Julie's 30th

Mike decided months ago to surprise Julie for her big 3-0 with a limo ride and dinner with friends and family. He's been working on the details for months and it all came together perfectly.
Her family, Lance and I and Jacob and Cori took an SUV limo over to Serafina in Seattle for dinner. Lilah got to spend time with grandma and grandpa who have been traveling for almost a month, and we got a good date night with great friends. We had delicious food, yummy drinks, and we capped off the night (remember, we are all old...) with a limo ride to Dairy Queen for blizzards. "You're kidding," is probably what you're saying. But, I am not actually. And everyone got some type of Dairy Queen ice cream goodness.
Most importantly we got to celebrate Julie. She has become one of my closest friends and she is very dear to my heart. Mike, Julie, Lance and I have really become quite the foursome and I think I can speak for all of us when I say how very thankful and truly blessed we are to have each other as friends. Welcome to the 30 club Ji-Ji!

Halloween Week: Day 3

Lilah got to dress up for one more day (she could care less, but I think this costume is by far the cutest I have seen...and she makes it so perfect with that sweet baby face). I dressed her up for church this morning and realized that virtually no one else dressed their kids up. That only made me laugh and then feel sad that they didn't get the good use of their child's costume like I did. And maybe it's because they didn't need to get their money's worth like I did. Or maybe they didn't feel the need to show off their cute little lamb like I did.
We went to Edmonds then with granny and "trick or treated" to all the stores down there. They basically shut down the downtown area for trick or treating cuties. It was fun and easy and safe. I think we all had a fun time. And we all liked how much attention Lilah got. ;) Then we had some yummy soup with granny and festive cupcakes, and Lilah got to visit with her for awhile. She really loves her granny! Before bedtime we walked over to our neighbors' house and said "trick or treat" to Madeline and Alan. So far, we have had zero trick or treaters at our house...which is fine when we have our baby girl fast asleep.
A very fun and memorable Halloween weekend!

Halloween Week: Day 2

Halloween Party at the St. Clair's....2nd Annual Party! So much fun and of course a world of difference from last year. Everyone is busy, active, talking, eating and trying to learn to share. :) And, again this year we stand back like we have mini-celebrities on the St. Clair couch and snap pictures like the paparazzi. It's nuts. And, we laugh at the poor kids that cry the whole time. And, snap a million pictures in hope's of getting a few where your child is looking at the camera. It's pretty hilarious. Lilah was mostly interested this year in baby Rory, the newest St. Clair addition (she's 6 weeks old). She loved especially baby Rory's eyes and her fingers are continually drawn to her eyeballs. Poor thing. And she also only liked Rory when her mama wasn't holding her. Then, she wasn't a fan. Yikes...might be a little scary when baby #2 enters this world (that is NOT a hint that we're pregnant...we're not actually). ;)

Halloween Week: Day 1

Today started our Halloween week with a dress-up day at our Monday class we take - Baby Boogie Woogie. It's super fun - we sing, dance, play with puppets, balls, instruments, scarves and a big parachute. Lilah loves it! So today was the first time in the costume...and she kept on her lamb head the whole time. I don't think there's anything cuter than my little lamb!!

Please Pray For...

Our friends from church, the Phipps. Shannon is pregnant with her 3rd baby and 1st boy, Andrew. She is currently in the hospital because he was not growing as he should and she did not have enough amniotic fluid for him. Even when pumped with extra fluid, he was found to possibly have some sort of heart issues. The last we heard they were not really sure what the problems were and right now poor little Andrew is not doing too well. Shannon and Andy (her husband) are very faithful, strong Christians and are trusting in the Lord's will and know that it is only Him who can perform a miracle for them.
Your prayers for Shannon, Andy and their two girls (Kylie and Lillie) are needed and so appreciated.

5 Days Worth of Laundry=

Fort Casey

These didn't make it in the first (below) post. :)

Camping Prayers

Lance said when we were out on our maiden voyage in our new travel trailer that he knew that a lot of prayers were going up for us and for Lilah and her sleeping to actually make our 5 day trip/vacation fun. Granted, it's not like at home where she sleeps perfectly, but I truly don't think we could have asked for a better trip with her. It's crazy that we weren't worried about the weather, scary creatures and animals, the trailer having a problem or issues...nope, we were mostly stressed about our little one sleeping and the two of us getting some much needed rest as well.
We had the most beautiful weather - it was almost like we were in Easter Washington where they mostly have those cool, crisp, sunny fall days! We went on walks and Lilah played on the beach a lot. Daddy showed her how to throw rocks in the water and it was her favorite thing to do. She loved tromping around in the sand and would have walked straight into that ice cold water if we would have let her. Lance built fires and we stayed warm (except for our last night, where I finally had to go to bed about 8:30 because it was too windy and cold for me), made smores (after Lilah went to bed) and just chatted. Lance and I played a few card games (I think I must have been too cold because I lost a lot more than I won....the rematch will be very soon). The first day we got to Fort Casey it was all blue skies and we just sat and played a game while Lilah napped and sat in the sun. It was so awesome! I went on a few runs and found out that running literally on the beach is SO hard and I can't believe that Emily does that as often as she does. Well, I can, because she is much more hardcore than myself. :) We spent an afternoon in Port Townsend and had dinner one night there and one night in Coupeville. Coupeville? you say. Actually, this little town is super cute and just has one little downtown street that seems to be well taken care of and newly painted, and all the shops have a lot of character. The only thing about going there during the week is everything is pretty much closed until the weekend guests get into town. We had these great pastries though at a little place there and Lilah loved her cinnamon maple goodness!
All in all, a successful trip and fun memories made!

After All This Time....We Still Heart PEPS!

We still try to get together weekly as a group, or really whoever can make it depending on naps, other plans, vacations, etc. I really appreciate all of these ladies - their friendship, their advice, their thoughtfulness and understanding. Everyone seems to bring something different to the table and I am so thankful that both Lilah and I have these moms and babies (I can't help it - I'll be calling them babies until they're all 5) in our lives.
We went to Remlinger Farms together this year - and so much fun! It was a bright sunny fall day and the kids were all smiles. We rode the train and saw alpacas, sheep, horse; we walked around and saw roosters and chickens; we pet some sheep and bunnies; and ended our time with some cute pumpkins to take home for our pumpkins.
Thank you ladies for the fun memories we've had and all those to come! xoxo