the Tulip Festival

We drove to the tulip festival today. It takes place each year during the month of April. I have wanted to see the tulips since I saw Melinda's photos several years ago. Today was our last chance to go this year so Matthew loaded up the car with strollers and a picnic lunch while I got ready this morning. We got a late start and sat in a lot of traffic but really enjoyed our day outside once we got to the tulip farms. The flowers were beautiful!

After visiting the tulip farm, we drove to the water (not sure if it was the sound or the ocean) and had a picnic lunch at Seafarers' Memorial Park in Anacortes. By that time, the sun went behind the clouds, but we still enjoyed spending the day outside. We saw boats, saw some kids having model sailboat races, had a view of the mountains, and Matthew taught Canaan how to throw rocks into the water.

Snow Days

Last week we had a pretty big snow storm. Around here it was called Snowmageddon since we don't get much snow. Daycare was only open 1/2 of one day so we were "stuck" at home for much of the week. We played in the snow some, but Canaan lost interest pretty quickly each time. Every time we went outside, Canaan wanted to eat the snow. We made sure she knew to only eat the really white snow. When we asked her if she understood, she told us not to eat the red, blue, or yellow snow. At least she remembered the part about the yellow snow. There were parts of our yard/deck that had around 8 inches of snow. Unlike many in the Seattle area, we never lost power. We were thankful for that but did get a little cabin fever before the week was over.

New House

We were supposed to close on our house Friday October 28th. Due to issues with our sellers and our lender not having their act together, it did not happen until Tuesday November 1st. We didn't get the key until Thursday the 3rd.

Saturday we met with a general contractor to discuss some things we'd like to have done before moving in. We are waiting to get an estimate from him. We were hoping we'd be able to have everything complete and move in before December 1st...hoping that would give us time to unpack and decorate a bit before Baby Boy arrives (due December 18th).

In the listing, the sellers said they would be painting the exterior of the house. It was a very neutral gray color. The painter contacted us to see if we would like to pick the colors before he painted. It was not easy, but we picked a blue color. Every house in the neighborhood is very neutral and with the dreary weather we wanted something that would pop a bit. I really like how it turned out.

One of my favorite things about the house is the deck in the back and the slide coming off the deck. Canaan has already been enjoying this when we've been over at the house. The slide needs a bit of wax to make sliding down it a little easier.

A trip to the farm

Last weekend we used a coupon I recently purchased to go to a local farm. We got a later start than I expected, and this place was BUSY! For a child who loves animals as much as Canaan does, this was a perfect place to visit. This huge pig was just wandering around like you would see a dog wander around. Canaan got to pet this pig, a chicken, a miniature horse, and baby pigs.

This is what I've been getting lately when I ask for a smile (at least when she's cooperating).



She also got to go on another pony ride although this one wasn't as good as the first one. This time a young girl led the pony around the pen one time. Canaan still really enjoyed it. I think the wait for this one was more than an hour. Matthew was nice enough to wait in line while Canaan and I walked around and looked at all the animals.

This place had little tractors that kids could drive around, a huge fire pit for roasting marshmallows, a hay bale maze, a rope to swing on, a train to ride, a garden to play in, and plenty of animals around.

I think it might be fun to go back during the summer when it might be less crowded.

1st Pony Ride

While Matthew was working a couple of weekends ago, Canaan and I went to a local park's annual fair day. There was a lot going on at the park, but the very best thing was the pony rides. From the moment I told Canaan there would be horses, she was so excited. We waited in line about 40 minutes so she could ride this pony (or horsey, according to Canaan) for about 5 minutes. She got to pick the one she wanted to ride, and she picked Toby. She was really good about sitting still and holding on. She squealed several times as she went around and would occasionally pet Toby. She had a ball!

We walked around the park to see what else was going on. There was a line for everything. We also went on a ride pulled by a tractor that Canaan enjoyed. By the time we got home, this pregnant momma was exhausted. It was a fun day!

Canaan went to sleep before Matthew got home from work that day. The next day when she was telling Matthew about the park, she told him she "needed Toby." She has talked about him several times since then as well.

Pops Visited

During September, Pops came to visit. While he was here, we took the ferry to Whidbey Island and drove around. He may have been here the best weekend of the whole year. The weather was perfect! We drove out to an old fort and looked around. He and Matthew also went to the Flight Museum and to Alki Beach.

Evergreen State Fair

Over Labor Day weekend, Matthew, Canaan, and I went to the Evergreen State Fair. Canaan LOVED seeing all the animals. She got to pet this huge horse, a baby goat, and some other horses while we were there. The pigs and some of the cows were being shown while we were there so she didn't get to pet them.


She wanted to go on all the rides we saw, but the only thing she was big enough for was the carousel. She likes the carousel but really wanted to do the other things. I guess when she gets bigger and older, Matthew will have someone to ride roller coasters with.

August 2011

Toward the end of August, Grandma came to visit. The day after she arrived we got up really early and headed North. We caught a ferry to Victoria, BC and went to Butchart Garden. It was a beautiful day to be outside, and we enjoyed looking at all the flowers and fountains. Canaan enjoyed being on the boat, but she did not enjoy spending the afternoon in her stroller. Look at that red hair!

Canaan also enjoyed the carousel...the statue outside as well as the moving carousel inside.


We spent the night in Victoria...we had a nice dinner and enjoyed the scenic walk from our hotel to a restaurant for breakfast the next day. Again, it was a beautiful day.
Matthew and I took Canaan to the pool for the first time this year. We only made it once before the weather turned too cool. Canaan loved it! She doesn't like to have water on her face, but after a short while in the pool, she wanted to do it herself. She is one adventurous girl. Matthew and I learned our lesson about using swim diapers. We didn't have any so we just used a regular diaper. By the time we were finished, that thing must have weighed 10 pounds. Not only did it absorb all the water, all the insides of the diaper came apart. When we took it off her, it was full of all the little beads and got all over the place. Yuck!

While Grandma was here, Canaan enjoyed blowing bubbles, finger painting, painting with sponge sea creatures, playing with playdough, reading new books, playing with stickers, and things I am probably forgetting about.