Del, hanging out on the couch with his current favorite person.

We’ve been meaning to get some of the great pictures posted from our recent trip with Del’s Grandma and Grandpa to Golden Garden in Seattle, during their October visit. Del had a blast playing on the beach and exploring the sand.

It’s taken us a bit to get photos posted here and on Flickr, but everyone seemed to have a great time (especially the birthday boy!) at Del’s recent first birthday party. We gathered friends, family, neighbors and daycare classmates on Sunday, October 5th on Mercer Island for two hours of hanging out, BBQ, cake and presents.

As would be expected, Del made off with quite a bit of loot, and quite the sugar rush from his share of the cake!

As he’s getting a bit older, Del’s really starting to show an interest in books (beyond simply chewing on them, which he was a fan of since the beginning). He sat down with his Oma this weekend to look through a few books. Not sure why he’s using a hairbrush to turn the pages, but he’s getting the hang of it…

Just a couple more pics from Del in the kiddie pool at his grandparents house this past weekend…

We’re finally getting some true summer weather here in the Seattle area this weekend (88º-90º), and it’s not even the Fourth of July yet! That kind of heat gets to be pretty unbearable in our third floor condo (particularly with all its large, south facing windows – which are awesome in the winter but murder in the summer). So early this morning we piled The Boy, The Hounds and our stuff into the X5 and headed down to Lakewood for the weekend.

The hot weather also meant that Del would finally get a chance to try out the new kiddie pool that his Oma and Opa recently got him, and it did not disappoint! He spent about a half hour in it this afternoon, splashing around with Dianne and his Oma, while dad took pictures. As much as he even likes his baths, he had a blast here. We’re looking forward to getting at least one more good pool session in tomorrow before we have to head back to Seattle.

I had a hunch this would make a good “instant photo collage” – pics of Del from his grandparents’ refrigerator door. He’s still competing with a few Thurman the Dog pics and other assorted family members, but he’s slowly squeezing everyone else out!

In addition to the Fremont Solstice Parade, Sam’s birthday party, visiting his grandparents and eating an entire piece of ice cream cake, the highlight of Del’s weekend was definitely a visit from his amazing Aunt Becky, who came up for the weekend from Las Vegas to (belatedly) celebrate her 21st birthday.

Del definitely got a kick out of spending some great play time (and nap time!) with his aunt, and we had a blast having her visit as well. Becky, we can’t wait to see you again soon!

What a great way to spend my first Father’s Day – at the ballpark with my dad and my son. Three generations of cranky Carmonys, spending some quality "guy time" together.

I love you both…

Dianne and Del, sharing a moment together…