Home to KC

This post is VERY picture dense.  Enjoy :)

Jared had the month of June off before he started his residency, so we took a week long trip home to KC! We started the visit at my parents’ house playing in the pool and meeting our new niece. We made a trip to the zoo where Elliot got to see a polar bear up close! It was fun watching Elliot and Marissa play, they are of the age where they are finally interacting with each other.  We made our routine trip to one of my favorites…Taco Via….YUM. My sister and I also hosted a birthday party for our 2 year olds (they are only a week apart in age).  Elliot was in heaven…Mickey Mouse theme, at a park, with friends, family, and cupcakes! We were also lucky enough to be able to attend Ella’s baptism.  I am Marissa and Ella’s God Mother, so it was special to be able to be at the ceremony.

The second part of the visit we stayed with Jared’s parents and had a mini reunion because Jared’s siblings were in town! Elliot had a playmate in his cousin Solomon.  He really looks up to him and it is so cute watching him “be like” his older cousin. We enjoyed our time at Antioch Park playing in “Old Dodge Town” and having a picnic.  Because it was Father’s Day we set up a little photo booth session with the dads.  We went to Deanna Rose Farmstead and got to see and pet many animals.  Elliot loved the goats…he went around touching each one.  Elliot even got to feed one with a bottle (Jared took over when they started getting aggressive). Grandma and the boys made ice cream one night. We spent a lot of time relaxing in the backyard with the pool or in the house in the air conditioning!

Awesome trip home!  It was really good seeing everyone!

Jared got his long awaited iPad (very happy guy!)

Two!

My sweet little man turned two today! I can’t believe how much he has changed in a year.  He is talking (or trying to) so much.  Elliot is a people person and loves attention.  He is always trying to make us laugh and tries getting out of trouble with his humor.  There isn’t a day that goes by that he hasn’t put a smile on my face.  Elliot loves playing with his friends and cousins. He is currently into cars and trains.  He loves balls with a current favorite being one that lights up.  Elliot still watches Mickey Mouse and has added to his collection with a Pluto doll. He still loves books and can be found reading quietly in his room. His current favorite are Nursery Rhymes. Elliot is learning his letters and can identify most.  He also loves counting everything!  Colors are still a struggle….everything is either blue or green :)

Elliot loves swimming and mentions the pool daily (he is currently obsessed with a line in the bottom of the pool dividing the shallow end from the deep end).  We have told him the line is fine; it’s ok.  Now EVERYDAY he says “line fine pool”.  Elliot has started his “terrible twos” off with a bang.  He has newly started saying “no” in a very loud and abrasive tone.  He hates getting his diaper changed.  Elliot Loves Target (not sure why).  When we mention going to the store he wants it to be Target and will get upset if that’s not where we are headed.  He is singing and likes listen to “his” music.  He gives the best hugs and kisses! He is always laughing and can crack himself up.

My little man is such a big boy.  He has spent the last two nap times sleeping in his “big boy” bed.  As proud as I am, it makes me sad.  So far he has done a wonderful job staying in bed and actually sleeping! I’m waiting for the day he decides not to listen to me and wanders out of bed to play with his toys…hopefully it never happens :)

I could not love this little guy anymore than I do!!

Party Time!

 

Email me for details! Hope to See you there :)

Invites made by my cousin Jenni! Thanks Jenni, we Love it!

 

Breath of fresh air.

Hey! This is Jared. Your stuck with me for this post…

 

Back in February, I put my name in a “lottery” to obtain a permit to hike to the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. The last 400 feet of the climb consist of cables and 2x4s fastened to the slick granite rock. A permit is needed to access the cables and complete the hike to the summit. The hike definitely tested my stamina, and the final climb surely tested my nerves. After a few adrenaline pumping slips on the way up and down the cable system, I can say that I conquered Half Dome.

 

A few Half Dome facts:

• Rigorous 18 mi round trip.
• 4,800 feet in elevation climb from trailhead to summit.
• As late as the 1870s, the Half Dome summit was declared "perfectly inaccessible".
• Making the summit accessible are 400 feet of cables. No harness.
• Over 60 deaths have been reported hiking Half Dome or the Mist Trail leading to the summit.
• Located in the Yosemite Valley.
• Half Dome is the inspiration of The North Face logo.

 

Here are some pictures from our hike. Our camp site was pretty great too.

Pic #1: View looking into Yosemite Valley. Pic #2: Half Dome  as we sneak up behind it at sunrise.

Pic #1: Vernal Falls. Pic #2: “the Cables” to reach the summit

Survived on top (the summit) & survived back down (standing on the sub dome).

View from the “sub-dome” (looks fake!)

View while descending back to camp: Half Dome (left) and North Dome (right)

Lucked out with our camp site.

Life via iPhone

Visitors

We played host to Jared’s family while they were here for his graduation.  We did so many fun things, had some laughs, ate great food, and enjoyed each other’s company.  Jared and I are so glad everyone was able to make the trip!  Because we did so much I thought it would be best for all if you saw, rather than read, about our all our outings!

 

Farmer’s Market

Picnic dinner on the beach…love how only the boys are eating (the adults are playing )

(I know, my child is HUGE! It takes two of us to hold him :)

Huntington Beach

Wine tasting in Temecula…Elliot and I sat this one out.

Lots of reading