorite color right now is purple. One of my favorite stores has the cutest line out for fall, I can't wait to go back and get even more!

I missed my family like crazy and nothing else really too exciting happened. The kids were having a blast hanging out with their Papa and Nana. They got to go to the fair with their cousins. I guess it was a good time except for being caught in the down pour.

On Monday I headed down to pick them up and took them over to my parent's house. We were going to go to the beach the next day but Alyssa was starting to get a cold. I decided if it got worse we would just come home. That night she was coughing all night, so that sealed the deal we headed home. It figures to since it got real nice!! Anyhow while at my parents house my sister came over and of course spoiled her. She probably would have Knox to but he isn't really at the stage to get him anything exciting. Poor baby! Alyssa had a blast playing dress up and playing with all her make up! Such a sassy little thing.

We are all home now and gearing up for yet another busy week and I'm heading out of town again, except this time leaving Cory with the kids! We will see how he does. I know he will do fine but it will be nice to here how thankful he is for me doing it. It will be a nice break for me since Im busy with stuff. Of course since I have nothing else on my plate I took on another board position for Alyssa's Co-op preschool. Let's get this straight, Im on 3 boards, selling Advocare, raising two kids a toddler and newborn, taking both the kids to numerous weekly activities, managing the house, golfing and lessons, finding time for my husband, family and friends and me! Im just wondering what else will come my way!

Solid Foods

Knox is now eating solid foods. I have tried, cereal, applesauce and bananas. His favorite, like his sister, is the applesauce. I personally have never liked it much until I started making homemade applesauce for the holidays. It's the best! This weekend I will be making/freezing some more foods for him to try. I can't wait, I have so much fun doing this and like I have said before it's so much easier and cheaper!

I can't believe how quickly he is growing and changing. The time is going too quickly and I feel like my baby is slowly becoming a little man. Ok, I know he is only four months but still.

He is starting to teeth, drooling all over and chomping on anything. His gums are starting to look a little white but nothing really coming out at this point. It's making me kind of sad, I like those little gums!

As I write this the kids are down in Longview at their grandparents house. It seems so weird to be in the house with them gone. It's totally quite and I'm not sure what to do. Well not exactly I have a HUGE list of stuff I'm going to do in the next few days even if it's just to stop at a minute mart and get water and not have to unload the car! You mom's will totally understand that!

I was just adding activities to the calendar and realized that one of my favorite months is coming up, October, and we all know what that means, time to start searching for the perfect Halloween costumes!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean really I have to enjoy it and dress them in what I want while I can right because realistically that's not going to last much longer, especially for Alyssa!