Another Saturday afternoon of hiking

Last Saturday Mary (or Maymee) came over to hang out. Rich was on hunting trip #1 so I was on solo weekend #1. It was lovely (much like it is today. At least when he's gone we get good weather). Mary and I took the boys out to the Eagle River Nature Center to give our new hiking backpacks a spin. Much swankier that the others.

Noah hiking with Mary. We hiked out the trail towards Girdwood (obviously not going the entire way, it's 27 miles!) but we didn't see ANY people, and it was quiet and overgrown. Not wanting to be eaten by a bear, we turned around. Of course, then we started passing people left and right, in large groups, with their dogs. But it turned out well.

Noah and Mary mentally communicating. They do this a lot. Mostly forehead to forehead, but they must be getting better.

This is how Avery felt about the hike back. I told you the new packs were swanky. Very comfy. We had snacks on the deck and a little run around, and then back home we went.

Park time!

It has been so nice lately, we did a little park time! Dad actually met us there when he got off work, so it was fun. The boys are *almost* big enough to go down the twist slide by themselves ( I still help them out though)

Dad must have been there, Mom's in the picture!

Noah was feeling oppressed by his hat.

Ahhhh, liberation (and libation)! Can you believe those cheekies?

Look at that face! He is one gorgeous little angel!

Now look at this one, HA!

Mr. Independent, off to see the swings.

Lisa and Megan met us there also (see, half of Lisa and Megan). I love toddler play dates. They are so for the parents. All three kids went their separate ways and didn't interact.

An art shot.

Self portrait with Dad!

What funny boys I have!

Look at my beautiful boy with the beautiful smile! This is our first true peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Previously, they got tiny toast squares with peanut butter or jelly on them. My boys are getting so big! I can't even believe it. Today, I looked at them and had the feeling I didn't recognize them. Who were these big boys, and where were my babies?

Noah making a fashion statement in rain boots and a serape. Rich picked these out for them :)

Do you know Pancho Villa?

Avery on the floor again. He loves, loves, loves this blanket (thanks Beth!) and randomly lies down with it.

My little sleeping guru. He was so cute with his feet folded up on the bars like that. Oh, there's my baby!

Grandma Jerry sent a care package this week with a firetruck tent, courtesy of Uncle Nathan (just don't tell Nathan :)

We found this great little picnic table on summer clearance. I put it together today, much as a mentally challenged monkey would. Luckily for me, they were sleeping. This is Noah's first artistic endeavour, and of course I dated it and kept it! He was actually more interested in the box full of crayons than he was in coloring.

Snack time! Do not adjust your set, the photo is not tilted. They are both sitting at the same height.

I am SO glad I caught this one! We were talking about noses, and where every one's was. At the same time, they reached across to point at the others nose. I loved it!

Dad's socks! You have to believe in magic (if your not sure about the reference, it's from an early 80's ONJ movie musical :)

Hiking Thunderbird Falls

I've been wanting to hike the Thunderbird Falls trail all summer. This afternoon turned out pretty nice, so on a whim we packed up the boys and went! It's supposed to be a pretty easy hike, if you get past the first 200 yards. I thought this very out of shape girl might not make it. I had to ask Rich, if I pass out, which way should I fall? (answer, on your face, not on the baby).

Can you see the forest for the trees?

This is the halfway point (a half mile in) looking over the gorge. It looks over the Eklutna River, which drains from Eklutna Lake. This is where we get our water from.

Family photo opp. We didn't stand together because we wanted the falls in the picture.

Thunderbird Falls

We kept having to pause on the way back because Avery would get fussy, wanting his Wowah. So I would have to walk close to Rich so Avery could reach out and touch Noah. This happened 5 or 6 times!

Music on the Library Lawn

I took the boys last week, at my friend Lisa's invitation, to see some Music in the Park. It was very entertaining, and quite full. This pic was taken from the top of the high hill Noah climbed. As his entourage, Avery and I had to go also. I ended up carrying them both down. Avery tried to turn around and go backwards, like you do down the stairs, but it didn't work like he had planned.

The performers were a band called Fiddle-dee-dee, a band aimed at small children. Many of the songs had props. Here is Jill handing Avery some ribbons for a song about the wind. He LOVED them! The problem was, they would hand them out for one song, and at the end of the song, TAKE THEM BACK! Oy, some of us have small non-comprehenders here!

Very happy with his ribbons. See the elusive Noah in the background. He's kind of like the Loch Ness Monster :)

Many friends from Double Cuddles or Cruisers. Lucy is in the pink top, Rory in the pink skirt in front of her mom, Audrie. Lisa is standing in the back with Katy or Alyssa (their identical, I can't tell them apart!)

Ah, Noah! They had so much fun with the ribbons.

Making a new friend.

He kept trying to attach himself to other families, I'm not sure why. Should I be insulted?

Noah with Audrie, Rory, Lisa, and Katy/Alyssa.

This little boy was so sweet. He brought his own guitar to play along, and was sharing it with Avery. He even let Avery hold the pick and play. His mom was so proud that he was sharing his music. We had much fun. As usual, I didn't get much adult interaction, as I was chasing multiple toddlers, but that is always to be expected in an open space!

Random Summer Fun

Just some random fun on this one. The boys and I went to play with my friend Michelle and her three boys, Jared, Jack, and Justin. Jack and Justin are, of course, twins. Why would we play with single babies?

Avery, in a vehicle, using Noah as a seat cover? In 30 words or less, describe how Noah feels.

They are growing and developing by leaps and bounds this summer. I am always amazed at the new things they know. They use signs I haven't showed them in months, like Apple (abop) and are always using new words. Bwitta bwitta. That's from Noah. Can't figure it out? It's belly button. Avery's favorites, shish (fish), Lye lye (lion), Mah (man, there's a picture in a book) and

Momo, or Elmo :) I think his all time favorite is WoahWa. Yes, he is getting closer to Noah. He likes to say it when Noah is sad, and he gives him a "hug" or when Noah is sleeping. Today at the Dr. office, the nurse took Noah to weigh him and Avery kept saying loudly "Woahwa!" until she brought him back. Noah says "Aaaeee"

Do you need some help, ma'am? We had a visit from Fire and Rescue!

Ok, not really. Grammy Lynn bought these for the boys before they were born, and we're still waiting to grow into them. I thought we could wear them on a rainy day last week, but they are still too big. The one Noah has on will probably fit Avery, but how fun is it to have one baby fire fighter? Not much!

We've been wearing the boots for quite awhile, they are very much a favorite here. I do believe you may be looking at their Halloween costumes.

A funny story. They love to brush their teeth. They call the toothbrushes "Momos" because they have Elmo on them, or Teeth. We were brushing our teeth before we went to Music in the Park and I said "Let me have Momo, so we can go bye bye" Avery gave me his, but Noah wouldn't. I asked a few more times, and Avery walked over to Noah, took the toothbrush, handed it to me (while Noah howled) said "Da DA!" which is All Done, with the hand signs, and walked over to the stairs to leave. I love them!

In closing, click on this picture to enlarge it, and check out Avery's feet (and Noah's new haircut :)