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!