Wedding #2

We hosted Whitney and Saul's wedding at our house today. We now know our yard can fit 300...but the parking is a little dicey. The rain taunted us a bit but never fully showed. The mariachi band was a first for us and very fun. 

Camp!

Mason left for Pilgrim Firs today, his first time at overnight camp! We also hosted a wedding at our house, so Cindy had to sneak away and take him by herself. I'm a little anxious that I didn't get to help him settle in, but she assures me he will be just fine. 

First ferry

Little mister went on his first ferry ride today. Well, we think it was. Mason thinks he has been on one before but we can't recall. And that is how it goes now. Ermi has had so many firsts, yet continues to experience new ones almost daily. But now his vocabular is so advanced that we can better understand what he is thinking. "What!? Our car goes on the BOAT? Why!?!" "Look, the boat coming with people on it!!" It was a gorgeous day and of course Ermias lived it to the fullest. 

Save

Cindy caught this cool shot as Mason jumped up to save a ball from going into the net. 

Too much soccer

Another weekend of a tournament has wiped him out. He didn't quite make it all the way upstairs. 

The bookends

Mariners

I'm not always first in line to go to a baseball game, but with a family of 20 and good seats, we had a great time. The Mariners won, Kenzie and Sarah found the Moose, the kids got on the big screen dancing, Sarah and Ciao picked up a random Brazillian, we lost Ermias and Mason for about 20 minutes, and the roof only closed 7 innings in. Not a bad night!

Gavel but no shake

He may have missed the handshake, but he enjoyed pounding the gavel.

Unlicensed

It was a long walk through Seattle hills and the courthouse today so Grampy brought his wheels. Mason was quick to push and quickly learned that you can get a lot of momentum on the marble floors. Grampy was a tad nervous. 

Usually Grampy is amused by Masons reckless antics. Somehow today, not so much. Ha!

It's ALL official

Ermias has been readopted by me (to give him a US birth certificate) and also adopted by Cindy! Court was smooth and easy today, surrounded by family.

Buds

Kick off tourney

Masons team had their first tournament of the year and took second. Mason played great. Think he scored 8 goals in the four games. They were all wiped out because the weather was so beautiful. 

Poetry by Mason

Tide is changing

Mason can now give Kenzie piggyback rides. 

But later today she demonstrated how she could put the boys together and pick them up at the same time! 

Half a century

We are celebrating Cindy's 50th birthday this year. Last night I rented a boat and we had a great night out on the water with friends. No kids!!

Bomb

The girls thought they could escape
Cindy and me when they ducked into a restaurant to use the bathroom, then sat and took selfies. We photobombed through the window. This is the only picture that survived. 

Kindergarten graduate!

Boys

Golden birthday

For Kenzies golden birthday she took 9 of her friends over to Alki. We rented covered bikes and the road for about 5 miles down the beach and back. They started off with high-pitched squeals and screaming, and came back slightly more subdued. We took that as a good sign, but as soon as we hopped on the water taxi to Seattle the energy returned. We ate dinner, walked along the waterfront, and then took the water taxi back to West Seattle. In a moment of weakness we agreed to let those who were able sleepover.

 

Twelve!

Today we wish a happy birthday to our sweet 12-year-old. She is just about a week away from completing her first year in middle school, which is almost beyond our belief. She has already turned into a thoughtful, mature, and curious almost-teenager. Tomorrow we are taking a dozen of her friends into the city to celebrate in true teenage girl fashion. Fun!

Boarder Ed

Our crazy but fabulous neighbor Ed with Ermias. 

Who is taller?

Welcome baby Odin

Michelle and Donald welcome Odin Earl on Grammys 81st birthday. Someone is claiming babysitter status. 

Patty-Cake

Ermias had his first kindergarten concert tonight. He was nervous. He puts his hands on top of his head as his nervous tell, which he did several times. But he had fun the entire time, even if he was a tad distracted by all the activities around him!

Cindy was amazed by the number of parents who knew him by name when they walked down the hall. Even as the curtain opened one parent, way in the backed, yelled "Go Ermias!" We have no idea who it was, but he has a way of capturing hearts.

Speaking of...he has a crush on a girl named Freya. As we were pulling out of the parking lot tonight Ermias saw Freya and waved an enthusiastic goodbye. When she was out of sight he said "she's so beautiful." Oh boy.

Triple play day

Today Kenzie ran the 800 in 3:09, beating her all-time best by 30 seconds!

Mason's teacher sent us a note that he's above grade level for reading, which is something he's been working very hard to achieve!

And Ermias had his first kindergarten concert, standing proud in the front row.

Fro-yo all around.