Went to the park with the gang yesterday and we were quite the force there. Six kids under age three, one child navigating with a bag on her head, much adorable PDA, enough picnic food for a village and four mom's wishing someone had remembered the cocktails.
Grandma and Pops came to visit again this weekend. We were actually pretty lax with the picture taking however got at least a back shot of them at the market.
Once we heard they were heading out we immediately began planning a weekend of house projects. Last spring we did phase one of the garden and had a decent crop this summer despite the cool temperatures. This past week we ended up paving around the raised bends. It looks great! Dad says they are coming in January next time as inside house projects are not quite as labor intensive. Hmmm... I'm thinking maybe an entire basement needs painting.
The weather was nuts today. Pouring rain on a run, sun during nap time and then some late afternoon winds which brought out all the windsurfers. Fun to watch. Elizabeth and Jeff made their way out on a very shaky dock. Some large waves swept up and they made a quick exit.
Elizabeth was sporting her sunglasses with mom as we walked on water.
This is her latest pose she likes to strike. She puts those hands on her hips and gives you 'the look'.
We had a great day together as a family. Well mostly great. Elizabeth tends to get overwhelmed when things are a bit chaotic which was the case for a portion of the kids service. She came home exhausted and LOST it.
There was just no consoling her. 
Eventually she went down for a nap and woke up as our lovely child again. Two is such an interesting age. I suppose they all are. 
Elizabeth and I spent Labor Day with Maeve. We have already made two trips to the park and right now they are both tucked in for a lovely little nap. I'm spending a brief moment posting these photos and then I plan to join them in their slumber. I'm not sure that I'll give Maeve back when her mom comes to get her after work. Isn't she sooo snugly!! She has these awesome dimples that you could just get lost in.
There was mountain biking, hiking and a bit o' road biking. Elizabeth was not willing to cooperate here and wanted out to get in the waterfall.
The highlight was the girls and their dolls. There was much nursing, patting and hugging their babies. So fun to watch them giggling together. I love that our girls will grow up together on many a Westie trip.
We managed to yet again celebrate Elizabeth's birthday with more cake and a Princess Two hat made by Carolina.
She spent quite a bit of time dancing in her new 'Toot Toot'.
She woke up this morning asking to ride 'me new red bike'.
Family Trip 2010 from kathleen mcgregor on Vimeo.
Elizabeth is a cautious child. She is not one to jump into the group. She takes her time, evaluates what is happening and eventually she gets in there. It was this way with the pool this weekend and especially the other weekend when we went to the neighborhood wading pool. She clings to me, refusing to participate which is fine. I sit with her in my arms, we talk about what is happening, she makes a few comments, takes my hand but she always finds her way to letting go and getting in the fun.
It takes patients as a parent especially when you (umm I) are the sort that tends to jump in feet first and look back thinking... uh oh what have I done. Then again I am also the sort that LOVES to snuggle and that she does while considering her next move. Oh I love a snuggle.
Jeff played with the girls on a blanket during the ceremony however Lila finally needed to see her mom. Of course this was during the vows but what are you going to do but pick her up and enjoy the moment just the same... or perhaps even more.
As one guest commented... 'it proves we love this couple that we all left the sun and traveled to the pit of clouds on the Washington coast'.
That is Grandma getting her own make over Elizabeth style..
And here is the instigator of this new love of lipstick... trouble trouble.
This is 55 miles from our house. Love the PNW. We spent the weekend camping with friends and quickly realized the amount of STUFF kids 'need'. I mean when you are in the middle of potty training the pot can not be a five minute walk away so along came the kiddos pot.
The river was a hit and once we ferried them across to the beach/wading area they were in heaven.
Laura calls it 'forced family fun'. The McGregor clan was out here for 7-11 days. The first two photos really summarize the trip. There was much joy and there was much exhaustion.
