Please Read

I got really behind on posting, so below you will find four posts to get you caught up on the crazy life that is the Nortons. Enjoy!!

Washington Getaway

This weekend Peter and I were lucky enough to leave the kids behind and go on our own adventure! We fly up to Washington saturday and drove to Port Angeles for two days then drove to Seattle for another two days. We had a great time. We did some hiking, sleeping, eating, swimming, walking and just hanging out. We missed the boys terribly but it was fun to be able to hang out with each other with no schedule. Peter planned the whole trip and put a great effort into finding comfortable hotels. Our hotel in Seatlle was 3 blocks from Pike Place Market and the Harbor. We could walk everywhere. One of my favortie things we did was see a movie at 930pm! We have not seen a movie, let alone a late movie in a theater for years. I felt like such an adult!! Pretty much the whole trip was awesome and low key. Peter did a great job taking care of me! I really do love Peter!

Solduc Falls

Lovers Lane trail, how fitting.

Salt Creek tide pools.

All this sealife in one tiny tide pool. We spent hours exploring the tide pools.

Cool rain forest. It is absolutly gorgeous in Washington!

Pretty much every seafood you could think of. Peter loved it. Annie not so much (shocking)

Somewhere in Port Angeles.

Rainforest in Olympic National Forest.

Sam's Big Haircut

Sam got a great new haircut last night. This was his second haircut but this was a big one. I have been holding on to his baby hair for as long as I can. But the time had come, his hair was getting into his eyes and I could put it in a ponytail in the back. So I was brave and took him to GreatClips. They did a really good job, he looks like such a little man. He cried the whole time, but he made it through with his ear intact.

Before the haircut

Look at those lovely locks!

After the haircut, so handsome!!

I didn't realize how blond his hair his.

Preschool Graduation

Aydans growing up! This past week he "graduated" from pre-school. He even was brave and stood up in front of everyone and said a two sentence part all by himself. Aydan had such a great time and learned a great deal. I loved how excited he was to go to pre-school and to tell me all the songs and letters he learned. He loved his teacher, Miss Apen. She did such a good job and you could tell she loved the kids. Aydan is already asking when he can go back to pre-school! Hopefully his love of learning stays with him forever!!!

He just looked so handsome!

Aydan and Miss Apen.

Singing the rain drop song.

Aydan and his school friends.

Hiking Around

A couple of Sundays ago we took the boys hiking behind the temple. There is a good trail that goes right by the river, nice and shady. Lucy loved the river and got muddy and wet. Sam had a good time hanging out in the backpack, eating sticks. And Aydan hiked the whole time without once wanting to be carried. We love the outdoors and everything about being outside. Hopefully this was the first of many hikes to come!

Aydan at the trailhead.

Annie, Peter and Sam on the trail.

Peter and Sam. They look so much alike!

Crazy Lucy!

For Katrina

Sam had is 12 month doctors visit yesterday. And its been down hill ever since. He had to get 4 shots! Lets just say he is not taking this very well. He was up until almost 1am, fussy and crying and just plain miserable. So now lets assume I am not taking THIS very well! Hey but I can't complain too much at least we have vaccinations that keep him healthy and alive!! So here are his stats:
weight 23 lbs (53%), he gained almost 5 lbs in 3 months
height 32 1/4 inches (98%), he grew 2 inches
He is doing great, growing rapidly and getting big!

Growing Up

Today Sam is 1 year old! I am a little sad today. One because my baby is growing up so fast, he is getting to be more like a toddler and less like a baby and two he is still not sleeping through the night! But with that sweet smile that could melt your heart and is energy for life you can't help but forget about all the sleepless nights, well almost. We love you Sammers!

Meet Lucy

We got a new puppy!! Ever since Sophie died we have felt there was a missing piece in our family. A piece of my heart was taken when she passed away. Oh how I miss my Sophie. The last couple of weeks I have been looking for the perfect dog for our family. Not a replacement for Sophie just another member for our family. I am such a dog person, I needed another dog. So on Thursday I found what I was looking for. Lucy is a miniature poodle mix. She is about 4 months old and 10 lbs. We are taking her to the vet on Monday for a checkup and a question and answer session. We would like to know what mix dog she is and how big she could get. We got Lucy from the Humane Society. And here I am on my soapbox... I would encourage anyone looking for a dog or even a cat to check petfinder.com or local shelters. There are so many animals out there looking for good homes, and some of these poor animals were rescued from puppy mills. These precious animals just need a loving home! Okay I'm done for now. We are so excited to have Lucy in our family. In just the short time she had been her she has been great. She is so cuddly and loves the boys. She slept with Aydan the first night, and likes to check on Sam when he is taking his nap. Sam has pulled on her tail and ears and she doesn't growl or snap. Eventually she does cry because it hurts, poor Lucy!

Lucy sleeping with Aydan.

Lucy, she really needs to be groomed.

Lucy our little mop. But trust me she is so dang cute!

A Little Culture

Sometime in April we went down to BYU's (boo!) art museum. They had a exhibit on the I Spy books. We thought it would be interactive, and fun for the kids. Unfortunately we were wrong. There was like 10 pictures from the I Spy books in frames on the walls, with lots of signs that said DO NOT TOUCH! It was fun to look at the pictures, but it just was not what we expected. Next to the I Spy exhibit was another "art" exhibit. There was a room full of packing peanuts with fans to blow them around, there was a sink and PVC pipe and there were lawn chairs stacked on top of one another. It was different, that is all I have to say about that. It was still fun to hang out with the girls and all the kids. We had a nice picnic and went to another museum with lots of real stuffed animals. Now that was really cool and the kids loved it. Thanks for the great outing idea Lorri!

Sam hanging out in the stroller.

The Balloon Art, yes its art.

All the children.

Again Sam in the stroller, its a nice babysitter!

Aydan and the I Spy exhibit.