Hide & Seek Aliza's Way

Aliza's been doing and saying the funniest things lately that we can't help but laugh hysterically about it. One of the new things is playing hide & seek. For now, we let her do it her way but eventually we'll teach her how to really hide so she doesn't lose with her friends. Whenever she hides, she thinks she's got the best spot. Unfortunately for her, it's right in the open for everyone to see her. She doesn't realize it though. She sits very still and looks down thinking you don't see her. Patrick couldn't believe where she would hide, so from the very beginning he's played along and just looked around her pretending not to see her. Eventually he would "find" her which results in screams of excitement. She then wants to play over and over. Here are some of her favorite hiding spots.


Hiding quietly in the doorway of the laundry room



Excited that her dad found her hiding at her desk



"We got you now!"

Friends

This week I had the chance to meet up with friends on my own without kids TWICE! It's special enough when it happens, but two times in one week is just awesome!

Thursday I went to Black Angus (the plan was The Ram but it was an hour wait) for Kristen's last once-a-month girls dinner. Kristen and her family are being medically discharged from the military and leaving in a week to move back home to SD. She's in her last trimester so pray their trip goes smooth and Baby Meyer doesn't come until after they're safe and sound back home. Patrick and I have known the Meyer family since 2001. We're glad they've been stationed here long enough for us to move back and see them again. It's kinda cool because right before we left WA in 2004, they had a daughter named Peyton born on Patrick & Moe's birthday.

We wish you well, Kristen & Jason!! God bless you as you make this transition! We will be praying for you! We've been blessed to have you as friends.


Holly, Jess, Melissa, Kristen, Heidi, & Me



Today I drove to New Castle, WA for Liza & Andre's baby shower. Liza and I have known each other since I was 5 or 6 years old. We share a lot childhood memories such as being angels in Christmas plays, flower girls in a wedding, lighting candles prior to Sunday services together, and vacationing with each other's family. Unfortunately, life got busy and when she went off to school and I got married we pretty much lost touch. Thankfully we ended up in the same place recently and were able to catch up after 10 years. Liza and Andre are expecting their first baby boy in December. It was so nice to be a part of the celebration of his upcoming birth. Another great thing was her sister-in-law, Candice, flew out to help throw the shower. It's been about 10 years since I've seen her too. Candice is amazing! She made the shower special for Liza by bringing a touch of home from people who miss & love her.


Liza, Candice, & Me




One of the MANY homemade onesies sent from loved ones back home



A fun game where Liza had to choose the "best baby". Mine is the yellow baby in a cradle drinking a bottle--I didn't win. (Can be kinda creepy huh?)

Aliza's Stinky Fish

The other day, we gave Aliza frozen fish fillets for the first time. I figured she would like it because she doesn't mind fresh fish or chicken nuggets. I assumed those two together are like fish sticks. Well Patrick served Aliza her plate. Immediately, Aliza leaned down to smell the fish and with a funny face said, "Stinky fish!" She refused to try it.

Well, today I made some salmon with rice for lunch. I didn't want to give her any without letting her see me eat it first. She ate salmon before but since it smells worse than fish sticks I wasn't sure if she'd be turned off now. We sat down for lunch and had the same food except my plate had salmon. She kept looking at the salmon I tried to disguise as chicken by cutting it up. She then says, "Smelly fish." She stood up on her chair and leans in for a better sniff and says it again. I just laughed! But I put some on a spoon mixed with rice and she took a bite. She liked it and asked for "More fish please." I was so relieved. I'm just glad she didn't give up the real fish.

Busy Birthday Week

This was a busy week of birthdays for our family.

First, we enjoyed a visit from Patrick's parents to celebrate his mom's birthday. The kids loved having them here. They had a chance to show off everything they've been learning and enjoyed some good cuddle time. We ended the visit with a great birthday dinner for Grandma. It was short but sweet. It's times like these that really make us want to move back home. Here are some photos after our dinner:











Next, Patrick and Moe shared a birthday this past Monday. Patrick turned 28 and Moe is now 5 years old. Time flies, huh? When we went to the kennel to adopt Moe, Patrick picked the craziest one who was jumping and biting all the others and the one who escaped. He had so much personality that we couldn't resist. So we took him home. Five years later, he is the same. He's still a hyper, crazy escape artist.

As a result of his frequent runaway escapades (and other things), we decided to give him away to family. Patrick's parents were going to take him but we didn't prepare in advance for a flight to MI. Patrick's brother, Paul, who lives 10 minutes away said he'd take Moe--at least for a trial period.

In the 2 days he's been gone, Aliza has hardly mentioned his name. In fact, I've been the one with withdrawals. I miss having him run around like his crazy self after balls. I miss seeing Aliza laugh hysterically at him. I miss dropping some food on the floor and being okay because I know he'll eat it. And when he's not being stinky, it was nice having him to cuddle and keep me warm. It's easy to miss him but when I focus on why we let him go, I start to feel better again.

He will be happier not getting beat up by Aliza. Ryan won't constantly be attacked with slobbery kisses that he hates. I won't have to chase him around the neighborhood as he poops in other yards or messes up their flower bed. I don't have to deal with him waking up Aliza for barking at all the people walking by. No more waking up to irritating sounds of snoring or him cleaning himself. No more little dog bum scooting on our floor in circles when he gets excited. (yes, just like the commercial and yes, we've taken him in and it never stops)

Let me just add that we learned to live with some of his annoying habits but it wasn't until we moved back to WA that he started escaping and scooting his bum. He isn't happy with us anymore. He's comfortable but not happy. He doesn't like sharing his attention with the kids. He'll be happier with his Uncle and maybe eventually his grandparents. Undivided attention is what he needs and they can give it to him.



Happy 28th Birthday, Patrick!



Moe eating a piece of birthday cake




Saying bye to Moe after his party as he leaves with Uncle Paul

Ryan Walking

Every Friday, Ryan goes to Good Samaritan's Children's Therapy Unit (CTU) in Puyallup for physical and occupational therapy. It is lots of fun for both the kids because they built the center as Noah's Ark. It's an amazing place with a ton of equipment for the kids. Ryan has been learning to push his walker independently but we still help him steer and turn. He does better at the center and at school than he does at home because of our carpet. Also he needs motivation and I think he just knows it's expected of him there.

His therapist from school has been working on having him take some steps without any support. It started out with just a couple steps before falling. Now he can do up to 6 or 7 steps. I have a video from my cell phone of him doing it at Good Sam. We are all so proud of his hard work!!



We thank God for all the things that are happening in Ryan's life. One special thanks is that he hasn't been hospitalized for 2 1/2 years now. He is just getting stronger and healthier as time goes by. Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement!

Family Picture Day 10Oct08

So we went to Sears for our family picture this year. We hadn't taken one since 2006 and we'll probably make sure to keep it up every two years. I scheduled our appointment for after naps believing that it would work out perfectly. It ended up being extremely stressful because Aliza decided for that one day, she wouldn't nap. NOTHING helped. We went so far as driving her around and she just sang to herself. The crazy thing is, she naps everyday and if we are in the car around her naptime, she always falls asleep. But not this time. Ryan decided to skip his nap too.

We gave up on trying and finished getting ready. On our way there, we did our best to keep the kids awake for the 20 minute drive. It seemed we would make it. But 5 minutes before we got there, Aliza passed out and Ryan was slowly fading! I accepted the fact that we would have the worst pictures ever. I wasn't upset or in a bad mood but just in a "oh well" mood.

When we got to the studio, it felt like 90 degrees in there, which is probably why Ryan just wanted to sleep. Thankfully Aliza was awake and in good spirits because we made her walk through the mall and promised to buy her some bubble tea if she behaved well. To our surprise, it was the photographer's first day on the job. She took over 50 shots with some hilarious poses! I just kept thinking, "Seriously? Does this actually look good to you?" We cooperated and did what she asked...well, Patrick and I did. The kids...not so much. And that is why we took a ton of pictures. We did finally have one decent family photo but the kids don't look happy at all. But at least they're looking and I couldn't be happier.

Our Family Photo


Next is one of the "Are you serious...you want us to do what?" photos A back to back photo with Patrick just didn't seem very loving or candid. I laugh every time I see it. It's like were posing for a recruiting ad of some sort.


Don't you love kids?



A Great Photo



There was one more absolutely hilarious picture that I want to post so bad so you can laugh with me. But I have to ask Patrick first. I don't know if he'll go for it but I will update this asap if he says yes. You deserve to share in the joy I've experienced from looking at it over and over again.

A busy girl at 2!

Aliza started up swimming and toddler gym again this week at the YMCA. She took the summer off. I was worried she'd have issues following instructions because she's older now and more stubborn about doing what she wants. She actually did better this time around. There was more work in swimming rather than just playing and singing. I was impressed with her hard work!









Immediately after swimming, she goes to open gym. It's a movement education class where they get to run free in a gymnastics center. It's a lot of fun for parents too! Patrick came for the first time and kept saying he was going to run and jump on the vault doing a front handspring into the foam pit. Yeah right! He did try to do the rings--not an easy thing! I had a hard enough time trying to move around in the foam pit. It is great being able to play around on equipment like a kid again. Although it is technically for kids only. Check out the video at the end of her running on the trampoline. It's just so cute because of the way she runs!

Fall's Here

I am realizing that summer is finally gone and fall is here to stay. I won't complain though. Our summer ended beautifully in the 70s two days ago. Now it's 60s with grey and gloomy skies. But for our last weekend of sunshine, we were able to enjoy it at Lattin's Country Cider Mill.


I found this place 5 years ago before we moved away. I had a friend (Audrey) from childhood visiting and we wanted to find a cider mill because we went annually as kids. I wasn't disappointed with it and so we make sure to go every year. The kids get to pet and feed animals. They even have a giant slingshot to shoot apples at cows. Sounds mean huh? You're not supposed to aim it directly at them but only to shoot it near them so they can eat the apples. But some kids try to hit them.


They also have a hay ride, corn maze, and a giant pumpkin patch. Regardless of all that, they have the best cider and apple fritters! Yummy! This year I even bothered to buy a pie pumpkin to attempt homemade pumpkin pie. I've always thought pie filling from the can tasted good but people tell me I'm missing out. So if I don't mess up the recipe this week, I'll see if their right.

Ryan's & Aliza's Birthdays

Aliza turned two in July. We did celebrate her birthday with all our relatives when her and I took a trip to MI in June. But of course we had a little celebration the day after her birthday back home which included fireworks! (We like her to think the big July 4th fireworks are just for her)


It's amazing how much she's changed in one year. Funny thing is her whole 1st year I documented and compiled in a book. I kept track of firsts of everything: sounds she made, foods, etc.  But her second year where she made tremendous changes, I have no record but lots of pictures. I guess that happens when she doesn't sit in one spot anymore for me to do that kind of stuff. Rather I'm constantly keeping track of her so she stops stuffing the toilet with paper, coloring Patrick's drums, or beating up Moe (It's a love-hate relationship with them). 



Ryan turned nine in September. He also has a holiday weekend--Labor Day. Unfortunately no fireworks like Aliza. But this year, he got to see his favorite character, Shrek, in the live broadway musical in Seattle. He was so bored waiting for the show to start. Nothing on stage gave him hints of what we were about to see. But when Shrek came out, he just perked up and couldn't keep his eyes off the stage. He had a great time. Unfortunately it was naptime so during intermission he fell asleep and didn't see the end. He enjoyed the first hour and a half though.