A McQueen of A Birthday

First of all, we can hardly believe our baby is already two years old! But I suppose we'll feel this way every time August 6th rolls around...

Second of all, Isaac's favorite thing right now is... yep, you guessed it - the movie Cars. So for this birthday... we went Lightning McQueen crazy. From the balloons to the cake to the movie playing in the background, Isaac loved it all! He even got to wear a special new birthday t-shirt featuring the the famous red race car.

The kids had a blast... this was my attempt at getting a group picture.

My Lightning McQueen cake! Chocolate cake, with sliced fresh strawberries between layers, iced with homemade buttercream frosting. As long as Isaac could recognize the main character, I was happy.

We had a house full of friends to celebrate with us!

Russell, Sara & Natalie

Frank, Jake & Roger

Todd with Isaac

Jaimie, Rick, Mary-Jayne & Leslie

Me & Mindy

Leslie, Amanda and Jake & Jaimie's baby Reid

Kevin with the guys

And the grand finale of the party was Isaac's very own truck! Thank you Noni and Papa!

Needless to say, it was a popular item!

Eventually all of the kids got to take turns driving and riding. Isaac did a great job of sharing!

We could hardly get Isaac to sit still long enough to snap a family photo. I guess that's a good sign right? There was just too much fun to be had!!

What a great day.

Ahhh, Washingtin in the Summer

The best time of year to visit the beautiful Northwest is in the summertime, which is exactly what we did this year in July! The weather was balmy, there was a lot of fun to have outside, and there were a number of occasions to celebrate....

When we weren't running around town visiting people, we relaxed at the Matson house.

What fun! I particulary enjoyed having so much time with Isaac.


The following posts will detail our trip, but for starters, Kevin surprised me with a near replication of the top of our wedding cake from the same little bakery we ordered our orinigal from. It was a sweet way to celebrate our 6th anniversary, especially since the only wedding cake we ever got at our wedding was the small bite we fed each other after cutting the cake!

50th Anniversary Party

On Saturday we celebrated Bob & Lynn's 50th anniversary. Everything was beautiful, I just wish I would have gotten more pictures. Kevin was the MC, and he did a great job. He interviewed his parents, asking questions that would tell their story of the years gone by. Some to reminisce, some sentimental, and some just downright funny.

The centerpieces featured various pictures from their wedding day 50 years ago.

Lynn with her wedding dress.

Linda made a beautiful and amazingly delicious cake for the occasion.

I just thought this was a cute picture to share... the kids were running wild in the church lobby, having loads of fun playing together.

And, of course, Isaac's very favorite part of the day...

... CAKE! He ate his piece, and then had some of mine, and then I think that Daddy and a couple of aunts and uncles shared theirs as well before I could stop them!

Sandy Hook

On Sunday we went to what is quickly becoming an annual picnic at Sandy Hook on Whidbey Island. What a great time we had! This is one day I wished would have lasted a little longer...

On our way to the ferry

Couldn't resist this NW fave!

Mmmm, clam chowder!

Riding the ferry

Lookin' good guys - let's eat!

Isaac found his spot right away - it's like he has a special radar for the big trucks.

It's a good thing he got some birthday presents to take home with him because otherwise we would've had to wrench those trucks out of his grasp! This year Isaac had fun tearing into his gifts on his own, little help needed from Mommy.

Auntie Julie with the cousins (minus Kiera, sadly sick at home that day)

A sweet moment between Sarah and Grandpa

Goofing around with cousin Naomi...

... methinks someone is smitten!

Sibs

Omi you are just growing up so fast, beautiful girl!

Taking Grandpa for a spin in the boat

Digging a hole to China?

Isaac loved throwing rocks into the water... must be a guy thing!

Getting a little tutorial, I suppose.

One of the highlights of the day was going crab hunting. We turned over a number of rocks to discover whole families of crabs, much to Isaac's delight.

Sarah had a whole collection of little wonders in her ziplock baggie... but this was apparently her pride and joy. "It's a crab!" She squealed with delight. (Does she know it's dead?)

Beautiful view...

... beautiful nieces!

Sarah got her hands on her sister's collection and showed its many wonders to Isaac...

... which he enjoyed digging into as well.

It was fun to watch them play together, since only nine or so months separate them in age. At the anniversary party they were so happy to give each other hugs. But when asked to give each other hugs today, Sarah's response was, "I can't!" while Isaac staunchly said, "No." Well then!

50th Anniversary lovebirds

This was Isaac's first s'more ever. His response? A huge grin and an "I like it!" Oh yes, I'm sure you do!

A lovely sunset to cap off the lovely day.

Look at that face! **sigh**

What a great day, sweet dreams!