Summer Fun With Family

Todd’s excited to spend lots of time with family – August 7, 2015

This month, my sister and her kids came up from Oregon for what has become an annual summer vacation.  We usually split the time at our house (north of Seattle, WA) and our condo (in Wenatchee).

Last year was the only exception:  they still came up, but not to do all the fun stuff mentioned below.  We were #WaitingForTodd to be born.  That was no vacation (at least for me)!

Here’s what we did on each fun-packed day this year….

AUGUST 7

Family arrived on Friday!  Todd was so happy to see his aunt and cousins.  It was like, “See ya later, mama!”  We took a short stroller walk to the library before Eric got home from work, then Todd got to open his first 1st birthday present(s) early.  (Thanks, guys!!)

Todd helps set up the beds for our house guests – August 7, 2015

AUGUST 8

We had a morning soak in the hot tub before us girls went to the Taylor Swift concert.  That meant Eric was in charge of two kids for the entire afternoon/evening!  Note that it was ~8 year old Eli who pointed out that the movie “Stand By Me” had “a lot of bad words.”  (Rated R!)

Hot Tubbin’ – August 8, 2015

AUGUST 9

En route to our condo in Wenatchee, we stopped in Leavenworth for a late lunch/early dinner at South.  It’s a restaurant with Latin cuisine that different people over the years recommended we check out.  It was okay, but nothing worth getting excited about.  They do give the kids Wikki Sticks, though…

Eli with his Wikki Sticks glasses – August 9, 2015

In Wenatchee, we took Todd for his first “car cart” ride at the grocery store.

Riding in a car cart – August 9, 2015

AUGUST 10

In late morning, we rolled, strolled, and/or biked for 6.15 miles along the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail.

On the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail – August 10, 2015

In the afternoon, we cooled off in the condo pool.  Todd tried his covered pool float for the first time, while chewing on vegan squid.  Before it was time to go, I dunked his head underwater for the 1st time.  He handled it well!

Elisa & Todd – August 10, 2015

AUGUST 11

August 11th last year was Todd’s due date.  Obviously this August 11th was a LOT more fun!

When my sister and her kids come to Wenatchee during the summer, it’s a tradition to play certain games that Karin and I loved in the 80’s (Stop Thief and Lost Treasure…remember those??)

It’s also tradition to spend a day at Slidewaters in Lake Chelan.  That’s what we did on Tuesday.  At first, Todd was content to simply attempt putting every rock he could find in his mouth.  He wasn’t too impressed with the “Aqua Zoo” area for little kids.  Pretty quickly, though, he realized how fun it was to slide down the small slides with Eric (they’re actually fun for all ages).  In the afternoon, we all floated on tubes in the Lazy River.

Elisa & Todd at Slidewaters – August 11, 2015

AUGUST 12

On Wednesday we took a short hike (1.89 miles total) up Beehive Mountain.  Todd enjoyed his ride in the Ergobaby™ carrier.  (We don’t use it enough!)  After that, we stopped by Beehive Reservoir.

Todd – August 12, 2015

Beehive Mountain – August 12, 2015

After getting sweaty in the heat, another trip to the pool was in order.  This time, Eric did the “Todd dunking”…

That night, Todd was so tired that he bagged out on Ashley on the couch.  We teamed up to change his diaper, don a onesie, then move him to his bed.  He never woke up!

Todd & Ashley – August 12, 2015

AUGUST 13

On Thursday, Ashley had the great idea to do some miniature golfing in Leavenworth, at Icicle Junction.

Mini golf in Leavenworth – 8/13/15

Afterwards, we ate lunch at Munchen Haus, where they have vegan dogs loaded up with all the good stuff:  tons of different mustards, warm sauerkraut, onion, relish, and jalapenos (if you like).

Finally, we checked out the vegan fudge selection at The Flavor Express.  They had 3 options.  All were excellent, but the chocolate raspberry was phenomenal.  I should have bought more than a 1/4 pound!

And– a third trip to the pool!

Eric & Todd – August 13, 2015

AUGUST 14

While we all packed up to go back home on Friday, we engaged in another tradition:  watching “Honey I Shrunk the Kids.”  (We have a pretty sweet collection of VHS movies at the condo!)

Other highlights for the week (that I didn’t already mention):

• Slumber party-type sleeping arrangements for our guests (in a small house/small condo!)
• There was a little “tree incident” (enough said!)
• Todd loved when his cousins shared their Os cereal with him
• Hanging out on the condo deck
• Watching movies (“Harry & the Hendersons,” “Father of the Bride”)

Todd & Eli on the deck – August 12, 2015

I think that’s a wrap!!

Todd – August 10, 2015

C’mon, Eric- the water’s fine! – August 10, 2015