Double Scoop Girl

Today we visited the zoo (pictures to follow) and then had to make a stop at Molly Moons. Mmmm...I think I like it more than Lance and Lilah. They would be happy with Dairy Queen or Baskin Robbins. I love the tasty salted caramel ice cream there. And make it a double scoop, please! I told Lance as I watched ladies come in and get little baby scoops or share with their hubbies, that I wad glad I don't do that. THIS is one reason why I workout so religiously and hard. I mean, I also love the way I feel and I like being healthy. I like to wear whatever I want and that I am modeling good habits for my girls. However, it's also because I want to be able to get two scoops at Molly Moons!! And to haveizza for dinner tonight! Don't get me wrong, I eat mostly healthy. I eat a lot of veggies, fruit, proteins, and have 5 small meals throughout the day. I make mostly good food choices and feed my family healthy dinners. But, I do like my treats. So, now you know when I won't miss my workout or get up at 5am to fit it in...so I can get that delicious double scoop of salted caramel ice cream next time we are in Wallingford. ;)

Like It's Been Forever

Although we have only been friends and spending time with Mike and Julie (and Mason and Samson) for about 3 years, it seems like we have been friends for a lifetime. They are such a special couple and really such great friends. We can count on them for anything - help with the kids, someone to talk to, a couple to pray for us or with us, a good laugh, or a hug when we need it. Both Mike and Julie are so warm, loving, and welcoming. The four of us are like 4 peas in a pod - Mike and I being alike in many ways, and Julie and Lance being alike too. We have a lot of the same interests and most importantly have our values, child-rearing and marriages focused on Christ. Enough of all the mushy talk...since Mike was at home for a break from the season, they came over for a bbq (which they mostly provided all the food, we provided the house and barbeque). The kids just adore one another and we adore each other's company. My mom joined us for some good company and good laughs. Thanks Muchlinskis for being our good buddies and forever friends!

Holding hands and praying before dinner

5 Month Old Baby Doll

Feeling Bored, Lonely? Need Someone to Talk to?

Come on over. I have a three year old that could seriously talk your ear off for days upon days. It is neverending at our house. Lilah is talking all of the time. At times I miss the days that she couldn't say much or she just had a limited vocabulary. Now that she knows a ton of words AND understands so much, it's dangerous. The worst is in the car. She asks about 20 times per car ride, "What's that?". I have explained countless times that I cannot look around to see what she is talking about because I am driving and have to focus on the road. But, she still asks. If she is not asking us, "What's that?" then she is asking, "Why?". Sometimes I have the patience to actually continue on the "why" questioning for a few rounds. Sometimes I just have to say, "Just because". At the dinner table she wants so badly to be part of our conversation that she starts making up stories. Tonight I was thinking that Lance must think I am having an affair when she randomly starts talking and telling this story that goes something like, "Yeah, so this guy...well, he was doing 'someting' at my work...". She sort of trailed off. We asked her what this "guy's" name was. His name was Bill and she works with him. Doing what, we asked. Oh, just working on fires. Hmmm...interesting. The best part though (and of course I can't even think of an example right now) is when Lance and I just die laughing at something Lilah says (which is nearly every day). Sometimes it's because she sounds like a mini-me talking to Eden, and sometimes it is just something that coming out of a three year old's mouth is pretty hilarious.

Organized Chaos

I actually take a class with this title at Fly Fitness, but it reminded me of our beach date yesterday. I decided to brave a short morning at the beach with both girls alone. The little beach is very close to us and I figured it would be no big deal to do with my 5 month old and 3 year old. I'm being a little dramatic because it wasn't so bad, but not my favorite way to spend the morning. And that's a lot coming from me, who LOVES sun more than a lot of Seattleites. When I used to live in downtown Kirkland I spent many a summer days sitting at "unemployment beach" (you know what I'm talking about if you've lived in Kirkland) for hours and hours. I don't mean like 2. I mean like 4, or 5 hours. So the "organized" part of this outing was my pre-planning. I first timed it so Eden had her morning nap and I fed her before we took off. Nice. I had a huge umbrella to put in the sand to keep Eden in the shade, but so we could still be in the sun. I had towels, Eden a sunhat, snacks, water, camera, phone, wallet, toys, all the necessities. I had Lilah and myself already in our suits and lubed up. Smart, right!?! Well, it was a little windy when we got there and the umbrella would barely stay. And that meant sand got all over the towels, and on Eden. She rolls all the time, so she wouldn't really stay in the shady part of the towel. And Eden decided she really would rather be held. That meant though that I needed to keep her shaded as much as possible to keep her fair skin out of the sun. And I had a huge beach bag, a lunch bag, and a golf umbrella. Oh and the two girls, and no stroller. Unfortunately I have only two hands, and I needed about 5. So, our hour beach morning ended with a trip to Fred Meyer for a new blow up pool for our yard so our beach trips are few and far between (unless I have a friend or husband with me). I also got on Amazon to order a big, nice beach/park blanket and a little shade tent for Eden. Phew...reliving yesterday made me tired.

Had to get a shot of my "set up" at the beach. What a joke. But...we survived.

At 5 Months

She is already 5 months old. I can't even believe it. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was pregnant. Really. Time is flying by even faster now having the two girls. Some days I want it to keep going, and many days I just want things to slow down a little bit. I know when the girls go into school I won't hardly believe that we are already at that point in our lives. Eden is very sweet, but definitely I think has a voice too. She isn't as laid back and mellow as we first thought. She will for sure let us know if she's hungry, hot, tired, or wants her mama or daddy. She will scream. A very loud scream. But she is very happy and smiley too. Eden loves her big sister, which I think will continue on forever. She has just started some rice cereal and sweet potatoes and is starting to kind of get the hang of it. Unlike her sissy, I think this girl is going to like food. She has been a great nurser (if that is even a word) and I think will be a good eater. She is rolling from her back to her front, and almost doing the opposite. She gets pretty mad on her tummy after a little while until one of us comes to rescue her. Her voice has definitely been made known too with some talking and grunting. Eden's favorite sound is "Ahhhh" in a deep grunting voice. She has giggled a few times, and mostly at me. She likes when I sing to her. Her eyes just sparkle. I think I will be her favorite. Lilah definitely is a daddy's girl, so I think this one might just be mama's. ;) We all love her so much. Lilah is really great with her, and does the baby talk just like me. She is always concerned about Eden and wants to help. We are surely blessed.

Waiting before bedtime for these shots was not my best move

No smiles to be had...but check out those thighs! Oh how I love them!!

Cute hairbow that is way too small now for her growing head

With her big sister

Summer FINALLY Is Here!!

I think our summer has officially begun. Here are some pictures I have taken this week of our fun times in the sun! Yay! The only bad thing is the fact that I feel much less productive because I want to be outside as much as possible. Trying out the new life jacket

Snugglin' with Samson pre-slipping slide time

Slip and Slide Fun

This is what Eden was doing during the slipping and sliding:

Samson saying in the cutest voice, "Hi Beebee!"

Sandbox (post slip and slide)

Fun with my college friends, hubbies and kids at Kjell's mom's house on Lake Sawyer. It was beautiful and such a fun place. We bbq'd, hung out, the kids caught little fish, played in the water, and had a great time in the kiddie pool. Perfect Sunday afternoon.

The Best Part of the 4th of July is....

my little ladies in their cute outfits. The worst part: everything thing else. I hate fireworks with a passion. Mostly because the fools around us choose all the illegal ones (well, they are all illegal in Kirkland actually) that just make loud booms to keep firing off until 11:30 at night. This year Lilah woke up scared. That makes me hate them a million times more. It's just one of those holidays that people don't really care the origin, they just want an excuse to shoot obnoxious fireworks into the air and a reason to party. Ugh. I am such a scrooge. So, here are pictures of my cute girls in their 4th of July duds.

Takin' a Break from the Rain!

We decided to try a second camping trip as a family of four...to east of the mountains where we knew we would be guaranteed sunshine. And thankfully it was beautiful and perfect weather, while at home it was pretty nasty and rainy. All in all, with all things taken into consideration, we would say it was fairly successful. As successful as camping can be with a 5 month old and 3 year old. Sleep is always our biggest concern. Lilah didn't nap so by night time was OUT! No peeps until morning from her for all of our three nights. Eden however was the wild card. The first night was hard because she was up so many times, and the third night she didn't really want to go to bed and we tried for a few hours at getting her to sleep. The 2nd night was better. The packing up and unpacking is a chore too. And I'm crazy so I pack way more food, toiletries and clothes than what we need for the "what if" scenarios. And as far as unpacking, I have to get it done the day of. So in the last 24 hours I think I have done about 6 loads of laundry and nearly all is put away. I can't stand it. But then by now, I'm super exhausted. One of the greatest parts that keeps us going though is that Lilah loves to camp. She loves the trailer, loves being outside and in the sun and having all this area to play and run around. This time she spent a ton of time at the pool, and had a blast. Lance took her to the beach and on wagon rides. Lilah was definitely disappointed to come home. She could have stayed there for weeks. :) For me I love the time after the girls are asleep. Lance and I don't have the tv or phone or ipad, but just time to chat. We got to sit outside, have a little wine and just talk. We even played a game of Skip Bo (and for the record, I killed Lance). So, a good enough time to not swear out off camping for this season, but not THAT good to want to go for another month or so.