Trip to Clarksburg

After our nice morning at Elm Street Bakery and Elliott's nap at home, we packed our overnight bags and drove 25 minutes west to spend some time with Meg and Corey at Meg's parents' house in Clarksburg, a small summer community in the idyllic countryside. It was our first time there and we had a wonderful time.

Elliott, Dutch, and I ventured down to explore the area by the pond.



Elliott and Grace had a romantic dinner for two. As parents, we completely support this union.

The big kids table with Charlotte, Cece, Teddy, and Oliver.

Elliott quickly lost interest in dinner because he has yet to master the art of pacing the appetizer portion of the evening. We moved Grace over to be with the other kids.

Teddy went methodically from bowl to bowl, drinking the remnants of melted ice cream from each. Smart boy.

Dutch then cleaned the remaining ice cream off the tables. Smart dog.

My boy and me. Elliott was halfway through his chocolate chip cookie and had chocolate everywhere.

An impressive chocolate mustache. It was also all over his arm, torso, shorts, and diaper.

Between the chocolate and dirt, Elliott and Grace both needed a bath. So in they went. Cuteness abounds here! I don't have them on hand but I know that naked childhood pictures of Grace's mom and me are out there too.

Oh, Gracie, you're so funny.

HA! You're funny, Elliott.

Dirty, happy kids.

Charlotte needed a bath too so she joined in the fun. These three had a blast in the tub. They also managed to get water everywhere (not surprising).

Thanks, Meg and Corey, for a wonderful mini-vacation. Clarksburg is truly a treat. Elliott loved the tractors and the chickens so much that they were the first words out of his mouth when he woke up on Sunday morning . . . at 5:55 am.

A Saturday Morning in EA

Last Saturday, Jesse took the boys for a walk while I did boot camp. We then met up with Tim and Laura at Elm Street Bakery, our favorite spot in town.

Dutch got tired about 15 minutes into their walk and rode in the bottom of the stroller for the rest of the time. How cute is that!



When I met up with them, I was nervous for a second that Dutch was missing . . . until he crawled out of the bottom to see me.

After some play time at our outdoor table, Dutch got to rest in Elliott's stroller. He sat in peace - until Elliott noticed.

"If I can just sit up here next to (aka on) you, Dutch."

Puppy kisses.

A happy moment.

Finally, Dutch found a comfortable spot and was able to rest.

Headed to the car, Elliott holding my purse, and digging out my wallet. Trouble.

 

Same Swing, 13 Months Later

How is this the same kid?? Same swing. Still sporting plaid bottoms and a plaid hat.

May 13, 2012



June 21, 2013

 

Trip to the Buffalo Zoo

Last Tuesday, we took Elliott for a long-overdue first trip to the Buffalo Zoo. He is still talking about all the animals he saw at the Zoo but was seemingly uninterested while we were there.

Looking at the monkeys playing. Monkeys are a big hit these days thanks to a big Curious George book from Grandpa Nick. Elliott is always talking about "monkey George."



My little monkey.

The Buffalo Zoo is proud to be home to two baby polar bears. One was born to a mother bear at the zoo and the other was orphaned in Alaska when a hunter killed its mother, not realizing it had a cub. We had heard talk of long lines to see these two but happened to walk by their exhibit 15 minutes before their scheduled emergence from indoors and got to see them with just a few other people. Jesse and I have been fortunate enough to see polar bears in the wild during the summer we met but they still never get old.

Having a snack while looking at the polar bears and then the zebras.

Elliott was excited to get up close to the fish in this big tank. I, on the other hand, was completely terrified of the enormous snake lurking at the other end of the tank. While I really want to travel much of the world, the rivers of the Amazon are beyond my comfort zone.

Running around the new (at least since I was a kid) rainforest area.

Looking at more monkeys with Daddy.

Big giraffes.

We sat so Elliott could have his picnic lunch before his big treat . . . 

Riding on the train!

Elliott was thrilled but this was his facial expression the entire time. Funny kid.

 

P-Apple

Elliott loves pineapple. We don't have it too often because I tend to either buy it and let it rot on the counter or cut it and let it rot in the fridge (sense a theme here?). The pineapples right now are sweet, delicious, and refreshing. Elliott always asks for "more p-apple." Here is a video of his cute word for pineapple.

Father's Day Weekend

For Father's Day weekend, we spent Saturday and Sunday morning in Canada. My parents had a busy weekend of social engagements so we had some Doren family time. (Side note: it's funny when you realize your parents have a more hopping social calendar than you do, and you like it that way.)

Walk on the beach after dinner on Saturday. Humphrey is the dark spot in the distance and that's little Dutch next to Jesse and Elliott.



On Sunday, we headed back near home for a tractor pull. Elliott and I have never been to a tractor pull but Jesse made sure we were all outfitted appropriately before leaving home. We were very disappointed to arrive and learn that it had been canceled due to wet conditions. Jesse explained to me that the pulling tractors can get damaged if the ground is too wet. We had promised Elliott that he would see tractors so we drove a couple of towns over to the local John Deere dealership and walked around the parking lot. Elliott thought it was grand.

When does one go from the John Deere dealership? To Tractor Supply, of course!

Jesse and Elliott tried on hats. 

Look at that love my little boy had for his Daddy. Happy Father's Day, husband. We love you!

Introducing Dutch

For as long as Jesse and I have talked about the future and family, that picture has included a dog. We finally have a canine member of the family. After packing up from camping, we drove to the breeder to pick up our puppy. A few hours later, we settled on the name "Dutch." Jesse and I originally met in New Zealand but reunited in Dutch Harbor, Alaska a few weeks later. That is the origin of Dutch's name.
Settling right in a our house.





Playmates already.

Elliott is excited to have a new friend at home.

Dutch took a drink out of Elliott's pool.

Elliott quickly followed his example. Quite entertaining!

He really liked sleeping on our shoes and bags during the first few days at home.

Elliott checking out "Dutch's house," as he calls it.

Elliott walking Dutch. Or Dutch walking Elliott?