No More Obama Babies

I try not to talk politics on this blog, but I just want to give my two cents about a recent trend I find kind of annoying. Maybe some think it's cute, but I grow weary of seeing 6 month old babies with a picture of Barack Obama on their onesie that says "Obama Baby" or "My Mama's for Obama." I haven't seen anyone in a McCain onesie, maybe because McCain doesn't rhyme with Mama or Dada. Or, maybe it's because there are roughly two Republicans in the greater-Seattle area and one of them is writing this post.
Regardless, whether you like Obama or McCain, put a sticker on your car, wear a pin, stick a sign in your yard, or dress up like your favorite candidate for Halloween. But please, oh please, don't turn your kid into a walking (or crawling) billboard.
p.s. I saw an even worse onesie today. It had a picture of President Bush that said "President Poopyhead." What's wrong with us? What are we teaching our children? The lack of respect we have for authority just amazes me.

Is it just me, or is this more creepy than cute?

We got a Vizio

We purchased a new tv this weekend, and Will has been excited that he can now reach the screen and give binkies to all the cartoon characters who may be in need:



Jane has her own seat so that she doesn't miss out on any of the action:

Boys vs. Girls

I'm constantly reminded of what a boy Will is. He could care less if he's dirty, struggles to understand the meaning of "gentle" and loves loud noises.
A couple recent examples of this:
-We blew up a few balloons for Will to play with. He quickly proceeded to pop them all with his fingernails and didn't blink an eye when they popped. I have always hated the anticipation of a balloon about to pop and jumped out of my skin each time Will popped a balloon, even though I knew it was coming.
-Today we visited the Salmon Hatchery in Issaquah. Although it's great that there are spawning grounds for these salmon to return to, it's pretty brutal to watch how they dispose of these fish who have worked so hard to make it back to their home to spawn. There are a bunch of guys waiting to catch the fish as they finally make it to the hatchery, who then proceed to beat them over the head with clubs until they're dead and then cut them open and remove their eggs.
Yeah, it must be done and it's natural for them to die and yadah yadah yadah, but I still was on the verge of tears and couldn't make myself watch them club those poor fish and then fillet them. Being the boy that he is, Will couldn't get enough of the action. "More, More?" he kept saying.

Will and Pa watching fish be killed (notice the bucket of fish next to him):


Will and Johnny enjoying the less bloody part of Salmon Days last weekend:


Gretchen's Birthday dinner:

For old times sake

This weekend, we were reminiscing about Carlton's dance moves from the 90's tv show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I proceeded to demonstrate my Carlton impression and Phil Painter didn't think I was doing it right. After finding this video, I think I was pretty good. What do you think, Phil? This one's for you!

Rainier

This weekend we enjoyed a gourmet meal at the house of Chef Andrew Barfoot, after which we watched the Huskies go 0-3 (or is it 0-4)?
Today, we made the most of a beautiful day and went to Mt. Rainier with The Simons, the Farleys, Rick and Gale Paul and Phil and Leah Painter. It was free-day at the park which was a bonus, and we actually managed to go for a 3 mile hike with all the kids at the Sunrise lookout point. Clara seemed to do well in the bjorn, and Jane was sacked out the whole time in our front pack. Will rode in the back pack and in various people's arms during the trek. Rainier has been special to us ever since we got engaged there back in 2003 and we've managed to make it up there every year since.
In the past week, Will has added many new words to his vocabulary including dirt, purple, orange, hook (when he wants to watch Peter Pan), and gentle (which we've been trying to teach him ever since his sister was born).

Captain Will

Phil & Will enjoying the view

Attempting a family picture

with Leah

Clara having some carrots at the picnic

part of the group

The Exersaucer Milestone

Jane is starting to hit some developmental milestones (holding head up, trying to roll over). She is now strong enough to go in the exersaucer (for all you non-parents, it's a little saucer with a seat in the middle) and it made me reminisce back to Will's first experience back in April of 2007. Man, does time fly!

Will, April 2007




Jane, September 2008

Happy Birthday, Dad (aka Pa, or Papa)

Here are some pics from our b-day celebration for Dad:

The kid's table

Don't forget Janie!

Snuggling
Will and Evan
Here's a video of our adorable niece, Evan singing her version of "Happy Birthday"

Another video, this time of Will and Evey playing on a chair together