Look who's talking now...

Around 9 months or so, Bennett started saying "ma ma ma ma" when he was upset and I was too busy to pick him up. At first, I thought it was just jabber. Then when  I was in Utah, I went shopping with Julia and my mom a few days before Julia left on her mission... June 13thish. I dropped something and I heard "uh-oh" as clear as day. I looked up and thought it was Lincoln, but then Bennett said it again. I meant to write that in an 11 month blog post, but then never got around to it, and now it's almost time for his 1 year post. He surprises me all the time. Since June 13th, he's added several other words to the list and "ma ma ma ma" has since transformed to mommy. He says "hi" to me when I first walk in to his room to get him up in the morning. It makes me laugh. It is amazing to me how different Lincoln and Bennett have developed. Lincoln was quite quick to crawl and walk and on the slow side to talk. Bennett is slower physically, but more verbal. I need to learn not to worry, but I do. Anyway, here's the little parrot in action:

Woes of a SAHM

I found THIS blog after feeling less than satisfied with my experience and performance as a SAHM. Hit the nail on the head and brought some perspective.

So long, farewell...

Julia took the plunge and went to serve the Lord. She left June 15th for the MTC. My parents will leave June 22nd for the MTC and then will ship off to Guam the following Monday. The winds of change are blowing hard in our family. I was glad to be able to make it to SLC to bid them farewell. Julia and I barely had time for a hug and a picture when she got dropped off at the MTC. Lincoln didn't give Julia too enthusiastic of a farewell. Here we are:

I was also lucky enough to catch my cousin, Leslie's wedding (and Dano's too). My dad's parents and all of his siblings were in town which was really fun. More pics later from all those events.  

Seattle

Went to Seattle for Memorial Day weekend. 

First stop, the temple. I saw on LDS.org that the church is looking for photos of temples outside of Utah, so I took these two thinking I might turn them in. Maybe I will, maybe I won't.

Went to Pike Place Market of course. 

Saw them tossing fish which was fun, but trying to navigate through this crowd with a double-wide stroller proved to be a challenge Matt wasn't up for so we didn't spend long there

I'd buy fresh flowers here everyday if I lived in Seattle.

Ate some expensive fish sandwiches at this park. It was difficult to find a bench to sit on where there wasn't already a bum (or urban camper to be more PC) sleeping. 

Walked by the original Starbucks.

I love big cities where there's art all around.

Approaching the bubble gum wall.

Matt thought the bubble gum wall was the most vile thing he'd ever seen and wouldn't stand next to it so I could get a picture of him there. 

Played in a fountain.

Saw the Space Needle from a distance. Good enough for us.

One highlight was REI in Seattle. It was AMAZING. Had a multi-level waterfall at the entrance. Matt bought his new favorite jacket there. 

Took this in the evening when we were driving by. Thought it turned out neat. The same van was there.

Caught an amazing sunset near where you load on the ferries.

Ate at Ivar's. Can you spot Matt with the kids and the dog? The clam chowder and breaded/fried clams were fab.

View from our outdoor seating near Ivar's.

All done with dinner.

Hiked to Wallace Falls. Amazing!!! EVERYTHING is covered in moss.

Saw some of these on the hike. 

Middle Falls.

Bennett and I were there too.

This girl made the mistake of bending down to pet Lucy. Lucy jumped up and slimmed her. 

Lower Falls was really pretty.

Matt forgot his proper hiking shoes.

I forgot to mention that we stayed at Motel 6 cause they didn't charge for the dog and it was super cheap. This was my doing. Matt was irate, cause when we pulled in at 11 PM, he had to stand OUTSIDE in a line of people to get our key. The teller was behind bullet-proof glass and there was a guard walking around the parking lot. I must admit, I felt slightly uncomfortable. The silver lining was that we got to sleep in beds with bedspreads that had a "Motel 6" motif. So sweet. 

Went on the Underground Tour. Apparently long ago, they had to raise street level 15 feet to avoid drainage issues, but the first levels of all the stores were still 15 feet below. They put sidewalks in that met up with the second level, and put skylights in the sidewalks so people could see down below. It became one of the first underground shopping malls. It was later used for all sorts of bad thins, and eventually a dumping ground where they found all sorts of cool old things.

Skylight from street level.

Skylight from below. Amazing how much light comes through, eh?

An antique bathtub and skylight they found down there.

Pioneer Square where the Underground Tour is.

Went to China Town and got some Cha Siu Bao's and Bubble (zhen zhu) Milk Tea. Miss that stuff!!!

Lincoln loved the zhen zhu's.

Stopped at Palouse Falls on the way home.

Near Palouse Falls.

The end.