THE ROCKET (Elliot named this post)

Elliot really wanted to write this post.  So, we settled for interview format so we could do it "together."  Key:  M=Mama and E=Elliot

M:  Where did you go last weekend with daddy, Travis, and Bayard

E:  To launch real rockets

M:  How did you get a rocket to launch?

E:  Me and daddy went to Fred Meyers and bought a real rocket.  My rocket is called the Power Speeder.

M:  Could you launch the rocket yourself?

E:  No , mommy.  This was very dangerous so there were other people in charge.  The captain would say "1, 2, 3 ignition" and launch the rocket.  I was so excited when I heard my name.

M:  Did you have a fantastic time?

E:  Yes - I want to go next year.  It was so much fun!

So there you go.  The day in a nutshell.  

   

Pump It Up

THEN ...
& NOW!

Happy 4th birthday to Master Elliot!  I can not believe it has been 4 years since I gave birth to this young boy in Bend.  I remember the day Xander drove us home from the hospital at 10 miles and hour, Elliot's first smile, first foods, words, smiles, kisses and now he is 4 years old! WOW!  Anywho, we had his birthday at Pump It Up - an inflatable party place to burn some kid energy.  Elliot had his birthday party with his buddy, Ronan (who turns 4 this Friday.) Elliot had a great day!  P.S.  Our friend, Autumn, made the b-day banner for Elliot.  You can check out more of her stuff at: www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=19585.

Miles and daddy ready to Pump It Up
Elliot inside one of the bouncy houses
Mommy and daddy racing down the slide (mama won of course)
The birthday boys!

Miles

It is hard to believe that Miles is 10.5 months old (even harder to believe that Elliot will turn 4 years old tomorrow!)  Miles is crawling, eating tons of solid foods, says "mama" & "dada", gives kisses, and LOVES his big brother.  He is a neat little boy!

Standing up in his crib
Smiles with Elliot
"Give me that camera - so I can eat it"
Loves playing music with daddy.

As you can see from the video below, Elliot loves making his little brother laugh, but doesn't know when to stop.  Miles is going to be one tough boy!

Neskowin

We had a spontaneous invite to head over to the coast, Neskowin to be exact, for 24 hours with our friends the Trelstads.  We said YES, of course.  I packed with the kids and we left with in an hour of Xander coming home from work.  The weather at the beach was awesome too.  Great friends, warm weather, the ocean, sunshine - what more could we ask for!?!

    Elliot and Ronan high-fiven it
   They are going in.
    Mallory lovin on Yakira.  Too cute!

    The Trelstads.
    La Familia

Rockin Out with Rhett and Elliot

This is one of our favorite new bands.  Lots of energy on stage and they write most of their own material. Here's a couple of videos from a show they did this weekend in Portland.  It's kind of hard to hear the keyboard player but he's pretty good too.  I think his name is Miles.

Up St Helens with Evan

Up at the top

The crater, Mt Ranier, and beyond

Evan precariously soaking up the view 

Hiking back down through the clouds

We enjoyed having cousin Evan out here this summer.  Time flies and we didn't get to do nearly enough with him but we did manage to fit in a hike up Mt St Helens.  It looked like the weather wasn't going to cooperate but when we got high enough we popped through the clouds.  We had an amazing view down into the smoking crater and to all the surrounding peaks.   

More Coast Pics

Elliot blends in with the colors.
Heart shaped rock.

Evening stroll.
Browntown!
Happy Miles golfing on the beach.

Ok, so these are more pics of our summer coast trips.  Some are from our family trip, like the post below, and some pics are from our beach trip with our friends.  We took these trips last month, but I am still new to the 'blogging' thing and it has taken me this long to post them. 

The Coast

The wind is always blowing at the coast.
         Browntown shadows!
    There were starfish galore!
At the Newport Aquarium.
     Cool jellyfish, ay?

We visited the coast a couple of times this summer.  We went for a day with Saba, rented a beach house for a weekend family get away, and joined some friends at their beach house for some summer fun.  Elliot had a blast exploring the beach at low tide.  We saw tons of starfish, anemones, shrimp, crab, mussels, and much more in the tide pools.  Yes, we were wearing jackets and hats, but it was awesome. In a nutshell - we love the coast!