Still Kickin'

OK, I'm back. Been a little lazy about the blog this summer. Here's what's been going on with our clan:
Hannah did a face-plant into a bench. Those are the days you feel like mom of the year, you know? Ouch.

Camping trip to Fish Hook Lake.

My baby turned 5! She starts Kindergarten this year. I did the buttercream transfer method for her cake again this year. So fun.

Little family get-together in Grants Pass. Four generations together for Ella's OTHER birthday party.

Fourth of July party with cousins.

Visiting my mom in LG.

Camping trip to Montana. Glacier National Park... yes, that is a mountain goat standing right behind Ella. How cool is that?

A Perfect Day

Have you ever had one of those days that are just perfect? The kids cooperate and are not cranky. The weather is great. You don't run into any traffic or grumpy people. Those kinds of days are few and far between, but I had one recently. Here we are spending a perfect day at Cannon Beach (one of my favorite places in the world). I hope you all are in for some perfect days this summer!

Goodbye Dad

“He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.”
-Clarence Budington Kelland

Good Things

Ever since we moved, it seems we can't get enough of making treats. I think it's all about the family togetherness with the cousins. Making the treats is lots of fun, but I have to work hard to avoid EATING them. So, in the spirit of treats and things that make us happy, I am listing some of the good things that we are thankful for:

1.The landscape is finally starting to show signs of spring - it's actually starting to turn green! It's been four years since I've experienced a real season change (no offense to my friends back in LV).

2.Aaron's office is just about done. We were moving in some furniture today! I'll post pictures soon.

3.Hannah is almost completely potty-trained! Yippee, no kids in diapers!

4. Tatiana didn't make it into the final 12 on American Idol. I mean, seriously, was she not the most annoying contestant ever!

We've Moved

For those of you who don't know, we've moved to the Northwest. No more desert heat for us! For a while we were leaning toward Utah, but in the end we decided on the Northwest. It took me three days of driving alone with the kids (because Aaron was driving the U-haul) to get here. All I can say is thank goodness for portable DVD players! We also hit some cold weather along the way, but the kids thought it was so amazing to see snow. Though I'm missing all my friends, we are happily adjusting to life here and I have to say I'm quite enjoying the cooler weather. I have a real reason to wear a sweater and have a cup of hot cocoa! I grew up in the Northwest and still have a lot of family close by so I'm thrilled to be able to see my parents and most of my sisters. Aaron has already found his office space and is working on renovations. It is a good space, but it looks like it was decorated by David Lee Roth circa 1983 (think walls painted with pastel colored sponge technique). I'll post before and after pics when he's finished, so stay tuned.

Hannah enjoying Aunt Kristen's homemade caramel corn (sneaky-sneaky)!


Hannah bonding with her cousin Emma. The girls have LOVED playing with their cousins.


Ella and Hannah earning their keep. Hannah loves anything to do with Kitty and looks forward to Saturday chores because she gets to help empty the "kitty poo-poo".

Cheryl countrifying my kids. Ella though it was so cool to actually get eggs from a real chicken! What a city slicker. She loved Aunt Cheryl's house and has been asking to go back and ride the horses and see her cousins again.

A Birthday Party, Disneyland, Christmas and a New Year

I hope you've all had a great Holiday Season! Here are some pictures from Hannah's birthday party, our most recent trip to Disneyland and our Christmas festivities. Ella got sick the day after Christmas and was still throwing up the whole way home from California that weekend. We celebrated the New Year by cleaning up after Hannah who came down with the illness a few minutes before 12 am! What a way to start the New Year! Despite the recent illnesses, we really had a fun Christmas.Decorating the Christmas Tree


Spending the day at Disneyland with my two favorite girls!



Opening presents on Christmas morning.


The girls enjoying their new toys.


Hannah's birthday party. I can't believe she's already two!