Surf's Up, Dude!

Last weekend, we were able to participate in an annual surf trip to Seaside, Oregon. So fun! Jonathan and I had never surfed before, so we were excited and a little nervous. We rented a house on the beach with some friends from our ward, the Crisenberrys, the Manns, and the Eltons. We left the kids with my parents (thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!!) and had such a great time getting to know our friends better and learning how to surf!

Getting ready to head to the beach.

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This place was beautiful! And the weather was perfect for us. Being in Oregon, the water is freezing, but we had wetsuits so we couldn't even really tell. Speaking of wetsuits, holy moly those things are hard to get on and off!

Heather, me, and Mimi

Okay, so Jonathan laughed so hard at me because I couldn't actually carry the surfboard like everyone else did. My arms were too short! I hope you all get as much amusement out of my piddly little arms as Jonathan did. (that's me in the middle, dragging the board). Jonathan didn't actually get any pictures of me surfing, but I did actually get up on my knees a few times, so I was proud of that.

Nathan, Jonathan, and Evan

This was the only good shot I got of Jon up on the board; he's the one in the background.

Evan and Heather and their cutie boy Merrick

Both nights we were there we all sat around and played games until pretty late. It was so fun. We found a new game that Jonathan and I love. It's called Cranium Pop, and I highly recommend it!

Thanks for everyone that came and surfed with us. We had such a great time, and we can't wait until next year's trip!

Just us boys!

Hey this is Jonathan. With Caprice in Cleveland and the "homemaker" responsibilities falling on me for a few days, I thought I better be a good househusband and update the blog! I got the boys ready for church this morning which made me break out into a sweat, but they looked so darn handsome I had to take some pictures. This is the face they both give me when saying "say cheese".

We miss Caprice so much, but I know she is having so much fun hanging out with friends and visiting our old stomping grounds. I received this picture yesterday morning from her. Am I worried that she is not having fun?...not at all! Thank you Chaffees for taking good care of her!

Last week was Caprice's birthday, so we celebrated and had a big family dinner and party.

Caught her right in the middle of the "surprise look". Oh alright, I was like one second late so this is my attempt to stage it.

Here's some shots of the rest of the fam! How did I luck out with such great in-laws?!

Dawson gets so excited every time Grandpa Ray walks into the room. He drops whatever he is doing, goes straight for him and says "Bom Pah!" He was definitely helping Grandpa with the little project going on here.

My little boy is 3!!

Well, even though Dean is just now into 2T clothes, he is finally 3 years old! My mom and I worked ourselves into a sweat yesterday trying to get him to sit for pictures. We got a few decent ones. What can I say, that's Dean!

Now, I have a disclaimer before you look at these pathetic party pictures: Dean does not like cake. I've tried quite a few times, and he eats about 1 bite, so what's the point in spending hours making an extraordinary Thomas or Lightning McQueen cake? Last year I made the cutest Elmo cake, only for him to poke at it, then get mad that he had frosting on his fingers. So instead, I made him cookies. I know what you're all thinking, with me for a mother, how in the world does Dean not eat cake?? I should've just thrown 5 Tootsie Rolls in front of him and he'd be in hog's heaven (he's definitely his father's son!)

He dug into the cookie during the Happy Birthday song, which he loved singing to himself.

Dean's aunt Brittany got him an Elmo book and coloring book. I love how he's copying Jonathan by folding his arms while Jonathan read to him.

Happy Birthday baby! We love you.

September, In-laws, Puyallup Fair...

First of all, welcome to our new blog! I guess we've entered the realm of real bloggers since we used up all of our free space. If you're reading this, we're glad you're still following us!

September was quite a busy month. And we had a huge breakthrough with Dean. He finally got on the lawn mower with Grandpa!! This really was cool for us because he used to be so scared of it.

Jonathan's parents came and spent a weekend with us. Before church, my mom tried to take a picture of us with them, but Dean wasn't really into it (surprise surprise!) What child doesn't like to have pictures taken? I just don't get it. Anyway, it makes for a pretty funny picture.

The best part of September in Washington is going to the Puyallup Fair. I've been going since I was a little girl, and I haven't been able to go for the past 3 years, so I was pretty excited to take Jonathan and the kids. It has tons of rides, LOTS of food, and every barn animal you can think of. Dean shook with fear in the petting zoo because baby goats kept running past him, but we got him to pet a few animals. This is him hammering a fish stencil into leather. He mostly hit the guy's hand, but he really wanted to do it himself (yikes, we've entered that stage of life...)

This clown was actually not scary, so I hopped on back of her bike for a photo opportunity.

self-expanatory picture

For all you nursing mothers out there, here is a picture to make you feel much better!! This is the award-winning pig that gave birth to 15 little piglets. So cute! (the babies, not the mother)

Dean liked the ponies more than any other animal.

Here is Dean with his 3 other 3-year-old cousins that all live in Puyallup. We were kind of a crazy group walking around together.

And last but not least, I cannot end a post about the Puyallup Fair without leaving you with the words to the chorus of the Puyallup Fair song:

"You can do it at a trot, you can do it at a gallop,

you can do it real slow so your heart won't palpitate,

Just don't be late... Do the Puyallup!