*Warning: This Post Contains TONS of pics of this sweet girl*
This past weekend I was able to drive to Longview Washington to visit with one my besties and her darling sweet baby girl.
Last time I visited Rhiannon, Laurel was almost a year old...now she is two.
Other than random skype conversations Laurel has not seen me in a long time.
They were just living in Jacksonville Oregon, but her husband (Dr. Batey) recently got a job at the community college in Longview. This was super exciting because Trey is a biological anthropologist and there just isn't much demand for that, so a full time PERMANENT position is awesome. PLUS they got to stay in the Northwest! PLUS it is a very quick drive (49 miles or so) from Tigard, where I am all the time.
Brent had the day off and was going to make the trek with me, but instead decided he would watch the boys so that I can have some catch up time.
At first I was conflicted because Rhi and Trey love the boys and seeing them, but then I decided having some ME time would be really nice...and so Saturday morning bright and early I headed over to Longview.
When I got there I was greeted by Laurel and Mona (their dog) at the door.
Laurel was a little shy, but warmed up to the idea of meeting another one of her tias.
Rhiannon pretty much only speaks Spanish to Laurel, so she in turn speaks a spanglish mix...but still mostly Spanish. It was soo adorable.
After breakfast (yup I got there super early) we walked to the park as Rhi described her neighborhood and pointed out some of the highlights.
I could not get over Laurel June's quite demeanor. She was so observant and patient. I told Rhi my boys would have been running and screaming at this age. It was lovely watching her explore and getting to do a lot of catching up.
Rhi always said I was helping train her to be a mommy with my kids...
This reminded me of a time at the park with August, when he was one and a half:
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| Both our kids are MONKEYS! |
After a little over an hour or so we decided to walk back to Rhi's and start discussing lunch ideas.
Trey offered to feed Laurel and put her down for a nap so that Rhi and I could go out and have some "girl" time.
After checking Yelp to narrow down our selections...which is horrible for me because I really don't care where we eat...we chose a local Greek place.
It kind of reminded me the melting pot downtown Portland. We had to walk down stairs to enter. It was very cute and the host/owner was very enthusiastic about his food. And that is why I ordered mint tea with "mint from his garden".
As we ate and talked and talked, a lady started having a choking and wheezing fit. She soon gained control, but we were ready to jump into action...after looking at each other wondering if we should intervene or not.
After all that excitement we went to a local coffee shop that does their own roasting. It was very good. Plus we got even MORE talking in.
On the way back to her house, Rhi gave me a quick tour of the Longview highlights...
One that she and I could not stop laughing about was the SQUIRREL BRIDGES.
All around town she says there are these bridges built for the squirrels. In August there is a squirrel festival to celebrate them. On the bridges there are webcams, so people can watch them too.
I didn't really understand what she was telling me until we started driving around looking at them...
These things are hilarious. I still can't believe them!
When we got back Trey was putting some water in the pool for Laurel, who was wide awake from her nap and happy to see Mama and Tia Seesaw.
There I am looking all sweaty and gross in the 100 degree weather, feeding Laurel a Popsicle...this really helped her warm up to me.
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| Last time I saw LJ |
Did I mention how much I LOVE HER. She is so stinkin cute.
Finally she smiled.
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| These were the redneck wine glasses I bought them awhile ago...We drank water in style |
Laurel would do this thing where she puts both hands up and shakes them...they said it was her using her superpower, because that is what it looks like.
Rhi put Laurel in pigtails! As if cute could get any cuter...
Laurel kept trying to sit on Rhi with her cold wet bum.
As Laurel sat out drying, she pointed out a plane flying WAY up in the sky.
We went exploring some more. We wound up in the back yard where Laurel spilled her bubbles, and then got to clean up the mess with the hose.
Then it was dinner time.
Trey was in there slaving away making us these AWESOME burgers. I got to entertain this little lady while she ate her dinner.
By this time in the day she thought I was pretty awesome. Then I pulled up the flash to my camera. I became AMAZING. Can't you tell by the look she is giving me?
She pretty much thinks I am the coolest person ever.
After dinner, we did Laurels routine which consisted of bathtime, one Spanish book, kisses from everyone and then Daddy lays her down in bed.
Then the adults got to eat and enjoy each others' company.
A dragonfly was hanging out too as we finished up our meals.
Pretty awesome. (*Ahhh deep sigh)
I am so happy these two were able to have this bundle of joy. Plus Rhi was such a cute prego lady:
I ended up heading back around 10:30pm. Got back to Tigard to my boys around 11:15pm.
Then I gave Brent tons of loves for letting me have such a great day.
He had a great day too.
He took the boys to see Minions, then they went bowling and played lazer tag. Got Panda Express for dinner and watched Annie.
So turns out we both got to have awesome days...only I TOOK PICTURES! Someday I'll get that man to snap a photo...
Oh, well. Next big adventure 13 year ANNIVERSARY get away to Crater Lake...stay tuned
