Uncle Mark's visit

My brother Mark was in town for a few days. We went out to lunch and took him to the airport to go back to Spokane today. Here's a few pictures to document our short visit.

Zachary's Baptism Weekend

Our weekend in San Mateo. Our nephew and god son Zach was baptized and we flew to SFO for the occasion. Papa, Grandma Mary, Lolo (Zach's Grandpa), Lola (Zach's Grandma), Zach's Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Rory, plus many more friends were there for the occasion. On Saturday we got to see the progress that's been made on Lauri and Renato's new home. All the demo work had been completed and they basically now have an inhabitable home, but oh the beauty it will be once it's finished. :) Again, Jeffrey was wonderful for both flights to and back from California. We tell ourselves everyday how lucky we are to have such a great baby boy. He is so patient with us, loving, happy, sweet and don't forget, so gosh darn cute.

My boys

Zachary's Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Rory

The happy family: Lauri, Sofia, Zachary and Renato

Streetcar Unveiling

Here's a photo of the streetcar that will run through John's job once completed. There was an unveiling ceremony a week ago when the car arrived. In the background you can see the maintenance facility they're also constructing for the streetcar system. All the track work is complete, what's left is getting power lines for the cars tested, platform shelters for commuters installed and lots of small clean-up projects. They rebuilt many areas of the streets the cars will be running on so part of some of the clean-up work is finishing curbs/sidewalks and such. It looks great and we can't wait to see the finished product in December. :)

A look at the streetcar and maintenance facility in the background. Also, a glimpse of the track work.

A closer look at la familia

Watch out Jeffrey, YOU'RE GOING TO GET HIT!!!

He's OK. :) Posing in his new all terrain stroller. Great for our dirt road walks in the sticks where we live. :)

I'm Back

Well it's been almost a month since I've posted anything. Falling behind, but only because we've been busy, busy, busy as usual. John has been working around the clock to get the streetcar ready for testing in Seattle. He's really feeling the pressure so cars will be up and running for the public this Christmas shopping season. They'll make it, but not without some long hours. Hence, Jeffrey and I took a week in Spokane to visit my family since we wouldn't be seeing much of John. We missed him tremendously. Thankfully, this last weekend we flew to SFO as a family to visit John's sister and her family again for Zachary's baptism. It was a wonderful weekend with John's family and especially the time we got to spend with each other. Now we're back to the grind stone again, but give it a month and we'll have John back (probably more then we want - hehe). Here are some pictures from over the past month....enjoy. Can you believe Jeffrey is almost 6 months old?!!! He's just starting to get the hang of holding his own bottle up without help. I feel like he doesn't need me anymore now. :)

Following pictures were taken on a walk we took down Manito Blvd in Spokane. A very beautiful streel on the south hill ending at Manito Park.

Jeffrey with Great Grandma's dog, Cindy

Great Grandma and Jeffrey in the rose garden at Manito Park

Gramdma and Jeffrey in the rose garden

Alki Beach Walk

Today, Jeffrey and I met Leah, Kate and Deb at Alki for a walk. It was a beautiful day to be spending time by the water walking in the sunshine. Be careful, it won't be long before fall roles in and days like this will be hard to come by.

I can't believe this weekend is Labor Day. Most kids go back to school on Tuesday. It will be odd not teaching at all this year. I love working and the schedule it hold you to. I actually feel like I get more accomplished in a day when I'm working knowing home time isn't as easy to come by and I use that time more wisely. Now, I know there's always tomorrow to finish that one last load of laundry. :)

I think I will try to be more diligent with a workout schedule. That might be what gets Jeffrey and I more scheduled this fall. They have baby and mommy swim workouts at the pool as well as the stroller strides workouts (which are wonderful but just as expensive to attend as joining a gym). Both these are at the Issaquah Community Center. I like how they are trying to give mom's options to workout since they don't offer daycare services.

Anyways, here's some pictures of Leah, Grandma Deb, and Kate - Three generations. They look great and isn't Seattle a gorgeous city! :)

Goodbye Dr. Vidal

Jeffrey has had the most wonderful pediatrician since he was born, but unfortunetally she's moving to the east coast with her family. She was very personable, gave us great advice and treated Jeffrey wonderfully. We will trully miss her.

Our doctors appointment on Monday we weighed Jeffrey at 18 lb 2oz and 26 incches.

Good Morning

Jeffrey is such a delight in the mornings. We were just wrapping up breakfast on Sunday and John grabbed a few shots of me with my sweet little guy.

GO HAWKS

On Saturday, we received some tickets to one of the Seahawk's preseason games. It was Jeffrey and my first Seahawk's game. We sat in the bleacher seats at the end of Qwest field and the were sooo high and the climb was so steep. It was quite scary once you sat down, because it felt like if you moved a bit too far farward you would topple over hundreds of feet onto the field. I must say, the seats had an exceptional view as you can see from the pictures.

Visiting Grandpa

This last Friday, Jeffrey and I had breakfast with Amanda, Leah and Kate, saw John at work and then spent the afternoon at Papa's house where we later went out to mexican with John and Grandma Mary. Here's a picture of the boys - Papa, Dad and Jeffrey

First Food

Well Jeffrey is really getting into eating. We've had him eating a little rice cereal for the last few weeks and today we tried prunes. He ate them like a champ and I think wanted more. :) Here's a look at what I get to look forward to from here on out. FUN.

San Mateo here we come

We just returned from a short week in San Mateo, CA where John's sister, Lauri, and her family live. This was Jeffrey's first airplane ride and he did wonderfully!! On our way to SFO from Seattle our flight was delayed for two hours - recipe for disaster with an infant. To our surprise he was a seasoned traveler on his way to see his cousins Sofia and Zachary. :)

We had a great time during our visit. We left Wednesday afternoon and met everyone at their new house they just got posession of. Lauri and Renato are in the midst of planning for renovating this new house and it was fun to get the creative juices flowing. Thursday, John left for a conference in Napa so Jeffrey and I spent the day with Uncle Renato, Sofia and Zach. We walked to Peet's for coffee and breakfast and the headed over to the park where Sofia showed off her advanced climbing skills. Later, we spent some time at their current house for naps and a bit of time in the swing. :)

Boarding the plane to San Mateo

Waking up the next morning with Sofia and Jeffrey

Jeffrey after our time at the park. :)

Time in San Mateo

John returned on Friday where we spent time at the pool with all the kids - lots of fun and my favorite thing to do (especially when it's sunny!). That evening we took a picnic to a local park and listened to some live music. Saturday was our last day. We dropped Renato off to play tennis and the rest of us went out to breakfast and enjoyed some time at the park together. Again, Sofia demonstrated her climbing skills, we took a walk and before leaving, spent time at the water fountain where Sofia HAD A BLAST!! It was dancing water and I don't think I've heard a little girl laugh so hard so much. :)

After our time at the park we had lunch at a burger joint called Jeffrey's. Sofia jokes, "Jeffrey, did you have lunch at Jeffrey's today? Hehe." That evening Lauri fixed us a fabulous dinner with salmon and risotto (with help from her assistant - me). We spent more time hashing out a kitchen layout for their new home and went to sleep.

We had a wonderful time and always look forward to seeing them again.

Sofia playing with her cousin Jeffrey

Waiting for our table to eat breakfast

Jeffrey and John at the park after our picnic

Sofia at the park

Jeffrey with his Boys Club hat on. It says, "No girls allowed. Moms are okay." :)

Sofia and the Water Fountain

As I said, Sofia had a blast at the water fountain. Look at that diaper!! :)

More Kate pictures

The weekend after Kate was born we went to visit the new addition. She's doing lovely. :)

And here she is...

Here's Kate at not even a full day old. :) Leah, Anthony and Kate are doing well.

She's here!!

We got the best news tonight. Leah and Anthony had their baby girl and named her Kate Irene. She was born at 7 p.m. on August 6 and weighs 8 lb. 4 oz. We haven't seen her yet, but will be paying them a visit tomorrow!! :) Of course I'll post pictures soon.

What's funny is Becky and Kyle hosted a dinner the weekend before we had Jeffrey and now it looks like Kate was born the week after dinner at Becky and Kyle's too! They must have something in the water - or some damn fine barbequing by Kyle. :)

Mom and baby are doing well. I can't help but think if she will someday be Kate Irene Boknecht in 20 some years. :)

Happy 30th Becky!!

Here are some pictures of Becky's 30th birthday!! We had a wonderful time!! :)

Jeffrey with his peeps.

Becky and nephew Tristan

Becky with nephews Joey and Tristan

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you