Children's Museum

A couple weeks ago we went to a Children's Museum with my MOMS club. There were a lot of different "grown up" things that were designed for kids to do. Ethan had a lot of fun and Morgan enjoyed herself too.

Making sandwiches in the grocery store.

Morgan was picking pears from the pear tree.

And here is Morgan doing what she does best these days...climbing.

Ethan driving the John Deer tractor.

And driving the CHP motorcycle.

Driving the fire truck too.

Ethan also drove the boat, complete with life jacket...safety first!

Ethan and Morgan are starting to play more together during the day. I can leave them alone together more and more and know that they will get along ok. On this particular day they were having a great time emptying the toy box.

Conversations

Conversations with Ethan these days can be quite hilarious, sometimes annoying, and often times thought provoking. He never ceases to amaze me with his broad vocabulary and his ability to pick up on EVERYTHING we are talking about. I wanted to blog a couple conversations we had this week, both to share with you, my readers, and to have a place to write them down so I can remember things he has said.

While waiting for me to load Morgan in the car the other day Ethan was riding his scooter by our front door. He came riding over to me and relayed the following story:

"Mommy, I was turning on my scooter and suddenly I scraped my finger on the house." (emphasis his)

That same day we noticed that the front tire on his bike was flat so he couldn't ride it until daddy fixed it. Later in the car he said,

"Mommy, I'll just bring my bike up to heaven and ask God why the tire is broken."

Ethan has really been into heaven lately. Here is another conversation we had in the car last Thursday:

E: How do we get to Heaven?
M: Well, if you love Jesus and he lives in your heart then you can go to Heaven.
E: But HOW do we get to Heaven?
M:When we die then we can go to Heaven.
E: But HOW do we GET to Heaven?
M: (not so sure he'll understand God taking our soul and leaving our body I kind of skirted around this one) Well buddy, I'm not sure exactly how God will bring us up to Heaven.
E: (after thinking for a while) Well I think God will let down a long rope and then get me up to Heaven that way.
M: Could be buddy, good idea.
*A few miles later*
E: How long will we be in Heaven.
M: Once you go to Heaven you will be there forever.
E: Forever and ever?
M: Yep.
E: But when will we get to go home?
M: You won't, you will get to be with God forever and ever.
**This line of questioning went on for a while. Ethan finally said:
E: I think we will go back home after 20 hours.
M: Maybe buddy.


I love how curious he is about all things spiritual. It just makes me so glad that I am the one at home with him answering these questions. Sometimes it's a little tiring and daunting, but I'm so glad he is getting his spiritual guidance from Kevin and me. I pray that this curiousity stays with him as he grows and matures in his understanding of who God is and what he has done for him.

Uncle Ryan and Auntie Jessica Visit CA

Kevin's brother Ryan and his wife Jessica had some airline vouchers to cash in so they decided to go to Santa Cruz with Jessica's sister and her husband for a week. We were able to connect with them for a few hours when we were in Monterey and then at the end of their trip they came out to spend a few days with us. We had a great time catching up with them, it's a bummer that our time with them is so limited. Ethan and Morgan loved all the attention Uncle Ryan and Auntie Jessica gave them.

On Saturday we decided to head out to Old Sacramento. We hadn't been there in a long time and we knew Ethan would love to see the trains there. Ryan and Jessica graciously accepted Ethan's request to ride with them to Sacramento. We asked them several times if they were sure about that. The looked at us a little oddly for asking so much and said "sure it's fine" each time. Once we got to our destination and everyone piled out of the cars they looked at us and just said "Wow!" I told them, now you know why we asked you. Ethan has a tendency to talk... a lot. And ask questions....a lot. We appreciated the peaceful drive and I think Auntie Jessica and Uncle Ryan kind of liked the company:) They even let him ride home with them so it must have not been too bad.


Ethan and Morgan playing on the caboose.

Uncle Ryan, Ethan and Auntie Jessica posing for a picture after lunch.

We found a fabulous toy store for the kids to play in. Ethan was in heaven with all the trains, race cars and airplanes. Thankfully he doesn't fully understand that you can buy anything you want at a store and take it home with you. He was content to just play with the toys and he never once asked to have any of it. I hope that contentment lasts us a few years.

Morgan and Uncle Ryan posing in the Thomas the Train cut out.

One more picture with Uncle Ryan and Auntie Jessica Sunday afternoon. Thanks for coming guys! We had a great time with you.

Here is a picture of Ethan that I took tonight, he is still enjoying the sucker that Auntie Jessica bought him at one of the many candy shops in Old Sac. He has been licking it a few minutes everyday. I'm not sure when it might just disappear...

Weekend away

Last weekend Kevin and I had the privilege of heading out to Pebble Beach by ourselves....NO children. It was a perfect weekend. Life can get so busy these days and it was an absolute treat to have a quiet house by the ocean for 3 nights. We took long walks, went on a run, read books, watched TV, napped, slept in and did a lot of talking. It was just what we needed and such a blessing. Papa and Nana graciously watched the kids for us. The kids had a great time and didn't want to leave when we came home, although supposedly Ethan missed us at bedtime.

Here are the only two pictures we took all weekend.

The first night our good friends Dave and Janie joined us. We became friends with them when we lived in San Jose. We are blessed to have them as friends. We laugh a lot when we are together and we have great conversations. They have taught us and continue to teach us a lot about relationships, parenting and life. Thanks for the great time together Dave and Janie!

Sunday night we went out for dinner in Carmel. We went to Hog's Breath Inn. It was a super yummy dinner and a beautiful garden setting. You'll notice the hog's head over Kevin's right shoulder. There were a few of those around the restaurant:)

This trip was in celebration of Kevin's 30th birthday. Thanks for getting old babe! It was a pleasure celebrating with you:)

One more birthday post

Here is a short video Kevin's mom took of us singing to Morgan on her birthday.

Last swim of the year and one more party

Last Saturday we went over to Papa and Nana's house for one more summer swim and another little party for Morgan.

She's got this present thing down!

Ethan progressed so much this summer with his swimming. He started out the summer clinging to us with a life jacket AND floaties. Now he swims all over the pool with only his floaties. I'm looking forward to what he can do next summer.

A family pic in the pool.

One more time singing happy birthday to our little girl. I know she looks thrilled in this picture, but she really was excited for another cupcake:)

Mmmmm thats good!!

A few more pics with Opa and Oma

Ethan loved having playmates at his beck and call all weekend. Ethan and Oma were building sandcastles in the sandbox.

Opa and Morgan riding bike.

Poor Ethan didn't stand a chance against these competitors. I think during 1 one game Ethan's hippo didn't eat a single marble.

More games with Opa.

Opa and Oma and the kids. Thanks for a great visit Opa and Oma, we had lots of fun!