An Engagement

YEAH... we have some good news we'd like to share. Dan's youngest brother Chad got engaged. Congratulations Chad and Crissi! We are so very happy for you!

The Woodland Park Zoo

On the last day of our trip, we headed over to the Woodland Park Zoo. It was the dreariest of our days there, but luckily the rain held off for a couple hours in the morning while we visited the zoo. Here's the bigger kids (Maile, Max, Nathan, Tookie and Will) posing with the elephant, and

... then roaring like lions!

We had a great trip to Seattle and an awesome visit with some old friends. We miss everyone already! Nathan keeps asking when we are going back to Seattle. If it weren't for the long flights, it would be very soon!

The Seattle Waterfront

On Saturday, we enjoyed the most beautiful day of our trip down by the waterfront. First stop was the Seattle Aquarium which is located on a pier. Behind us is a ring of jellyfish.


Wow, that's a pretty big shark....In the late afternoon, we took an hour long cruise around the harbor, courtesy of Argosy Cruises. Here's a view of the space needle from the ship.

Fun around the House

Max is an amazing reader! He is not quite 5 and 1/2 and he can read extremely well. He even read a story to Will, Nathan and Andrew.

Dinnertime was always fun for the kids and a bit silly!

Andrew also had a fun time with his buddy, Jillian. Jillian turned one year old while she was in Seattle.

This is just a cute picture of Max, Will and Nathan at a local bus stop.

The Space Needle

After the Pacific Science Center, we rode to the top of the Space Needle.

Check out the view towards the University of Washington and the Sommers' house.

The Pacific Science Center

On Friday morning, the Sommers and us met up with the Organeks (who had travelled from Alexandria, VA the day before) at the Pacific Science Center. Here's a picture of most of the crew checking out some sea creatures.

Five years ago, we travelled to Seattle with the Organeks to visit the Sommers. At that time, there were only 2 kids, Maile (age 4 1/2 months) and Max age (age 3 months). Now, there are seven kids!!! Check out the oldest kids: Maile, Max and Nathan posing with a scary dinosaur.....

Seattle: Museum of Flight

At the end of March, we flew across the country to visit with our friends, the Sommers. The flights were long, but well worth it. Our first stop on Thursday was a visit to the Museum of Flight.
It was full of amazing exhibits and artifacts. Huh, what does this sign say?

Despite what that sign said, there was actually a lot of things to touch and sit in, which made the museum interesting for all ages. (take note, Udvar Hazy)

One of the most interesting exhibits was walking through a retired Air Force One.

It was a really good museum and we would definitely recommend visiting it if you find yourself in Seattle.

A Bike Adventure

After a long winter, spring has arrived. We decided to go on a bike adventure now that Nathan has his new big boy bike. We left the house at 3:30 in the afternoon, with Andrew in tow.
First stop.... one of the playgrounds in South Riding. Nathan was excited to see one of his classmates at the playground.

After our second stop at another playground in South Riding, we were getting hungry. So we pedalled some more and stopped for a bite at Moes.
After dinner, we put our helmets back on and started pedalling again. We arrived home at 6:00 pm. It was a long, tiring afternoon for Nathan (who asked if we could rest when we got home) and Andrew too!

The Big Apple Circus

We enjoyed our 3rd trip to the Big Apple Circus. It's a small, intimate one ring circus with exciting acts, kind of a blend of Cirque de Soleil and traditional circus acts. Dan made sure his seat was not near the aisle, as he did not want to be a repeat performer this year. (Last year, he was picked to help the clowns direct the orchestra!)
Nathan was so excited to see Bello the clown, who is also quite an amazing stunt performer as well. But his favorite acts was the dogs.

We hope the circus comes to town again next year!

Birthday Party Fun!

Last Saturday, we visited the Dulles Sportsplex twice. Once in the morning for Nathan's soccer class and once in the afternoon for Jacob's birthday party. (That place is always packed!) Of course, all the kids loved the moonbounces.





And the Spiderman cupcakes were a hit too! Happy 4th birthday, Jacob! Then this Saturday, Nathan went to a Fairytale birthday party at Oogles and Googles for his friend, Samantha, from school. The kids were greatly entertained and they were entertaining as well. Here's Prince Chase and Prince Nathan showing us their muscles:

Nathan also enjoyed a dance with Princess Molly.
It was a really fun party and a neat venue. So according to Nathan, he wants to have a Batman party for his 5th birthday and a Princess party for his 6th birthday. We'll see...........

A Taste of the Outdoors

At long last.... the snow has melted, the sidewalks are clear (mostly) and the sun was shining. So we headed outside and Nathan enjoyed riding his new bike for the first time.





Nathan rode his bike to a new playground near our house, while Dan, Andrew, Lucy and I walked. Andrew loved being pushed in the swing and giggled with delight Then all the boys enjoyed a ride down the slide.

It was a fun afternoon that we all look forward to repeating many times this spring.

Andrew's 1st Haircut

Today Andrew hit another milestone in his life. Unlike Nathan, who was still fairly bald at one year old, Andrew's got a head full of hair at 10 months. We were starting to think he was looking a little SHAGGY ......

So we took him to Cartoon Cuts..... and five minutes later.....

Andrew was looking SNAZZY!