The Hefford-AndersonsTyler, Jennifer, Samantha, Finley and Declan

I thought the boys might like to see the blue Angels, but I was also worried it might be too loud for them so I didn’t want to fight the crowds if they didn’t like it. After talking to some people I came to the conclusion that the 4th Avenue Costco (yes Costco) in downtown Seattle would be a good place. We went in and got our hot dogs, soda and ice cream and then tailgated while watching the planes with our friends Coleen, Brett and Hunter. It was a great place to watch them.

The first plane comes by with a ROAR

Declan LOVES it.

Finley and Declan watching for more planes.

Finley, Brett and Declan

In May we were lucky enough to get some time away (just a quick weekend) to the beach. The boys had a FABULOUS time.

We started our trip with lunch at the Spaghetti Factory to celebrate Finley’s Birthday (better late than never).

Enjoying his spaghetti and meatballs.

Checking in at Long Beach. Finley had a great time riding the luggage cart.

Declan Checking out the Beach

Flying Kites

It was SUPER cold. When we usually stay at our condo and they have an outdoor pool it is warm like a bath tub. Long Beach was not. It was so cold, but the boys just had to swim.

The Giant Frying Pan in town. I remember visiting this with my grandparents as a kid.

Finley was fascinated with the fact that we could drive on the beach. We drove up and down and then stopped for a picnic where he chased the seagulls and had a great time.

Declan’s 5 o’clock shadow

We went bowling with friends this summer.

We went on a toddler camping trip with some friends. Tyler was working and I wasn’t ready to spend the night out in a tent by myself with the boys so we went down for dinner and exploring and headed home. It was so much fun. We will be better equipped and ready to take the boys camping in 2011.

Finley’s favorite part of any camping trip.

Finley ended his 2nd year at Burien Cooperative Preschool. This was his second and last year with Teacher Yon. He LOVED having her as a teacher and was quite vocal on the fact that he was going to stay with her forever. Declan will have Teacher Yon in the fall and Finley will have Teacher Gloria.

Pajama Day at Preschool in the River

We ended the month with a critter dive in Tacoma with our preschool class. It was so much fun. The mom and grandma of our good friend Brett dove down along with a few other divers and brought up critters for the kids to look at in wading pools. Finley loved it.

Finally a video of some silly brothers.

Sorry we have been SO BAD about updating our blog lately. So I am going to do my best to do a quick recap of everything since April and get caught up.

We have been busy busy busy.

For Tyler’s 30th birthday I got him scuba diving lessons.  He has had 4 lessons and 1 day of diving at Alki.  Tonight he brought in the gear so Finley could see.  Finley had fun testing it out.

I have been working slowly to get the backyard ready to for veggies.  My goal this summer is to eat as much of our veggies as we can out of our garden.  I have to work in small chunks because Declan always tries to eat the weeds, well today he discovered dirt and rocks!

Having a GREAT time!

Finley playing comfortably in the dirt.

For Finley’s 2nd birthday he got a John Deere tractor.  He drives it all over the place and LOVES it. He always wants to put Declan in the trailer on the back, but I say no because he drives so fast, stops quickly and is always running into things.  On Saturday Declan was so ticked off that he couldn’t play with his brother that I let him sit on Finley’s lap and they drove all over the yard happily.  It was so cute.

A video of Finley and Declan

Declan loving his ride

At the end of the riding – Declan was screaming because I wouldn’t let him ride anymore, but Finley declared, “this is the best day ever.”  What a sweet boy.  He loves his brother so much!

Finley’s preschool had an open house/ice cream social last week. It was a fun event with yummy ice cream and a chance for Finley to show his preschool off to Auntie Aly, Papa and Elijah.

Showing the river at preschool to Elijah

Getting Ready to throw a huge rock after Mommy said NO!

Papa and Auntie Aly checking things out.

Hunting for Dinosaurs.

Declan doesn’t seem to have any interest in crawling anywhere, but he loves to scoot all over.  Here is a short video of his latest moves. Our lives are about to get interesting.  He is all over the place and into everything.  He follows Finley all over the house screaming “Bubba, bubba.”  It is really cute.

Last summer another mom told me about a program where you can get 2 free games all summer long at the local bowling alley.  So this year made sure we signed up.  My friend Coleen and I took our boys bowling.  Finley had a great time.  Last year he barely made it through 2 frames, but this time he made it through 9 before he was tired and ready to go home.  The part that he was most excited about was the shoes.  Last summer they didn’t have shoes his size and he had to play in his socks.  He LOVED wearing the shoes.  He did very well.  We’ll be going back again soon.

Getting Ready to Bowl

Explaining how it works.

Letting it go.

Declan scooting all over the alley while we bowled.  Next time I think I might have to bring something to contain him.

A video of Finley and his friend watching the process.

Finley had his last swim lesson on Saturday.  He loved them by the end.  At first he was not interested in following directions and would rather play and splash instead of learning.  In the end he loved Teacher Leslie and the class.  He learned a few new things too.  We are going to skip a session and start Tae Kwon Do in a few weeks and then go back to swimming this summer.

Splashing instead of listening.  :)

Swimming with the kickboard

Declan waiting during swim lessons.

Riding on the “horse”.

Swimming on his back.

Riding on the “horse”. One strong teacher.