Beach!

Last weekend we took the minivan and a half-day on Friday and headed for the coast. We rented a little beach cottage where we holed up with cheese and salami and peanut m&m's.

It was supposed to rain the whole weekend but miraculously we got a mostly clear day on Saturday, so we spent the day exploring the beach and checking out the small town sandcastle contest.

It was awesome.

The whole familllllly

Dad and baby North. I just love their expressions.

Cousins. Aren't they CUTE?!?!

The whole famdamily...

I'm sure Bella just LOVES this...

CJ turns 6!

CJ turned six on Friday! His school has a very special... and drawn out... birthday celebration. Part of this involves reenacting each year of life whilst going around the table.

Here's CJ's impression of himself at 1...

And here's how he acted at 3.

I got all weepy at the children's singing of "happy birthday, happy birthday, we love youuuu".

It's moving, ok?!

Thursday night the teachers had all the kids at school for a sleepover. Yes they're crazy and that's why we love them. CJ was sooo excited and he even slept a couple of hours!

Friday he couldn't wait to open his presents...

Friday afternoon Grandpa & Nana showed up and it's a good thing because Saturday in the wee hours of the morning I woke up vomiting. Yuck.

Saturday CJ frolicked with some of his pals at the local pool while Jay took deep breaths and was reminded how helpful his wife can be. Fortunately he had Maureen and mom to help him out! I was totally bummed to miss the party.

And just like that, school is over... CJ is six... and summer has officially begun.

Kids

In their new jammies made by Grandma B...

thankerful

Halloween!

This Halloween we had some wacky visitors...

But CJ thought the Dracula could use some MORE BLOOD.

Grandpa & CJ

I vant to suck your bloooooood....

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkins

This weekend we took the train down to mom and dad's for mom's birthday.  On Friday we went to the local pumpkin patch and had a grand old time feeding the animals and searching for the perfect pumpkin.

funny pumpkin... funny face....

nana and CJ...

this is how they get the kernels off the cob...

In other news, I am teaching two graduate classes at the UW, and so far haven't been kicked off campus.  Which is a HUGE relief.

Here's hoping the rest of the quarter goes so well!

If you don't actually win, does that make you a loser?

Last week CJ and I met Maureen and Steve in Fremont for the Outdoor Movie night to see The Iron Giant. What could be more fun than sitting outside, eating treats, and watching a movie projected onto the side of the building long after you SHOULD be in bed?

CJ and I *almost* won the photo contest for our picture with the big red robot. We were in the top 5 finalists!



Maureen and Steve *almost* won the robot dance-off. I'm taking bids if you want me to put the video of their cool moves on the internet.

They would have won, if the other guy hadn't been named "Purple." Totally no fair.

Independence Day

We had an awesome 4th of July with Grandma & Grandpa B in Bellingham...