Final B-day Celebration!

We capped off Dylan's week-long birthday celebration with the "closing ceremonies" on Sunday with my siblings, their spouses and kids. We celebrated Dylan and Evan's birthdays together. During the afternoon we headed out to Alki beach (when I planned this outing I was apparently too optimistic that we could have spring weather). We let the kids throw rocks and play a bit and then went out for an early pizza dinner at Pegasus. It was great having the cousins together and they all did a great job at the restaurant (minus the broken beer glass, spilled water, tumbles down the steps....)
That evening everyone came back to our place for cake, ice cream and some Wii playing. It was hilarious to watch the kids box, bowl, etc. Dylan was happy to open more presents and was super excited about his new umbrella, baseball glove, doctors kit and Cars game. He's got plenty to keep him entertained these days.
For now, we'll slip quietly back into our routine and wind down from things a bit before heading to Spokane/Colfax for Easter in a few weeks.

Darcy and Dom

Elizabeth, Brian & Paul

Maria, Evan & Christina

Uncle Mel & Dylan

Baby Hougham

Congratulations to our friends Jon & Sally on the birth of baby Cooper yesterday! Cooper weighed 8 lbs and 3 oz and it sounds like Sally was quite the champ during labor. We are so excited to meet this little guy....but will have to wait a few months until they make a trip back to Washington in July. Congratulations Hougham Family!!

Birthday Celebration #1

Dylan is taking after his mom and will be celebrating his 3rd birthday all week long! On Sunday we had his first celebration- a family dinner at our house with Grandma and Grandpa Lee, Uncle Erick, Auntie Robyn, and long-lost cousins Sheri and Stephanie. There was of course plenty of presents to be opened, balloons, and a Thomas the Train cake complete with candles.....which took plenty of puffs to blow out. On Monday Kevin took the day off and took Dylan, Grandma and me to 3-2-1 Bounce in Bellevue. Lots of jumping fun was had by all.

Tomorrow will be celebration #2 at Dylan's pre-school/daycare and #3 will be on Saturday when we celebrate with cousin Evan who turns 10 today and all of the other Deming cousins at Alki Beach. Phew! More pics to come!

Happy Birthday Dylan!

Dear Dylan,

It seems nearly impossible that it has already been 3 years since you joined our little family and turned our world upside down and changed our lives completely (for the better of course!) I can hardly remember what life was like before you made your entrance into the world on March 23, 2006.

Throughout the three short years of your life you have managed to melt our hearts, make us laugh, surprise us, frustrate us and downright make us proud! It’s taken us a while to figure you out and get used to the “quirks” that make you the unique and special individual you are. Especially during the last year, your personality and sense of self has really developed. In many ways you are your father’s son…..quiet and reserved when first confronted with new people and situations but quick witted and jovial when you feel at ease and comfort. We pretty much have figured out that when put in new places and situations we need to allow at least 20 minutes of integration time before you get to be the real you. You are happiest at home and with those who you know well and those who you trust. I never worry that you will be one of those kids that will be taken by a stranger---you would scream your bloody head off first! You have become independent and determined and your 2nd year of life can be summed up in the phrases “I will do it” and “All by myself” despite the fact that you still need our help to complete simple tasks such as putting on your socks and pulling up your pants. Much like your dear old mom you are easily frustrated and are quick to fly off the handle but once you cool down you are pretty sweet and always sorry for the outburst. You have an incredible memory and are constantly surprising us with the mundane little things that you remember. It seems like every day you quote a different line from a movie or book making us laugh. It has been a joy watching your imagination develop over the past year- your games, conversations, songs and make-believe play are a constant source of entertainment for us. You have also become quite the little helper this past year, always wanting to do the jobs that Dad and I are needing to complete….making coffee, fixing things, cooking, cleaning, etc. I hope that you’ll still want to do these things when you are actually old enough to do them yourself! Like a typical little boy your humor consists of putting any words together with "butt", "fart" or "poopy" and you think you are pretty hilarious. You love playing with your dad in the evenings after he comes home from work....whether you are rough housing, practicing your short (golf) game, or hitting the baseball- you seem to have a fantastic attitude and sense of sportsmanship.....always saying "good job" or "I did it" and not getting upset when you can't do it perfectly.

I know “three” will be a big year for you and look forward to the many wonderful changes and milestones to come. We feel so blessed to have you in our lives and are so thankful for you every day! Happy 3rd Birthday Dylan Peter!

All our love,
Mom (& Dad) =)

Dylan Peter Lee
March 23, 2006

1st Birthday!
2nd Birthday!

A Confession

On the weekends we always drive a company car that Kevin brings home from work-- doing so saves us money on gas as well as wear and tear on my car. Most weekends Kevin will drive home a mid-size sedan but last Friday he ended up bringing home a mini-van. I had to laugh when he rolled up to the house in the family mobile....but apparently that was all he had available to bring home. The next day however I was actually impressed! When we headed out to do some errands I was surprised by the sheer convenience of the vehicle. An electronic door that slid open for Dylan, he was easily able to climb in and out of his carseat and open the door himself by pressing a button, the seats that literally fold down flat into the floor, not to mention the two-screens for the two dvd players the van was equipped with. I have always claimed that "I will never own a mini-van" but I think I might have actually been convinced otherwise......but not until we have more than one kid! I'll still keep some relative "coolness" until then. =)

New videos

It seems to be much easier to "capture" Dylan on video than on still camera shots these days-- mostly because he just moves too darn fast for me to get a shot using my point and shoot digital but also because he now loves to watch himself on video. Here are a couple of recent short videos of him singing "You Are My Sunshine" and gearing up for baseball season with dad (whom by the way is planning on buying Dylan his very own Griffey jersey....can you say nostalgia???)