shout out

to the man of the house. the one we owe are laughs & bike ride bliss. the provider. the strength in which we all lean on. the handy man. the problem solver. my kids daddy. my best friend and handsome hubby.

i love my babies daddy. he has a heart of gold and a will that perseveres through anything. i have a life time of reasons to love him. happy father's day!

Camano Island

The kids and I just spent the last two night at my In-Laws, while Justin was away for business. There is something so refreshing about heading out of the city and into wide open spaces. The heritage is rich and the land is lush... we took the low road by Grandpa's old dairy farm and homesteaded land. Headed onto the island into a place that is now so familiar to me I can call it home. We laughed and were loved on by Justin's Great Grandma, my kids Super Great Grandma (who just turned 96 on May 1), both Great Grandma's, Great Grandpa Moo, Grammy, Baba and Oscar (the dog). I feel so blessed, as I soak in the family I have married into. The treasure of such faith, loyalty, and love that is folded into the fabric of my babies beings, makes me beam with gratitude.

 super great grandma & lillian  

 happy great grandma & lil clap your hands

 red, white, blue, me & you

 pretty princess

 standing alone

 corvette cool- happy 50th grammy!

Lillian Deer & Baba

pure joy

Happy Birthday Rowen

Dear Rowen,

You are my sunshine. I love you and the way that every thing you do is whole hearted. I love how much you smile. I love your determination and seeing your father in you. I love when you shake your head, so much it makes you giggle. I love having to chase you as you jet up the stairs, into the bathroom and off on your own. I delight in your love for you sister & hers for you. I love when you wake up that you are jumping in your crib. I love your grin and dimple. I love when you reach up at me like I am your heaven. I love how you cuddle and suck your thumb. I love watching you play ball. I love your open mouth kisses. You are adorable, a joy, hilarious, fun, Mr. Smile, Row-Row on the Go-Go, my little man and my favorite boy in the whole world. I love you forever.

Love Mama

cookie crumble

 mr.smile is always covering me with his crumbs and cuddles. daily i am amazed at how many snot swipes, dirty hand wipes, food crumbs,  and not to mention the occasional butt covered in something i sat in (he was saving it for later) adorn my attire at the end of every day. so crumbs are just a little loving that i have added to my wardrobe, compliments of the littlest.

az vacay

after a fabulous vacay in phoenix & my parents new "lodge" in payson with the utterback clan, my kids and i have returned home to A NEW CAR (thanks husband!) & the stomach flu (thankfully not baby row). i had huge ambitions of recapping my time with a compilation video & i still hope to get around to that, but since i only have a wee bit of energy here is a taste...

 my son has the most amazing smile & he was the cutest conductor on the train at the Railroad Park

sissy loves being with all her girlie cousins & nana never passes up an opportunity to dress them 

matchy-matchy

the best for last... a star in the making! 

this could of been a post of it's own... i love my indian princess, SO!

p.p.p.p

PARK

i'll bundle up and take on the crisp air any day there isn't rain.

PIZZA

one of our new years resolutions is to make pizza dinner together once a week. we are getting pretty creative & lil is quite the sue chef. we are shooting for resolutions that we can keep... along with our saturday morning chocolate croissants (yum!)

PLAY

a recent outing to the zoo was twice as fun with her two bf's Ollie & Wes!  the entertainment abounds with two year olds and my favorite is when they have their own little conversations. cutest little people!

PLEASE
manners are the matter at hand and i actually wish that i meant just please. with the resent whining and murmur of "i can't" resounding through my home, i am buckling my two year old down to PLEASE "say it with a smile"- makes it hard for her to keep the whine in her tone while cheesing up her cheeks. And really why say you can't when as a two year old all you want to do is say " I CAN!" (like the little engine that could). I love reading parenting tips and i often laugh thinking of all the strategies- redirect, encourage, be positive, patient, and really just be present cause the truth is I need to say things with a smile even if it is "Please don't sit on your brother" =)

happy holidays

We had the Merriest of Christmas' this year! Now that we are back home i must note a few tidings of christmas this year...

I love christmas! It is exciting and magical every moment set to a melodious tune... Lillian had me singing carols around the clock. Her favorites were a tie between Rudolph & Away in a Manger. 

little drummer boy