Anders' First Year Video Montage

Anders has officially been one for a little while now. He is walking on his own like a professional and sharing his personality like the budding toddler that he is. Lest I forget what a sweetie pie he has been as an infant, here is his first year roundup video!

Summer Continued

Learning how to self-feed with a spoon on the back porch so I can hose him down afterwards.

The cracker brigade at the park.

Serious bulldozing going on.

And dump trucking, too.

A date night for Mommy and Daddy!

Farm Dinner

This momma flew the coop on Saturday night to experience a wonderful evening with great friends as we celebrated Christina's introduction to the big 4-0. She tuned us in to a farm dinner fundraiser to support the Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland organization. What an incredible evening enjoying the natural beauty and abundance of our area while we feasted upon mussels, oysters, clams, salmon, fine chocolates and plenty of wine. I went into it a little wary as I don't normally eat shellfish, but I ate every last morsel and longed for elastic waist pants by the third course. 

I even immensely enjoyed the sliced geoduck, knowing its originating form is unfortunately ugly and phallic in appearance. Cheers to trying something new... I think the wine offered some liquid courage.
 

Yours truly, Amy, Christina and Emily

Starting off with some raw oysters. My "Alright, let's do this" moment.

Its not a farm dinner unless there is burlap and wildflowers.

The view isn't too shabby. Hosted at Taylor Shellfish Farms.

Blooms.

I'll need all these utensils to stuff my face. Bonus pic of me in the spoon with my aerial approach.

Nearing the end of dinner. Probably should have gotten the shot a few moments earlier but I was incapacitated with a full belly and too much wine. You know when you're just sitting at the end of the meal, staring blankly onto your dining area, repeatedly muttering "Oh God. Why did I eat it all. Oh God. *Burp* Oh Dear. Wow. I ate too much."... just me? Moving on...

The crew.

A few last pics before we head home.

Boop.

Many thanks to Ken, the lone hubby and our chauffeur extraordinaire for the evening.

Going, Going... Gone.

Anders 12 Months

Well, Anders, you made it through your first year. Congratulations. To all of us! There were times in the beginning when I wasn't sure what we were doing, but we found our groove, didn't we? You're my little sweetie pie, still tucking your head into my shoulder when I hold you close, but also emerging in your independence as you try to dive out of my arms so you can truck around the house full speed on your walker.

I suppose you'll start walking on your own within the next month or two, eager to transport yourself on something besides your knees or the walker that brother so determinedly swipes from you every morning.

You have a voice, little one. A big voice. I'm not sure exactly what you're saying yet, but Daddy and I get a kick out of the sounds you put together. I can't wait to hear how it all comes together in the coming years. I think you may even be saying Landon's name this week ("nun-nun"); I wouldn't be surprised if its one of your first official words, I certainly yell it enough these days.

Folks around town always comment on your sweet blue eyes and you give them a shy smile. Sometimes you toss a "hi!" and wave at them to demonstrate your friendly personality. I beam like the proud momma that I am.

Still rocking only two bottom teeth, but I think the top ones are coming soon!

Official 12 month photo. Those belly stickers are a farce after month 4.

"Hey, girlfriend!"

Joy.

Smiles.

I think I have kissed those cheeks a million times, and we're only one year in.

A potential puzzle man, like brother. Monkey see, monkey do!

Likes
 - Zucchini, peas, meatballs, anything smothered with tomato sauce or curry
 - Playing with brother's cars. Although I'm not sure if its the cars you like as much as trying to get a rise out of your brother ;o)
 - Being dipped backwards really fast with some tummy snuggles
 - Remote control
 - Climbing stairs
 - Being outdoors
 - Tequila Terry (singing cactus that Grandma sent)
 - Tupperware cups (assortment that Aunt Jill sent)

Dislikes
 - Gates on the stairs
 - Being in a car seat without a snack available
 - Contending with brother for toys

Sand

We rounded out a long holiday weekend by enjoying a summer evening at a nearby park that has a small stretch of sand in place of the typical rocky beaches around here. Anders promptly ingested the sand while Landon climbed driftwood in the vicinity. It was nice and - dare I say - peaceful. 

Start of Summer

Here are some pics from my phone chronicling the start of our lazy summer. Lots of visits to different parks, stroller rides, backyard time, barbecues with friends, sweating when the (proverbial) northwest mercury hits 75 degrees, etc.

Ice cream, ice cream, ice cream.

A snack and some stroller time.

Some squadron fun. Yes, that's Erik and the skipper.

Roasting some evening smores. Have I mentioned we live in a beautiful place?

Mr. Stair Climber is not loving the gates.

Going outside the box with our CSA box. [beets, garlic scapes, bok choy]

Snacks and grass time. Noticing a trend?

Traversing the course.

Swiiiiiiing!

Tandem swinging.

Pretending to be on the ferry at the park. [We will go on the real one today to get some - what else? - ice cream.]