Sneaking Up On Daddy

Today Rooney, Ailbe and I met some friends at the new Microsoft Visitors Center.  They took out the cool museum they used to have and added a visitors center where people can get hands on with video games and a few other neat features.  Rooney had a great time trying to play some of the games and just being able to get his hands on some of the gadgets that Mom won't let him play with at home (like her phone!).  We didn't see Daddy but we were able to get Rooney a security badge just like his Dad's. 

  

Just in case Dad ever needed a day off.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Overall September was a pretty exciting month for us.  So many visitors and several adventures.  Before Grandma and Grandpa leave we wanted to do something kind of touristy and something we have not done before.  So yesterday we went downtown to Ride the Ducks and had a fun family day.  The tour was kind of like a booze cruise without the booze but it was enjoyable.  We got to hear

alot of corny jokes from the Captain, Rooney got to wear some silly hats and we got to cruise around town in a amphibious vehicle.  Ailbe entertained several of the other passengers dancing in her Ergo while we cruised around town to YMCA.  She's proving to be a little ham just like her big brother.

The next day, Grandma and Grandpa watched the kiddos for Mike and I while we went with Grandma Peggie, Aunt Annie and Uncle Dana to climb a rope obstacle course.  We had a great time and really got to test ourselves physically.  Maybe even psychologically since we were 50ft off the ground.  Having the rope course set up right outside of Redhook Brewery also help to ensure that we had a nice if you know what I'm saying.  In September the weather can always be iffy here in the PNW but as you can see we really lucked out.  This was a great summer and the last two days were a really nice way to wrap it up.

The Girls Turn

This weekend Aunt Kristi and Uncle Andy came out for a visit while Grandma and Grandpa are here.  Last time we saw Kristi and Andy both Kristi, Kim and I were expecting.  We finally got to see the kids new cousin Lexy.  Rooney was moderately excited but I was excited to see Lexy and Ailbe together since they are only 5 weeks apart.  They seemed to be little buddies right away.  It's unfortunate that we cannot all live in the same area, let alone the same state, because it would be so great to have Ailbe, Lexy and Tori able to grow up together due to closeness in age (and being cousins!).  The picture of Ailbe and Lexy are of their first meeting and we finally got a picture of the 3 girls together right before people had to leave.  This is the family shot that Grandpa used for the Christmas cards.  Rooney had some goofy thing going on in all the pics and at least all the adults are looking at the camera and smiling in this one so it was the winner!

Time For School

This picture is blurred by my tears

Today Rooney started his second year of preschool.  He is pretty excited and asked me several times during the summer "Why can't we go to preschool during the summer?".  I really hope that his excitement for school doesn't wane after kindergarten like it did for a lot of us.  Roon will be going three days a week this year.  Hopefully that is enough time for Mom to get in some workouts but I've found from last year 2-1/2hrs just isn't much time to get much done.  Fingers crossed he'll get into all day kindergarten next year!

The Second Summer Begins

Grandma and Grandpa Wade are here!  Grandma and Grandpa Wade are here!  On the 4th Jim and Liz drove into town.  Their Prius was stuffed to the gills (I don't really know this) and they coasted into town.  Rooney is always excited when Grandma and Grandpa come to town because I think he has really good memories of the lake house.  He talks about it often and knows that it is located near Nannie's (Aunt Annie's) house.  The last couple of years they have talked about renting a different house but for whatever reason it hasn't worked out and they stick with their usual.  It's a great house and truthfully when they finally do rent a different house I think we'll all be a little sad.  The weather this summer is not as good as last year and I don't anticipate much swimming in the lake for us this year but the ducks are still there and presumably the canoes as well so the kids can still have fun on the water.

On the 10th was Rooney's preschool orientation.  Roon got to see all his old school friends and actually remembered a few of their names!  Parker was there so that's all that really mattered and they reconnected with their beloved Tinkertoys. 

Lastly today I ran my second Iron Girl 10k.  I finally feel like I'm getting back into running shape and the race felt good.  I tried very hard to pace myself this race, but maybe a little bit too much.  I finished the race in 1:03:03.  I was aiming for under 1 hour and I feel I could have done it but I kind of stopped paying attention to my time and was kind of people watching.  For some reason the last quarter mile seem to come up on me and I decided to kick it up a notch.  I shaved 4 minutes or so off my previous time so for several reasons this race really felt good to do again.  Tomorrow starts my running group that I am doing with AMAT.  Not sure what I was thinking starting it the day after my race but I'm excited to be able to run with Ailbe while she's still light and hopefully get some other moms involved in running.

Summer's Over?!? What Summer?

This summer was great!  We really enjoyed having our pool membership, Rooney's swim team, Casey, Aiden and Becky's visits, getting back into running shape and the late summer days.  The only regret I have is that we weren't able to have as many BBQ's as I originally planned.  I thought this year we would do alot of entertaining since last summer my social calendar was changed to bed rest.  We never really even had a chance to work on the backyard like I wanted but we did get the front yard in shape so at least we had curb appeal.  The pool isn't officially closed yet but the weather says it is.  That makes us a little sad but we do have Grandma and Grandpa Wade's visit to look forward to and the kids will finally get to meet their new cousin Lexy (along with seeing Aunt Kristi and Uncle Andy) when they come out to Grandma & Grandpa's lake house.  Ailbe and Lexy are only 5 weeks apart so it will be kind of fun to see how they are together.