Today we took a family trip to Port Townsend. Our first stop was the beach at Fort Worden. This was Marida's first ever trip to the beach, and she didn't really know what to make of it all...


Daddy was really excited to show Maron all the wonders of the waterfront.

Maron was really into filling the bucket that Nana & Grandpasan gave her as an early birthday present.

After the beach we went into town to have lunch at the Public House. We have always enjoyed eating there. We had a good lunch this time, although it was marred slightly by the giant piece of glass Steve found in his beer. The upside was we got the beer and a shot of tequila comped to us. :-)

This year for the 4th of July I decided to take the girls dowtown to the Kingston 4th of July Parade. I haven't been to it since 2005, and the girls have never been. Aunt Georgi came over with her dog Rocky in tow, and together we set off for fun and adventure.

Here were are at a table outside an ice cream shop, where we decided to set up camp and eat lunch before the parade began.



Rocky was such a good dog the entire day. He didn't even try to eat Maron's cheese stick, which was dangling a mere, delicious foot from his head.

Marida was really tired by the time we stopped for lunch, so she wasn't very enthusiastic about the parade...

Maron on the other hand LOVED the parade! WHile Georgi sat with Marida I took Maron to the center median in the road to get a front row view. She got such a kick out of the people waving to her from the parade cars. By the time the parade was over she walked away with 2 bead necklaces and a pocket full of candy, so definately a win for her.

I'm glad Maron had such a good time watching the parade. I did too. Hopefully next year marida will be old enough to really enjoy it as well.

The Sun Cometh!

The sun has finally come to Kingston, and we are loving it!!
This weekend was the medieval festival in Port Gamble. We decided to go to it this morning, to spend time together as a family and to soak up that sun!

The Doctor is IN

Yesterday we took both girls to the doctor. Marida had her 9 month checkup and Maron had her 30 month checkup. Steve was good enough to take the day off so that he could accompany us, and I am SO thankful he did. I don't know what I would have done otherwise.

Marida's checkup went fine. She was calm and pleasant as the pediatrician (Dr. Bronold, for future reference) examined her. She weighed in at 18 lbs 5 oz and measured 28 inches long. Marida is still sick from (what I thought was) the cold she and Maron had last week, and as Dr. Bronold listened to her lungs she informed us that Marida actually has bronchiolitis, as we as what is possibly an ear infection in her left ear. There's nothing to prescribe fr bronchiolitis, it should just clear up on its onw in another week or two. I need to keep a close eye on in case she gets a fever or starts vomiting, but she should be okay. The doctor did however request to see Marida again in a month to check on her ear and give her the 2nd flu shot they couldn't give her yesterday.

Maron's checkup was much more of a struggle. She has had a horrible fear/hatred of the doctor's office since she was 18 months old. Each time we go there I hope it will be at least a little bit better, but no dice. Maron weighed in at 27 lbs and, as she would not stand still long enough to accurately measure her height, they recycled her height from last time, which was 34 1/2 inches. Maron is healthy and developing normally, drastic turn for the cranky and fussy included. Dr. Bronold suggested we get Maron a docotr play kit to help her get past her fear of all things relating to an exam room. I bought one for her yesterday and we spent the evening helping sick patients feel better, including Daddy, Tigger, Eeyore, Mommy and Stitches the sock monkey. By the time we put Dr. Maron to bed she refused to be seperated from her medical kit. And when I said good night to her she replied, "Good night Dr. Mommy."