Hawaii 2012

 Shylo texted this picture to me of the boys enjoying dinner.

 Destiny and I.  We really haven't aged since high school!

 Taryn and I.

Sondra, Patrick, and Noa at Pauoa Chop Suey

A relative is very ill and I decided to fly to Hawaii to see him.  While I was gone, my boys were lucky enough to be cared for by three very dear friends.  Shylo, Danielle, and Grace came over to my house while Joe was at work to care for them.  I cam home to a clean house, clean laundry, and happy kids!  I'm so fortunate to have such terrific friends who will step in any time I need them no matter what.

Hawaii was just as it was when I visited in February of 2011.  Taryn put me up in her awesome condo smack dab in the heart of Honolulu and I borrowed my sister's Nissan Versa.  It's so nice to have family that live in such a beautiful part of the world!  I brought my work with me and was able to get some hours in so I didn't fall too far behind.

I did a lot of shopping.  I didn't realize how good the shopping was in Hawaii until I moved to Kitsap.  Ward, Waikele, Ala Moana, Kahala Mall... it was soooooooo awesome!  And 4% tax to boot!

It was nice to spend time with Taryn and Destiny.  They are both doing so well!  I also spent time with Patrick, Sondra, and Noa.  It was so hard to leave because Noa takes a while to warm up to new people and just as he was warming up to me, I had to leave. 

We went to Pauoa Chop Suey and to visit Dad.  It was really nice to have really, REALLY good Chinese food!

Even though it was under unfortunate circumstances, I was glad to visit for a handful of days. 

Summer of 2012

 Camping is hard work when you're a toddler!

 Buddies!

 Not too hot, not too cold, juuuuuust riiiiight!

Ice cream face

We've been trying to take advantage of the beautiful summer weather and Dad's presence this summer.  Unlike previous years, we have been camping with friends!  It's a lot of fun camping with friends because Joseph always has someone to play with.

Today Joseph had his first day of school.  We are at Silver Ridge Elementary School this year.  It's his 5th school in 5 years.  I feel a bit guilty about that BUT he's so resilient as a result.  I'm so proud of him and I couldn't love him any more.  I'm sure it has been quite an adjustment going from an only child to an older brother but he has risen to the challenge and made his father and I so proud.  

Jacob is growing like a weed!  Since he's learned how to walk, he's been moving non-stop.  He's such a doll and a devil!  In Hawai`i we have a great word to describe the Jake Lees of the world- kolohe (rascal).  I'm nervous about what the future holds for Joe and I parenting this one!

Changes All Around

When school ended Joseph went to Nana and Poppy's house in Talent, Oregon.  While away, there have been a lot of changes around here.

We've decided that, while we love our gorgeous new home, we want to be located more centrally.  Interest rates are incredibly low, currently.  We thought about refinancing our home, renting it out and purchasing a second one but being landlords is a frightening prospect; too many scary variables. 

We priced our home well so we accepted an offer 5 days after listing it.  I was scared that potential home buyers wouldn't like being so far away from everything but I should have known that once we got people in here, they'd fall in love with our home. 

This is supposed to be a buyers market but unfortunately there are very few people who can afford to sell their home.  Many people owe more on their homes than they could currently sell.  As a result, the inventory of potential homes is limited.

I've also been with the Navy's Child and Youth programs for exactly three years this August.  I feel as though I've learned and experienced as much as I need to in this current position.  That being said, I accepted an offer for a position with a non-profit company and now I am the new Regional Coordinator for Early Achievers.  I am so excited about this new job!  The organization purchased a laptop, cell phone, and hotspot for me and I can work from home!  Additionally, it is a major pay increase!  I'm so excited to get started!  My first day is on July 25th.

Ironically, Mary accepted a position as the lead librarian at Manchester elementary in Port Orchard and we actually put our 2 week notice in on the same day.  We came into the program together and we're leaving the program together!  Now we just have to figure out a way that we can still see each other on a regular basis. 

So... new job and new house.  We just need to find the latter.  Anxious?  Nah... there's a perfect home out there for us!

An Angry Birthday

Family pictue

Jakers

Beautiful Janessa wishing Joseph a happy birthday!

This artwork certainly indicates that he spends a lot of time thinking about Angry Birds.

Lizzy always ready to steal a kiss!

Baby Liam!

Group shot

Dill Pickle loving on Jakers

A very HAPPY 7 year old!

His favorite Angry Bird!

Not a very happy camper.

Choosing the RIGHT Angry Birds Tattoo.

This year I swore that I would resist the temptation to go overboard celebrating Joseph's birthday.  Since the boys share a birthday, I thought they should start sharing their party from the very beginning.  Of course I was only fooling myself.  I invited 35 of Joseph's friends to Jump! in Gig Harbor to jump and eat lots of pizza.  Everyone had a great time!  I think we'll celebrate Jakers' birthday in August when the weather is beautiful at the Lake.  I'm thinking of a baby luau- kalua pig, rice, macaroni salad, pineapple, haupia, chicken long rice...  I'm excited!  Next year we'll be celebrating at Great Wolf Lodge low-key style!  Hopefully I stick to this plan!

Woodland Park Zoo

 Joseph being adorable!

 Jacob stretching after a long car ride.

 My future percussionist.

 Help from Daddy.

 He's counting the hours until he's old enough to drive.

 What's a trip to the zoo without a ride on the carousel?

 So loving and adorable!

 Usual habuteru face.

Not too old for some cheese in front of the zoo.

Completely melts my heart!

We're trying to soak up every second of sunshine with Joe.  He's leaving in a bit for another patrol.  This one's just a baby.  I'm sure we'll be able to live without him.  Today was a whopping 70 degrees so we ventured to Seattle for a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo.  It was the first time for all of us.  We had all gone to the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma a couple of times.  I was a little unimpressed.  This weekend I wanted to do something that would take all day and would be really special.  

Jacob seemed to like his first trip to the Zoo.  I remember that Joseph's first trip to the Zoo was actually in San Francisco.  The polar bear exhibit was unforgettable.  The Woodland Park Zoo was very large and tiring but we all enjoyed ourselves.  Jacob just sat in his stroller looking at all the people and animals.  He only cried when he was hungry.  

We stopped by the park in the middle and had a nice picnic.  Joseph and Jake got to run/crawl around.

For dinner we went to Blazin' Onion.  YUMMY!  I had my usual garlic meatloaf burger, Joe had his usual Bacon Cheeseburger, and Joseph had his usual fish and chips.  Their food is incredible.  We're always too stuffed to get Gelato or Ben and Jerry's from the neighboring shops.  It was a great day!

Spring Days

 Jake trying to grab the camera from me.

 Two peas in a pod.

 Blowing bubbles

 When I took out the ice pops for the boys Caleb saw the green and his whole face lit up as he exclaimed, "LIME!  I love lime!"

This weekend was absolutely GORGEOUS!  Like, shorts and a tank top gorgeous!  We invited Caleb over to plant some herbs and vegetables (because Joseph informed me that it was Earth Day) but the kids ended up playing bubbles, soccer, as well as driving around in the John Deer tractor.

Jake's First Easter

 Jake's first Easter!

 Matching pj's!  The Easter Bunny must know that Joseph likes to match his little brother.

 Grandma and Jake Lee

 My new panini maker cooks more than paninis!

 Twice baked potatoes were a hit!

Obligatory Easter deviled eggs.  Meh...

Easter was lots of fun this year with two kiddos.  Joseph was so excited that the Easter Bunny was going to be visiting.  He told us it was his fourth favorite holiday (after Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine's Day).  We had a delicious Easter ham, twice baked potatoes, and asparagus... YUM!  Joe sure can (re)heat a ham!  I cubed it and made some mean fried rice.  Joe claims he's going to use the ham bone to make my favorite split pea soup.  We'll see when that man has a second to spare!  The kiddos seemed to like the goodies that the Bunny had left.  In all, a great Easter celebration!

Easter Eve

Caleb in his new "Hot Wheels" F-150

Looks like they're gonna crash!

Dill Pickle (Dylan) playing with Joseph's binoculars.

Such a warm and beautiful day! Joseph was kicked out of the house from 10-5:30!

"Give me that camera, Mom! I don't know what it is, but I know that I want to put my mouth on it!"

"Give me a big hug, Mom!"

Dying Easter eggs!

Yesterday and today the Archers came to our house so that the guys could work on Jay's workbench. Joe was so excited to help him because he loves woodworking. Jay and Dani have three boys and a little girl. The two oldest boys are Joseph's age and it works out so nicely when they play (most of the time). The weather was so gorgeous that they all stayed outside all day while Dani and I went shopping for Easter goodies. Great day, overall!