I love Saturdays

This past Saturday was especially wonderful for the Yoder family. For this first time this season, and for Farrow ever, we escaped the city and went to play in the snow. We headed up to the mountains early in the morning with our great friend, Mo, and her pooch, Sammie. A few hours of hiking around in the sunshine resulted in 3 happy adults, 1 curious child, and 2 exhausted dogs. The proof can be found below:

What's wrong, Farrow?

Halloween, that's what's wrong. Though we had a great time this past Saturday, Farrow was fed up of her awesome lamb costume after about 45 minutes, which is a significant increase in time from her first lamb debut. For the third year in a row, we joined forces with our neighbors and great friends, the Davis', sat around our fire pit, and handed out candy all night long. We had lots of visitors come by, and had a lovely time chatting with our fantastic neighbors. Here are a few more photos of our evening festivities, including Matt as a very scary bunny, Ava and Farrow getting ready to hit the neighborhood, Big Papi dressed as a businessman, and the Davis/Yoder ladies.

Happy Anniversary

Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

Happy Birthday, Big Papi David Ortiz Yodkamp!

Five years ago today, the Red Sox beat the Cardinals for their first World Series title in 86 years. But more importantly, five years ago today, a sweet little Bernese Mountain Dog was born, who was named Biscuit (seriously). Biscuit was promptly named to honor David Ortiz, and thus Big Papi became a member of our family. Happy Birthday, Big P. Sorry we ignore you.

Babies are busy...

Holy Crow. We've have a big week in the Yoder house. Unfortunately, Matt and/or I have not reached major milestones in one week. We'd be a lot cooler if we had. Instead, we'll let Farrow steal the show once again.

To start, let me just say that I realize this isn't a "milestone" by definition. However, I think this is one of my favorite things she has done to date. At every meal, and usually after every bite, Farrow has starting doing this.

She's always loved a good meal, but it's nice of her to finally really express her joy of dinnertime. Speaking of dinnertime, we realized that she was becoming a bit sensitive to her spoon, so we took a peak and saw that she has finally cut her first teeth! It seems like she has been teething for quite awhile, so it was a relief to see these suckers finally break through. We can see the tips of her two bottom front teeth, and think we feel a few more as well. This girl doesn't mess around ... if you are going to cut one tooth, why not cut four?

And the big news of the week ... just yesterday she took her first steps! In true Yoder form, she's officially "walking" before her 10mth birthday. I have heard that both Matt and his Dad were walking at very early ages, so Farrow should make them very proud. She took just two steps on her own as she was walking towards me, and she did this routine two times! This means that we are battening down the hatches, since Farrow loves exploring. A whole new world ...

And lastly, in celebration of the season, Matt and I took Farrow to a pumpkin patch this past weekend. Even with the freezing temperatures (38 degrees), we had a great time. Farrow loved seeing all the farm animals, and was especially interested in the chickens. Once we arrived to the farm, I immediately reported to some hot apple cider, and then we hopped on the hayride that took us to the patch. Here are some photos of our Saturday morning; we'll post the final products next week, since we are slicing and dicing these guys Thursday night.

Point to the pumpkin, Farrow. Good girl.

We know, it's October ...

First, we have to apologize for being so lame for the last few months, and completely ignoring our blog. The past few months have been crazy busy, per usual. Here are a few highlights:

* We had a Yoder Family Vacation to Oregon and Idaho in early August. Seven days spent "relaxing" at Wallowa Lake and the Paloose, and battling the hottest weather the Seattle area has literally ever seen. We set a city record with 102 degrees, and the Ellen, Jim, Dan and Claire were total troopers as they camped out in our non-air conditioned house. It was great to have the entire family travel west. Here's a shot of Farrow traveling up Kamiak Butte for the first time - not a quite a 100%-er just yet.

* Farrow had another photo shoot by our amazing photographer friend, Kirsten. Matt was out of town for this one, so Big Papi stood in as the male figure of our family. Once again, Kirsten totally blew our minds with these amazing shots. Here are a few of our favorites:

* We just returned from another trip, this time we headed back east for Farrow to meet her east coast friends and family. This was her first trip to the Cape and Rhode Island, so we had to visit a list of pretty important people. We were lucky enough to be on the Cape when little Hendrik Schomp was born, so Matt, Farrow and I made a quick trip to Boston to welcome the newest member of the Schomp family. She was great on the long, not-so-direct flights, and we had a great time visiting New England in the early fall.

* And now it's October! Farrow is creeping up on 10mths, and continues to be a healthy, happy, hungry and active little girl. She's crawling, climbing everything (including our stairs), pulling herself up to a standing position using Big Papi, talking more, eating everything, and battling her first cold with grace. She's using product on her hair these days, of course, and is eager to explore this world around her. Needless to say, Matt and I are having so much fun with her. Each day is a new adventure, and I don't think that's going to end anytime soon. Here are some recent shots of the lady of the house:

Missouri

Last week we got back from our first family trip to Missouri. Farrow got to meet the Hoerstkamp side of the family, and made her first trip out of the state of Washington. Unfortunately our trip started with an over night lay over in Dallas. I say unfortunately not because we had an overnight layover, but that Farrow has already been to Texas.

Speaking of the first flight, Farrow could not have been better. We may have a traveller on our hands. She was laughing and cooing at nearby passengers, and was very curious of her surroundings. Alexia, our nanny, suggested we dress her cute so people would be nice to us on the plane. So we did, and as soon as we got through security in Seattle, she crapped through her cute outfit. Too bad. Luckily, her general cuteness and calm nature won over our neighbors in 11 A and 11 B. That and she slept through 80% of both flights. Good girl.

Once we actually made it to Missouri, it was non-stop action. It wasn't quite the 30 person BBQ I had on my first trip, but over the course of the 5 days, Farrow saw her first cousins again, and second cousins, great aunts, great uncles, as well as Teri's best friends from high school. There was plenty of food, lots out bocce, and the Grandparents allowed Teri and I to get to a movie.

Farrow also experienced humidity for the first time. And guess what, her hair is very curly. We've seen it wet before and it curls up, but it was funny to watch it get all crazy as the hot, midwestern days took their toll. Farrow would also like to thank Ryan and Holly for teaching her the Hoerstkamp ropes.

When we returned, we entered the world of teething. So far, not terrible, but she's clear in pain. However, we also returned to Farrow recognizing Big Papi to the point that she laughs when BP walks in a room, and reaches to grab his fur to pet him when he walks by. Teri loves it.

Summer comes this weekend. We're looking at 16 hours of daylight. The sun's out late, the grill's burning hot, and the garden's growing lush. It was a great trip to Missouri and thanks to all the Hoerstkamps. But we're also happy to be home.

Play Ball

Yikes. It's been a while.

Today we went to the Red Sox and Mariners game. It was Farrow's first experience with professional sports, and though the Red Sox lost, the game was exciting and fun. We dressed her up correctly, and taught her how a to score a 6-4-3 double play. The Red Sox had plenty of them. When all is said and done, I think she'll be a Mariner's fan.

Clean Bill of Health

25.5 inches

13lbs 9oz

4 months

And everything is going really great, according to Dr. Kassab. She's just learned to laugh and entertains us with it daily. She eats, she sleeps, and is really playful. We're really lucky. She's happy, healthy, and lives in a house with a giant sasquatch in the backyard. Plus winter's over and it's light until she falls asleep. Not a bad life for this little girl.

Not a bad life for the parents either. For the first summer in 9 years, Teri is not traveling for work. She could not be happier. And so far, I only have to go to San Diego again for ComiCon. We've got a few trips planned, and a few of you are coming out, but we're looking at a summer of just hanging out in Seattle. So come visit.

The Sisteen Garage

At the beginning of March we got very excited because a muralist in Ballard said he would paint our alley garage. On a lark, we sent him an email because we had seen his stuff on various buildings, and structures in Ballard and Fremont. We really thought it was fun and bright, innocent and cartoon like. But it also looked just unique enough to have a specific voice.

His name is Ryan Henry Ward (more about him here: http://www.seattlepi.com/visualart/400609_muralist19.html). And he showed up this weekend and painted these AWESOME murals on all four sides of our garage.

He is friendly, has a cool dog, and cool back story. He's been painting in schools in the area this winter, but as the sun came out this month, so did he. We were lucky enough to be on his list.

Yesterday, 8 different neighbors came by to check it out. Apparently, we're going to get some traffic down our alley. That's cool and all, but we're mostly excited for Farrow to name her new pet Sasquatch.

Thanks again to Ryan for finding time in his schedule to transform our molding, battleship gray garage, into something bright and whimsical. We hope to see him around.

Happy 60th Birthday Dad

That's right. He turned 60 on Sunday while flying to China with mom. Not a bad birthday.

Spring Break (pics to come - sorry. ok)

It's been a little bit since I have written anything. Since the first week of March, we've had a stream of visitors that just ended last week. Dan was here for about 5 days at the beginning of March. It's always good to have him out here. He was excited to meet Farrow for the first time, and she didn't know what was going on. She's friendly though, so we assume she enjoyed meeting her Uncle. Uncle Dan will probably be a very cool for Farrow.

Dan and I now joke about how we have now achieved the goals we had as children - living as far away from each other as possible. He in Miami, I in Seattle. But it is a sad joke, because these days when we see each other it is always a great time. During his visit, Sally, and Non came out to meet Farrow as well. We had four generations of Yoders under one roof for a while. It was as if a comet, eclipse, and meteor shower happened at once.

We'll see Dan again this summer as the whole family is heading out to Oregon for our trip to Wallowa Lake. It will be nice to see him again, but not soon enough.

Likewise with Farrow's other uncle and his family. Earlier this month Craig, Missie, Ryan, and Holly came out to meet their new niece and cousin. By the time they made it out here, Farrow was smiling and sleeping more, even laughing sometimes as well. Holly and Ryan were great with her, helping dress and play with her. Farrow is excited she has some cousins, and hopefully will see them in June.

It was a fun trip that spanned over Easter. There was a community Easter egg hunt, a whale watching trip, and a hike along the beach where we found a giant starfish. Besides Teri consistently losing in Yahtzee, everyone had a great time.

Both Grandmothers have been by in the past 6 weeks too. Each for different 5 day spans, they spent the entire time spoiling Farrow and relieving Teri as she got ready to start up work again. That transition has been smooth. Teri has been a total trooper in adjusting to work. She has found the perfect situation and is able to work from home but have a part time baby sitter that Farrow goes to about 24 hours a week.

So I am sorry for the lack of posts. We've got some great things happening as we move toward summer. Expect more. like the one I am about to post.

Small IS Beautiful

Farrow received an awesome hoodie from our great friend Suzy. She was sporting it quite nicely yesterday, so I decided to snap a photo and send along to Suzy. This is such a great laugh, I just had to post it.

Farrow just completed her first week at our new nanny share, and it's gone quite well. The family that we have partnered up with are really great, and their son, who is 1 yr old, is so sweet and apparently really enjoys "playing" with Farrow. It seems like this set up is going to work out perfectly. Huzzah!

The End Result

A few weeks ago we had a reunion with the couples from our Birth Prep Class. It was wonderful to learn that everyone had a safe birth, and now have a healthy little babe. We were able to get them to sit together for about two seconds, and we have the photo to prove it. From the oldest (Farrow, at 11 weeks) to the youngest (Braden, 4 weeks), it's a joy to introduce the next generation of Seattlites!

Farrow's Friends

Last weekend we all gathered to celebrate the engagment of our good friends Doug and Kayko. While celebrating, we were able to capture the first of many shots of Farrow and her Seattle BFFs, Parker and Ryder. I can't wait to force them to be the best of friends!

Farrow, meet the Yoders!

Farrow had a very busy weekend this past week. She was fortunate enough to meet her Great Grandmother Non (please refer to the photo to your left) visiting from Ohio, Great Aunt Sally visiting from San Diego, and her Uncle Dan who made the cross country trek from Miami. A pretty impressive and important list of people!

We'll be sure to post some more photos of Farrow meeting Dan once we get the pictures from him. For those of you who know Dan, you know there are some classic shots.

After a weekend of family (including an house open with Cousin Steve) and friends (two house parties) Farrow has been sleeping like a champ, reaching a record of 8 consecutive hours. Matt has left the ladies of the house for the next few days, as he heads to the midwest for the annual March Madness trip. I only have one thing to say about this ... MIZ-ZOU!

Let's go Tigers!

We're on a Roll.

So, these murals have been popping up all over Ballard in the past year. They are painted by a local artist named Ryan Henry Ward. I've noticed them a lot because I pass a couple of them everyday on my way to work. They're fun and bright, lighthearted and are big enough they really brighten up the neighborhood. I really like them a lot. Info here:

http://www.myballard.com/2008/08/12/murals-popping-up-around-ballard-fremont/

Anyway, on the same day I sent an email to the radio show about Iceland, Teri read about this guy and decided to write him. He's been written up in Seattle Magazine, The Stranger, Seattle Times and couple ofhter local blogs.

You see we painted our house a while back but didn't paint our garage because we thought we might someday push it down. Well, that hasn't happened, and it needs to be painted. And after a nice email from Teri, Henry has decided to do it. All four sides this month however he wants to do it. Here are more of his murals:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ryan+henry+ward&m=text

We are basically getting this done for free and are really excited. I have no idea if it is going to be robots or weird animals or what. All we asked was that it was bright and cartoon-y. Photos when it is finished. Anything to keep our home value up!