Hot days/Mom time

A few weekends ago we had a couple of 100 degree weather days in a row. With no a/c we spent 2 of those afternoons playing in our "pool". Also, Matt was out of town for a few days so there are a lot of Mom and Mitch pics this time 'round.

Then on Monday, I tried to take Mitch to school so I could go to work and turns out he was not able to go because he had hand-foot-mouth disease (again!) and they wanted him to wait 1 more day. So...I got a 3 day weekend and my friend, Ally, Mitch and I went to the zoo!

Last weekend was my work picnic on the Sandy River. Mitch loved playing in the sand and it was also a great place to watch airplanes as they were flying pretty low. Here he is pointing one out to whoever would listen

This was taken only a few minutes before he decided to shove 2 handfuls of sand into his ears! I think we're still getting it out!

To get away from the sand hazard we went back up by the house and had some fun on this awesome tree swing!

Then, back down by the water, playing on chairs.

The following day we went to watch one of my friends in a triathalon. Mitch and I met Elliot, Josh and Brooke down by the river and Mitch and Elliot got to look for boats. They held hands for probably 10 minutes-super cute!

Kissing Charlotte

Snuggle time on the couch with Mom

Our budding photographer doing a portrait of Gordon. (okay, Matt held the camera but Mitch pushed the shutter and you have to start somewhere, right?)

August fun

Mitch attended one of his friends' from school's birthday party at Gymboree. He had a blast (though seemed a little overwhelmed at first). Here he is after jumping off a platform to land in 2 inner tubes stacked on top of each other with a parachute in the middle. Who thinks of this stuff?!

More parachute fun

Grandma and Grandpa M came for a visit last week. We were very busy and had a great time. Here's Mitch snuggling with them and reading books.

Good to know Grandpa can still compete with a 2 year-old when it comes to silliness!

Say "cheese"!

Walking to the grocery store

Trip to the Oregon Zoo! (I just realized I didn't put any pictures of animals on here so you'll have to take my word for it that we really went there!)

We have blackberries that grow between our fence and our neighbor's fence that were in season--I think Grandma actually got a little obsessed with picking them!

Mitch's monster friend wearing his bike helmet

Swinging

Grandpa on the slide (going "wheeee", as Mitch likes to call it)

Mitch going "wheeee"

At the Hoyt Arboretum. I had never been there before and it's actually really cool, lots of nature but was a little chilly when we were there.

Mitch wanted to touch the tallest tree but, alas, Mom is not tall enough to help.

We only went out for dinner once and Mitch got to use a regular fork! He needed a little coaxing but eventually really enjoyed his macaroni and cheese!

Bike riding with Dad and Grandpa

Mitch has a Thomas the Train book that he got from his other Grandma last year. He just recently has wanted us to read it to him. Grandpa M had a great time reading it and pushing all the sound buttons in all the right places. Sometimes he was more into it than Mitch was!

We went to see a few waterfalls which Mitch loves though he did always want to touch them. He also kept saying "big yaya" (which is Mitch-speak for big water)

This was taken at the last waterfall we went to but Mitch is actually pointing to a train that was going by which he also loves!

Family photo before going to the airport

Mitch at the airport...I think he really wanted to go on the planes instead of just look at them.

Later that day (after everyone had taken a nap) we played outside. Mitch wanted to wear his bike helmet even though we weren't riding bikes.

Maybe in case he wanted to do some extreme sliding!

Happy 2nd Birthday Mitch!

So, we officially have a 2 year-old. Here is a picture from when he was approximately 2 days old and then from the past week. I can hardly believe it's the same person!

Balloons from his Birthday party last weekend. He's been playing with them ever since and I'm not quite sure what will happen when they pop or if he'll just drag them around on the floor when the helium finally dies!

This is the face I got after trying many times to have him hold still long enough for me to get a picture. These digital cameras sometimes aren't fast enough! Anyway, in case you couldn't tell he was saying "cheese".

Playing with Travis in the water spray. Mitch had a blast and didn't even care when he got splashed in the face.

Watermelon was also a big hit with the kids...here's Samantha, Elliot and Mitch all asking for more and waiting for me to hand it out like it was Halloween!

The boys on the play structure

Okay, so most people probably won't be able to figure out what is on the cake but it's supposed to be a "green line train" which is one of the lines of the Portland light rail. Mitch thought it was cool, so that's all that really matters. I don't think I would have won any cake decorating contests though...maybe next year.

He also thought the cake tasted pretty good!

This is how I found Mitch sleeping the other morning, blanket over his shoulders and his friend, Kirby on top. How he got that way, I have no idea!

Playing in a blanket fort with Dad

Mitch's friends Sammy and Travis got him this awesome lawnmower for his birthday. I'm not sure if he loves it or the balloons more!

So, here's Mitch today, on his actual birthday. He had a crown from school that he mainly kept on his head because he was distracted by opening presents.

Wooden train

The big gift-a tricycle!

Trying it out outside. It seemed to get a little frustrating when on the incline back to the house but he's definitely understanding the concept of the pedals.

Here's another comparison picture...Mitch today at 2 years old and below at 1 month (and not looking thrilled to be sitting there!)

Couldn't ask for a better kiddo...We love you Mitch!