Priest Lake

We traveled to Priest Lake, ID for a Merhar family reunion. Priest Lake is in the Northern pan-handle of Idaho. To break up the long drive, we spent a night in the tricities with Grandma & Grandpa M.  Then we enjoyed 3 nights of camping at the Beaver Creek campsite on Priest Lake, enjoying the sun, family time and outdoor adventures. There were about 30 Merhar family and friends from all over the Pacific Northwest and US.

I have to admit I was a little nervous about camping with a 16-month old, but it was so much fun!  The little guy loves the outdoors and had such a fun time exploring, and pointing out everything that is HOT (which is a lot of stuff when you're camping).  We were very appreciative to Mike & Heidi (Eric's Uncle & Aunt) for planning such a fun reunion.  Here's the run-down:

On the Road Again.  Lots of driving, but we managed pretty well.

Visits with Grandma M and OG in the tricities

Fun times on Heidi & Mike's boat.  I tried wake boarding for the first time, and absolutely loved it! Eric showed off on the slalom ski and wake board. He's pretty awesome. Aunt Heidi had the magic touch with Isaac on the boat, who wasn't so sure about the confining life jacket and wind in his face (can you blame him?).

Family Time around the fire...

Isaac helping and having a grand ole' time:

16 Months (Monkey See, Monkey Do)

Our little dude is 16 months old!
What's he been up to? Lots of imitation, cognitive development and exploration.

His little mind is just exploding.  Each day, he knows a new word (saying it, signing it or just understanding it).  He amazes us with what he understands.  He's become a lot more interested in books this last week; actually bring us books to read to him.  He especially loves his "DOG" book, and looking at our family photo books.  And speaking of dogs, he either wants to be one, or he thinks he is one... he's been spotted on more than one occasion crawling around on all fours and panting.  It's pretty cute.

He loves to find the biggest rock in the garden (pick up, move, repeat); although equally as exciting is to find the smallest crumb to pick up and maneuver.  He's obsessed with buckles and latches and eye glasses... anything he can put together and pull apart.

He's discovered climbing again and can now climb up on the couch, the coffee table and chairs all by himself. In fact he loves to sit on a "big-boy chair" by himself (clapping, of course, at his accomplishment).

Sounders cheers, or anything with a lot of singing, chanting and clapping, really spark a smile too.  If we start a song and stop, he'll sign for more and we oblige.  What can we say, except that we're his little monkeys (clap Mom & Dad, clap!).

He's been sleeping through the night again (although away from home it's still a little rough).  He's still taking two naps a day (1.5 - 2 hours each). But, the naps are stretching out and he's been going to bed a little later (9pm), so I'm thinking that a one-nap day is right around the corner.

Here are some recent photos of every-day life from the last week or so:

Diaper Buns! Baby central at the bbq this week (Mack--19mths & Isaac... and Irene--9mths peeking around to say hi)

Future Doctor? (fun with Grandpa while we were out celebrating our anniversary)

Wearing Dad's Shades

Carkeek Park

Hiding from Thunder Storms

No caption needed.

Off for a morning walk (doggy-sitting the dog on the left)

He loves 'walking' too!

And we're all enjoying the summer (that finally decided to show up in Seattle!)

Traveling with a Tot

In lieu of our recent airplane travels with a wiggly 15-month old, these Oatmeal cartoons made us laugh out loud.  Enjoy! (click on the images)

            

Wisconsin

A few photos and memories from our trip to Green Bay and Door County Wisconsin last week:

Lots and lots of family! Here is everyone at Grandpa Beno's 90th Birthday Party

Visiting Door County classics, like Wilson's in Ephraim

An afternoon on a family friend's boat. Isaac didn't seem to mind the pink life jacket and even took a nap during part of the ride.

Lots of play-time with cousin Myrna. Here is Isaac coveting her binky.  Which is odd because he's never been interested in a binky. He also loved her flip flops and always tried to put them on his feet.  He just loves Myrna.

More family! Here I am with Uncle Bob, my Mom, Uncle Chris & Aunt Becky

The guys even sneaked away for a morning of golf.

Play, play and even more play!

Eric & I enjoying the SUN!

Sisters!!

"The candles are HOT"

Time for Smores!

Weee!

 Quite a few more photos in our July picassa album too.

Remembering Opa

We spent a wonderful week in Door County & Green Bay Wisconsin. While in Door County we visited Opa's memorial plot.  Opa (Robert Otto Jabbusch) was my Dad's Dad.  Isaac's middle name, Otto, was a tribute to him, so it was very special to go and say our "hello's".

Before Opa died, he made a prediction that I would have a blond boy.  Well, Opa... I guess you were right!

More pictures of the trip to follow later this week.

Saturday Morning Date with Mom

Hey, that's us! Isaac (tot) & Christina (Mom)

Eric (Dad) was on a business trip for a couple of days last week. Come Saturday morning, we were getting a mild case of cabin fever, so we went on an early morning Saturday date.  Stop one: Patty's Egg Nest for breakfast.  Patty's is normally a very busy restaurant, but at 7am we were one of only10 other patrons, and the youngest guests by about 70 years!  Isaac enjoyed his "one egg scrambled" and a good share of Mom's hashbrowns.  He was also very helpful, letting me know that the coffee pots were "HOT":

We were in and out of the restaurant in 20 minutes. Just about the time that Isaac started wiggling in his high chair, and just enough time for me to enjoy my meal and to suck down two cups of coffee.

Next Stop: Carkeek Park.
It, too, was pretty empty at 7:30 on a Saturday morning.  Isaac had the play ground to himself. His first task: putting sawdust down the holes on the jungle gym:

Busy at work

"Where did it go? How do i get more?"

"Ah ha! Here we go"

"Do I eat this?"

"Oh, right! Back to putting it down the holes..."

Then, we walked down to the swing set.  In the past he hasn't liked the swing, but he was pointing to it, so i put him in and gave him a push.  Well folks, he loved it!  He was ready for his swing photo shoot:

This kid is gonna break some hearts!

We also went down to the beach for a little beach-combing:

searching for the biggest rocks...

All in all it was a great morning!  And we were even more happy that Dad was home later that afternoon.

Nothing like a little Dude time, reading together on the couch:

will Isaac get smarter just holding this book?

15 Months: Weighing In

Mr. big-boy Isaac had his 15-month check up today, and here's how he weighs in (drum roll, please):

Weight: 27.4 lb (83%)

Height: 33.5" (97%)

Head Cir: 48.5 cm (84%)

It was a pretty ho-hum visit, but no news is good news.  He did OK with his shots, explored every corner of the Doctor's office and I sang multiple rounds of "the wheels on the bus" to distract him from the toxic waste bin and cabinets in the exam room.  Don't you think they'd baby proof the rooms a little more? Oh well, I guess that's what parent supervision is for (*wink*).

Turning into such a big boy these days...

4th of July in Tricities

The 4 steps to a successful 4th of July Weekend

Step #1:  Tire out the baby (and the dog) before the 4-hour drive to Eastern Washington, and go at nap time.

Playing at Carkeek Park Friday afternoon

Step #2:  Leave Isaac with Grandma & Grandpa for a little adult time

Cute of Debi & Don. Funny of Isaac.

Touring local wineries and breweries

Step #3: Eat incredible meals al fresco, with family and good wine

Seafood night (check out those huge lobster tails and oysters-- yum!)

Jeff, Lindsay & Debi

 Step #4: Take a dip in the pool when ever it gets too hot (we were in the pool often)

Isaac loves the water! By the end of the weekend he was jumping off the edge into mom or dad's arms, and even went down the slide a few times with Dad.

Happy Birthday, America!

15 Months Old!

Isaac is 15-months old!  No major updates or specific milestones this month except that his learning, absorption, memory and communication skills are really taking off!