Minnesota

I had a nice trip to Minnesota visiting family this past week. I was accompanied by my sister, Gretchen and her boyfriend, Jackson. We had a great time driving through the state and enjoying what the Big MN has to offer. We spent our first night in Grand Rapids enjoying the hospitality and company of my Uncle Tom and Aunt Sally. The remainder of our trip was spent up north in Bemidji where my cousins and dear grandparents live. It was such a treat to spent hours of uninterrupted time with them. I'm so glad that I was able to make the trip. Many thanks to my wonderful husband, parents and in-laws for making it so easy for me to get away. I don't think the kids even knew I was gone!
Here, in no particular order, are some pictures from the trek:
Gretchen and Grandpa

With the car that we put plenty of miles on

at Lake Itasca

Gretchen and Jackson with Uncle Tom and Aunt Sally in Grand Rapids, MN

G&G with Babe and Paul Bunyan

Gretchen and I with Grandma, Grandpa and a Viking

a shrine to Marilyn Monroe at good ol' Applebees (yes, we got the 2/$20)

at the Keg and Cork in Bemidji with our cousin, Erica

A Dream Come True

We took the kids to a city-sponsored event at a local community center tonight. Jane thoroughly enjoyed walking around with her free balloon and cotton candy. The highlight for Will was touring "emergency vehicles" (as he likes to call them) and talking with real-live police officers. He was VERY excited! On the way home, he said, "Mommy, forgot to tell police officers that I love them."
We responded, "Don't worry, Will. I think they knew." :-)

Will checking out the police cars


Sharing a snow cone and cotton candy

Will showing a Police Officer the police cars that he brought

Jane enjoying her first experience with cotton candy

Summer Days

We've had a beautiful and hot summer in Seattle so far. What the Simon fam has been up to lately: days at the beach, fun in the kiddy pool and at the Klahanie pool, lots of baby showers and weddings, golfing, a week spent in the a/c at my parent's house, and the unfortunate discovery of a nut allergy for Will.
Recent photos:











Brie (due late August) and her wonderful mom, Carol

with Leah, who is due mid-September

Clauson Family Reunion at Suncadia

We just returned from a family reunion at Suncadia Resort near Cle Elum, WA. The Clauson Family (my mother-in-law, Nedra's side) gathered together for a wonderful time celebrating Grandma Mary and her legacy. There were 32 in the group including 10 of Grandma's Great-Grands (Ben-3, Caleb-3, Timmy-2, Will-2, Cadence-2, Brielle-2, Clara-1, Jane-1, Maddie-8 months, Peyton-3 months).
The Whole Clan

Grands and Great-Grands (minus Luke, Kerri and their four kids who couldn't make it to the reunion)

Janie and Clara

giving Grandma a pedicure

Some of the cousins at the park (Will and his cousin, Timmy are only 2 days apart!)

Clauson siblings

Ride in the golf cart

Family Walk

Will and Uncle Dave reading

Snuggling on the couch

Happy Fourth

We had a wonderful 4th celebrating at Lake Tapps. I think the kids were in heaven--lots of attention from our wonderful friends and family, lots of sun/pool time and plenty of delicious food. We love being Americans and are grateful for all of the sacrifices that have been made to make our country what it is today.

Laundry List

This was one of those weeks where if someone were to ask me what we did, I might not have a whole lot to list. And that was kind of nice! More and more I'm realizing that life and especially parenting is about the little things. Take last night for example. After dinner, I took Will to the grocery store on a "special trip," we played out in the yard, read together as a family, played "Good guy-bad guy" for about an hour, put the kids down and then John and I spent some time together without the kids. We didn't DO a lot, but it was a meaningful night spent loving our kids and each other. I like those kinds of days!
Here are some recent photos: