back on the line....I mean, online!

Well, after not having internet on my 'puter for almost a week, partly because of our vacay to Chelan, it looks like I'm back in action. According to THIS Dell representative, we should never have used Webroot antivirus software with a Dell (we've had it for a couple of years on Jeff's computer, but it's mine that's acting up.) Anywho...appears to be working now. Thanks, hun, for spending a couple of hours on the phone with them tonight so that I didn't have to!

Somewhat of a busy day today....regular physical and bloodwork for me...doc says I'm doing great! Cousin Brittney babysat Kian so mommy could get out for a couple of hours. Then we went to the neighborhood park for a while. After lunch and a nap, I took Brooke and Kian to the beach at Lundeen Park for an hour or so. Kian had a ball! I made a new friend...Ava...a 6 year old socialite like me! Brooke made a new friend with "Brianna". Kian liked the water. He sat in an inch or two with tiny waves for about a half hour just playing with a shovel and pail! When I finally noticed he had sand on his mouth, I tried washing it off, and that's when he started fussing. We headed up to play in the sand near the concrete stairs and he had another half hour of fun, just wandering around!

We just had a wonderful long weekend in Chelan with our friends, Mike and Karen Felch (she used to teach with me at Quil.) They just finished their dream/retirement home in Manson, and have extra bedrooms downstairs just waiting for us. We met and hung out with their friends, Mark and Nancy (and little grandson, Anthony-3). Jeff had fun fishing once alone and once with Mark in his boat. Karen and I went shopping, sightseeing, and to the beach (and also to get shave ice!) Mostly we just hung out on their big, beautiful deck with a 180+ degree view of Lake Chelan and watched Kian move the deck furniture from one end to the other, practicing his walking! Kian did well sleeping in a new place, after the first day, except when he had to sleep in the same room with us. For some reason, he woke around 5 and as soon as he figured out we were in there, he was UP AND READY TO GO! One of the days, it might have been the guy on the lawn mower/John Deere next door mowing the 5 foot tall 5 acres at 5 a.m. for 5 hours!

Kian is a good traveler, fussing only about the last 20-30 min. mostly because he was tired. Next time we may try driving at night...muah ha ha ha! NOW we know the trick! We loved it enough, even though the weather was CRAPPY most of the time, that we are going back in two weeks. We will have the chance to go on a bigger boat (well, Kian and I didn't go on ANY boat this time), play at the elite beach at Wapato, AND swim in the pool there, since friends will be staying there! Woot woot!

Busy days of Summer have arrived

From Saturday, June 25

Yesterday was one of our first days of summer and it was packed with fun! First Kian had his 9 month check up…he weighs 21 lbs 13 oz and is 29 inches long! He got a completely clean bill of health! We loaded up Brooke, Kian, Maggie, 3 bikes, and a bike trailer and hit the road to Anacortes. Our first stop took us to Gere-a-Deli for lunch, where Jeff used to work. It shows a lot that he still likes to eat there after working there for a couple of years!

We unloaded the bike gear at a parking lot in town and headed out toward the water. It was a good trip of about 6-7 miles with me pulling Kian and Maggie pulling Jeff with her Walky-Dog leash! I LOVE this ride because it goes along the water for a while then out across the bay on an old railroad bridge. We got back to the car, tired and thirsty. This led us to Grandma and Grandpa Bray’s house for drinks and a break. We were going to head to Washington Park Beach, but Kian needed a nap, so we hung out there for dinner. Homemade chinese chicken salad, homemade rolls, fresh cantaloupe and watermelon, and homemade brownies with ice cream on top for dessert. After all this, we were headed home with a tired dog, a tired kid, and a sleeping baby! Let the summer begin!

best laid plans...turn out GREAT!

Well, today was a mass of confusion. I was trying to get someone to watch Kian for a while so I could take Brooke to my new school for a little bit to check on things and move a few things around. That kept falling through, so I gave up, deciding to spend the day at home. Well, then things started to roll. A friend called and wanted to watch Kian for a while, so I grabbed Brooke and Ashley and we headed out.

Upon checking into my new classroom, it looks like everything made it over in the move, though a few things got spilled and bent up a little (at least I didn't have to move it all!). With just an hour to work our magic, Brooke, Ashley and I got quite a bit done and I am feeling very optimistic about the classroom!

We stopped and had lunch at La Ha, then headed home to relieve wonderful Mary and get the girls home. Thanks, Mary, for a little reprieve.

I never know what to write here, but I do want to document some of our daily lives.

Kian and Mommy on a bike ride (with Daddy and Maggie)! He's wearing his new helmet...but not for long! He liked it on his head, but not while in the trailer. We'll have to work on that!

another (rainy) summer day!

Trying a new blog for the Bray family news. I hope this one is easier to manage!

Well, Brooke and I sit here watching the rain, while Kian naps. We were holding out hope for our first day at the beach this summer...the first one EVER for Kian. I have sand toys, beach chair, beach towels, floaties, and the like packed already, but it looks like we may be heading to an indoor pool instead!

We just returned from our first baby story time at the library. It was cute! There were only two other little boys there, and they were a lot younger...4 and 5 months. Kian LOVES the singing and finger play! Brooke was a great sport and played along (she loved it!)