talking Evers

Everett has a name for everyone in our family
Papa-             Papa
Mama-          Mama
Gwenevere:  Baba sometimes sounds more like Berber
Grace:           Gege
Everett:         Me


He loves to talk and is happier everyday.  I truly love this stage.

Other words he says

ball,
kitty
"me too" when he wants something you have
He signs "please"and sometimes says "b" for please
but he always says "Tank to"
shoe
mine
chew chew for train
he signs the word "milk"
and says "dink" when he wants a drink of water
NO
"ep" for yep aka yes
he often wakes up asking "Papa Home?"

"By" for bike

Everett can put two or three words together when he talks.

An emotional trip to the Children's Museum

We took a trip the the Children's Museum today, and had a blast. but the museum was packed with field trip kids and as I tried to keep an eye our kids, bad things still happen.  My friend's child was miss treated by another kid.  It took only five seconds and it was very difficult to watch it all unfold.  My prayers are with their family and for the small child who caused so much pain.   Thankfully there is always a way to heal from pain and abuse.  And I hope someday I'll be able to go back to the Museum without fear for my children.  Until that day comes here are some of the good moments we had today. 

I don't think Gwenevere ever left the art studio.  

I just love this ship

Everett found a soft place to take a rest

getting lost: Saltwater State Park

I joined a group called Hike It Baby Tacoma.  It's helping get out and explore more with my kids.  Unfortantly I got lost on the way to our most recent hike and we missed hiking with the group.  Never having hike the trail before i was a bit nervous but Gwenevere wanted to explore so bad I figured we could do part of the trail.  We ended up hiking the entire trail.  Go figure.  It was amazing. 

Gwenevere posted the first Salmon berries of the season and Grace ate them

Everett showing me his leaf

This girl leading the way.  Every now and then she would say she was scared but had courage to go on. 

We found several slugs along the way.  Grace made sure they had a leaf blanket before we could continue on.

Passing under a bridge

We even followed the detour

The hike ended by the Pudget Sound.  Beautiful field of flowers followed by side a beach and water.  

Sharing a water break

We met a lady with some wonderful hound dogs that the girls loved petting.  Gwenevere even said "I could pet them all day."

We where right under the Seatac airport landing route.  

The girls had fun exploring in the stream that lead out to the sound

snack time

Grace's shell collection

Grace found a snail on the way home.  

We arrived home passed dinner time almost bedtime,  but we had a blast.

A Train ride to Longview

Sunday was Stake Conference and as much as I love stake conference, the last few times have been a total desaster and I end up being angry and frustrated and my kids aren't happy either.  So this time we decided to go to church with Gran

Gwenevere at the train station

funny face

Papa's bridge in the background.

the train arriving

saying hi to the conductor 

We passed by the Tacoma Narrow Bridges

Everett thoroughly enjoying the Chew Chew

playing footies with Papa

soaking in the beauty

Kelso Train station

Playing outside Grandma's house.  Building towers

Sword fights.  He thought it was really funny when I fell down.  

Then we walked to Church.  I love walking to Church.  I love seeing things in slow motion and walking to Church really does that for me.  I loved seeing the bird feeders and front door decors and other fun things around the neighborhood.    Everett slept through sacrament and the girls quietly colored.  James took Everett back to Grandma's house to see if he would sleep some more but the ended up just roaming around the neighborhood looking at "UCKS".

When we got home from Chruch Daniel showed James how to turn a pen while Grandma Sharolee, Gwenevere, Grace and I packed up a picnic dinner.

The boys where having so much fun we decided to leave without them.  We went to the park, set up the picnic, played and waited for the boys to arrive.  

Everett taking Grandma to play

snacking on chips til dinner

Just because Gweneverea asked that I add the picture to the blog.  

The park was a very big park and I try to let my kids explore as they desire but I was a bit nervous keeping track of everyone.  Gwenevere met a few kind people who shared bread to feed the ducks and let her watch as they fished in the pond.  I love that she is curious about the world around her and eager to explore.

Running wild

Grace exploring

Every now and than they would come back to the play ground to say hi and play before going off to explore more

I love that Everett is feeling more comfortable exploring on his own, but he still very much loves to be next to someone

Picnic time

Taking a moment to herself

"Grandpa wait for me."

Gwenevere loved showing Papa the baby ducks.

Grandpa Don gave the girl stone necklaces that they wear every day

Then is was time to say goodbye.  Back to the train station we went.  Grandma drove and we spent the last little time enjoying the beautiful sunset and tired kids.

waiting for the train

Station doors

Gwenevere was given some coloring crayons at the train station and was very happy to color on the ride home

Grace and Papa colored while I put Everett to sleep.

Then we traded and I cuddled Grace while we read a book

She fell asleep pretty fast

My view on the way home.  

We managed to keep both kids asleep all the way home,  and Gwenevere fell asleep soon after returning home.  It was a perfect day, filled with many wonderful memories.