Makenna Returns to Westport Beach

Saturday Olympia saw the temperature climb into the high 80's and without AC we opted to seek cooler temperatures elsewhere. Rarely does the Washington coast reach the mid/high 70s and cloudless, but Saturday was our lucky day!! So we were off to Westport for a day trip!

Upon arrival we set up camp after getting a workout pushing the stroller through the deep soft sand.

Hunger struck. Picnic at the beach can be a challenge when keeping the sand out of SANDwiches! :) Some sand was consumed.

After refueling we took off for a walk waterside. Makenna was so happy to explore and find tiny treasures in the sand.

She love love loves the wind. Our little nature baby, I mean toddler, couldn't be happier than spending a fun filled day outside in the sand, under the sun, with the wind in her hair and her parents by her side!

These days she seems to always be on the move and into EVERTHING! The beach was no different. Picking up rocks, digging in the sand, throwing things into the water, and placing treasures in her pail kept us all busy!

A little nose-dive in the sand left Makenna covered in clumps of wet sand and a HUGE smile on her silly face!

Now & Then.
Amazing the difference a year and a couple months can make. We first took Makenna to Westport Beach when she was only 9 days old to escape 90+ degrees. This time there was no marine layer to contend with only blue skies for as far as the eye can see!

Towards the end of our beach day we took the B.O.B. out for a spin in sand.

On the stroll we found horses! Makenna was captivated.

All the excitement, fresh air, movement of the stroller, lull of the ocean and not having a nap knocked Makenna right out!

Before heading home we stopped in Westport for dinner at the Fish Shack and ice cream for desert. Makenna was a big fan of the Blackberry ice cream. As you can see she had her eye on whoever was eating it. :)

Chelan Vacation

August brought a wonderful family vacation on Lake Chelan. This central Washington reservoir lake is set again an arid landscape providing a wonderful summer get-away in our backyard- even if it's 5 hours away.

On Sunday, our first full day at the lake and it so happened to be Steve & DelRae's 35th Wedding Anniversary we spent the day celebrating in the sun lake & poolside. Oh sweet vacation how I love thee.

Makenna loving the mushroom float Grandma bought especially for the trip. She quickly figured out that kicking her little feet would move her around the pool.

Although she found independent mobility a tow from Grandpa is always welcome!

We discovered that Makenna has become a lover of swings. Pretty sure she would have been content swinging everyday of vacation from the time she woke till the sun went down.

One morning the BirdLady came to the Point with her educational barn owl named Gus. If you know Makenna she LOVES owls more than any other bird. She was THAT child during her presentation that kept pointing and "hoo hoo-ing". The entire time she was just begging to touch the owl and get closer. Of course after the presentation we asked for a photo with Gus and she clammed up and won't even "talk" to Gus.

Mushroom float and Makenna made it into the freezing lake eventually. Makenna was very uncertain of the lake and its waves. By the end of the week she wasn't concerned with it.

Grandma & Makenna being fishes.

Hours of fun were had with this little stick and the handle of the shovel. She was so focused on putting the stick through the handle hole and pulling it out. And proud. She was beaming.

Makenna and her friend Hayden. Our friends the Hansen's and the Hood's were both in Chelan at the same time.

Makenna's first taste of ice cream. Mountain Blackberry was definitely a hit :)

Peek-a-boo silly Makenna!

Chelan 2011.
Friends. Family. Great memories for a lifetime.

The Odermans.

Always reading.

Giving love to Grandpa.

Bensen Winery. One of many amazing wineries in the Chelan/Manson area.

Grandma & Grandpa were wonderful during the week allowing us some alone time while they got some Makenna time. Oh to be child-free for a couple of hours and enjoy the company of my husband. THANK YOU both for allowing us the time together.

Dinner at a winery and Makenna discovers the grapes. Try to explain to a 13 month old that those are grapes to eat when she LOVES grapes.
"There goes a bird" worked beautifully for this one!

We're all smiles as another Oderman family adventure comes to an end!

Catching Up On July...

So....I've gotten behind in blogging. Maybe you've noticed it's heading into the final stretch of August and I last posted about our July 4th outing. I've been slacking. You can hold it against me. Hopefully these images will make up for the hiatus.

In early July we had a wonderful playdate with Tyler Odermann and his momma Krista (our cousins and we are still figuring out if it's 3rd, 4th or something else!). There is A LOT of Oderman(n) in these two! Makenna was fascinated with Tyler's buttons on his overalls. It was great seeing the two play and even more of a treat to have momma time with an incredible woman, whom I'm lucky to call family!

After our playdate we headed over to Gran's for a snack and a play in the new pool so Momma could rummage through boxes of "treasures" from my childhood to find inventory for our upcoming garage sale.

Watering the water.

On the first "hot" day since Makenna's birthday party we broke out her new whale pool. During the inflation process Makenna climbed in and discovered she was sitting in a whale AND had a whale on her pj top (Thanks again Brookebird for the adorable pj's)! She just kept making her "whale" sound and looking from her shirt to the pool and back again.

Out in the sunny front yard we snacked before crawling into the pool. I finally was able to capture Makenna's new "thing". She now likes to put food on her fingers and it has crossed over to her toes as well. Grape on a toe, what could be better?

Finally splashing in the pool with ALL her toys!

Towards the end of July Makenna was in need of yet another hair cut- her second so far. Again it was just a trim of the bangs. And again it was traumatic for me.

She survived although a little stunned by the process. :)

Another day that ventured into the 80's allowed us the opportunity to hit the pool for the first time all summer. Sadly for us the kiddy pool was much warmer than the air temperature. It was to Makenna's liking and thankfully the lap pool was a refreshing temperature for us to dip in.

Our girl loves a ball. Any ball. Baseball. Soccer ball. Volleyball. Basketball. Bouncy ball. And since I forget to bring a ball on this outing we thankfully found one that belonged to the pool.

Grandpa's Girl.

All that swimming works up an appetite.

One Sunday before our weekly family dinner we took a walk down to our neighborhood park. Makenna loves finding pinecones in the grass.

Dada makes a great obstacle course.

Ready. Set...

SLIDE!

July proved to be a busy, fun month as we attempted to enjoy every ounce of sunshine that came our way. As Makenna becomes more mobile we find ourselves running in circles :)

Lena Lake

In celebration of the Fourth of July, Evan & I took Wayne dog for a hike to Lena Lake while Makenna spent the afternoon with her Gran.

Wayne thought he was back on Fidalgo Island as the trail was
very reminiscent of the forest lands.

Lena was rather high for this time of year due to the late snowfall and cooler Spring/Summer.

It felt so wonderful to be under blue skies in the warmth of the day on a beautiful hike. It definitely brought me back to when Evan & I were just dating and all the hikes we frequented.

Makenna's First Birthday

Makenna spent her actual birthday with her little buddies Lucas & Gracie. Her sweet friends got her very own JET SKI! - just like Dada's! Her favorite thing to do is to "rock out" to its music while scooting backwards :) We still haven't figured out how to make it go forward.

The Three Amigos :)

After a tasty and well balanced dinner we enjoyed some leftover cake. Makenna was less lady-like this go around. :)

"Oooo that's good!"

Family picture on her first birthday- it's amazing that she sat still and looked at the camera long enough for Grandpa to snap a shot!

It is hard to believe it's only been a year and how far she has come.
Was she ever really that little?

Birthday bath!
It seems our whale tub is getting smaller and smaller.

Makenna's first bath at home (July 1st).
Her tub was more like a pool then.

What a year it's been. We say it often, but we really lucked out with Makenna. From day one she has been an incredible baby. A great eater, great sleeper, we had a few hiccups with the #2 business but we have thankfully put that behind us (no pun intended !). Our smart toddler- still getting use to thinking of her in that way- is saying over 30 words now. Walking with more confidence with each day. Loves playing peek-a-boo, dancing, reading and being outside. She is such an outdoors girl. She has started using spoons and forks, although assisted and even has new sippy cups with straws! She is such a joy and we are so thankful for our sweet little girl.