The Ingebretsens

The comings and goings of the Ingebretsen family.

Fraggle Rock

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I just had to put this pic in from our hike to Heybrook Lookout because I used to say the trees reminded me of Fraggle Rock when we saw them so thickly covered in moss. Recently the boys have been watching it and so this time when we went into the forest George immediately said, "It feels like we are in Fraggle Rock." Yea! My kids got an 80s reference! I do love these trees for that reason. I feel like a kid again every time I see them, imagining they could come alive at any moment.

Heybrook Lookout

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We went on our first hike for the Spring on Saturday and just had the best time! We have a goal of ten hikes by the end of the summer and I hope we make it happen. We were not sure how it would go but the boys did so amazing. In fact everyone on the way that we past praised the boys for doing such a good job so I think it helped keep them on their best behavior! Anyway, it was a 900 feet elevation gain so I was impressed that not only didn't the boys complain but Robby carried Janie the whole way and I forgot to even feel bad for him because he never complained. It was a great hike for kids even though it was up hill the whole time. When we got to the top we were not disappointed. It was a beautiful view! There is also a 73 ft tall tower at the top that has stairs so you can safely climb it. I was nervous about going to the top but Oliver really wanted to go so I did it for him. Once we were up there George said, "ok I am coming." So we waited for him. When he arrived, he immediately sat down with me and said, "I need to meditate." He crossed his legs, closed his eyes and breathed in and out. He then said, "I am going to my happy place." I was laughing so hard. He is such a character. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff. But he stayed calm even though he was nervous about being so high up. So I was very impressed. Oliver on the other hand had no fear about any of it and would walk around at the top with no hesitation to the very edge. The edges were lined with chicken wire kind of stuff but I still didn't like him so close to the edge. It felt like you were so high, not only because we were 70 feet in the air, but then looking across the valley below with all the mountains surrounding us, it was too easy to imagine we were just in the middle of the sky. It was really beautiful and made me feel just so small. Nature is just so amazing.

Our Crazy Kitchen Helper

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Robby asked George if he wanted to help make the Guacamole last night for dinner and George said yes.  He seemed to be distracted minutes later looking everywhere for his goggles when he came back all decked out.  He made his dramatic entrance and announced, "I'm ready now."  It took us a sec to realize that he had been getting ready to be around the onions that Robby had been chopping.  Such a crack up.

A Day in Seattle

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I owe this pic to my friend, Brooke, for being with me to take the photo.  It isn't often that I get pictures with the boys on these days out on our own.  These are the times you want to remember when you get to go on a bit of a "stay-cation."  I don't get out enough with the kids all day long like this anymore now that George is in kindergarten.  This was a special occasion that my friend Brooke came to visit me while Robby was out of town.  So I felt like it justified George playing hookie and taking a day off.  We had such a great day together.  We ate at Ivars, not to forget feeding the talented seagulls by throwing fries in the air.  Then we went to the Seattle Aquarium where George got a solar powered key chain with his name on it and Oliver came home with a stuffed animal shark named "Sharky."  We then took a walk to catch the Water Taxi to go across to Alki where they have a shuttle that takes you around to the beach area.  We ate at a fun bakery there and hung out chatting while the boys threw rocks.  And we even got all the way back to the car at the end of the day without any break downs.  It was a super nice time.  I am so glad that Brookie came to visit.  It was so nice for me to take time away from our routine and be together with the kids.  I loved it.  

Happy Mother's Day

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Well, I was just outside with the boys before we left for church and I thought  I would take a pic on this Mother's Day.  This is a post for me and for my mom.  We rock!  Just kidding.  No, I really do feel like I owe much of my happiness as a mother to my own mother.  I have watched her love being a mom and the joy and fulfillment she has in her life because of her family.  She takes care of herself and her family in a way that I deeply admire and want to emulate.  She has taught me so many things and continues to teach me as she experiences things ahead of me and can lend to me her knowledge and example.  I am grateful for that.  I feel very blessed.  I love you, Mom.  Thank you for everything.

Good ol' DQ

We just stopped for a bit of a reward for Olivers bravery. He got 3 shots into his thighs this morning at the doctor's office. He really was such a big boy about it. It was adorable.  He went to bed last night having a hard time falling asleep.  When I went to check on him he said, "I am having a hard time falling asleep, I keep thinking about my shots."  I told him he could pick anywhere to go to get a treat afterward.  He described Dairy Queen hoping I knew what he was talking about.  "It's that place we went to on our road trip."  So on his way there this morning he said, "I can't wait.  I dreamt about Dairy Queen all night!"

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Sent from my iPhone

Goodbye front tooth!

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This was quite the day when George lost his front last week.  This is the tooth that when he was three was pushed up into his gum when he fell off a carousel horse from pretty high up.  We thought at the time that it had been chipped out but we realized it was still there as we took him to the dentist, but we just couldn't see it.  It took a few months for it to descend and it came back in pretty crooked. So I am curious to the way his permanent tooth will come in.  

I can't believe George is six.  It is so fun to watch him grow at this age because it brings back memories of my childhood.  Robby and I are having so much fun having great conversations with him.  He is smart and full of ideas.  We love you, George.