On Friday Cole and Wilson turned SIX and we cannot believe it. When I was pregnant everyone said "enjoy this time and enjoy the baby phase." When I was pregnant I couldn't wait until the boys came. Then it happened - from July 8-10th the boys slooowly made their way into the world (that was the only time they've ever been slow to do anything). When they were born our world changed and I can't imagine anything without these two perfect little boys. I will admit, I barely remember the first year - between the sleep deprivation and being so nervous we weren't ever doing the right thing, the year flew.
Before we knew it, the boys were turning 1. We went from counting how old they were by days, to weeks, to months, to a year (with the months thrown in there often). The boys were amazing little cherubs with fuzzy hair, perfectly round heads, and big blue eyes soaking in everything around them. At this time we still lived in San Francisco and the trolly would often stop in front of our apartment window for tourists to snap pictures of the boys who often sat in the window.
Another year flew by, we moved from San Francisco to Seattle, and the boys turned two. By this time the boys went from army crawling to running with not much in between. Their first Seattle year, the boys lived in Wallingford and Matt got to be a stay at home daddy with them - an awesome year for all the boys.
In a blink the boys were three playing at Gas Works park. Blinked again and they turned four sleeping in proper kid beds and filling the house with legos and new messes (smaller toys, bigger messes).
Another blink and the boys turned five. We continued (and still doing) exploring the Pacific North West with trips to the mountains around Seattle, skiing and snow fun, lots of hiking, and really anything that tires the boys out (unfortunately, Matt and I tire out, Cole and Wilson never do).
Fast forward, blink again, and the boys turned six. This past year, the boys have had new adventures starting Kindergarten, taking ski lessons, joining a t-ball league, and more. There were some not so new things, too ... For the past 5-years, almost every other Friday night we go to Oaxaca for dinner (or get takeout from there) and on their birthday all the waitresses came out to sing to the boys. We are so lucky filled with smiles, friendship, and love from those around us in Seattle and outside of Seattle - I think the boys bring that happiness and love, and share it in abundance. For their birthday, Cole and Wilson made their own rainbow cake and cupcakes, and we went to the Pump it Up where a gaggle of kids jumped, giggled, and played on bouncy houses with hoots of laughter throughout the party.
To the archives of bloggesphere in the future ...
To my dear Cole - you are an amazing, sweet, curious, and smart young man. You're strong willed like your mommy (the answer "no" isn't acceptable) and inquisitive like your daddy. You exceed at math and problem solving and it's amazing watching you fly through lego sets and any other problem thrown at you. You want to do things yourself all the time to impress no-one but you (but high fives are always cool, too). You love nature and learning - weekend projects like finding bugs and writing reports on them is fun for all of us and we all get to learn. You're a super-star sports kid wanting to try every sport imaginable and always running (I still hope you fall for track and not the sports that bonk your head too much). I love you to the moon and back my amazing little man.
To my dear Wilson - you are an incredible kind, silly, inquisitive, and smart young man. You're a little artist with a huge imagination. From doing water colors to oil paintings to crafts and everything in between you're always creating. You also have such a generous heart with acts such as always sharing your toys with your brother and other kids at school, to saving your allowance for "the kids in banana stands" (aka, Afghanistan). Despite not loving sports, you're incredibly athletic and daring (sometimes too daring) with rock climbing tricks your daddy can't even do and monkey bar flips. You dance like no-one is watching when everyone is watching, and you get everyone to dance along with you. You sing like a champ and my heart fills with melody when you do. I love you into space and back my sweet boy.
I wish there were a time slowdown machine, but as that hasn't been invented yet, I'm looking forward to enjoying every second with these two rad kids.
It continues to be HOT in Seattle and we're soaking it in. I kicked off the weekend with a longish run (not long enough) around Magnolia doing hills and stairs. I was pretty wiped after the run, but in a great way. Side note - I don't know how some runners always capture beautiful sweaty post-run pics when I just look like an exhausted rat. Oh well :/
Sunday we enjoyed the beaches of Leschi where Matt showed off for the boys on the diving board and the boys bobbed around in Lake Washington. I don't want this sun to go away - loving being outside.
Before we knew it, the boys were turning 1. We went from counting how old they were by days, to weeks, to months, to a year (with the months thrown in there often). The boys were amazing little cherubs with fuzzy hair, perfectly round heads, and big blue eyes soaking in everything around them. At this time we still lived in San Francisco and the trolly would often stop in front of our apartment window for tourists to snap pictures of the boys who often sat in the window. 
Fast forward, blink again, and the boys turned six. This past year, the boys have had new adventures starting Kindergarten, taking ski lessons, joining a t-ball league, and more. There were some not so new things, too ... For the past 5-years, almost every other Friday night we go to Oaxaca for dinner (or get takeout from there) and on their birthday all the waitresses came out to sing to the boys. We are so lucky filled with smiles, friendship, and love from those around us in Seattle and outside of Seattle - I think the boys bring that happiness and love, and share it in abundance. For their birthday, Cole and Wilson made their own rainbow cake and cupcakes, and we went to the Pump it Up where a gaggle of kids jumped, giggled, and played on bouncy houses with hoots of laughter throughout the party.
Last weekend my mom was in town and we made our way from beach to water parks around Seattle. I've realized I LOVE water. I love being around moving water, lakes, and water where I can dive in and play. On Sunday after the 4th, we made our way to the East Side (aka Bellevue) to Enatai Beach where we spent hours digging, searching for treasures, and playing in the lake. We rented a paddle board and spent time switching off between Matt and I and having the boys switch, too, paddling around the yachts and boats.
Monday, I took the day off work to explore Mercer Island with my mom and then a drive around Mt. Baker. Then we pulled the boys out of school a bit early to head to Lake Union for running through wat
