The Final Days of Summer

Earlier this week we took an afternoon walk down to our beach...we really should do this ALL the time:)

KoOlina Picnic-

Look, I can sit:)

A trip to the Zoo- Abby was a little scared of this giraffe but with Daddy's help she warmed up and never wanted to leave him.

Matt and Mark took Abby and Gavin hiking on the East Side of the island.  Such good dads!

Just hanging around the house...

Abby has rediscovered the Bumbo since we brought it out for Zack .  She hasn't used it since she was 7 months old when her  legs got too big for it.  Now that she stretched out a bit she loves it again!  She always wants to watch Matt cook and "help"  so the Bumbo is perfect and now Matt doesn't have to hold her and cook at the same time.

One of my new favorite pictures of Abby and Zack

Zack's Rolling

Zack rolled over on Tuesday!  I would like to tell you that we were all there cheering him on and is was great to see but the truth is..Matt was out golfing and I laid him down on his back in his play gym and went to grab something out of the car (literally 30 seconds) and when I came back he was on his belly.  For the last 2 weeks he has been rolling over almost all the way but he kept getting stuck on his arm. He finally learned to move the arm out of the way and now he never stops rolling:).   Abby loves to cheer for him and she even gets down to demonstrate her great rolling skills.

Z also like playing in his bouncer for short periods of time.  He still needs some support but  he likes the different perspective and new toys.

4th of July

I totally forgot to post pictures of 4th of July.  It was a VERY low key day since we had just gotten back form our trip the day before.  The Staffaronis were going on the Leeward Coast train which was on our summer to-do list and it was a great incentive to get out of the house for just a little bit.

It was a fun little train and Abby seemed to like it.  Zack enjoyed the forst part and slept on the way back:). Now Abby calls big vehicles i.e busses, trains etc. "choo choos".

Playing Tourist in Waikiki

We watched Jackson for Heidi and Mike's anniversary so they could go hang out by the pool at the Hyatt in Waikiki where they got married and it sounded like such a good idea Matt and I tried it out ourselves.  We went to the newly remodeled Sheraton and got chairs facing the ocean.  It was so nice to have a little shade for Zack and a little sun for us along with a beautiful view of Diamond Head.

Matt and Zack went for a swim too:)

Dinosaurs

We took Abby to see the dinosaurs at Pearl Ridge last week.  She was a little scared to begin with (notice the expression) and then warmed up to the dinosaurs as we walked through and saw the different exhibits.

They had a train and we thought it would be fun for her to ride it...She started out enjoying it until it started moving and taking her away from us into roaring dinosaur land.  Good idea mom and dad!  Luckily, she forgave us and she roars like a dinosaur constantly!  She is very scary...watch out:)

Our First Family of 4 Hike

We have been planning on taking a hike with the kids for a while but something always comes up.  Finally this week we made it and both kids did really well.  Abby really enjoys the outdoors and all the trees (chees). 

Transitions

Yesterday I finally decided just to move the cosleeper out of our room so that I would have no choice but to put Zack in his room when it was time for bed.  I want to get through the transitional stage ( hopefully) before we go back to work in less than 2 weeks...so sad!  He did great to start off with and had no problem going to sleep in his crib which I anticipated but he has been waking up at midnight to eat instead of 3 like he was before our vacation.  I would really like to omit this feeding, which was my intention last night but as soon as I heard him cry I shot out of bed without looking at the clock...I thought it was 3 (wishful thinking) but when I got back to bed after feeding him I realized it was only 12 ugghhh!  Unfortunately he woke up often throughout the night which means mommy didn't get much sleep.  Not a fabulous first night but we will keep trying:).

Random Trip Pics

Our dinner at Pok Pok with Matt and Amy

Abby playing disc golf with her daddy

Abby still asks for Matt constantly!  She LOVES him and Amy.

Grandpa and Zack rooting for Team USA

Abby's first carousel ride...she is hooked!

Another of her favorite "rides"

Abby and I at Cannon Beach

All dressed up:)

Sightseeing outside of Portland

My very happy little man

4 Year Anniversary

Matt and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary on July 2 on our last day in Portland.  My parents and Matt played with the kids and I got to sleep in which was much needed after going strong for the 10 days straight on little sleep (although I am not complaining because we had lots of fun!).  I think everyone benefited from my sleep! 

We spent the afternoon switching hotels and then we attempted to go to "The Grotto", a lush garden outside of Portland, but it was raining (luckily, the first and only rainy day of the trip) so we headed back to the hotel and since both kids fell asleep on the ride home Matt and I took advantage and headed out without much of a plan except spend time together.

Since the rain had eased up we headed back to The Grotto, which was beautiful.  We walked around and enjoyed the tranquil scenery.

We got iPhones for our anniversary (the traditional gift was appliances..this was a close enough fit) so after The Grotto, I used my Yelp! app and found us a wine bar and successfully navigated our way there.  It was perfect.  We had a great glass of red wine and found a great restaurant nearby to have dinner.  It was a simple night out and then we made it home to see the kids, give then baths and put them to bed. 

We ran outside just before it got dark to take our anniversary picture.  We love this one because it is so real; sweatpants, pj's, and a lot of love!

 We also took this one at my cousins wedding that is much more glamorous but we still like the other one better:).

And the original... 4 years ago!

Ben & Lizzy's Wedding

My Cousin Lizzy's wedding was at one of the wineries in Forest Grove.  It was such a perfect setting for a wedding and a great night!  Matt and Amy watched Abby and Zack and Matt and I enjoyed our evening out. 

Lizzy was such a beautiful bride!

Mom, Dad and me

The Hughes Brothers and Sisters

Mom and Me

Hughes Family Gatherings

Instead of getting hotel rooms we opted to get a house and it worked out really nicely.  The house we rented was an 100 year old beautifully restored house.  It had a great porch and yard that was perfect for a few Hughes Family gatherings.  There were tons of games going on constantly, kids running around and lots of good food and wine.  My Aunt Debbie brought salmon from Alaska and Uncle Mike brought the wine and everyone made it an amazing family get together.  No matter how long it is between visits we always pick up right where we left off like no time has passed.

Enjoying the front yard

Rikki, Jazzie and Talia

Aunt Laurie & Mary with Zack

Matt and Aunt Mabel playing cribbage

The newest additions to the Hughes Great Grandchildren crew of 21 ( 11 boys and 10 girls), Zack and Nick

An attempt at a shot of the kids...

Matt and John playing badminton

The guys playing dominoes