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Monday, March 1:

Today is Mr N and I time. The three older kids are in school. The oldest two are in school all day, but Miss R is in school for 2-1/2 hours. Mr N and I run errands and play. Sometimes I sit at the park and read while Mr N runs around. We do a little exploring and I realize how wonderful he is.

Today, we went to Costco to get some groceries, but we also stopped to get our passport photos. It's unusual to the rest of the world that we Americans don't have passports, but up until last June, we were able to drive into Mexico and Canada with just a birth certificate and drivers license. We the Winter Olympics being only 2 hours away, I realize that I missed out on a huge opportunity to take my kids up there because I didn't have my passport. They can still get in with birth certificates, but it's time we all get one. Marc has his and I'll take the other 3 kids to get their photo and apply for them on Friday. Now, there will be no missed opportunities and some new wanderings to be  planned.

The point of my photos: Mr N is precious. We sat at the table outside of preschool and Mr N ran around the pond (a water retention pond) and threw rocks into the water. He came running around the edge and handed me this weed flower. He said, "smell it". So I did. He was so cute and asked him to pose. He is the best at holding still and letting me get his photo. He is just too cute (and desperately in need of a haircut, which he refuses to let me do).

 

365 days, 365 photos

It's a new year. 2010. We have been busy as usual. This past year, we traveled to Redding, CA several times. In March, June and August. While in California during our August trip, we took the kids to Burney Falls, the Subway caves, Humboldt National Redwood Forest, and into Fremont for ribs at Emil Villa's. We took a few local trips including visiting Forks, WA twice to stay at the Oceanside Resort in La Push (great cabins on the beach). We went to the Olympic Rain Forest and then made a side detour on the way home to the Makah Nation and the NorthWest most point at Cape Flattery. We went camping for the first time at Lake Easton and stayed in a cabin at Hyak (near Snoqualmie Pass).

I realized we take our kids many places as well as visit many local sights and parks. I've decided to challenge myself by posting a photo for every day of 2010. Highlighting both the mundane and extraordianary things that we do. We are busy making travel plans for the upcoming year. My cousin lives on the other side of the country and we will see them before they move again. 

The current plan is to meet somewhere in the middle. I prefer to meet them somewhere warm. After a NorthWest winter, I want to see and feel the warmth of the sun. My current plan includes driving to California for my Dads wedding in March, then heading over to Santa Cruz. We will show the kids the California coast, a few sights in Los Angeles, a trip over to the Grand Canyon and a few days in Albuquerque (where we will meet up with my cousin and his family). We will then take 3 days to drive back home to Seattle. We are planning on taking 2 weeks. My other big trip will only be realized if my cousin isn't moving until end of summer. I would like to drive the kids cross country. Taking 1 week each way and spending 5-7 days with the family.

Our other possible plans include camping on the Oregon coast and a few trips over to Eastern Washington. We've lived here almost 7 years and have never been to the other half of this state. Maybe we'll be so global as to finally get our passports and head up to Canada. It takes as long to get to Calgary as it does to get to Redding. Here's to plenty of travels in 2010 and many photos.