Ella Belle

So I just found this great giveaway on and Etsy Shop.  This girl makes such gorgeous jewelry.  Check it out here.  Good Luck!

Comparison!

I just wanted to put up two pictures of the boys when they were about the same age for a comparison.  I think they look like brothers but they definitely look different. 

Who is who?

Garrett and the Beach!!!

This was Garrett's first experience with the beach. He wasn't sure what to think.

About time :)!!!

We had such a great time in Seattle.  Why is it that vacations never seem to last long enough.  We got to see lots of friends and family and it was great to have time to just relax.  I loved getting lots of help with the boys while we were there.  Most of these pictures are from the day that we went to Edmonds Beach.  We made Garrett put his feet in the water and that was so funny.  He was not very happy about it cause it was really cold.  Here are just a few highlights from the trip that I want to make sure we remember.

* Garrett loves his Poppa (grandpa)  They had so much fun playing together.

*Garrett also really loves his Momma (grandma)  I mean who wouldn't she is such a good person.  One morning he woke up at about 5 am and was calling for Momma, so Karen came in and got him and he was fine after that. 

*Daniel learned to climb up the stairs while we were there.  We had to create a make-shift gate out of a cardboard box to keep him in the family room.

*We got to see lot of cousins and family which include: Phil and Christy and their little girl Charlotte, Nikki and Eric and their kids Tyson, Natalie, and Alivia, Uncle Doug and Aunt Cheri, Kyle and his girlfriend and Nikki's cousin Amy, Grandma and Grandpa Swietzer, Uncle Bob and Aunt Vicki and Cousin Hailey (first time meeting them for me), we also saw Grandpa Hanson and Grandma Gene while we were there.

*We got to see several friends while we were there as well.  Brandon and Bethany and their little boy Chandler, and also Jason and Cindi and their little girl Alara.

*Jason and Cindi also made us a great dinner and let us rock out to rock band with them. 

*We played tons and tons of Pinnochle.  I am getting a lot better, which I am glad about.  You can't be a true King if you don't know how to play Pinnochle. 

*Garrett had a blast at the Stevenson fair.  It was a tiny little fair we went to and he had a blast.  He got to go three times while we were there and he fed the baby goats everytime.  He really like those baby goats.  There were other animals to feed but he just kept going back to those baby goats. 

*We went to the Rainforest Cafe and Garrett was petrified of the big animatronic elephants.  Poor thing was scared to death.

*We had family pictures taken and Garrett was just not in the mood for that.  We had to have his binky in for quite a few of the pictures.  I think part of the problem was just minutes before we took pictures he bonked his head on the table.  He didn't realize that it was so low and went to reach for the toys that were under there and bonked his head really good.

*Grandma and Grandpa bought the boys some toys to play with whenever they come and they sent us home with one of them.  It is a little ball pit toy, the boys really love it. 

*Garrett had a good time looking at the alpachas and big huge dogs on Grandma and Grandpa Swietzer's farm.  Garrett really loves animals.

*Chad got Grandma Swietzer to start up her amazing '86 Nissan 300 Z.  She has taken such good care of it.  It still looks brand new. 

*Daniel travels really well.  He never made a fuss unless he was hungry.  Getting him to sleep at night in the hotel was a little hard.   On the way home we stopped at a hotel and we didn't have a bed for him so we had to make a bed on the floor out of chairs and he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do in there.  He did finally go to sleep though.

Independance Day

We had a great 4th!!!  We started the day like many people and went  to the parade.  We had great seats thanks to my family.  They own a rental right on 4th street so we just sat on the lawn and steps and we were even able to park at the back of the house so we didn't have to walk forever to get to the parade.  The boys really enjoyed the parade and Garrett loved getting all the candy of course.

Daniel enjoying the parade with Grandma!

My sisters enjoying the parade with the boys and some friends.  (Emily is so crazy)

After the Parade we went home for about an hour to make a treat for the BBQ we were going to and to water the sod we laid the day before.  We went to the BBQ at the Passeys and ate tons of good food.  We would have stayed longer but we still had sod from the day before that we had to get laid so it wouldn't die. 

We got home and the wonderful Ellsworths came over and helped us get the rest laid and now we have a front yard :)!!!

Our beautiful front yard, Thanks to everyone that came and helped (my dad helped for quite awhile on Friday and we so appreciate it)

After that we hung out for a bit and watered the lawn and then headed down to the river for the fireworks.  Some friends of ours had been there most of the day saving a spot so we are gald they let us come and join them.  We talked and enjoyed some yummy food, then sat back and enjoyed the fireworks show.  It was a great day!

Our little family at the fireworks.

Daniel and Daddy getting ready to watch the show!

My good friend Jeanette who had been there most of the day saving seats, you ROCK!!!

July 1st, 2006....

Our little Garrett was born!!!!  He is now two years old and I can't believe it!  He is such a funny boy and is always keeping us laughing.  He is only two but such a good big brother.  He will get Daniel a toy or put his binky in when he is sad.  He is also already very good at rough housing with Daniel.  Daniel just adores him.

To celebrate we went to the Zoo and had dinner and cake & ice cream with my family.  Garrett loved the zoo.  When we saw the lions I told him to tell daddy what the lions say and he said "ROAR"  it was actually pretty loud.  Then later he saw an ant on the ground and stopped to say "Hello."  He kept saying more whenever we saw a new exhibit.  It was very funny he wanted to see more and more animals.   

He loved his presents!  He got a bike, two movies, a bucket and pail, a license plate for his bike, a book, a new hat and shirt, and a pack of four cars.  He was very excited and it was fun because this year he really got into opening his presents and understood what was going on.  He was also very good at blowing out his candles on the cake.  One blow and they were out. 

We just love him so much and cherish each moment we get with him.

Walking at the Zoo

Looking at the Macaws

Just Chillin'

Getting a Drink

Hey Mom

Checking out the Turtles

With all his presents

Making a silly face

His Cake

Quick Shout Out

I am so excited for this. I am not sure how many people know but I am in the local production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" It is going to be great and so funny. There are some wonderful preformers in the show and I am having a blast at rehearsals. Chad has been such a good sport while I have been doing this. We practice a lot which means he has to do mommy duty at night while I am gone.

Everyone that can make it should come. It is going to be wonderful production and very entertaining.

It runs June 25th, 26th, 27th, 29th, & 30th at the Civic Auditorium. The show starts a 7:30 pm. Tickets are $8 a person, $40 for a family ticket (immediate family only), and $5 a person for a group rate. If you need tickets I can get them for you just let me know.

image via photobucket