Hanging At The Park For Simon's Game

Simon the star
Colin the goofball
Running hard and fast
Playing hard
Swinging with Daddy

OUCH!

This is what happens when you have a toy in each hand, you're heading out the door because you're excited to go hear your baby brother or sisters heartbeat and you forget about the step in front of you.

From Hollywood Princess to Sports Star

Grapeview Cabin

Check out the pictures

We had the opportunity, two weeks ago, to head out of town to a friends cabin. Although the weather wasn't the best we really had a wonderful time relaxing. We did get to watch a lot of the Olympics, yeah Jamaica, I finally finshed the book I started reading in May (Before the Legend - The Rise of Bob Marley) and we did have a chance to go on two really nice boat rides.

Ask and You Shall Receive

Pictures Galore! It's been a fun August week for us in Seattle. The first set of pictures were taken on Sunday (10th) at our PEPS family BBQ. The second set were taken on Monday (11th) at my friends Moira and Fiona's house and the third set of pictures were taken at the beach club on Mercer Island. We were hanging out with the Penny family. Enjoy! Malaika at the Park with PEPS friends

Hanging with friends

Like my outfit? Living it up on Mercer Island

Chillin at Home

Random Pictures

Everyone has been asking for updated pictures of Malaika. My sister Lisa put it the best way, she said she has no interest in reading my blog, just seeing pictures...thanks sis. Well, today you will be getting some random shots of the entire family.

Big Up Jamaica in Beijing

Mini Vacation to Bend, OR

We took a mini vacation this past week to Portland and Bend, OR. Tim had some work to do in both locations and decided he wanted to have the family with him. Let me start out by saying that this trip certainly had it's highs and lows. The first low is that even though I took my still camera and video camera I didn't take one picture.

Wednesday was an easy trip to Vancouver, WA. Tim went to his meeting while Malaika and I hung out at a play area in the mall. After picking Tim up from the hospital we headed to our hotel in Portland for the night. Malaika had traveled so well however, she did end up with a fever that night and was just worn out.

Thursday morning Tim headed to his meeting in Salem, OR while Malaika, who was feeling much better, and I took a really nice walk along the Willamette River (Portland waterfront). Later that morning we headed to Salem to pick up Tim and head out to Bend. On our way to Bend we stopped at Suttle Lake for a swim...beautiful! On arrival to Bend we headed to our hotel and what we thought was a suite ended up being a very small room. This was not going to work but of course they didn't have anything else available. Well, that night Malaika decided that she wasn't going to be able to sleep well and she woke up around 2am for about three hours. You know what that means...no one got any sleep that night. Believe me the idea of packing up and driving 5 hours to Seattle was VERY tempting.

On Friday Tim had a fair he had to attend in the morning, poor guy he was dragging, while Malaika and I slept in and then took a nice walk around Bend. When daddy returned we went for a swim and then while daddy took a little nap Malaika and I went into the Old Mill District and spent about 2 hours at Working Wonders - their Children's Museum. Friday night was probably her best night sleep. Even though she woke up for a bottle (which never happens) she went right back down.

Saturday we went for a fun family outing to Elk Lake near Mt. Bachelor. What a beautiful location. The water was cold, the sun was hot and we just had a lovely time. That night Malaika was thinking the she needed to wake up again, this time for about 2hours. What the *@#% was going on!

On Sunday we decided that we really wanted to go floating down the Deschutes River. If you are ever in Bend I think everyone should take advantage of this really relaxing and fun adventure. We had brunch, took naps and then headed out on the river. There was live music being played in the amphitheater as we floated by, lots of people watching and a great way to just chat as a family and show Malaika some really cool things. It was another rough night of sleep but we knew home was just a day away.

Although our weekend ended up being a little stressful we did enjoy our days together. We arrived home around 6:30pm on Monday evening and that night Malaika was right back into her regular routine, she slept through the night. I guess there's something to be said about your own bed or in her case - crib.

A Fun Weekend

More cabin pictures here

We're blessed to have some wonderful friends that are always happy to have Tim invite himself to their cabin. The weather wasn't perfect but we could still enjoy the company, go for walks on the beach and Malaika's first boat ride.

Avenue Q

Last month my neighbour and I went to watch this fantastic performance. Two grown women heading to the theater to watch puppets. Let me explain, this was no place for a child I'm not even sure I would've allowed a teen to go.

The Paramount describes Avenue Q: "Avenue Q is the Broadway smash-hit and 2004 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. This hilarious show is full of heart, hummable tunes and big dreams - the perfect mix for an outstanding musical theatrical experience."

I describe Avenue Q: Amazing and funny with a little bit of everything. I loved the way they touched on some very important issues in today's society. From being gay to dealing with sex and race to much more. For puppets they were very entertaining and I must say more graphic than I expected.

If they're in your neighbourhood - GO!

Splish Splash

Playing in the water

Malaika had a few friends over on a very hot weekend so daddy got really creative and decided that it was time to play in the sprinklers. Then, our neighbour Jenny found her pool and that's where ALL of the children (including Tim) ended up. It was a fun weekend.

Bath, Bath

Bath Time pictures here

If Malaika is sitting in her highchair she is going to sign and say bath to you many, many times. She's come to realize that after a meal she gets to do one of her favourite things - have a bath. She just hasn't realized that it's the last meal in that highchair that gets her time in the tub.

How to Eat a Nectarine

Hanging with the Boys

Matty, Malaika and Dylan

(check out more pictures here)

Yesterday Matty and Dylan came over to play. We had such a good time in the big play pen, we even had the opportunity to go to the park. Malaika hopes they visit again soon.

Baby D - 19 weeks

Baby D is growing nicely. We had an ultra-sound yesterday and we were informed that he/she is at about 10oz in weight and is measuring about 19wks, 2 days -perfect.

We don't plan on finding out the sex of the baby but Tim was looking at the screen when he wasn't suppose to be...okay I was too. Well, his results are boy and my results are girl. I guess we're right back to where we started, not knowing.

Beautiful Day

We had such a beautiful, warm day yesterday so I decided to take Malaika to the outdoor pool in Magnolia. We had such a wonderful time and we're so glad that our friends Karen and Matty were able to join us.

I feel so bad because I haven't been taking any pictures and yesterday would've been a perfect day to show how much fun we've been having. Next time.

2008 Graduations

Michelle Pillers

Claire Marie Dugaw

(you can see more pics from her graduation here)

Congratulations to Claire and Michelle on their 2008 graduation from High School. Claire will be attending University of Arizona and Michelle will be attending Southern Methodist University.

Rain, Rain go Away...

I've lived in Seattle for 5 years and I've never complained about the weather. Well, my friend at planetdanika put it really well - thanks D.

Stuck

Funny

Not so funny

Malaika loves to go outside on the deck, we call it her big play pen, but when the door is slightly open (for knuckelhead) she doesn't quite fit. Well, yesterday she decided to sneak out onto the deck and on her return she got STUCK. She found it funny for a very short time and then she broke down. Get me out mummy...it was taking me a while to get my camera up and running.

Pictures: Jamaica and 1st Birthday

Pictures of Jamaica and birthday

Malaika went in for her one year check up and the doctor only had wonderful things to say. He's also excited to know that he will be taking care of Baby D when he/she arrives. Malaika is 75th percentile in height and weight. She weighs 22lbs 1oz and she's 30.25 in. Apart from walking, waving, giving high 5's, showing you her tongue when you ask for it and blowing kisses she's saying bye bye, hi, ha (for hot), 'eow (for meow), mama, dada and much more. What a fun age, I wish I knew what was going on in that little head (47.7 circumfrence) or maybe not so little head of hers.