Last Week Before School

For the longest time we thought that Michael only had 2 weeks off between semesters, so imagine our excitement in discovering that he had another week off. Because he didn't know he had this extra time off he wasn't scheduled to work so we got to have fun this week. Dade was already in love with his dad and this week really made him more attached to Michael. It is especially good that Michael is home this week since Dade has been increasing his steps every day. Today he is up to four steps at a time! It's almost impossible to get a video though since he walks at such random times. If we try to stand him up to walk to the other parent, he just plops down to crawl.
So here is what we have been up to the last week or so. Last Thursday we went to the Seattle Art Museum to visit the Inspiring Impressionism exhibit. For the first time I listened to the audio clips that they have explaining the paintings, and I have to say that I got a whole lot more out of the experience. Michael was great and mostly wrangled Dade. He said that the guards glared at him all the time, which is just ridiculous since Dade wasn't even screaming.
On Friday we went to Sarah and Jon's house for the 4th. Michael bought a little $10 grill from Lowes so that we could grill up some chicken kabobs that we put together.
Here is a picture of Michael trying to light some charcoal (with Madeline's help). We brought some little fireworks for Madeline, but found out after we got there that they are illegal in Redmond. So we just did a few sparklers, snappers, and snakes.
On Monday we went to the Seattle Zoo and had a really great time. Dade was a lot more interested in the animals this time around. Especially the petting zoo. Michael helped him not grab hold of the goats too hard. He was just cracking up the whole time that he got to pet them. It was fun because all the ladies that worked there were laughing too. I enjoy Dade so much, and it's fun to see other people smile at him.

And here is a picture of the whole family that a nice lady took for us. It's nice to actually have a picture of me with the family since I'm usually the one behind the lens. This picture definitely shows just how pale the Watson's are. You can't even really see Dade. oh well.Dade also got to ride the Carousel with Michael, and loved that as well. I think it's funny that he doesn't get scared with new things that are loud and move fast, but if you laugh too loud all of the sudden he will cry.

Then on Tuesday we went to Howarth Park in Everett. We parked in the wrong lot for going to the beach and had quite a hike through the woods carrying bags and wearing sandals. This was Dade's first experience in the Puget Sound, and even though the water was freezing he had fun for little while.

I think that Dade had just as much fun on his Dad's shoulders after we got him dressed as he did in the water. Really Dade loves to people watch and meet dogs. On Tuesday night I went to Redmond to my sister Sarah's book club and had a really good time discussing Queen Noor's Autobiography. Then last night I went to my own ward's book club and voted on what books to keep on the list and which to change. I really like having two groups of really amazing women to discuss literature with. Tomorrow I plan on making Strawberry pie, and maybe we'll go back to the Green Lake wading pool.
It's been a great week and I'm not looking forward to Michael being back in school. I think he is kind of ready to get back to work because he is so close to finishing.
Lets end this post on a positive note - My Mom flies in tomorrow to spend two weeks with Sarah's family and us. I'm sure I couldn't be more excited.
Love,
Joy

Here is a video of Dade's first time in the water.