Music Class

Today was the first class for Karsten's new musical adventure, Toddler Tunes. She was not too keen on going, but once we got there, she was ALL ABOUT IT!

All it took was one step in the door and she went STRAIGHT FOR THE DRUMS!!!!!!!
Then she practiced the black keys and then playing on the white keys.

Carson, the other toddler in her class with Miss Tina the teacher.

The two kids kept thinking that each other were being called as their names are so similar.

Happy 4th of July!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

And Happy 4th of July to everyone! We spent the day outside playing in the water, with lawn games and enjoying the wonderful weather! Grandma and Grandpa came over for a BBQ and we made homemade ice cream with warm strawberries right out of our garden-YUMMY!!!!!!!

Too bad the fireworks kept waking Karsten up-it made for a long night for all of us. We think that our neighbors behind us must have visited the Indian Reservation for illegal fireworks as they were big, bright and LOUD and lasted until about midnight. Even with blackout shades in our room there was still a massive glow.

Karsten the water baby!

Roadtrip Seattle: Lodging Options...

So this is a funny story-originally the Hausers and we were going to stay in a hotel for the weekend in Seattle, but Chris and I had a random idea. We had been kicking around the idea of getting an RV/travel trailer so...why not try it out...in SEATTLE! Oh yes, we found a full hookup RV park, I mean parking lot, right off the freeway in Bellevue. It was not really that bad and worked for our needs, but it for sure was not the Embassy Suites which was the alternative option.

Chris lounging outside of our humble abode.

What you can't see is the red sewer line right behind my lounge chair!

Karsten snuggled up kickin' it with Barney in the trailer (tra wer, as she calls it)

And then we went for a visit the next morning to the alternative lodging.

Karsten didn't want to miss out on playtime with her cousins.

Check it out-the pool had a waterfall in it!

So, moral of the story-we are NOT ready for a travel trailer and we are FOR SURE booking the Embassy Suites next time. But hey, you never know until you try! Happy trails...

Let's Play Ball!

The purpose of the entire trip-BASEBALL! We ventured to Safeco Field to watch two of our favorite teams-the Mariners vs. the Padres. Sarah and Karsten had a great time together before and during the game-K just thinks that Sarah is the best thing ever!

It was a free hat giveaway day for 4th of July. Karsten couldn't decide which team to cheer for so she went for BOTH!

OK, Seattle Children's you are the BEST for funding the play area at the ball park! What a fun place to play...until we had to vacate due to an "accident requiring sanitary cleanup"! Now try and explain that one to a 2 year old!

Even more special on 4th of July weekend!

The first pitch was thrown out by a soldier and Purple Heart recipient headed back to war for his 4th tour of duty. I am SO VERY thankful for men and women such as he that protect our freedoms every day so that my family can do simple things like watch a baseball game together!

This entire thing is made out of plastic baseball bats!

Karsten fell in love with Mariner Moose!

So we went to visit him at his house in the stadium

He still gave her a hug, even though she was dressed in the opposing team's jersey!

A certificate for attending her first Mariner's game

And then she hit the wall...

So daddy found some empty seats in the shade-nice view!

We had a WONDERFUL time at the ballgame and will for sure be returning again in the future.

Roadtrip Seattle: Downtown Adventures!

We met the Hausers for a great time on the Seattle waterfront and Pike Street Public Market. Karsten was all eyes with the new sights everywhere and we all enjoyed our time cruising around.

She is DEFINITELY a Warren with a hand full of olives!

The fun characters down on the pier.

Pier 57 was a great time

It was a picture perfect, warm day in Seattle-could not have been better!

Couldn't pass up a photo op of the Space Needle

Roadtrip Seattle: Parks, Parks and more Parks!

Not only did we find a little park outside of Snoqualmie Falls, but we hit the JACKPOT with the city part in Bellevue. Note to other cities-now THIS is how you build a family friendly park!

Feeding the duckies and learning about lillypads. K met some little girls that were so nice to share bread with her to feed the ducks!
This picture does not do this park any justice.

She loves the rocking spring toys-old school or new, fancy ones!

Not too much a fan of the spinny thing-perhaps she gets that from mommy and daddy both!

SUPER FUN!

She climbed up all by herself...anyone really surprised by that-NO!

Roadtrip Seattle: Snoqualmie Falls

We had planned months ago to head to Seattle to watch the Mariners play the Padres. We headed over earlier than the Hausers and so we ventured off for the day to see what we could find. First stop: SNOQUALMIE FALLS-simply gorgeous!

There was so much spray, it was incredible!

After yesterday stuck in the car for the drive over,

Karsten was happy to be free to look around and check things out!

4th of July Kiddie Parade

Every year Karsten's school goes on a field trip to walk a few blocks downtown to watch the 4th of July Kiddie Parade. Looks like she was still in the stroller this year but watch intently at the kids going by! She was dressed in her red, white and blue and even managed to match a red hat too!

All of the kids parading with their parents-what fun!

The line of kids from TLC Learning Center

YUMMY!

Nothing spells YUMMY like fresh, warm strawberries straight from the garden. We have a bumber crop this year and Karsten is taking complete advantage of it! We are getting really good with the Spray-n-Wash these days as every night she has strawberry juice all over her clothes!

Hannah and Wrigley (Wigwey as Karsten calls him) keeping watch...
more like watching for dropped strawberries!