4th of July and Birthday Party

Kyle and I realized that in all the years that we've now lived in WA, we've never been here together for the 4th of July.  We always seem to be off traveling around this time of the year.  We didn't have anything planned and both Annika and I were recovering from Hand, Foot, Mouth disease, so we weren't the best of guests for any party.  After unpacking lots of boxes in our new place (more on that later), we decided to walk down to the Ruston waterfront area to check out the 4th of July festivities.  I had no idea what a carnival it would be!  There were tons of people and many were parking in our neighborhood to walk down.  When we saw the line of cars trying to get there, we were thankful for our close proximity and not having to drive.  From what I could tell, there were 3 stages for live music and every carnival food you might want.  We enjoyed people watching, having a shave ice while sitting on the beach, and listening to the bands.  We didn't plan to stay for the fireworks and I started getting tired of the crowds.  After a beer by the stage at The Ram, we headed home for some quiet time/ nap time.  As the sun went down, we were curious if we'd be able to see any fireworks from our apartment.  Sure enough, we could see the Tacoma fireworks and what we think were the Seattle fireworks from our bedroom windows!  It was great to be watching from the calm of our house, instead of the crazy crowds.

That next weekend the three of us attended little Oliver's 1st birthday party.  Oliver is the son of one of my colleagues.  He had a fun party at a local park and a huge cake to eat.  They brought along a baby pool for the kids to enjoy.  It was a great 1st birthday party and gave us something to think about as we look ahead to Annika's 1st birthday in a little over 3 months.

8 Months Old!

Annika is 8 months old and showing more personality than ever.  She loves to look at new people, especially other children.  Annika prefers to be carried facing outward to see what's going on around her.  We decided to do something different for 8 months, as we did with her 3 month picture by the Eiffel Tower.  As a Seattle baby, we wanted to be by an icon from the city she was born in.  For those fans out there (mom), the pink pig will return in a few weeks :)

8 Month Stats

Weight: 16 lb 9 oz.

New skills: Saying "dada" "oof" (we think she's saying woof like a dog) "mama" "huh" to get people's attention and combining many other sounds with s's and t's

 Scooting backwards and turning in a circle on her tummy

One tooth

Clapping her hands

Reaching out her arms to be picked up

Playing peek-a-boo by covering her own face with a blanket or clothes

Starting to imitate waving

Does "so big"
Giving kisses

New foods: Prunes, butternut squash, carrots, gumming big chunks of apple, mum-mums

Favorite things: Books with flaps that uncover new pictures

Service items such as paper plates, paper cups, items with wrappers, mirrors

Father's Day and Summer Soltice

Annika and her daddy on their first Father's Day.

We are so thankful to have Kyle back with us full-time now and it's fun for me to see Annika and him playing together.  They have such a great time and take joy in each other.  Our plans for the day turned out differently than we had thought they would but we still had a great time.  After church we went to our favorite bakery, Larson's, in Ballard.  We adore this little place and often go there after church.  Then we went to one of the Pastor's houses for a Beer and Brats gathering, which we were invited to just that morning.  Having had other plans fall through, we thought beer and brats would be a great way to celebrate fatherhood :)  It was a fun gathering and we were happy to be there.

Late that night our good friend, Brooke, flew in from Anchorage.  We always love having Brooke visit and it was especially fun because she had never met Annika before.  Brooke and I were roommates in Anchorage for a few years before I moved down to the Seattle area.  We see each other once or twice a year but it's great every time!  The downside of this particular visit is that I still had to go to work, darn snow days that we had to make up.  Brooke, Kyle, and Annika got to hang out while I finished out a stressful end of a school year.  Luckily, it was great weather and we got to get outside together when I got home from work.  The best evening was on the soltice.  What better way to celebrate the longest day of the year than grilling down on the waterfront?

 Kyle's brother Joel drove down from Bellevue to join us.

 It was the perfect evening to be by the water.

Annika's Baptism

Annika was baptized at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle on June 10th. My mom, dad, step-mom, brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew were all able to join us.  Jonathan and Brenda agreed to be Annika's godparents and they gave her a beautiful cross necklace to wear with her baptismal dress.  Her Uncle Jeffrey and Aunt Quinn also sent her a neat cross to hang on her bedroom wall to commemorate her baptism.  It was a very special service and the baptism went well.  Annika was having a great time and kicking her legs like crazy, especially during the music.  She didn't cry at all when the water was poured on her head and was very interested in the baptism candle.

 Annika with her Grandpa and Grandma Bartsch before the service.

 I'm pretty sure this was when Annika was kicking her legs to the music and making the pastor laugh :)

 Totally mesmerized by the candle.

 With my dad, step-mom, and mother

 Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Brenda, aka Godparents

After the service we all went to Golden Gardens park to have a picnic.  It's one of our favorite spots in Seattle and happens to be a few minutes from our church.  We sat on the grass by the playground equipment so that Kayla and Brett could play and then we all walked down to the water to splash around a bit before leaving.

 I forgot to pack a sun hat for Annika so she borrowed one that didn't quite go with her outfit :) Also, plastic cups can keep her entertained for a long time.

 My mom (aka Nana) with her three grandchildren

 In play clothes for some time in the sand.

 Grandpa and Grandma Bartsch with the grandchildren