Happy Happy Happy

Mac has been one joyful little man this summer. His dreams of running around all day in the dirt are finally a reality thanks to the nice weather we've been having. I try to take him up the Hatch farm once every week or so since it is basically a kid paradise right now. All these trips have got me thinking that if we do stay in Spokane long term I should just embrace the pastoral and move our fam onto a farm with a few goats, cows and chickens. I've been researching artisan cheese makers in the US since if I must have animals roaming around my house I should certainly have free gourmet cheese right?
And finally Mac has been quite the discerning linguist, meaning he generally refuses our requests to try saying any new words. So Cameron and I were thrilled to discover this weekend that he can now say "happy". There is nothing sweeter than hearing your child downstairs playing with his trains saying, "happy, happy, happy" over and over to himself, good times!

Cameron and I celebrated our fifth anniversary on July 2nd with a delicious dinner at the Luna Cafe and checking out a gallery opening. Luckily Cam's puffy eye was not the result of a domestic dispute but merely a killer mosquito bite.

Lucy picking strawberries while Mac spent his time breaking up clumps of dirt in the strawberry patch.

Birthday Boy

The Mac-Bud is officially two years old, my how time flies! His birthday was low key (aside from my crazy adventures in cake baking) and lot's of fun. We celebrated on Saturday by heading to the city water park in the morning with our friends the Hawkins. I wasn't sure how interested Mac would be in getting wet but he had an absolute blast. Then we had cousins and friends over for cake in the afternoon and Mac enjoyed opening one precious Thomas the Train gift after another, courtesy of Grammy Nicole, and was on cloud nine.

Summer Travels

Here are some pics from our recent trip to Houston and the Hatch farm.

We made a quick stop at IKEA upon arriving in Houston to pick up a train set to see Mac through the week.

Mac lounging around in weather appropriate attire, Houston during the summer is pretty intense.

Hamilton got his first taste of Mango.

Poor little Ham melting at the zoo.

Mac loved our beach trip to Galveston.

Ah the joy of trains!

And finally here are a few pics of our day trip to the farm with Mac and cousins.

Busy, Busy, Busy

The front is finally painted! Now on to the yard....

Mac's love for the Thomas DVD cases knows no bounds. He takes them to the park, demands to sleep with them and luckily has stopped asking to take them in the bath as well.

Mac and Lucy at Manito Park

Mac says his goodbyes to Grammy

Mac and Miles go for a spin

This pic perfectly captures my little Ham, always smiling and always drooling.

The last week went by in a whirlwind of activity. First Grammy drove in for a visit and arrived last Saturday much to Mac's delight. The weather is finally cooperating and Mac was able to visit the park everyday with his Grams while I finally finished painting the front of our house, huzah!

Then on Friday the Boone family came over from Seattle to stay with us for the weekend and run in the Windermere Marathon (the boys) and Half Marathon (moi). Janetta and I have been friends since junior high (she reminded me that we first met in French class when I offered her candy by saying that my mom said I should share it with people, sounds just random enough to come from me) so it was great to see her again. We also introduced Mac to his new buddy/sparing partner Miles. The race was a learning experience for Cam and I, note to self train more so you don't get passed by elderly women who can run while talking on their cell phones :) All in all it was a great week and we hope to have many more visitors come stay at the Casa Hatch!