Happy Easter

We took Sam to the zoo on Saturday for their big easter egg hunt. Sam loved picking up the eggs and putting them in his basket then throwing them all back on the ground and starting over again. Above is a collage card we made for Sam's grandparents.


On Sunday we had brunch with my parents and then dinner in Hobart with Keenan's parents. Sam's easter basket had eggs filled with hop hops (bunny grahams and bunny cheddar crackers) and a new baby einstein (at the farm - Sam loves farm animals right now especially cow- so mom is hoping this will entertain him so she can shower), a summer hat and a pusher popper. Sam also got plenty of treats from his grandparents and treated us to a drum concert.

18 months!

Things Samuel loves at 18 months:
1. Throwing his arms in the air and exclaiming "I did it!"
2. Keys! He loves keys and likes to stick them into our front door, car door, trunk, and anywhere else that looks like it might be a good key hole.
3. Water. Water in the lake, ocean, water slide, sink, shower, tub etc. I can't keep him out of it. He also loves to drink water. He is often heard shouting for "wa wa!"
4. Trucks, cars and trains. Sam loves to push around his two dump trucks and fill them with toys and dump them out again. He also loves his ride on car (which conviently has two holes next to the steering wheel to insert mom's keys)
5. Grandmas and Grandpas. (don't we all?!) Sam loves his grandmas and grandpas and can even call them by name now.
6. Music. On his play piano or the real piano, on cd, daddy singing, or the radio. Sam loves to dance and enjoys his music. His current favorite song to sing with him is wheels on the bus.
7. anything he can push around ie strollers, shopping carts, boxes, toy cars, chairs, etc.
8. Turning lights on and off and on and off
9. Talking to his dad on the phone. Every time the phone rings Sam exclaims "Dad! Dad!"
10. Watching home videos on mom's laptop. Current favorites on his playlist are of Sam and dad making and knocking down towers, Dad tickling Sam, Drumming with Uncle Ryan, Dancing with Aunt Juri, and going down the water slides at Ocean Shores with mom.

Rockin' in Dedham

Keenan has a few days off school so we decided to fly to Boston and visited Ryan and Juri in Dedham, Mass.



They have an awesome colonial style house in a cool New England neighborhood and a sweet dog named Soba. Sam and Soba quickly became best friends. Thanks for a great time Ryan and Juri. We love and miss you!

Christmas Picts

Okay, so it took me awhile but here are some Christmas picts.
This is a collage I made for my parents of Christmas. (Click on the image for a better view)

I just love Christmas. It is such a wonderful time to spend with family and since we have been in school for the last 23 years of our lives we get to enjoy a nice 2-3 week winter break together. This year Jeff and Keiko and Kara came home to my parents house and Sam was able to spend a lot of time getting to know his aunt and uncle. ...and I have to add Grandparents are great.

We spent Christmas Eve in Hobart and Christmas morning what did Sam find???

Hobart Santa brought Sam a drum set!!!
What Sam really loves is the Jeep that Santa brought his cousin Eleanor. It has a steering wheel, buttons, makes vroom sounds, and has a radio. (and it hasn't even moved yet!) What happens in Hobart stays in Hobart.

I had to include this picture of Sam and his dad in their matching Christmas PJs!

Discovering Anemones

The Seattle Aquarium is one of our favorite family outings. So, we bundled up and went downtown the day after Thanksgiving. It was the first time that we had been to the aquarium since Sam started walking. A whole new world has opened up and Samuel is ready to explore it. During his explorations, Sam discovered the tide pools. I was so proud of my budding naturalist. After splashing around for a bit and exploring the salty taste of the sea water, Sam met sea stars, crabs and a large purple anemone.

Captain Samuel

Samuel

By request I am blogging about 10 things that Samuel is up to.

1. One of my very favorite things about Sam is how cuddly and loving he is. When I hug him, he gently pats my back.
2. Today after swimming lessons, he fell asleep in his high chair while eating lunch.
3. Sam is obsessed with doors and doorknobs. Opening, closing, turning, and going outside (in no particular order).
4. Sam loves music. His current favorite is If You're Happy and You Know It. Sam can clap his hands, stomp his feet and shout "aah". Yes, he is happy and he knows it.
5. Sam is walking. It is now his primary mode of transportation, but he is still in that great wobbly toddly stage.
6. Sam loves dogs. Last time we went to Grandma's house, I got him out of the car and as soon as he saw where we were he said "Dog? Dog!"
7. If you ask Sam how big he is he will raise his hand high in the air. (He will then expect to be tickled)
8. Sam love stairs. Up and down and up and down we go.
9. Sam loves his Dad. He knows the sound of the door opening and goes charging whenever dad comes home. He also know the meaning "get Dad," and will tackle and tickle.
10. Sam loves the water. He wants to play in any fountain, every sink, and he loves the swimming pool, hot tub, and bathtime.