changes...

In March, I posted about new beginnings.  We yearned for intentional living, more family time, less stress, and return to a simpler lifestyle.  We knew this year would bring big changes.  Our trip to Florida gave us so much perspective on our choices and potential for change.  We realized it was time to make changes in the name of health and family.  Its all about balance, right?

So when Dale was offered a position at Serafina (an iconic Italian restaurant in Seattle) he jumped at the opportunity.  We actually had our first date at Serafina way back in 2008 and manage to find our way back for anniversaries and such.  Dale is very well acquainted with the staff and is joining a team of appreciative, supportive, and passionate people.  It will also mean less hours and more time at home.  We can actually have a day off together, go out of town, or enjoy Saturday mornings together without the fear of something burning down, an emergency errand, etc.  I am so proud of him!

However, his resignation was not received well.  He gave two weeks notice and was essentially forced out a week early.  While this put a slight financial strain on us, it has meant we have had a lot of fun hanging out.  On top of that, my cousin, Kirsten, surprised us with a visit!  I had hoped to post more menu plans and "what's on the shelf" but we have simply been too busy!!!

1.) We have spent a lot of time in the yard planting our garden!  We are growing bok choi, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, raddiccio, edamame, strawberries, red cabbage, cilantro, thyme, and rosemary.

2.) We have been riding bikes a lot.  Kannon finally knows how to pedal his little trike, so we have been riding to the park frequently.

3.) We spent all weekend at FolkLife.

4.) Wednesday we hung out in Bellevue and went to the park, the Children's Museum, and had a big lunch.  They were very happy!

5.) They love playing with their train table!

6.) We have been baking bread, making jams, and cutting out processed foods.

7.) We started walking in the morning.  We walk to Fremont, Ballard, or take Emma and walk the dog park.  The kids love it and its a good way to talk and exercise at the same time.

8.) We have been spending lots of time with Kirsten! I am really hoping she moves up here!

9.) Bath time is becoming quite fun as the boys both love pretending to swim.

10.) My photography business is getting busier.  I have been trying to balance family time during the day and editing at night.  It makes for some late nights but I love the balance.  I have had a lot of small projects and I am photographing a wedding this weekend!

Dale begins his new job on Sunday and we have lots of stuff planned until then!  I have a feeling it will be a few more weeks before we are back on a normal schedule but in the meantime we will surely enjoy good food, good company. and family time!

florida vacation

We got back late on Tuesday from our first family vacation.  It was the first time Dale and I have ever flown together with the kids---as expected it was WAY easier than my usual haul of two kids, a stroller, and carseats BY MYSELF.  We had such a wonderful time and shared so many firsts as a family.  The weather was warm, the company wonderful, and we really had time to relax.

Kannon and Clark had been looking forward to our airplane ride for weeks.  They were so excited to see the airplanes and kept telling everyone "we are going on an airplane."  Clark was a little nervous during take-off but he soon passed out for the remainder of the flight.  Kannon on the otherhand enjoyed playing with his cars and watching us soar through the clouds.

We stayed with my aunt and uncle and their adorable furball, Duncan.  Trust me, there is nothing better than sitting on their porch, drinking beer, and catching up while watching a thunderstorm.  We spent 7 nights doing this, but I could happily spend my life doing this.  Family is so paramount.

Clearly, the kids enjoyed their time here.

We went on an airboat ride.  Both Kannon and Clark enjoyed the experience and kept pointing out alligators and birds.  While it was thrilling, their were moments of discomfort and white knuckles as we soared through the everglades. 

Both Dale and I got to hold an alligator.  The skin was soft and really this guy was quite the cutie.  The boys both enjoyed touching the alligator tail before finding a giant pig (more about that later).

We went to Cocoa Beach and dipped our feet in the warm Atlantic ocean.  I could have stayed in that bathwater warm ocean for hours.  The sand was soft, the breeze cool, and watching the kids chase waves was heaven.  Kannon LOVED the waves and was ready to march in by himself before my aunt stopped him!  Clark preferred burying himself in sand.  

On Mother's Day, we took another boat ride, a much calmer pontoon boat, through Winter Park, Fl.  It cruised through the canals and lakes narrating the history of the area and the HUMONGOUS beachfront homes.  The boys loved the floating through the canals--it was an oasis.

I took so many pictures on the trip that Kannon finally got the hang of "smile".  His first few attempts were a little wonky as he tried to force a smile, but his final attempt was pretty darn adorable. Cute.

Winter Park, FL is probably one of my more favorite little towns in the world.  It sits just outside Orlando and is home to Rollins College.  The streets are pebblestone and lined with patio cafes, wine bars, vintage candy stores, ice cream shops, and more.  On Mother's Day, everyone (and their mom, lol) were out walking.  We watched the train go by.  We sat at the park and played in the fountain.  We topped it all off with a nice seat at a wine bar, called Diva, and met the NICEST server we have ever met.  Dale wanted to hire her for Revel.  

We went to Epcot Center at DisneyWorld.  This was a true highlight of the trip! We debated over which park to go to but settled on Epcot because it seemed to be better for the kids age group and our interests in the World Showcase.  It was perfect.  We enjoyed tame, educational rides that had the boys begging for more.  Their favorite was the Nemo ride where we rode through a little aquarium with project images from Finding Nemo.  We ate lunch at the Coral Reef Cafe and had front row seating right next to the aquarium.  The boys devoured their pizza while sharks and turtles swam by.  

They fell asleep in the stroller giving Dale and I a chance to laze around the World Showcase sampling beer from every country.  Morocco, Japan, and the UK were our favorites.  

We spent our last hours sipping beer and smelling the sweet gardenias in my aunt's yard.  Oh, it was so hard to leave.  The boys said goodbye to every single lizard that they saw before we headed to the airport.

There was a thunderstorm approaching so we sat on the runway waiting with 12 other planes to take off.  For 40 minutes Dale and I contemplated ways to runaway from our responsibilities and just live in Florida.  After we finally took off, the boys fell asleep and I began to excited about returning home.  I was relieved to have two feet on the ground and be back to sleeping in my bed.  

Overall, the vacation was wonderful.  We will have so many memories to share and we can't wait to plan our next family vacation.  The boys are still having a rough time adjusting back, but they were overjoyed to see our dog, Emma, spring through their bedroom door in the morning.  It is back to work.  Dale is back to his 6 days a week, working doubles, and I have jillions of photos to edit from our trip, and two newborn sessions this weekend.  How quickly it must all end? 

weekend adventures

We are getting ready to leave for Florida in the morning so our weekend was filled with packing, cleaning, and general organization.  It will technically be our first vacation longer than 3 days and traveling as a whole family.  We are beyond excited!!! The last time Dale and I had a week off together was in on our trip to Alaska almost 4 years ago!!!

While our weekend was busy, we saw some exciting things.  Saturday we were surprised by a steamboat caravan who were more than excited to toot their horns for us.  The kids loved the boats and waved bye to every boat that crossed our path.  Our dog also got into a quacking-barking match with a very agitated duck.  This white duck kept picking on our poor dog, Emma, before she finally snapped and the war began.  The boys thought all this was of course humorous and spent the next two days practicing their own version of dog vs duck.

Of course, we were all excited with the super moon that made its appearance.  We are usually cloud covered and soggy in Seattle when this event happens so imagine my excitement when the night was crystal clear.  I grabbed my tripod and was very thankful for such clear skies.  Can you see the man in the moon?  

Clark:: 18 month update

 My little boy is 18 months old.  He will be 2 in October and it is quickly dawning on me that he is not a baby anymore.  This little guy has more determination and spunk than any other toddler I know.  I find myself negotiating with him over minor "issues" ie bedtime, milk, playing.

While him and big brother, Kannon, are best of friends they have totally different personalities!!  Clark is stubborn, strong-willed, demands to get his way.  He has a temper and likes to bang his head on floor.  He demands milk and cuddles first thing in the morning and loves to read books.  Clark is clumsy, runs into door jams, trips over air, but he laughs it off.  He loves to draw, fingerpaint, and sneaks away to color on walls.

In short: he is devious, sweet, and creative. Oh, enough with the details, here are the pictures.  So much cuteness!