Santa Here We Come

The Boys visited with Santa and his Reindeer at the Everett Childrens Museum on Saturday. I would say the did pretty well with the jolly old fellow. Here are some of the photos...

Man - 3 months over due.....
Nolan is nearly 10 months old, Liam 2.5 and Samantha is 13.5:) :) :) ...I swore I was going to be better about this.
Oh well. So it goes... here are some photos of fun in the snow from last week :) :) The kids really enjoyed it.

Happy 7 Months Nolan Joseph!!!

September is here?!??! Yes September has arrived, Samantha is back in school and likes all of her teachers. She was heavily recruited to be the softball team manager again this year and accepted the position. Will make for a rather full fall but she will enjoy herself I am sure.

Nolan has turned 7 months old this weekend. He is a wonderful baby and is getting better about being out and about during the dinner hour - thank goodness. He has a laugh that can bring a smile to even the grumpiest of grumpies. He is ready to start crawling if only he could get his belly off of the ground. Mom and Dad tried to assist him today and that resulted in a laughing baby whose face was on the carpet. Go figure. Also exciting in Nolan's world today was the wonderful 5/8 crushed rock shower his brother bestoed upon him. I was outside planting mums with the boys, slightly distracted but keeping an eye on them. Liam was playing in the rocks and Nolan was hanging out in the good ole Bumbo chair (Katie - he still likes sitting in it) and I turned to find Liam dumping rocks over Nolan. Nolan thought it was pretty fun and no tears were shed but I did explain to Liam that we don't put rocks on people's heads. All of these rules.

Though the rain on Saturday morning put an end our hopes to go to the Mukilteo Lighthouse festival, we found a close second and took the kids to the mall... the play area there is good for at least an hour and I think all three kiddos enjoyed themselves. Later that day, Mom, Liam and Nolan hung out at home and David & Samantha went dream shopping for RVs. Later Samantha accompanied her Dad to the Drive In - though it is reported Samantha didn't see more than 20 minutes of each movie.

We are looking forward to a relaxing fall and some cooler weather. Stay tuned. http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AaM2jJs1cM2Qg A few recent photos....

Birthdays, Drive- Ins and Fairs - Oh My!!!

Another busy weekend for the Callahan Trio...Friday night was something new, Samantha babysat for the first time - well other than hanging out at the house while David & Jessi went down to the Booth's. She did great - got Liam off to bed and knew just when to call. Where o where were Mom & Dad off to? A night at the Drive-In for a double feature that Jessi couldn't miss of Talladega Nights and Miami Vice.

Saturday morning - we were off and running. The Callahans and the Larsens were joining forces again to attend the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden. It was wonderful - the crowds were completely managable and we got to see the largest bull ever - the darn thing weighed over 3000 pounds...that is a mighty big slab of beef. We also got the see a calf that was only hours old. Amazing! Liam was much more brave this year and asked some of the FFA girls if he could touch a cow. He also wooed the 4H seeing eye dog gals and gave each of the puppies in training hugs good bye. Nolan was kicking back in his favorite place to be - the backpack and eventually fell asleep. Samantha was a trooper and hung out with us even though we had to cut the day short and she didn't get to go on any rides. We all decided that we like the fair and will attend next year as well, but will hopefully bring a friend for Samantha.

After the fair we headed up for a dose of Callahan kin. We visited with David's sister Amanda, husband Dave and their kiddos. Despite the busy schedules - we got to see all of the kids which was wonderful. Liam and Aaron really hit it off, I think Aaron liked being the older boy - since he is the baby. Liam enjoyed taking turns on the tramp and driving a big tractor with his Uncle Dave. Samantha got to hang out with her two older girl cousins which is always a treat.

Sunday was Torrae's first birthday party. Ivan and Jen held it at Hovander Park in Ferndale. We had a wonderful spot in the shade and a great view of the play area. Torrae did a wonderful job of eating her first bit of cake and got it all over. Happy happy birthday my sweet niece. http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b33d6b59c465&sid=8IcMmzVqycveA Some photos of Jen, Christian and Torrae's birthday - Go August!!!!

Mmm lunch time....
Liam & Connor kicking back....
Fun with the ball pit!!
Starbucks sized for toddlers
Samantha, Liam and Connor driving away....

What a great weekend!!!! If life was like the movie Groundhog Day, I would want this past weekend to be the one to repeat.

Saturday the trio and Mom joined Meri, Connor and Adrienne (who was in town from Washington DC) at the Taste of Edmonds. The weather was perfect and with the kiddos covered in sun screen and Nolan trying out the backpack for the first time we ventured to find some fun for teens, toddlers and moms. The Taste fit the bill. I will have photos soon...I didn't bring my camera but Miss Meri did and will be providing me with some photos. Liam and Connor tried out the bouncy house ball pit and had a great time together. Samantha and Adrienne went down a huge slide and thru the obstacle course. We entertained the fireman who had an ambulance on display and Nolan and I took a trip down memory lane looking inside it.

Sunday the Liam, Nolan and Mom & Dad joined the Larsen Clan at the Woodland Park Zoo. This was Owen's first trip to the zoo and he spent a good portion of the time awake, much to Pauli & Mike's excitement, still waiting to hear if that caused a restful night sleep for all. Austin & Liam were once again a force to be reckoned with and greatly enjoyed the new Zoomazium that opened ealier this summer. Thinking that the Callahan Clan may need to ask Santa for a membership this year. Nolan was a champ spending the better portion of two days in the backpack and I think he really enjoyed the experience and point of view. Highly recomend this way of transporting over the front pack. Here are some photos courtesy of Mike & Pauli. Enjoy!!! http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=1AZtWrhi1ZsXFA

Ness Cranes Family Picnic
The annual Ness Cranes Family Picnic was held on Sunday and while the weather looked a little iffy in the morning the day turned out terrific. We had the camera with us, but didn't know it and missed some incredible photo ops. Liam and David began the day by sliding down the HUGE inflatable slide. Seriously where was the camera. David played in the softball game while I hung out with the boys, Liam loved the slide and was quite the trooper hanging with the big kids. Later he attempted to climb up the climbing wall, but I had to hold onto him as the hydrolic system wouldn't recognize weight under 40 pounds. What we would have done had he climbed to the top we don't know. Then it was off to the pony rides, Liam was somewhat skeptical at first but decided to have a go at it and loved it. Looked quite at home atop the pony when they came back up the trail. Liam gave a go at the family games as well. He tried to do the potato sack race, but only ended up falling and then the water balloon toss with mom. We need to work on throwing a bit. He made quite an impression by turning out for nearly everything. Nolan was quite happy just taking in the sites and napping in the front pack. The Callahan family also won a little something in the drawing and we are looking forward to letting Liam go on a shopping trip to Toys R Us. Wahoo!
Soooo soooo bummed I have no photos to post.

Waiting Waiting...

So right now, I am soooo thankful that both of my boys arrived early. I am awaiting the birth of my good friend Katie's kiddo and last I heard, though she was supposed to be induced yesterday they had no bed for her. Katie- I am thinking about you and hope that July 11 is the birthday for Baby D. Hope all goes well with labor! Can't wait to hear the news, but not as much as I know you can't wait.

Also on the horizon is the birth of my nephew Owen. Pauli had an ultrasound yesterday and the boy is a nice healthy size. Sounds like he will arrive a bit early sometime this week. Thinking about you too Pooh.

The Callahan Family Reunion

Every other year Moses Lake is taken over by the Callahan Clan, at least 4 generations of Callahans gather and spend the weekend hanging out poolside and giving waitresses a run for their money.

We have managed to have the youngest Callahan 4 years running, though Lyndie was pregnant with Robert last time around. So Liam may not have been the "youngest." All of the kids had a great time and Samantha met us at the motel to come back home for the rest of the summer. Liam was sooooo excited to see her.

Here are a few photos of the event. We are looking forward to next year and seeing how the family changes.

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Oh the Fourth of July







Well, here it is the photo of the boys in matching Old Navy Ts...love those $5.00 t-shirts, this could really become a bad habit. We spent the 4th at our friends and neighbors the Booth Family. It was a great time and Bob treated us to some amazing Margarita's - their house speciality. This branch of the Callahan family didn't watch much of the fireworks, in bed too early. Maybe next year we will take the day after the 4th off so we can stay up with the kiddos.


I decided to try a jello cake recipe I saw in Better Homes & Gardens and while the top of the cake was supposed to be a flag for the 4th - I stepped outside of my box, and let Liam be creative and decorate it himself. He was soo proud and claimed it tasted great. Others at the bbq agreed.

The joy of matching outfits!!!!

I never imagined I would do this...but yes I have done it...I have discovered the total joy a mother can get from dressing her children in identical outfits. Some day I know that Liam and Nolan will cringe when I drag out the photos of them in-sync with each other in the wardrobe catagory...But seriously - they look so darn cute! What is more funny is that Liam has worn both of these shortalls previously - his pair from last summer still fits! However I must admit that I have already purchased another matching outfit for them. The pants are currently being altered for Liam but I will snap a shot of them and post it soon.

Introductions...

The question is...will Mom be able to keep up with this blog this time.... I am envious of my friends who are able to update their blogs on at least a semi- consistant basis. I think if I give this site to more family members I will be more likely to update it.

Here is the trio from about a month ago.. quite a crew if you ask me. Samantha has been visiting with her mom over the past couple of weeks so our upcoming post for the 4th of July will only have photos of the boys. Stay tuned.

Stats as of today - Samantha is 13 and coming home on Friday, well meeting us in Moses Lake for the Callahan Family Reunion. Liam is 26 months old - or just over 2 - when oh when do you stop counting months? Nolan is nearly 5 months old and growing growing like one of the crazy weeds in our backyard.

More to come