Rob&Nicole . Com

July 10th 2009

4 crazy weeks, but I'll condense it into a few paragraphs!

After being a busy bachelor for 7 years, Bob Adams (my dad) got married to a lovely girl named Rachael.

She's originally from Perth Australia, but has lived in the US since 1979. They had a wedding in May of this year down in Hollywood where they live.

Nicole and I weren't able to attend the ceremony since it was so close to Nicole's due date, so we were really anxious to meet Rachael!

Lucky for us, they were able to come visit for 5 days! They got to be here for Elliot and Jacqueline's birthday, see all kinds of family, and hang out for some good quality -time. We got to play tour-guide and take them to Seattle for a trip up the Space Needle, Pike's Market, and they even drove up to the Snoqualmie Falls.

The weather was hot, so we spent a lot of time in the lake. Thank god for the lake.

My work is generous enough to give me 4 weeks of paternity leave, so I took a lot of time this month... and a lot of PHOTOS apparently!

Much progress was made on the fence, and the plumbing under the house. Peter came over help me tie into our main 3/4 line under the house. We ran 1" PEX from the 3/4 main, all the way to the corner of the foundation. I drilled a 1 1/2" hole through the foundation with a Hilty roto-hammer (rented from Home Depot), to get it through.

All in all it was expensive and difficult, but we now have 8.5 gallons/min flow for the irrigation, instead of a paltry 6 gallons/ minute. This means we can water the yard in 30% less time, and have a much simpler irrigation setup.

-Rob and Nicole

I think freedom can only be appreciated in the fullest sense by a naked child on the loose.

Smellin' the many fragrances of summer- time.

Elliot stops slaying orcs to pose against the stone wall of Chateau Elliot.

High atop the battlements, he braves the sleet and high winds to survey the vast lands for enemy movement.

"Who you snappin' pictures of, eh?"

"Have you met my lil' sister? Never mind, I would know that already."

At the Woodland Park Zoo in downtown Seattle, we saw this peacock freaking out over a crow that was all up in it's business. Photo op!

Kimodo Dragons have three things going for them:

1. They're bad-ass.

2. They can run faster than a human and bite a man's ass-cheek off while at a full-sprint.

3. On top of being bad-ass, they're called Dragons.

Peter guides their race boat along the channel, with Paisley tending the slack on the jib line. Click here to see a larger collection of photos from the regatta.

Mac, Haley, Liam, and Charlie stop to pose during Paisley & Peter's 10th anniversary party.

Paisley and Peter perform a10-year smooch.

Haley, Hawk, Paisley, Ray, and Suzy at the regatta party.

Speaking of parties, the next weekend it was time for Elliot's 2nd birthday party! Naturally, he got a "Cars" theme. "Cars" is his favorite movie.

Elliot tears into his presents at light-speed. Later we forced him to slow down, and hand-write 19 thank-you cards.

The feeding frenzy.

Hawk and Lia face-off.

The uber-mom pauses between juggling babies, cleaning, entertaining guests, and cooking things to flash a quick smile at dad. Dad is fortunate to capture this smile before her laser eyes focus on the next target.

Paisley and Lia spend some time chillin'.

After several attempts, and thanks to the valiant efforts of Hawk, Liam, Kyla, Morgan, and Cora... I managed this shot. I think a few people owe me a dollar but I can't remember who bet.

Ross throws down some BBQ veggies.

Jacqueline poses with Satan's Cake. Satan allows this cake to be served only once every 6 years, 6 months and 6 days. Get it? Anyway, I don't believe in Satan but if I did, he would crap his red tights if he had a bite of this cake.

Seva and Jacqueline rip the old finish off the deck with their Tango dancing.

Elliot sits on a Duck Tour Boat.

Safely back on the ground, Bob and Rachael hug each other... relieved to be alive.

Elliot practices his dribbling skills at his "Daddy & Me" soccer class in Kirkland.

Drillin' through the foundation.

The fence posts are all braced and ready.

Elliot offers a small blue flower as a peace gesture. Don't be fooled.

"Take the picture dad, this thing weighs almost as much as I do"

El dragon fly

Elliot combs the grass for more insects, further proving that he is, in fact, a boy.

"OK Grandma, if I'm gonna get any serious air, it needs to be a lot faster this time..."

Elliot brushes his teeth, and brushes up on his routine a bit.

Hey giraffe, what's with the attitude? Cheer up for Christ's sake! YOU'RE A FREAKIN' GIRAFFE, why aren't you totally STOKED?

Elliot inspects the clear silicone caulking around the 4" acrylic window at the new penguin exhibit.

We hung out at Paisley and Peter's 10-year anniversary regatta down on Bainbridge Island. This is one of many races. Click here to see a larger collection of photos from the regatta.

The kids get taken out on the dinghy by Peter's dad, Tad.

Ray and his sister, Haley.

The gang cheering for Paisley and Peter at the regatta party.

Using all organic, natural, free-range, gluten-free, recycled, un-bleached, and sugar-free ingredients, Chris creates a perfect likeness of "Lightning McQueen", the main character from "Cars".

"Yo dad, how many more balloons will it take for me to be able to fly, yo?"

Elliot opens his train set from Grandma and Grandpa.

Blowin' the candles...

Lightning McQueen in all his carrot-cake glory.

Cake-cutting.

Always an anxious waiting game. Never appear to want the cake, just causally look around until someone hands your a slice. Then half-heartedly complain it's too big.