Griffin at 4 Months

Griffin turned 4 months at the end of July. We've been super busy with travel, friends and family and he has just rolled with it all like a champ! He hardly ever naps, but sleeps 12+ hours a night and just switched from the swaddle to a sleep sack without a hiccup. He has mastered grabbing anything within reach to bring to his mouth, and if he can't find a toy or burp rag to grab he will start chewing his own clothes. He always wants to be moving and interacting - just being held isn't good enough anymore. He loves the walker, will rock himself in the bouncy seat, and is already starting to practice sitting. He's going to be a wild man once he's mobile!!

Griffin at 4 Months

• His exam was a little late because we were traveling, but at his appointment he was 26.5 in (86%), 15.5 pounds (38%) and had a 27% head. He is by far our skinniest baby!
• Wearing size 2 diapers and 6 month clothes
• He can get real grumpy in the evenings or when he's hungry, and when he does we call him Angry Elf, because he has pointy ears just like Dave
• Griffin is very social and had a great time meeting so many family members and friends over the last month. He has no real stranger danger yet, and while he keeps close tabs on where I'm at, he was fine being passed around. 
• He is very ticklish and it's so easy to make him laugh. Baby giggles are the best! 

Griffin has fully mastered tummy time

He was a pretty easy going baby on our trips

Working on his sitting skills

All our kids have had the darkest eyes

He is adored by his older siblings

That tongue is always sticking out these days

Showing off a new romper made by Aunt Amy

Sammamish Summer Week Three, July 19-25

Our third week brought a couple more hikes while up at the cabin and then back down to the house for more lake time and parks. Even though Covid restricted a lot of our acitivties this summer (museums, sporting events, restaurants, etc...) we still found plenty to do and had no trouble filling our days with fun. 

We took a Sunday drive to the top of the Hyak. Griffin fell asleep on the way up, so we left him in the car while we explored. The kids had fun sitting on the chairlift and running around at the top looking at all the ski run signs. They all look so high up in the summer without all the snow on the ground.

On our way back down from the cabin we hiked the nature loop trail we had done before a couple years ago. The kids loved it because there are 12 numbered signs along the trail that mark points of interest like a tree growing out from a rock, or towering cedars that were over 1,000 years old! After each sign they would start running along to see who could find the next one first.

We also hiked part way up a different trail to the bridge near a little waterfall. We tried playing Pooh Sticks at the waterfall since there was a bridge over the water, but the river was a little turbulent and only one of the sticks that was dropped in popped out on the other side. It was so nice to get to enjoy the outdoors!

Fun times at the elementary school park

Poor Griffin just had to sit on the sidelines and watch the fun. It's hard to be a baby.

The neighbors let us borrow their floating pad and it was so fun! One of the highlights of the trip. The kids loved to run around on the pad and jump off and on. Even the adults had fun. 

We went back to the Bateman's sandy beach for some sand castle building

The Sammamish state park opened while we were there! It is a favorite because of it's fun swings and cute playground. 

Sammamish Summer Week Two, July 12-18

During our second we spent more time at the lake playing with cousins, celebrated Williams 1st birthday and Paco's 60th birthday, and then we drove up to the cabin after saying goodbye to the Fish and Hindman families. It is always a little crazy when we're ALL together, but also so fun and we are always sad when we have to part ways. Sophie told me afterward that she just spent the whole day missing Anne. I hope we'll be able to keep gathering with all our families for many years to come.

2020 Family Picture

We're up to 10 grandchildren now - 8 boys and 2 girls

Roasting marshmallows down at the lake

Five little boys in five little chairs

Enjoying treats with Briggen

Sophie always loves going out for a paddle

Charlie helped lick the beaters from Paco's birthday cake

Grandmari put together a fun carnival party for the kids on Paco's birthday. They had lots of fun playing games and winning prizes.

Over the hill, but still going through life as if he were a teenager

Everyone loves Paco!

Early morning party in our bed - one was wide awake and the other was zonked

Kayak party!

Everyone likes having a turn to ride the wave runner! Charlie prefers his ride to be slow and steady, but the older kids are getting more adventurous and Sophie especially loves jumping off big wakes with daddy!

Last day swimming with cousins before saying goodbye. Sophie and Anne have so much fun together doing girl things since they both come from families of all brothers.

We went up to the cabin once everyone left and the boys went out with Paco to watch a lot being cleared. Excavators are the favorite construction vehicle at our house.

Griffin is 3.5 months old

Walking around Gold Creek Pond is a family favorite. Normally it’s really peaceful, but that night there were so many people there!! We had never seen crowds like that before. There was a line of cars along the road for over a mile from the parking lot! We kept having to move around other people on the path, which makes it tough with pandemic and everyone being cautious. It’s too bad it wasn’t the peaceful evening we were hoping for, but the scenery was still beautiful!!

After our walk we made s'mores for bedtime snack