What did we do all Summer?

October 23rd, 2011

It’s been awhile since we updated the site, here are some recent photos and videos of our Summer fun.

Alex is really into sports.   He’s already into Tennis and pretty much kicks every ball in sight.

Video:  Tennis

Video:  Soccer Flop

Kevin got a Hammock for our 4th Anniversary:

Dad and Alex enjoy a relaxing Sunday in the Hammock

Grandma Peg and Grandpa Rick came to visit, and we went to Mt. Rainier National Park, where there was still lots of snow at the end of July.

Beautiful day for a hike in the snow.

Alex got a bike helmet so he could ride in his new bike trailer.

Ready for a bike ride

Kevin took a hike up to Camp Muir on Mt. Ranier (10,400 feet).

Nice view!

In September, we took a trip to Lake Chelan over labor day with Alex’s friends Wynn and Mia.

Fun at Lake Chelan

Uncle Henry and Aunt Cori came out to visit in Septembrer too!

As Summer came to an end, we took a trip down to Portland to see Grandma Pat run in the Portland marathon.

Hanging with Grandma and Grandpa at the Hotel.

Finally, we took a trip to a local pumpkin patch to get some Halloween decorations.

 

Looking for the perfect pumpkin!

Grandma Bonnie was here last week too!

Making cookies with Grandma

 

Lots of other pictures here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinod10

And videos here:  http://www.youtube.com/kevinod10

 

 

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Alaska!

July 17th, 2011
We enjoyed a fantastic first trip to Alaska in late June to visit the McLaughlins. Alex had a blast with his cousins Conner and Keagan. On day one, we went to the Anchorage Museum which is hands down the best museum for kids we’ve ever been too. Alex screamed with excitement. Sleeping was somewhat of a challenge as it never really got dark during our stay. We went on a great hike for Father’s Day. No bear or moose sitings on the hike. And Marian shaved 42 minutes off her marathon time (I, on the other hand, shaved a whopping 10 seconds of my previous half marathon time. Darn!). Here’s a look at the long weekend in photos …

Alex, Keagan, Conner, June 2011

The boys carbo load before marathon day.

Bath time!

RIBS.

Alex's first taste of ribs. Like father, like son.

The McLaughlins on Father's Day 2011.

Frodonnells on Father's Day 2011.

Alex having a PB&J on the hike.

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Birthdays, boys, and baseball.

May 15th, 2011

Alex having dinner with his friend Mason. They always talk about the art.

We’ve been so busy enjoying Alex that the blog has fallen by the wayside (understatement). He is learning things at a ridiculous pace, and it seems he can now understand everything we are saying (I’m trying to tone down my running commentary on the driving skills of others when we are stuck in traffic in rush hour). Alex uses several words now; some of them are not instantly recognizable (for example, he pronounces “ball” as ”doll” with a slight German accent). He can also sign “more” and gesture towards things that he desires so it’s pretty much impossible to pretend you don’t know what he wants.

April was a busy and very fun month with Kevin’s birthday and a visit from Grandpa Ray, among other things. Here are a few photos:

Alex mid-meal.

Alex having a snack of tomatoes topless while Spencer looks on.

Alex surveying the backyard with Grandpa Ray.

Alex conveniently feel in love with his M's hat before the game.

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Frodonnells go to Mexico.

May 15th, 2011

Thank you, Chris and Marijana, for deciding to get married in Puerto Vallarta. We needed some vitamin D and family time!  Mexico was heaven … we stayed at a fantastic all-inclusive resort with gorgeous beaches, surprisingly yummy food, and super friendly staff who wanted to bring us complimentary mojitos and Negro Modellos all day long. Yes, please! It couldn’t have been better. However, being there with a toddler meant that I didn’t enjoy TOO many free drinks or sit in the sun TOO long. Needless to say, my liver and skin were quite pleased with this arrangement.  Alex was VERY busy the whole week as he was testing out his brand new walking skills. He was most confident in our hotel room and the hallways, and clearly quite pleased with his new talent.

Below are a few photos from the trip … and click here for the official wedding photo slideshow. It couldn’t have been a more perfect vacation or wedding.

Alex enjoyed playing on the beach every day.

Kevin and Alex before the Leuck nuptials.

Mr. Serious with his Grandma Pat.

Alex feeding Grandpa his waffle at our favorite breakfast location in Mexico.

View from our deck. Ran barefoot on the beach daily; so pristine!

And these adorable photos are not from Mexico, but they are from March …

A-Man.

A-Man trying to escape!

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We’re going to start walking…soon

March 13th, 2011

It’s been a couple of months since our last post, amazing how fast time goes by.   Alex started “school” in mid-January, and it is amazing how expressive he has become now that he has daily interaction with a bunch of other toddlers.   Also, it’s just a matter of time before he starts walking.  He’s been enjoying taking Spencer for walks out side with his walker.

 

Also, he’s still a barrel of laughts.   He is a very happy kid.

New photos are here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinod10

More videos are here: http://www.youtube.com/user/kevinod10

Alex is headed to Puerto Vallarta in a couple of weeks for Uncle Chris and  Aunt Marijana’s wedding, so there will be some beach action coming in the next post.

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Alex turns one!

January 24th, 2011

Alex with his birthday dinner.

Alex had a  fun birthday. He spent the day with Aunt Colleen. They came to the U-District to have lunch with mom, dad, and Uncle Kilian. After lunch, Alex enjoyed poking around the Burke Museum and playing with the dinosaurs. At home, he seemed surprised to see more gifts so soon after Christmas. For dinner, he had homemade mac and cheese. It was a good day.

Waiting for breakfast on his birthday.

Checking out his new basketball hoop before bed.

On Friday, Grandma Peg arrived for the weekend and Alex was delighted to see her. Saturday evening was the official birthday party for Alex, and we marked the occasion with carrot cupcakes and a keg of Manny’s. Alex seemed pleasantly surprised with his cupcake.

Birthday boy and his cake.

Birthday boy with Grandma.

Birthday boy with mom.

Birthday boy with dad.

Loving the cupcake.

Birthday boy with his friends.

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Happy Holidays

December 27th, 2010

It’s been a busy couple of months, but we’ve had a chance to enjoy the holidays with our friends, and most of all, with Alex.    We had Thanksgiving dinner at our house with some family, friends, and some fried turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving

Turkey Day at the O'Donnell's

In December, we went to a tree farm out in the country and cut down a Christmas Tree for Alex’s First Christmas.    Although he can’t talk yet, he made it clear what he wanted from Santa.   His list went something like this:

  • The TV Remote
  • a Dishwasher
  • Spencer’s water bowl (preferably filled)
  • Dad’s toothbrush
  • Mom’s cell phone 

Alex's first Christmas Tree

When Christmas finally came, he needed a little bit of help opening his presents.   Good thing Spencer’s an old pro.

 

In addition to the holidays, Alex has been busy learning new things, such as:

Dancing: 

  

Sharing: 

Crawling up stairs: 

There seems to be a new funniest thing in the world every week.  This week it’s Spencer rolling over.

Check out all of the latest photos on Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinod10/, and the latest videos on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/kevinod10?feature=mhum.

Have a Happy New Year!

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Happy Halloween!

November 6th, 2010

October 31, 2010

Our little chili pepper.

Getting organized.

Nearly pulled together.

And chaos wins.

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Visit to the heartland.

November 6th, 2010
We enjoyed a whirlwind trip to Iowa and Wisconsin in mid-October (minus Spencer, who had  a separate vacation-from-baby at his friend Arthur’s house). Alex really enjoyed flying this time (see photos below) … he was very well-behaved, but also quite loud … banging on the windows and yelling, talking to other people on the plane, etc. We found it pretty entertaining, but there was one gentleman who became annoyed with Alex’s volume and requested a seat change (request was denied).

Ready for take off!

Alex loving the window at O'Hare.

The timing of our trip revolved aroud Coe’s homecoming as Kevin had some alumni council meetings to attend. We lucked out with a gorgeous Saturday … ran the Homecoming 5K (Kevin beat a man in a suit; I unfortunately lost to the same man) … had lunch at the Brat n Beverage tent … watched part of the football game … It was pretty much just like old times (plus baby, minus excessive beer drinking). Very fun to catch up with friends … we spent the afternoon at the Bucklin’s watching the Iowa game while Alex tried out Rylie’s entire toy collection with Brecken. 

Kohawks reunited.

Alex hanging out with Jennifer at the game.

Coe Homecoming Brat n Beverage Tent.

Alex with Grandma Peg at Coe.

As always, our visit involved a lot of eating. Peg and Rick threw a lovely dinner party on Saturday night (Alex provided live entertainment for everyone) and we were able to fit in a lunch at Zoey’s too (and of course a visit to Campbell Steele!). 

Alex's first time at YUMMY Zoey's in Marion.

Alex enjoyed every minute he got to spend with his grandparents (the lucky boy has 6 of them) … so much better than skyping!

Alex with Grandma and Grandpa.

Alex in the Wagner kitchen, about to tear into the candy bowl.

On the way to Wisconsin, we stopped to see the Leucks in Marion …

Alex already looks up to his cousins Gabe and Sam.

We spent a day and a half in Wisconsin. Grandma Bonnie wants to make sure that Alex grows up knowing where food comes from, so we spent plenty of time walking around the farm, visiting the cows (steaks), chickens (wings), and sheep (lamp chops). Alex was very pleased to meet his Uncle Henry for the first time.

The gang at the farm.

City slickers at the farm.

Emma, quite possibly the only pug in Crawford County.

Sheep dog, on an apparent coffee break.

Bonnie, Henry and Cori at the pond.

Alex found Uncle Henry most delightful.

Alex enjoying sweet potato.

Say cheese (you're in Wisconsin!)

The trip ended with a quick evening in Mt. Horeb with Rowan, Rob, Cole, Sonja and Grandpa Ray.

Alex shows Grandpa Ray his favorite app.

It was wonderful to see everyone … as always, we would prefer not to have to “speed date” our own family and friends … it’s really the only downside to living on the left coast. Sending lots of love to you all!

 

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Wet weekend in Portland.

November 3rd, 2010
We headed south to Portland on October 8th for marathon weekend and to visit with friends. On Friday night we got to see Eileen and Deirdre for a delicious Cuban dinner … Alex was quite taken with the Wisco girls, which was to be expected. Saturday we met Stuart and Ridgely for breakfast after a walk in the rain. Then afternoon tea with Barry in West Linn, where we caught up on Africa Bridge.
That evening we had a yummy pre-marathon Italian dinner with the Coyle family. Unfortunately the rain continued all night and right into Sunday, 10/10/10, the day I planned to run my 10th marathon. It was a wet one! But the course and fans in Portland were undeniably lovely hosts, and one can only get so mad at mother nature, right? Eileen and Deirdre found me around mile 21 and joined the race for a little while in their rain boots. It was really, really nice to be done after 4+ hours in such crap weather though. Alex was a good sport and stayed mostly dry in his stroller. Here are a few photos from the weekend …

Alex enjoying the Westin's tub.

Alex playing at the Westin.

Alex with the baby charmer Eileen.

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