Spring Break - Cypress Style

We spent a couple beautiful days on Cypress Island. Liam loves the sandy beaches when the tide is low. Here are a couple pictures of Liam exploring the tide flats.

"Mud flinging"....literally.

Beachcombing.

Splashing and thinking....

Later....a warm bath and some good 'ol naked playtime. Doesn't get much better than toy trucks and being naked in the afternoon sun....does it?

Liam in the cabin.

Spring Break - Guemes Style

We enjoyed Spring Break (a couple weeks ago) at Guemes and Cypress Island. We spent the first few days at Guemes Island, visiting with Uncle Reuben and Lucia and playing on the beach, roasting hot dogs with Daddy and other good "island things".

Liam and Daddy roast some "dogs".

"What???"

Kayaking with Daddy

Bedtime story with Uncle Reuben.

Goodnight - hear the frogs........

The Dentist

Liam had his first dentist visit the other day and did great! We talked about it for some time before-hand and he was very excited. I was worried that it would be like the first time you take your puppy to the vet and they are so excited, but a couple of shots later.....
But, Liam walked away pretty proud of himself and the owner of a new electric toothbrush (which I though was silly, but is actually great!).

I thought this was pretty hilarious, but Liam brought his own magazine with him to read before his appointment. Anyone who knows my dad would get a kick out of this because Luther Schutz doesn't go anywhere without his reading materials. Here is Liam reading his National Geographic (for Toddlers) waiting for his name to be called.

They looked in Liam's mouth - no cavities so far - and they counted his teeth and they told me he would most likely need orthodontics when he got older! What??@!! He probably will, though.

Liam held very still and he did so well, they even gave his teeth a little polish!

"Hey, didn't someone say that I got a 'prize' for being so good?"

Snow day at Mount Baker

This weekend our friends Kirstin and Bob invited some friends up to their cabin in Glacier for some sledding and skiing. We met up on Saturday night, had dinner, make a bonfire and roasted marshmallows. Dinner and company were both fantastic, but with 5 kids and 3 couples in the cabin sleep was fairly elusive!
We woke up on Sunday morning, made waffles and headed up to the mountain for some serious sledding. The weather was cold, windy, and snowing but the kids were troopers and everyone had a great time sledding down the hills just above the ski-area

Liam is ready for the hills

The Green Hornet!

Hana and Liam coming back up the hill

Kirstin and Shannon

Après Sledding

After sledding we were ready for some hot chocolate and snack so we headed down the mountain to the lower lodge. The kids got warmed up and ready to hit the rope-tow.

Our Hosts:

Kirstin...

and Bob.

First Day on the Rope Tow

Finally we headed out for the rope tow and Liam's first day on skis.Ok Liam, ready for the downhill part??

Down the hill!

Wow! I want poles Daddy! (This was the theme of the ski-day)

Sledding a Baker Video

Post Egg Hunt warm-up

After the egg hunt, we all headed indoors for a little warming up and "hot drinks". Liam enjoyed his warm milk with a few delicious chocolate eggs.

Liam concentrates on unwrapping his "chocolate treat".

After warming up inside, we all headed back out to the beach to look for crabs under the rocks. If you haven't noticed by now, all our friends have girls! We are looking for some little boys Liam's age. But, I will say, these older girls keep Liam in line! I forgot how bossy girls can be (and I was no exception!).

Happy Easter

We spent Easter morning with friends in Bellingham. We had a nice breakfast and then, in true Pacific Northwest fashion, we donned our rain gear and headed out into the March drizzle for an egg hunt.

Here are the kids heading down on the elevator from our friends' apartment on our way to the egg hunt in the park. The easter bunny (a.k.a. the Daddies) went ahead and hid the eggs in a park nearby

Liam checks out his basket.

"Do you see any more, Liam?"

Liam shows off his goods.

Fingerpainting

Liam is in such a tactile phase. He doesn't want to paint with a paintbrush or draw with crayons...he wants to get in there and get his hands dirty. Who can blame him, really, it is so much fun! Here are a few pictures from our latest finger painting escapade. Don't you just love the apron???

Gooey fun.

Smearing the paint.

"Let me see your hand, Liam."

Learning to use the Potty

Liam has been learning to use the potty. The other afternoon, he spent some time in "big boy underwear" and was quite pleased with himself. He definitely needs reminding and coaxing, but at least we are getting (some) pee in the potty. Here is a series of photos just after Liam went to the bathroom and was celebrating his new-found abilities.

"Yeah, Liam!! Did you just go pee in the potty?"

"Yipee!!!"

"That's right...who just went pee in the potty!"

"Oh, yeah...it's Liam, it's Liam!"

"That's silly, Mama!" (Liam's new favorite saying.)

Rainy Day

The other day, Liam and Julia went for a walk in the rain. I was watching the kids and we were all going a little "stir-crazy" inside...so, we got bundled and headed out in our rain gear (an essential item in the northwest!). Here are a few pictures from the walk.

Julia and Liam head out.

Liam, always with a rice cake in his hand....

We walked to get "hot drinks" and warm up at a local coffee shop.

Liam and Liam ham it up!

A few photos from this past week.....

The "Grand Pirate Liam" at the local park.

Swinging at the park.

Talking over breakfast...with blueberries on the face.

Hugs....they help balance those "challenging times".

Liam with his firetruck stacked with all his vehicles (he was so proud of this feat).

Riding the bike

Liam loves riding his bike right now. He refuses to peddle, but he is incredibly speedy with his little legs (I call it his "crab walk"). It is pretty funny to watch. The other evening, I went to yoga and Liam and Gabe went down to the water and walked along the boulevard. Here are a couple pictures from their evening ride.

Liam rides above the water.

Liam's bike has a "bucket" and he likes to collect little things as we go along. Sometimes we get home with quite a load!

Burying the tractor.

Riding off into the sunset.