4th of July

Our 4th of July started by heading to the Bothell Parade. This was the first year Hudson and I walked in the Kiddy Parade and luckily my friend Emily knew what she was doing. She had a wagon for her son Tyler and they were well equipped with candy to throw to the parade watchers. Hudson ended up in the wagon along with my friend Ellie's daughter Addie. Addie would take candy out of the bag and hand it to the boys to throw. It was too cute! Surprisingly, the kids actually threw more candy then they ate. I think Hudson really got into it once we told him what he was supposed to do. As we walked in the parade, I passed out Stroller Strides brochures with a coupon for a week free. I ended up giving out 21 brochures total! The highlight of my attempt to market Stroller Strides...a woman and her husband asking me if I thought she was fat. Really people?!?! I just said "um, no" and kept walking. They were laughing & slightly joking, but come on, it was so awkward!! After the Kiddy Parade we watched the real parade which Hudson loved and Charlie slept through.

The four of us before the parade started

Here come the candy throwers!

Tyler, Addie, and Hudson

Charlotte slept through the entire parade, guns firing, cannons shooting off, the whole nine.

Huddy waving at the fire truck. I think this is so sweet!

Later that afternoon my parents, Nonnie, and a few friends come to the house for a BBQ and some backyard fun. Lots of people in our neighborhood were setting off fireworks so we sat on the back porch to enjoy the private show. This was the first year Hudson was awake for the fireworks and I'm pretty sure they were a big hit with him as he has been asking everyday since if there are going to be fireworks today.

Hudson and Olivia playing in the sprinkler

This picture makes me laugh every time, Livy kills me!!

Sparkler time!

Olivia's turn!

Charlie watching the sparklers with Papa

Daddy's Girl

I'm no longer in denial that Charlotte's first real word was "Dada". I tried to play it off as babble for as long as I could, but how could I ignore what followed her "babbling" Dada...a big goofy smile at him and excited arms and legs flapping everywhere. Fine Ryan, just fine, you can have your Daddy's girl, but we all know who she wants when she really needs something. And I still get the best kisses, so there.

Haha Mommy, I said Dada first!

Feeding the Giraffes

At the Woodland Park Zoo you can pay $5.00 to feed the giraffes and we had been wanting to let Hudson do this for awhile, but we always missed the feeding times. The last weekend in June we made there on time though and it was awesome. We randomly ran into our neighbors there so they fed the giraffes too.

Hudson's turn


So excited!! Our neighbor Macaela holding out her lettuce.

The giraffe taking Macaela's lettuce

We finally got to see the new penguin exhibit as well which opened in May. We were supposed to go see the penguins for the "Members only" day, but it ended up being the same day our Little Nugget got his tubes put in.

Father's Day

Ryan's Father's Day started off with a big breakfast at home. We then spent the morning together at the Imagine Children's Museum. Ryan's choice which I thought was pretty cute! We headed to my parent's house that night for a BBQ to celebrate with my Dad. Ryan "Shoe Whore" Storey got none other than a new pair of shoes for his Father's Day gift. Shocking, I know!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Charlie Update

Charlie had a busy month in June. She turned 9 months old and has officially spent more time out of the womb than in (insert big crocodile tears here). At her 9 month appointment, Miss Charlotte weighed in at 19 lbs 13 oz (70 percentile) and 29-1/2 inches (97 percentile). Some of Charlie's high points of being 9 months included:

• Crawling
• Pulling herself up to stand
• Getting her first two teeth
• Waving
• Signing "more", "all done", "eat", and "drink" (very important as this child will sit and eat for nearly TWO hours)
• Saying "Mama", "Dada", "Papa"(grandpa), "Hi", and "Dog"
• Sleeping at least 10 hours at night and taking a 2 hours nap with her brother (can you say ahhhhh)

Charlie is still a love bug, loves to give kisses, and is my happy, smiley girl.
Hudson being a helpful big brother. Not so helpful when he gave her that bruise on her cheek however.

Standing up!

Check out my new teeth!

Play Structure

I know many of you saw my status updates on Facebook, but for those that didn't, we bought a wooden play structure. It was quite the project putting it together and took Ryan nearly a week of working on it at night after the kids went to bed. We somehow managed to keep it a surprise for Hudson. Every time he would ask about it we would tell him we didn't know what it was or what it was going to be. Good thing he is only two and those answers were acceptable!! I'm so glad we kept a secret because his face was priceless when he finally got to see the finished product.

Shock, joy, excitement...you name it!

Saying "Woooow!"

Running towards it

Giving the glider a test run

Swim Lessons

Hudson had swim lessons every Saturday in June. He did awesome, although he cried the second and third lessons. By the last one though, he was getting himself across the pool without any help! He loved doing big jumps into the water as well.

He got right in the water the first class and held the wall like a big boy. Needless to say, I cried.

The kids wear foam pads in front and back. Hudson started with three in front and back and by the last class was down to two.

"Running" in the water

The only boy in class. He looks so grown up to me here.