The Ward's...

Home Again

2011-02-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

This time of year has come again...I am an official "Stay at home mom". It is funny how much this affects me. I look forward to being with my family, and yet I look forward to working. Did I mention the paycheck that I lack the rest of the year? That part is just dreadful:(. Every year (or at least the past 3) I have gone through such a trasition when my work is over for the year. The 1st year I was in shock, last year I was so happy to be home again and this year, well this year I just don't know how I feel. I know I am ready to take the girls to and from school again, go to coffee with wonderful girlfriends, take off at a whim and go to the zoo or the gardening shop, or like today, look at a new house (really an old house that would require more work then even Jason and I are capable of). Not to mention CLEAN MY HOUSE. My husband does a great job at keeping up, but I can honestly say that a man's touch just lacks something when it comes to cleaning! But he tries, and the girls try and I get up every morning and kiss them good bye. Then I get to do a job that I am good at, enjoy and love the people I work with. But I miss out on so much stuff. I am just plain torn. That dreadful place between not wanting to leave my family every day and wanting to leave my family every day:)
I tell ya, "What to do?" Maybe I will start with a little sewing!

2011-01-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

Wow, 2011 really? New year's in my house is truly mundane. Like... Jason worked, the girls were asleep by 8 and I fell asleep in my bed to HGTV by 10:15. However, the last 2 months have been a whirl wind of life, work, school, 2 beautiful little girls and truly treading water.
I accepted my annual seasonal position here. It feels like I go into hiding for about 4 months. If you are anyone I get together with on a regular basis, you know what I am talking about. Sometimes I return your calls, sometimes we actually get to the making of plans, and if I am truly lucky, I get to see you:) This full time working Mom stuff is for the birds!
However, since I am working, Jason and I decided to make the most of it and go all out for the girls for Christmas. Santa brough them Skiis, boots and bindings! Even though we both snowboard (and have for years), we thought we would teach the girls to ski first.
I bought Jason a season pass to Snoqualmie in September, and now Reese and I have been lucky enough to join him in that! (Thanks Dad and Mom:)) We went up yesterday with most of my family, and as I looked around at Payton coming down the mountain on skiis and telling me, "Go away Mommy, I do it myself" and Reese successfully making pizza turns and fench friis all the way down with no assistance, it hit me...I am so content in my family. My parents were watching along with my wonderful brother, his girlfriend and daughter. Taking photos, videos and all full of smiles. Because I had 2 amazing little girls that were making there way, and a husband helping me each step. I am lucky, I am blessed!
Enjoy a few of my little ski bunnies...And Happy, Safe and Loving new year to you all!

(P.S. Eat some snow! It does a body good:))

Payt started pre-school

2010-10-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

Somebody please tell me where the past two plus years have gone? How is already time for my sweet punkin to start pre-school? Luckily she gets to go to the same school and have the same teacher that Reese has for the the past two years. She was simply amazing that day! I had her walk up to all her new classmates and give them their name tags. She was shy, but did it and seemed to have lots of fun that day. Here's to having 2 hours with no kiddos once a week!!! I can't wait to go grocery shopping by myself:) How lame! Seriously, I am stoked!!!

On to the next...

2010-09-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

What an emotional day! For all the preparing that I thought that I did, it came as a huge surprise as to how emotional we all were yesterday. Reese's teacher was wonderful and inviting and let us be as involved as we wanted yesterday morning. However, I was the last parent in her classroom, and the para-educator finally had to peel her off of me:( It was just heartbreaking, but we did it! We all survived the whole day and are currently getting ready for our second. (Aparently Reese saved the show for me, she was fine just a few minutes after I left!)
As a parent, our sole job in life is to ensure the safety and happiness of our children. To place this in someone else's hands is just terrifying! It certainly helps that I know so many wonderful teachers, Heidi, Jen and Steph, or else I would really lose my Mommy mind:)
Thanks you teachers for sharing the part of you that I lack! And please keep my little one safe!!!:)

This last one is just for your viewing pleasure:) Payt all dressed up for Sissy's big day! Don't worry, we changed her...

1st overnight hiking trip

2010-08-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

J has been wanting to take Reese on an overnight hiking trip for a while now. They finally planned it and got Aunt Kim to come along. My little girl made it 3.5 miles into Lower Lena Lake all by herself with her own backpack! I wish I could have been there, but Payt just isn't ready yet...maybe next year...

2010-07-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

A little bit of summer random-ness...

I love being the neighborhood hang out for the kiddos:) I think I am officially known as the otter-pop lady! I couldn't resist taking a pic while Sarah and the boys were over and Ellie too. Come on over anytime neighbors!!!

When we were on the boat the girls slept in the same bed the whole time. I had a tough time breakng Payt of this when we got back. I came in and found them sleeping like this together. Too sweet...

And this is an amazing Radish. I went to pull it before we left and J asked me to leave it so we could see how big it would get. Well you can see here it was HUGE when we got back! Totally cracked us up.

Hope you are all having a great summer:)

San Juans 2010

2010-07-27T09:11:00.001-07:00

Ok, you asked for it! Here are some pictures from our trip. Believe it or not, I actually took fewer this year then in years past. Only about 100:)
Our trip was absolutely filled full of sunshine, beautiful new places, sandy beaches, clear water and best of all...ORCAS! It was amazing! This was the first time in 6 years of doing this trip that we finally came accross them. Jason was driving up top and I was down below getting the girls settled when he stomped on the floor to get my attention. We all raced up top and watched part of the J-pod for over an hour go all the way up Stuart Island. I certainly would have loved it if they came closer, but they didn't. I will take what I can get though:)

Jason and I out getting the crab pots in Sequim

J and Payt getting last minute snuggles at sunset

Jason trying to show the girls how to shrimp off the docks in Roche Harbor

Out Kayaking in Roche

Bella being taken out on the Kayak for the 1st time. She was such a good girl

Payton giving me quite the stern look:) We were at a beautiful beach on Galiano Island. Pure white with crystal clear water!

Jason's failed attempt to get a photo of the whales. You will have to use your imagination on this one:)

I couldn't believe it when Reese jumped into the water at Galiano Island! Right off the back of the boat to her Daddy!

Here is how Bella got to shore to potty when we were anchored out! This was the only pain about having her on board.

Lots of hiking. We had to get our excercise somehow. The islands don't lack on beautiful hikes.

The beautiful rocks along the shore of Galiano Island.

This is one of the beautiful murals up in Chemanis Canada. It is on the East side of Vancouver Island and was a very fun stop. They actually have yellow footsteps along the sidewalks to show you the way to all of the murals.

Reese's 1st self portrait! Totally cracks me up. Try blowing it up:)

Tons of sleepy time. The girls actually slept in the guest bunk together every night and did great. This is the way I was woken up every morning...

More Shrimping in Friday Harbor. Love that their Daddy was a master shrimper:)

Checking out their loot. We threw them all back though:)

Payt wore these sunglasses the whole trip. She actually has them on the right way this time.

The end of our trip...Bella was just plain wore out. Sleeping in her Daddy's lap while he drives us all home.

A Great trip! Another one for the memory books. I love showing the girls all of the beauty in our own backyard. Thanks Mom and Dad again for your generosity. We look forward to this trip every year:)

2010-07-07T08:10:00.000-07:00

We are off...again...for 12 days in this heavenly place.

Here is to sunshine at laaaassssstttt:)
And hopefully catch us some of these to eat...

Enjoy everyone!

Hi Again

2010-06-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hi there! It's been a while...The beginning of May starts a 6 week blur in my household. 1st it is my birthday, then Mother's Day, then J's birthday, then Reese's birthday! Next week we will end with Father's Day and Payton's birthday. Whew...I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and will be able able to breathe again!
I am just going to share a whole slough of photos from the past month and a half. Hang in there with me!

Yup, I am 31! I am officially in my 30's...WEIRD! I swear I am still 21:)

And Jason is 34...Out for Sushi with his Parents and Sis. His favorite:)

My Big girl is 5! I absolutely can not believe how time has flown. She was my sweet little baby just yesterday. Now she is doing Gymnastics, playing Soccer and starting Kindergarten this fall. She is a wonderfully happy little girl who fills us with her imagination and sweetness. You started our life as a family Reesie, thank you!

This is her last day of Preschool. All the kids got to go accross the stage and get a little certificate. So cute!

Here is Reese at her "Friends party" at Chuck E Cheese. J and I tried forever to talk her out of her choice of venue to no avail. So, Sorry to her friends parents who had avoided it up to this point with their kiddos.

Jason and I finally decided after years of borrowing our parents RV's, to buy our own. We did lots of research and finally ended up with the perfect one for us. We had a lot of criteria. Bunk beds for the girls, a seperate queen bed for us, a full kitchen and bath, and all of this in no more than 22 feet! That way it could still fit in our driveway and not block the sidewalk from all our neighborhood kiddos who ride their bikes up and down it!
It was hard, but we finally found it and it has a bed that slides out the back. So comfy. We took it to Mt. St Helen's last week with some our best friends Steve and Jodi for our first trip. Outside of the horribe rain, it was a great 1st trip. Here are a few photos of it...

Thank goodness for Papa Pete's Pizza in Castle Rock! They had an arcade. Such a needed respite from the rain.

And our trip ended with a muddy mess! I know you are going to kill me Stevie, but I had to!
Between the size of Steve's truck and trailer and the tight amount of trees at the RV park, he managed to get his truck stuck up and over a log! Nothing made my husband happier, then using his new truck to pull Steve out! Boys, their toys and their arrogance:)

I promise to be back next week with more, but that is enouht for now! I am off to clean my house from the Family party we threw for the girls on Sunday and get the trailer ready for our next trip this weekend. And somewhere in there, I need to plan something for Father's Day. Oh Boy!

Project

2010-04-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

So I am having a delima and I need some help...
I was at my In-Laws house a while back and they had this beautiful hutch in their garage that was given to them and they didn't want.

I instantly fell in love with it, but had to do some serious convincing with the hubby to let me get it! It is not really the style of our house, but I just couldn't forget about it...Did I mention it was free? Who doesn't love that? So I finally convinced J to let me have it. I called my father-in-law and told him and he drove it up to me the same day! Talk about Service:)
Since it doesn't match the style of our house, I have wanted to re-finish it. I don't want to just re-stain it though. I want to paint it AQUA! My favorite color! Then I recently saw this post and knew that I had to do it! I just don't know how to get started.
If you remember ladies in all our drunken stuper, I took this photo last summer in Chelan.

This has been my inspiration the whole time. Anyone know how to re-finish this to make it look great? I don't think my husband wants to help me with this project:)

And here are a couple of photos of the girls in their new dresses! Too cute...I got the idea here...She is sooo talented! I am addicted to crafty blogs right now...

A few little projects...

2010-04-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

I have been recently told that I need to post more of my projects, so here are a few that I have worked on lately:)

This is a dress that I bought for Payton for Easter. I tried really hard to just stay home for Easter this year. I was in the mood to just hang out at home with my hubby and girls. However, my parents, my in-laws and my husband all had a different idea. Needless to say, I lost and we split the day going between Tacoma (home) to Centralia and then to Shelton! And since I didn't have a dress for Payt, I ran out to the consignment shop that I trade things in at and picked this little dress up for Payt for $3. I was excited about the deal, but not the over-all look of the dress. So as Jason would say, I HAD to "be-dazzle" it:) I took off the tattered pink flower and replaced it with a line of little white Hydrangeas with jewels that I put in the middle of them. Then I gathered four spots on the bottom and put the same flowers/jewels on them. I was very happy with how her dress turned out for $3 and a little fun!

I have also been very busy sewing things for the baby shower below! Heidi plans on trying to nurse little Jack so I decided to figure out how to make her a nursing cover. These things go for $30+. So the tutorial I found was priceless! I made her and Erin each one for less that $15 combined. I was able to add boning and adjustable D-rings for fit. And something I decided to add was a little bit of terrycloth in one corner for wiping sweet little mouths!

Anyone want one? I would love to make more:)

This one I just could pass up. On all the craft blogs that I read, all the people find great deals at Walmart. Let me preface this by saying that I have shopped there maybe 4 times in my life! Jason HATES this store. I decided to run to the one in Lakewood the other day anyway to see if I could get any good deals. Well I struck out in many ways, but I came accross these little shirts for $2 in the junior section. I had to grab a few. They would make great dresses right?

Here is the before and after...

And last, I had to share this picture pf Payt! I have no idea what was going on with her at this moment, but it makes me laugh so hard everytime I look at it:) Enjoy!

And Finally a Baby Shower!

2010-04-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was lucky enough to co-host a baby shower for one of my best friends in the whole world! Erin and I hosted a shower for Heidi and her new little babe Jack. I have looked forward to it for months and was so glad that it was wonderful. There was no where else I would have rather been or anyone else I would have rather been celebrating. It has been a long time coming and I can't wait to meet you Baby Jack!
Here are a few from our day...

(Seriously, this young lady made this quilt for Heidi, she is like 11! I am still not over it:))

I wish that I had some of Erin, I obviously had my mind elsewhere! She did such an amazing job on the food, leaving me to get to do the decorations which was too much fun! The Dollar stor became my new best friend.
Anyways...As always Heidi, I love you! I can't wait to see you and John hold Jack in your arms and know what it is like to love your little man like no other. Good luck and I wish you a wonderful delivery:)

2010-03-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a little more info on our new chicks...
Pearl is what is called a White Silkie, this is what she will look like when she is full grown.

Too cute huh? She is also a Bamtam chicken. Which means full grown, she will only be about 1/2 the size of a regular chicken. The same is true for Hattie. Although her breed is a Blue Cochin.

Both were gotten for fun! There is nothing like little chicks for Easter:) Wish us luck and hopefully no illnesses this time. Let's just say we learned the hard way!

Just a little update...

2010-03-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

A little update on the chickens...We are now getting about 3 eggs a day from our girls! Enough that we get to eat eggs whenever we want, bake whatever I want and I still don't have to buy eggs! They are wonderful little companions when we are out in the garden and great little workers at tilling our beds! We have starting planting in our beds now though, so they don't get to go in the garden anymore. To make up for it, we let them out in the yard last week. The LOVED it. So much to scratch and get into. Here I found them huddled together pecking at the dirt for bugs.

And...meet our new little additions...Pearl

and Hattie...

Just a little fun for the Spring. We missed having chicks, so we got two more:) Just a little city farm around here...Happy Saturday!

2010-03-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

Last week Jason and I celebrated out 7th anniversary. We decided to take the girls on a 6 day boat trip to celebrate. You know you are married with kids when you take them on your anniversary trip:)

Outside of the fact that Payton hates to sleep ANYWHERE but home, we had a great trip. We went to Bremerton for 2 days and were lucky enough to see the USS Nimitz come into port our last morning! Jason was like a kid in a candy store.

The next day we were going from Bremerton to Blake Island and we came across a grey whale. It was my turn to be excited! Of all the boat trips we have taken, this was the 1st time we saw whales. We cut the engines and just watched for a while. It was quite amazing. (I didn't even dare to try and take pictures, just enjoyed).

We also had beautiful sunshine 5 of the six days with only a little drizzle and wind the other day. Talk about luck in western Wa in March:).

It was a great trip to wrap our 6th year!

Picnik

2010-03-07T08:07:00.000-08:00

I just heard about this Great website! Picnik. It is a free photo editing website. My camera does not take the best photos (as you have seen in my earlier posts:)), and I can't currently afford the camera that I want. So this works wonderfully in the meantime. Just thought I would share it with you guys. Enjoy!!!
Before...

and After...

Bob

2010-02-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

What is a girl to do when her trusty sewing machine needs a little tune-up? Was I really expcected to go with-out a machine for 3 weeks? Don't worry, my lovely Mom lent me her's:) She has a Hobby Pfaff and it treated me quite nicely. But soon enough Mom asked for it back and my machine wasn't done yet. I was going through withdrawls as my projects started stacking up.

In the meantime I was ending my seasonal employment with this company, so life was about to slow down a ton. Luckily I got a call and Bob (that is what I named my singer) was done! Right in time!

The day after I was done working, it was just the girls and me since J was working, so I whipped these up from one of my old t-shirts that Reese loves. I got the idea here.

I LOVE this blog and get so many ideas from it.

I also got 2 new patterns online, this one and this one. I love that both of these are made from scrap fabric. The ideas are endless.
Wish me luck, un-employment leaves me with tons of time and not very much money...Time to get creative:)

Paradise

2010-02-21T10:36:00.000-08:00

Well hello there...Can you imagine, a beautiful sunny day and munchkins with Grandma and Grandpa? What are parents to do? Well...we decided to escape to the moutains. We tried to go cross country skiing on the Mount Tahoma trail, but considering not much snow there, that didn't happen. So, we just went a little further into Paradise. This was only the 2nd time I have been there in my life and I was thrilled to get to take it all in.
Now you must know that Jason and I are not exactly experienced cross counrty skiiers, so there was a LOT of trial and error. I mean, falling, stand up, be out of control and fall again. Did I mention to try and not pee our pants while we watched eachother splay all four prior to bouncing off of the ice hard snow? By the end of the day we at least figured out how to stop without having to bail sideways:) My butt was very thankful!
If you are ever looking for something to do that includes excercise and watching your husband look completely out of control while you laugh so hard you get a belly ache, this is for you!

2010-02-07T12:55:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone...On my last post, there was some random person posting a comment. I noticed this a couple of posts back as well. Does anyone know how I delete them? Do I need to go private? Or is this normal? Thanks:)

Sweet friends baking sweet cookies

2010-02-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

All these sweet kiddos were over at my house a couple of weeks ago and I thought, "What are we to do?". It had gotten dark out, so they had all come in from playing in the back yard. I decided Sarah and I should let them bake cookies. They were so cute all lined up in a row waiting their turn to do things. Mind you, I am very organized and NOT messy, so this is always a stretch for me, but it went off without a hitch and the cookies were devoured:) We love you Kelly's!

2010-01-29T20:37:00.000-08:00

At Charlie Safari with two of my favorite girls and all our kiddos. (Little Jack McCall is hiding in Heidi's tummy still).
So glad that we were able to spend time with eachother and let our munchkins play till they dropped!

2010-01-26T20:31:00.000-08:00

For my parents' Christmas present, Jason and I purchased my parents family photos from our favorite photographer, Heather Mann.
It had ben since we got married, almost 7 years ago, since we had done them. Since then, we have added two little girls and had a divorce, so it was time to update the album:)
This great girl (Heather) met us down at the boat in soupy fog to take the pictures. You have to keep in mind, this was the day after Chirstmas where my little one had had a double ear and eye infection. So in the grand scheme of things, they turned out pretty great!
We had a lot more that we would have done, but between the fog and the illness, this is what we got!
Oh, and seriously, when did my neice decide to turn 18 and become a BEAUTIFUL girl? I love this girl and so does Reese. They are best buddies:)

* And a little funny... I never mentioned to the photographer that my brother Jason and neice Victoria were father and daughter, and when Heather was taking their photos together she thought they were "together" and asked them to hug and kiss! You should have seen the look on my brother and neice's faces!!! Priceless! Although I think it scarred poor Tor.

And last but not least...

2010-01-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

We recently decided to re-do our "Wreck Room". It really is our catch-all. It is our TV room, office, my sewing room and the girls play room. It had just about every kind of furniture in it and really needed a paint job. Can you believe that it only took Jason and I two hours on a friday night after the girls went to sleep to paint it? We looked at eachother afterwards like "did it really just take us 3 years to do this?" It was too easy!
Anyways...we went up to Ikea and got new end tables, a new computer desk, shelves, file cabinet, kids toy storage and FABRIC! Who knew that Ikea sold fabric by the bolt? And CUTE fabric? So Jason told me I could just "Whip" up some matching curtains and pillows. I scoffed at him at the time, but it really was easy. And now I can say that I made them:)

A sweet little dress...

2010-01-17T19:10:00.000-08:00

This is my next project!
I got it here

And here is stuff that I am going to use! I LOVE the brown floral and it was my inspiration fabric. Both girls have red shirts hanging around so hopefully it turns out. More importantly these days, hopefully Reese likes it:) She is a tough cookie right now to please.
Oh, and I think I am going to make these to match with the scraps! Thanks Libby:)

Christmas Goodies

2010-01-17T19:06:00.000-08:00

So these are what I decided to make some of my favorite people for Christmas this year. I kept seeing cute aprons everywhere and decided that we all need something pretty to wear in our kitchens! I sure do hope they enjoy them. I had fun making 12 sets of aprons and potholders!
(The girls and I's matching aprons is next)

2010-01-04T20:47:00.000-08:00

"Oh my" is all I have to say!

I am so far behind in blogging, so I think I will just start fresh in 2010!

I sure do hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Ours was blessed with lots of wonderful time with family and many wonderful new gifts. (And maybe a few unwanted pounds:))

It has taken me a week or so to be appreciative of my Christmas holiday. I woke up Christmas Eve morning so prepared. And...it all went to H*@# in a hand basket:) I will start off by explaining that we made a "special arrangement" with Santa to come to our house late the 23rd so that we could have Christmas morning on Christmas Eve. This was because Jason was working Christmas Day.

All the stockings were hung with care (filled to the brim), the tree was packed with presents, and a wonderful chistmas breakfast was ready. But my poor little Payt woke up with a 103 degree fever and a runny nose. We managed through gifts, but she just kept crying and saying "ow". So finally at 11:30 I ran her into the pediatrician (thank goodness for holiday hours) and it turned out she had a double ear infection, double eye infection and a UTI. Really??? Well Merry Christmas to her:(

We managed, and she is all better. And I am finally accepting the fact that I was sooo prepared, but really, I had no control. What will happen, will happen. And after all, we are all healthy and happy and having to re-design our house for the kids new toys! Nothing to complain about!

***I finally got my camera working again in time for Christmas, so I at least have some new photos to share.

I will be back soon to show you what I made some of my favorite people for Christmas:)

2009-12-11T20:31:00.000-08:00

So what do you guys think? Do you think Payton liked it? I think not! What a horrible mother I am:) I just had to get my Santa photo (the same Santa every year for 6 years now). My poor baby. At least she stopped as soon as I picked her up again. All for the sake of tradition:)
And then there was Reese, the 1st year she was actually excited! She told him everything she wanted:) And everything her Daddy wanted too:) My sweet girl!
Merry Christmas...

2009-12-03T15:36:00.001-08:00

So my camera seems to beon the fritz:( So much so that I can't even get the pictures off of it. So no new pics...Just wanted wish everyone Happy Holidays!

My sweet little Man...

2009-11-14T10:45:00.001-08:00

This is going to be my idea of an obituary, so if you are feeling emotional, this is your warning!

Yesterday Jason and I made the hardest desicion we have yet to make. Our sweet little man Jack had just gotten old and it was his time.
A little over 10 years ago, I was driving on a dark road in my hometown and had to swerve to miss two little beagles. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw two more cars do the same. I decided to pull over at 11:00 at night and both dogs jumped in my car. Since there was a boy and a girl, I called them "Jack and Jill". I tried desperately to find their owners to no avail. I found the little girl a home, but "Jack" just seemed to stick. Jason and I dating at the time, decided to "co-parent" him from two homes!
Since he was our first child, we had him be our ring-bearer at our wedding, and was never far from our side. He was even gracious when we decided to bring another dog home to keep him company since I was then working a full-time job. Little did we know, he could have cared less if he had someone to play with. We really got the puppy for ourselves! We were always trying to get him to be a "dog". We would throw balls for him and he would look at us like "Why did you do that you idiot, now you have to go get that thing!"
But he was the best big brother to all our girls, Bella, then Reese, then Payton. Never growling, never barking, just there to love on and be loved.
I Love you Jackson Brown! You will be in my heart forever...

Without further adew...

2009-11-01T15:43:00.000-08:00

Anouncing our version of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell...

We went to a wonderful Halloween party at our friends Steve and Jodi's on friday. The guys are always trying to figure out creative and funny costumes to out-do eachother. I have had much fun the past couple of weeks making our costumes. There is nothing like fitting your husband for a dress and tutu:)
Enjoy:) It is not too often you get to see men dressed up as Tinkerbell. Isn't he sexy???

October fun...

2009-10-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

What a fun and festive month.

Reese had orange day at school thursday, so I whipepd up a skirt from some orange felt that I had on my desk (thanks for the idea J)

Can you believe that I can get pigtails in her little hair? Reese was born with enough for french braids it seemed, so I have been waiting patiently for Payt to get enough to do anything with! It was so cute and she loves having her "did"!
(Don't mind the part, you try getting it straight when your 16 month old is eating and really interested to what you are doing to her back there:))

And some serious pumpkin carving fun. We waited till it was a little late and if you look closely, Payt was a little sleepy with her bunny and thumb in mouth:)

Stay tuned for some serious costume photos. J and I went to an adult costume party lastnight and there was much creativity!
We hope you all had a wonderful and safe Halloween...

Ellie's outfit

2009-10-19T19:38:00.001-07:00

Our sweet neighbor and friend Eliana is turning 5 tomorrow! Reese went to her party on Saturday and had a lot of fun. I am really into making people's gifts right now, so I decided to whip up this dress, pants and hair flower for her. This was a BIG 1st for me. It was the 1st time I purchased a pattern and sewed something from it (the pants). So much easier then I had worked it up to be. I guess I was just intimidated. I bought the pants pattern to fit sizes 2-8 so my girls will be wearing them for years:) If anyone wants them, just let me know...I think I will be much faster now...Happy Monday everyone...

What is up with us...

2009-10-16T10:12:00.001-07:00

So the last month or so have been a whirlwind! Reese has started a new year of pre-school (the last one before the BIG kindergarten next year:() Both girls are taking swimming lessons, and Reese started playing Soccer! My Wednesday's have been hell-ish, but my girls are busy, happy and experiencing lots of fun stuff.

Here is Reese at the Pumpkin Patch just yesterday with her class. How much fun we had at Terry's Berries, an all Organic Farm. We got some MONSTER pumpkins that we will be busy carving this weekend.

My lovely dinner with two of my BEST girlfriends, Jodi and Heidi. I truly love these two so much!

Reese and Sadie at their 1st soccer game! We were so proud of her:) She HATED her 1st practice and wouldn't let go of my leg. However, Saturday she got out there and had fun the whole time! Granted, her and Sadie were holding hands on the field and dancing, not to mention that they had to goalie at the same time, but "Oh so much fun" was had!

Reese's 1st day of school with her Daddy and I

I have caught Payton climbing all sorts of stuff now, including this slide! This one makes me happy, she was so proud of herself. The little Monkey...

Payton's new fashion statement! This is what she looked like when I got her up from her nap:)

Reese and her little girlfriend Ellie that lives accross the street. I caught the two of them coloring oh so nicely:) That can be rare sometimes:)

Happy Halloween Everyone and Fall too (although I am one of those who begrudge Fall, sweaters and REAL shoes. I am already longing for my capris and flip flops. Spring anyone???)

Payter's Post

2009-09-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

In making sure that I post about the girls equally, I came accross this video that I took of Payton the other evening after her bath. I love this girlie with everything I have. She is nothing but a joy to have around with her constant smile and happiness. It exudes from her and is contagious! (Please pardon her nakiness, I think it is one beautiful little tiny body:))

My morning conversation...

2009-09-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

Every morning at about 7:30, my day begins like this:

I feel some small, warm and snuggly being crawl in bed beside me. Hair tickling my nose and deap breaths. After 5 minutes of so, I start to hear (whispered)
"Mom, Mom, are you awake?"
"Yes sweetie, I may not want to be, but I am"
"Mom, I love you"
"I love you too honey"
"Mom, do you know that you are my best friend?"
"Thank you sweetie"
"No, like REALLY, my VERY best friend, and I am going to love you FOREVER!"

Who needs an alarm clock? I just need my Reesie coming in every morning to rouse me. No matter how my night ended (sometimes it is very difficult to get the girls down) the slate is wiped clean every morning.

"I love you too Reese! You are going to be my sweet little girl forever:)"

Check out my peaches!

2009-09-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, some wonderful girls and myself got to escape from Mom-dom and went to Lake Chelan. We were able to eat, sleep, drink, sun bath and chat to all hours. It was a much needed and much enjoyed weekend...
On the way home, the girls that I was riding wih and I decided that we needed to take advantage of the fresh fruit stands. I picked up a box of peaches and started canning for the first time. So, far, so good! I will have to wait a few days to finish them since they were not all ripe.
Thanks Maria for spending your morning teaching me the ins and outs...

2009-08-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

As summer comes to an end, I am enjoying the fruits (or veggies) of my labor! I can now say that I have successfully gardened. However much of a novice as I am, I planted, grew and ate from my own backyard! What an accomplishment for me considering I never had one inkling of an interest in gardening I must admit.
When Jason came to me last winter and said, "I want chickens and a garden", I thought he had gone off the deep end. I am a girl who enjoys the finer things in life and will gladly admit that I am high maintenence. I guess that he has finally worn me down. It has now been years since I have purchased a pair of designer jeans or had a pedicure. I am not sure if it has more to do with me changing as I get older, or the fact that I am BROKE not working:) Oh well, I will gladly accept my hippie status. Just don't think I am giving up Make-up Jason!!!
Cheers to my sunflowers...

Girls night '09

2009-08-10T18:15:00.000-07:00

My parents being the ever gracious and giving people that they are, let me host a small girls night on the boat last Friday night. We all brought food, drinks and our ever flowing sense of humor to share with eachother. I am blessed to have such a great group of girlfriends that can come together from all different areas of my life and have such a great time together!
Here are a few shots from our night...just a little taste of our drunken debauchery
(I edited some of the more risque shots:))

I do love them, I do, I do, I do

2009-08-05T19:08:00.001-07:00

This morning I decided to load the girls up and go to one of my favorite stores, JoAnn Fabric. I thought I went in with my guns loaded so to speak. I had snacks, water and my Ergo. I strapped Payton on and went it. Little did I know that neither girl were going to cooperate. Reese wanted everything she saw and threw a fit over not getting any of it. Payton was just crabby and scratching my neck and yelling at me. So after 5 or 10 minutes of HELL, I left empty handed (My Husband will be pleased). I called Heidi on my way home to complain. I confided that 2 kids is very difficult sometimes. I wouldn't give up either one of them, but 1 kiddo was a sinch! I told her that at one point I was standing in line and accidently said out loud to the girls, "I am going to sell you two to the highest bidder." Granted two Mommies in front of me thought it was hilarious, I was mortified! I really do love and adore my girls, but every once in a while, can they not just cooperate? Long story short, I was humbled this evening while making dinner. I was standing in the kitchen and got to witness this...

These two love eachother so much. I guess I can go to JoAnn's another time:)
And here is one of Payton's "after dinner hair"

Crab, Crab and more Crab...

2009-07-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

I had to share this picture with you! On the last day of our trip, we were able to crab and caught 12! So, needless to say, we had our neighbors over and ate crab for 4 days. I was also able to freeze some meat. Here is our crab cakes that I made (for the 1st time) and also some lovely Yukon Gold potatoes from our garden. Yummy!!!

Circa 1980

2009-07-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

My Beautiful blue eyed girl wearing my t-shirt from when I was one. How cute huh? My Mom kept ALL of my baby clothes for me. I went through them and kept a few things and this one of them. How funny huh?

San Juans 2009

2009-07-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Every year my loving and wonderful parents share their beautiful boat with Jason and I and allow us to take it to the San Juan Islands for a fantastic trip. We look forward to it all year. This was our first time taking it with 2 children, and although it was a little less relaxing and a little more stressful, we had a wonderful time. We are so lucky to spend a little time in the beautiful islands in our own backyard! There is a never ending amount of beauty up there that even left Reese staring out the windows for more.
The boat is mored in Olympia, so on Friday we left and just headed to the Tacoma waterfront. They put out a log boom and put on a great air show, street fair and have fabulous fireworks. Since the weather was so great, is was the perfect way to spend the 4th. We were able to anchor right in front of The Ram, and dinghy into shore to go the street fair. We made Reese's day when we found some pony rides and then finished with letting her stay up for the firworks! 11:00 is even late for me these days, she was tuckered:)
Anyways...here are some of the pictures! Enjoy, it is good to be home!!!

Bon Voyage

2009-07-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

This is where Jason, the girls and I will be calling home for the next two weeks! We leave tomorrow for our annual San Juans boat trip. I am exhausted from all the prep work, but it will so worth it as of tomorrow around noon when we get to take off.
So, I hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th, and we will see you in a couple of weeks:)

2009-06-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

What an excellent day Saturday turned out to be! Sunshine and upper 70's. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day for Payton's 1st birthday party! We love all of our family and friends that were able to join us and help us celebrate a special day in our little girl's life. We love you all!!!
Here are a few pictures from our day. Enjoy...

2009-06-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

It is hard to imagine that this was Reese and I playing in the baby's room the last night that I was pregnant over a year ago now! We were all 3 soooo anxious to meet little Payton. How could I have known what an amazing little girl I had growing inside me. She is our sunshine and I think that all 3 of us are so lucky to have little Payter with us. She has made Reese into an amazing big sister, and us closer as a family! You are a blessing Payton, we all love you!!!

Random, and more Random

2009-06-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted about much lately, so here is a couple of weeks in review...
WARNING-A compilation of a lot of random stuff!

One of my best friends, Jodi (most of you know her:)) had a baby girl a couple of months ago, so I made her this little outfit! The headband I kind of made up from an idea I was given, but the skirt pattern I got here, which I got from this blog (thanks Echo!) And I got the shoes pattern here. The whole thing turned out so cute, I made one for Payton and Reese too! Maybe if Jodi comes out to see us anytime soon, we can get a picture of all three of them together...Just an idea Jod...

This is how I found Payton the other day...quite as a mouse:) I didn't know where she was, but low and behold, she was doing laundry! Sweet little punkin.

Last week I got to excape for an evening and go out to celebrate my good friend Becky's (she is the one in the middle) 30th Birthday! Jason finally went to bed because he didn't know where I was. We sat in the same booth for over 4 hours just chatting eachother up. All of us had escaped from our kiddos for an evening and I don't think any of us were in a hurry to get out of there! Happy Birthday Becky!!!

Talk about eating the fruits of your labor (or veggies:) This was a wonderful salad that I made myself the other night. Everything but the gargonzola is from our garden! I even made a balsamic dressing and topped it with hard boiled eggs from Scarlette and Penelope:) UMMM YUMMY...

Here is the last of my random pics! I had to include this one. How do you know that your dogs are out of water??? They try to drink from the pool:) Poor Bella, luckily I figured it out and gave the poor thing something to drink!

Happy Father's Day Everyone...I will be back this week for Payton's 1st Birthday!

Oh Sweet baby, where did 4 years go?

2009-06-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

After 18 long hours of labor, you were so sweetly laid in my arms. The last nine months seemed to slip my mind so suddenly. All of the morning sickness, headaches and never ending swelling were gone. Wiped out!
Because I had just pushed (and I do mean pushed!) you out and couldn't believe you were finally here. Such a beautiful and sweet girl you were from the 1st minute. Today I will watch your birth so that I can be reminded of that feeling when you were first handed to me. That feeling of complete understanding, contentment and satisfaction to have you here with me.

I love you Reese Mckenzie. Like I have never loved anyone else. Like I never knew that I could love anyone else. You are a part of me. Your attitude:) (no idea where you get that:)), your funny faces, your sweet sensitivity.

You are an amazing daughter and a wonderful big sister. I love watching the little lady that you are becoming.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

And yes, we will be friends forever!!!

2009-06-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

A--Attached or Single? Attached, 12 years together, 6 married
B--Best friend/s? Jason, My Mom, Jodi, Heidi and Nellie
C--Cake or Pie? Cheesecake!!! My Mom's of course:)
D--Day of Choice? Monday actually, Everyone else goes back to work so I can finally run errands in peace:)
E--Essential Item? Coffee, and my camelbak water bottle, with water of course:)
F--Favorite Color? Pink or Aqua Blue
G--Gummy bears or worms? Worms
H--Hometown? Tumwater
I--Indulgence(s)? Coffee, Wine, a good book, and a good foot lotion!
J--January or July? july, I am a sunbather:)
K--Kids? 2, Reese Mckenzie, almost 4 and Payton Jeanae, almost 1
L--Life is incomplete without? A phone to talk to the ones I love
M--Marriage date? March 22nd, 2003
N--Number of siblings? 2 brothers, Jason 38 and Justin 35
O--Oranges or apples? Apples, Honeycrisp
P--Phobias or fears? Losing my girls and Spiders:)
Q--Quotes? "To Each There Own..."
R--Reason to Smile? My girls laughter, it gets me everytime
S--Season? Summer, I love the outdoors!
T--Tag 5 people? Shoot, I have to think of new people! Larissa, Erica, Jenn, Sarah and Becky
U--Unknown Fact? I have always had an outy belly button:)
V--Very Favorite Store? Target of course:) Or JoAnn Fabric. I get in trouble everytime I go into either!
W--Worst Habit? I always interupt Jason when he is talking. Sorry Babe:)
X--X-ray or ultrasound? I would have to say Ultra Sounds. A never ending amount of ovarian sists when I was younger and then of course 2 pregnancies!
Y--Your favorite food? Food in general:) Homemade goodies!
Z--Zodiac? Taurus

Just a little hike

2009-05-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

Sitting here on a Friday morning, on the couch, with a cup of my morning favorite in hand. Jason asks me, "What do you want to do today?" "It is my last day off."
Let me translate, "I have to go back to work tomorrow and make money for the family, and I would really like to do something fun before I go back"
(I should mention that he has been off for 3 weeks).
So, knowing him as I do, I went with the latter and asked him what he would like to do. He basicaly told me get some clothes on the girls and jump in the car with our hiking shoes, kid carriers, water and sandwiches, b/c we were off! He wanted to drive all the way over to Lena Lake! Now also knowing him as well as I do, I decided not to dash his hopes, (he holds grudges:)) and the girls and I obliged him. I didn't shower, threw on hiking clothes, got our teeth brushed and loaded us into the car. Payton even obliged her Daddy and took her morning nap in the car just as he said she would.
Unfotunaltey, J missed a highway on our way and gave us an extra 15 inutes in the car. Which is crucial at 11 mos. old. She was done being in the car by the time we got to our destination. Good thing Mommy convinced Daddy to go to Staircase instead. It was a little closer and offered Reese more options for making the hike on her own!
Needless to say, I always look at Jason cross-eyed when he comes at me with these ideas. But I always end up going and we have a blast. Just as we did today! So don't mind my messy, un-showered look, I had to sacrafice something this morning:)
We hope you all had a good friday, and have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend...

A Garden update and Family Pics

2009-05-17T09:49:00.001-07:00

A little update on the garden and chickens...
The chicks finally went into the coupe about 2 weeks ago! They sure have come a long way since we brought the 2 of them home in 1 light bulb box!
Penelope starting laying about the same time the chicks went into the coupe. It was so exciting to go out to collect Scarlett's green egg and find a brown one in there. We talked to Penelope and told her "good girl". We were so tickled:) We are now getting almost 2 eggs a day and in the fall it should be about 4/day. Yum-Yum:)
I also finally was able to get 1 side of the coupe painted. This red takes 3-4 coats. Which means here in western Wa. that I need 3-4 consecutive days of no rain just to get 1 side done. We all know how rare that is, so I am lucky I have 1 side done:) Although, it looks like I have a few days right now to get some done, so I think I will be out there today working on it!
This gardening thing is all new to me. Most of my seed starts really struggled:( I have had to re-plant a couple of times. Maybe too early? So I finally headed out to Home Depot a few weeks ago and got some starts. Those are really happy:) My most recent seeds have really taken off too. It was great to come home from our trip last week to all of our happy and healthy plants and to see that they had all doubled in size while we were gone. I guess all that rain did them some good?
I can't wait until I can harvest some of this. How rewarding to go grocery shopping in my own back yard:)

And here are a few of our Family Pictures that we had taken in April. This great photographer took them. We met down at Owen's Beach at Pt. Defiance Park. It was that rare day in April when it was almost 80 degrees! The girls really cooperated and we had a great time. Heather was really easy to work with and we would totally recomend her to anyone.
Hope all is well with everyone:) Cheers-

A whirlwind trip

2009-05-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

So Last Friday, Jason, the girls, my parents and I took off for a trip to Disneyland! An absolutely wonderful time was had by all:) We got there Friday afternoon and hung out by the pool for a little while. Then early to bed to try and get ready for a LONG day of walking. We got to the park at 8:15 and went strong for 6 hours. Reese said that she didn't want to start with any sissy rides, so we headed for the big mountain she saw (Materhorn). She did awesome! She just didn't like the scary animals that came out:).
We went back to the hotel for a little nap and then we were back for a full night of rides, parades and fireworks!
The girls did absolutely awesome! Payton was such a trooper. She is a little girl that really likes her bed and bunny for her naptime. So I was really worried about her sleeping. I just put her in the Ergo and out she would go. So unfortunately, she is on my back for most of the pictures. "I promise you were there Payton!"
Our last day we decided to go to Califoria Adventure. They have a restaraunt called "Ariel's Grotto". Before you are sat at your table, you get to meet Ariel. Then while you are eating, different princesses stop by your table and you get to meet them and take pictures with them. What a special thing for a 4 year old little girl! We were all a little emotional seeing Reese's magical reaction. My wonderful Dad was all teary eyed:) He is such a softie:)
Outside of being exhausted, we had an absolute blast! We would recomend it to anyone who is brave enough to try it!

The day we flew out we spent a couple of hours at the Santa Monica Pier. Lunch, sand, sun and a ferris wheel. Wonderful!

Every once in awhile, J and I need some adult time! Margaritas included:)

Payton was in love with Belle!

Pops even tried the Ergo!

Count on my Mom and I to find the winery in California Adventure:)

2009-05-07T19:37:00.001-07:00

We are off at noon tomorrow to find out why they call it the "most magical place on earth!" And would someone please tell me why it takes longer to prepare for a vacation then the actual vacation is??? I'm exhausted, and we haven't even left for the airport, not to mention all of the walking that is to come. Have a cheer-y-o weekend everyone:)
Too-da-loo!!!

To all my 30 and over's!

2009-05-05T09:16:00.001-07:00

I don't know what the heck is up with the photo placement, but I am tired of messing with it!
Warning: A lot of pictures of me, but it is my birthday after all:)

All I can say is that the last 30 years have been pretty darn great! I embrace getting older because as my Dad would say, "The alternative isn't that great!"
So, in the past 30 years, I have enjoyed my family, made great friends and have created my own little family. I have a very loving husband (who throws a mean party) and together we have made two of the very cutest little girls on this earth!
Thank you to him for being who he is and thank you too all of my friends and family who are always there for me and came out to celebrate with us last Saturday!
I love you all!!!

I just want to eat her:)

2009-04-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

This is the face of one of the sweetest and spunkiest little girls I have ever seen! Poor thing has had what we refer to in house as "The Didas" for over 9 days now. It started out last weekend with a fever and continued thoughout last week. I finally had to take a "specemin" in on Thursday to have it tested and we found out today that she has Campylobacter. It is basically a horrible bacterial infection of the digestive track. One really common way to contract it is through chickens:( Jason and I are so careful about us all washing our hands after handling the chickens and taking our "Poopy" boots off at the back door. But sometime things just can't be avoided. I feel so guilty, but at least now we know what it is and she can be on the mend!
I took this photo about an hour ago. Can you see the gap in her two front teeth? Or how crooked that little grin is? I just love it! So much personality at only 10 mos. She say bye now and waves, and just this morning she started saying "Ma-ma"!!! I am so excited!!! Reese said Da-da 1st, so I figure it is my turn right?
Anyways...just a little smile to brighten your day. She sure does ours!

Posie Pea

2009-04-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hi there-
Soooo...my craft fair at my Mom's work was a bit of a bust:( She said that she went to find our stuff and she couldn't even find it because the room so packed with so much oher stuff! That is good I suppose since the proceeds were going to charity and they were still able to raise a lot. So in the aftermath, I still have all my headbands and 6 of the 10 bibs/burp rags left. I will probably take them into the shop that I seel them at, but I thought I would off them up here 1st.
I sell the bib sets for $14 and the headbands for $8. If you scroll down, I have a picture that has everything on it. The only thing that I am out of is the John Deere sets. However, if anyone wants one, I still have plenty of fabric and could whip one up pretty quickly. Feel free to let me know...
Cheers everyone and I hope that you all get to enjoy the sunshine today:)
Posie Pea/Tishelle

Bowling, Hiking and Crafting

2009-04-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

So here is what I have been up to this past week! Much fun:)
My Mom had a craft fair at work today and she asked me to make some of my headbands, bibs and burp rags. I have known about it for the last month, but of course I waited until this past week to start and finish it all! 10 headbands and 10 bibs/burp rags. I got them done, we will see how they sell?!

In between this, Jason, Rachel and I took Reese and Rylan bowling. Rachel has taken Rylan a number of times, but we were finally able to go with her and it was a blast! Who knew that 3.5 year olds could bowl so well and have so much fun? We joked that the kids could bowl, then they would come back and have a snack and then we would watch their ball hit the pins:) (It sometimes took a few minutes for their balls to make it all the way down). They had real balls and real shoes and we had some real fun! Their little faces were magical:)

Then Wednesday, J and I took the girls out on the boat and motored out to Jones Island just north of Boston Harbor. We tied up to a mooring bouy and took the dinghy onto shore. Payton fell asleep in the ergo about 10 minutes in and Reese actually completed about 90% of the hike around the island! All Reese kept asking was, "Are we going to see any Bambi's?" Sure enough, we happened upon 3 of them eating and laying down. They could have cared less that we were there. They let us walk with about 10-15 feet of them as we just watched eachother. And here is a question...Who knew that deer squat when they do their business (just like a female dog)? I most certainly didn't! I was stunned! I sat their and stared! I actually had time ponder, pull out my camera, take 3 pictures and put my camera away before this deer was done. I don't know what she was doing. I wasn't close enough. But it was one of the funniest/strange things that I had seen in a long time.

Last but certainly not least, one of my very best friends had her baby girl yesterday! Jodi had her baby girl at 12:40 am yesterday morning after getting to the hospital at 11! No epidural or anything! She is my hero:)
The baby was 6 lbs. 8 oz and 19" long. Just a Peanut:) I can't wait until I have some photos for you guys! I LOVE you Jodi, and I can't wait to meet her...

2009-04-17T08:06:00.001-07:00

I have no idea what went on with my last post! I tried to re-arrange my photos into the correct order twice and they are still all jumbled up. Oh well!

A Happy Easter...

2009-04-13T22:28:00.000-07:00

We started off at J's sister Kim's house on Saturday for an Easter Egg hunt! It rained a little, but we enjoyed ourselves none the less:) Reese got lots of eggs/candy and her and Payton got their picture taken with the Easter Bunny.
Then the whole family went Kim's for a breakfast feast! There was so much good food. I should have worn pants with a little more stretch in them:)
The festivities didn't end there. The girls and I headed out to stay with my parents that night and spend Easter with them. (J had to work:() My oldest brother and his girlfriend were in town so we got some good family time in. My Mom and neice Tor stuffed easter eggs and hid them for Reese and her and Pops went "egg hunting".
All in all, it was a fun, food and family filled weekend. The girls loved seeing everyone and having good quality time with both sides of the Family! We hope you had the same...

Sunny Day

2009-04-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

We finally got some family photos done today. I say finally because we have been wanting to since Payton was born 9.5 months ago. I kept puting it off because I don't really like my body yet, but oh well, right?
Anyways...I won't have those for a week or so I took a few of the girls today while we were playing out back. What a beautiful day!
Hope you all got out to enjoy it!

2009-04-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

We finally got to plant some stuff this week and it was so exciting and gratifying all at once! Jason and I hand made some little signs for our crops from some left over lumber and galvanized steel rods that we had lying around. J also made a fabulous trellis for my peas and beans out of the same stuff. We feel so accomplished. A friend told us about this book, so we decided to try it on 3 of the beds. Those are the grids that you see in some of the beds.
And as you can see, this gardening thing really wore Payter out!
Last, I have added some better pictures of the girls. I even held Penelope for the 1st time. We did great. I am not scared of them, just apprehensive about holding them. Our 3 year old however, has no apprehension at all! She went into the coop the other day and picked Penelope up 3 times all by herself! Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera:( But you can enjoy some other pictures of our week...

Ruby and Priscilla playing on their new "roost". They are getting so big so fast!

Bella is oh so intrigued with these little guys! We put them in the chicken run while we cleaned their little pen that is usually on the kitchen counter. They had fun scratching at the dirt.

Scarlett - She still wants nothing to do with us, but she has started to let us pet her without yelling at us! It is a start:)

Sweet Penelope. I didn't know that I would ever say that about a chicken:)

Happy 30th to one of my dearest friends ever!

2009-03-31T20:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Nells-
Here is to the past 18 years of friendship! Can you believe that it has been that long since we met in Mr. Longmeyer's class? That sweet, shy brunette. I knew instantly that you would be one of my best friends.
I love you Nellie! I love eveything about you!
How you are one of the most tickelish people I have ever met.
How you would blush just by me saying the words "blush Nellie"
Who else would have been my other half for a pair of dice for Halloween?
We have been to disneyland together and lived together
And cried together countless times
But above all, we have lived life together.
I couldn't ask for a better friend for my girls to have in their lives, or to have in mine as one of my best confidants!
Happy Birthday Nellie!

2009-03-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

Do I need to explain the picture? I waited ALL day for this little naturally perfect object to appear. Every couple of hours I would go out and check, and, NOTHING. I finally had to have a talk with Scarlette and let her know that she was not living up to her end of the bargain. Low and behold, the next time I checked, this was waiting for us! I was beyond excited!!!

Drum Roll Please...

2009-03-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

Meet the newest members of the Ward house...

Scarlett(The one on the right)

She is an Americauna, she is about a year old and she lays green eggs! So exciting! She is only one that is laying already, and I can't wait to go out in the morning and see what she has made for me:)

Penelope
She is a cross breed between a Buff Orpington and a Black Austrslorp. She also happens to be really sweet! She has already become Jason's buddy. He was walking around the yard with her in his arm when I looked out the window:)

Ruby and Priscilla

Then we decided to go wild a crazy and let Reese experience having baby chicks. I wasn't going to do this until we walked into Dell's Farm supply and Reese saw all the baby chicks. I realized that I was kind of depriving her of the experience so we ended up buying the heat lamp and feed for them and they are currently camped out on my kitchen island for the next couple of weeks!

Priscilla is a Silver Laced Wyanadotte
And Ruby is a Buff Orpington
(Click on the breed to see what they will look like when they grow up)
Wish us Luck! We are very excited to be little urban farmers:)

A little update

2009-03-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

So I haven't posted about the garden and coop in a few weeks so I thought I would give you a quick update! The coop is almost complete! Jason finished the run yesterday and got the inside of the coop painted (we primed it white to seal it up and make it a little cleaner). He just has to build the nesting boxes, finish the electrical and stock everything up! We are hoping to go this Sunday and pick out our new girls.
On the garden front, we decided to go with with unfinished red cedar. We built five beds roughly 4x8 and 15" tall. We got most of the tagro and compost dirt in it yesterday and Jason is bringing home one more load of compost today to finish it. Then we will just be waiting for no more frost to plant. I decided to try the Jiffy pots and organic seeds and grow our crops from seed in our window seal. Almost all of them are doing great and I can't wait to plant them. They need their permanent home because the peas and beans were trying to vine up window the other day. We actually had to pull them off. They are strong little suckers:)
*disclosure: when you see the pictures of the coop, keep in mind that the paint will hopefully look a heck of a lot better! I just threw up a little last week to see it. It is only one layer of 3, and I haven't taped off the trim yet. So don't be scared:)
P.S. The last picture is of Payton because I am excited that she finally has enough hair that I can actually put a rubber band in it! Kind of funny, but it works, right?

I just had to take a photo of J in his Tyvek painting suit! Sexy huh?

6 wonderful years!

2009-03-24T10:30:00.001-07:00

Who would have known 6 years ago when Jason and I married on March 22ND, 2003 that we would have 2 beautiful little girls to share our lives with? I know, cheesy, but I can't help it! They are such a part of us and have made us so much stronger as a couple. At times we have struggled like every couple, but the day we had Reese changed us forever! I can't believe that Jason use to tell me that he didn't know if he wanted kids! I have always known. Never a question. But I think for guys it is different. This is one place though that Jason has never wavered once it happened for us. He stepped in from day 1 with everything he had. And I think that together we make pretty darn good parents!
So, as I sit here and write this, I remember 6 years ago when we tied the knot. Much like our weather this past Sunday, our wedding was filled with an array of western Washington weather. A little bit of wind, a little bit of rain, a little bit of sunshine and even a little hail. Much like life, peppered with a little bit of everything.
To make Sunday special as a family, we started out having brunch together at a little bakery/bistro near by. Then I planned a little scavenger hunt for J. He has always done such a good job of thinking of original gifts for our anniversaries. Every year he looks at the traditional and modern lists of anniversary gifts. Last year it was wood. So he had a beautiful jewelry box made for me. This year it was iron/tools so I decided to finally get him the stainless steel toolbox that he has wanted forever! Instead of just giving it to him, I made him work for it! With the help of our neighbors (they let me hide it in their garage), we set out on a hunt.
I sent Jason to the gift that he gave me last year, my Jewlery Box

Next Jason was to go to our wedding picture.

Once upon a time, Jason use to write and send me the best letters, so I sent him to the place where one would pick those letters up!

Next I sent him to "talk to our beautiful blond neighbor" for his last clue.

Finally he was sent to the place where one would keep tools, the Garage! Or our neighbors in this case because I couldn't very well hide it in ours.

So, he had to wheel it across the street to our own garage.

Ressie picked these out for me all by herself! So cute:)

And Jason picked these out for me all by himself:)

Finally, the two of us 6 years later!

Ok,no boat:(

2009-03-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

So it was way too foggy and windy for my parents to bring the boat up today, so I packed the girls and I up and headed out to their house. Reese's new favorite activity out there is going in the hot tub, so my Dad and I headed out with the girls. Thank goodness they make umbrelas big enough to cover the hot tub. I don't think it quit raining today...

2009-03-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

Oh Where Oh Where has my sunshine gone?
I was just getting use to our beautiful sunny days. I washed my car, planted some flowers and started painting the coop - sorry J, house, chicken house. It is WAY too big to be considered a "coop":)
Anyways...like I was saying, I wake up this morning, looking forward to a beautiful sunny day to go out on the boat with the folks, and to my dismay it is raining. Really? I JUST washed my car! I suppose the flowers that I planted will like it.
And good thing the boat has an inside, otherwise it would be an awfully chilly day, BRRR...
At least we took good advantage of the sun while it lasted!
Loved our outing to the park Maria and Ellie!

My Husband works fast!

2009-03-07T08:24:00.000-08:00

(Payton watching Daddy work)

Luckily Jason had 6 days off this week! And boy does he move fast! Last Monday it was POURING down rain, but he was out there framing up the coop and got it all done.
The next day he had the roof framed. The following day, the entire thing was sheeted and so on and so on! Last night in the dark, J finished the siding (I don't have a picture of that) and the roof, and I was able to start caulking the siding.
So exciting:) It looks like we will have some good weather later in the week, so we hope to get it all painted.
Then it is on to the garden. I think we finally decided on cedar for the raised beds. Anyone know of a good cedar retailer that is local? Jason knows of one in Issaquah, but that is it. We would love your input.
I think that is it for now! Have a fabulous weekend everyone...

Sleeping?

2009-02-24T19:54:00.000-08:00

What do you think? Is she going to sleep anytime soon? I put Payton to bed just now and she screamed bloody murder. I go into to check on her and this is the response I get:)

Progress

2009-02-23T18:12:00.000-08:00

Jason and I got the base tot he coop up on Friday. We are currently trying to decide what to make our raised beds out of. Here in western washington, you can't just use raw wood because it will rot. We don't want to use pressure treated wood though because it would release chemicals into our soil. So, what to do? There is always cedar, but it is spendy and will still rot over time. Any thoughts??? I would love to hear them.
Here is the base of the coop and Payton and I shoveling dirt!

Saturday

2009-02-23T12:40:00.000-08:00

We headed up to Polsbo to see some good friends of ours on Saturday. Jason knew Sascha from when he was a resident firefighter like 13 years ago in the Kingston area. We hadn't seen them in over a year and it was so good to get together. We got to see their new house and 2 adopted additions to their family. 2 pups from Puerto Rico.
We then headed to Bainbridge for lunch on the water and caught the ferry over to Seattle. This was Reese and Payton's 1st ferry ride and Reese was very excited. Payton fell asleep, so Jason and I took turns staying with her in the truck. The other headed up so that Reese could explore this awesome boat that you can drive your car onto! She was so excited that you can even buy skittles on it:)
After that we headed to the Seattle Home and Garden Show. The girls and us were thoroughly pooped, but it sure was a great day.

Of course Reese wouldn't look at the camera. She hates having her picture taken right now:(

These are our friends Sascha and Kate. They only have 4-legged children, so they borrowed one from us for a "family" pic!

Driving onto the Ferry boat

Reese couldn't believe that we going toward the Space Needle!

Finally...She looked at the camera and smiled! I couldn't believe it!!!

Blog Happy...

2009-02-17T17:36:00.000-08:00

OK, I know, another post, but I am obviously bored and have a lot to post about! I am sorry, but who wouldn't want to post about this beautiful little body? I mean, I made it! And besides, I have to show off her latest talent, climbing stairs:)

Reese dressed up as "Princess Jasmine", at least I got her to look at the camera!

And then there are "The good old dogs!" Being themselves...

OK, I am done for a while. I am off for a walk with my girls. I got a new Ergo today. So I am going to strap Payton in/on and "off we go"...

One of those days...

2009-02-17T16:09:00.000-08:00

Ok Ladies-
I am venting! I am having ONE of those days! Reese has been sick for over a week which means no pre-school. Ughh. She is beginning to climb the walls and so am I!
Then, Friday, the day before Valentines Day, Payton gets it. And I mean GETS it! The little thing has been up crying since then. I took them both to the Dr., turns out that Payton's turned into an ear infection. I hate having to give little ones antibiotics, but I just could see her suffer anymore (Or me either).
Finally, I started to get it yesterday. I mean REALLY? Is it not enough that I have been up every night, mulitple times a night with snotty, coughing, crying, puking kids?
So today, Jason heads off to work to do his thing, and I, sick, am at home with my two sweet bundles of joy:) Feeling like crap!
Neither girl will nap, I finally get Payton down and decide to do some sewing, and discover that Reese (who has an interest in my sewing machine) has unraveled half a spool of thread all over my rec-room.
"Ok, breathe Momma", I tell myself! Otherwise you might see me on the nightly news!!!

Valentines Day

2009-02-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

Ever had red eggs? I know, they look a little weird, but Reese loved her red eggs and heart shaped strawberry pancake!
It was a quiet day at home with the girls since they were both sick:( It turns out that Payton has another ear infection. How awful! My poor little thing that can't stop crying and sleeping all at the same time!
We did our traditional steak and lobster dinner, just with kiddos this year:) Who knew a few years ago that I would easily fore-go the candles and romance to stay at home with little sickos.
We finished the day with a movie with our new gas fireplace lit! See, there is still a little romance:)

Can you see it???

2009-02-13T08:45:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, Jason came home with the "pea brained" idea to build a garden and get chickens! Ughh, another one of my husbands projects! Now, the garden I was on board with the whole time. But chickens??? Really??? We live in the middle of town with 2 kids and 2 dogs. Our neighbors already hate us because our beagles make "noise". What are they possibly going to think about chickens??? So Jason, did research to convince me. He found some really cute chicken coups (a necessity, he knows how to ge me with the truly important stuff), and the health benefits of home grown eggs. I am all about health benefits! So, it took me some time to mull it over, but he finally wore me down. And like he was planning it all along, I am actually now excited to get them. I have even named them! I am going to make you wait for the names though!
So, in order for this whole thing to take place, we had to rip out 3 fruit trees. I know, I know, who in their right mind takes OUT established fruit trees? But here is my reasoning...They didn't produce, they had been badly pruned and were ugly, and they were fruits none of us ate in the 1st place! Good enough for me! Out go the trees and in goes a whole garden full yummy stuff that we will eat!
So here are a couple of photos of the mess from pulling out the fruit trees, but you can see where the garden will be! Can't you just picture a warm sunny afternoon, with my big butt in the air pulling weeds and picking yummy fruits and veggies? And don't forget, there will be 3 chickens running around! (Because we weren't busy enough:))
So, the garden will be all along the fence, and the coupe and run will be in the back corner!

You can see it right? I will have more updates soon!

2009-01-31T08:55:00.000-08:00

In case you all are wondeirng, I thought of a name! Posie Pea:) I am having tags made up with this picture on them!

I think that is it for now! I have a girls' night planned tonight and a baby shower and a super bowl party for tomorrow! Anyone else this busy this week? Sheesh. This working thing is taking some getting use to:)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

2009-01-21T18:42:00.000-08:00

Eat your heart out John Heder!

Or Juno's boyfriend! I can't decide.

I came downstaris and Jason had this on Payton. How funny! I keep all the ugly color headbands for me for working out and give Reese the cute colors. Well, aparently, Reese had raided my stash the other day and Jason thought he would finally put a headband on Payton (He despises the ones that I make).

Here are the ones that I have made recently. There is a consignment shop here in town that is going to sell them for me. I took some in today, but when I was talking to the owner, she suggested that I think of a name for them. I can't think of anything. Any suggestions???
And last, while I was at that shop today, I came accross these hats that a woman had made. I was so excited that she just happened to of made them in each of the girls sizes! You know me, I LOVE matching:)

Our sunny Sunday

2009-01-18T17:43:00.001-08:00

OK, so I have been horrible about blogging! But who hasn't?
Today, Jason and I took the girls for their first trip to the Seattle Aquarium. We went to pay our entrance fee and quickly realized that we might as well get a 1 year family pass because our fee for today only was 1/2 of the year price. So I think that we have found one of our new activities for the next year!
Reese loved it! She even touched star fish in the tide pools, which she never would have done a year ago. I am so proud of her. I think that pre-school is really helping her to come out of her shell:)

And Payton, well she just rode around and stared at everything in amazement. I could tell how much she really liked something because her little legs would get going really fast like she was running to whatever it was!

As it was such a beautiful day, we decided to walk the waterfront and get something to eat at Steamers. Yummy fish and chips and fresh chowder on a cold winter day.

To end our perfect day, Reese finally got to get up close and pet 2 of Seattle's police horses! Now if you don't have any idea of how big this, it would be like a boy getting to touch the bat mobile! Reese just couldn't believe that she got to pet "Cody" and "Charlie". Jason and I were joking that we took her up to Seattle, to the aquarium and out to lunch, and the thing that she will remember the most will be petting the horses for free! So much for our new aquarium membership!

Now back to a work week starting tomorrow! Jason goes to work tomorrow and then me on Tuesday! Oh that is right, I started working again! I worked for this company when I got out of college for 3.5 years untl I had Reese. I then decided to stay at home with her and do the Mommy thing! I have thoroughly enjoyed it and have no idea of what the future brings, but work called and offered me a part-time position that I just couldn't refuse. So far so good. I started last week working Jason's days off, and it went great! We will see how J does with no "real" days off after a few weeks. Right now he is just so excited that I am brining home $:)!!!

Cliff Jumping

2009-01-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

While we were in Hawaii in November, we all decided to cliff jump off the southern most point in the United States, South Point Hawaii. The boys went first and then it was us girls turn. I talked like I had big "you know whats", but when it came time to jump, I backed right off being the natural sissy my Mommy taught me to be and to never do anything dangerous. I handed my wedding rings to the nearest person (that was my excuse for not going) and then I quickly walked up and got it over with. Here is a video of Cora, Becky and I jumping. Keep in mind that if I had known that there would be video footage of this day, there would have been no way that I would have worn a bikini. I am not yet pround of my "Two Baby Body", and wore tankinis every other day that we were there. But, considering that I broke my tailbone while doing this, and the fact that I NEVER do anything anywhere close to this, I am going to post it anyways! Note: that is me screaming before I even jumped:)

My girls in the last of '08

2008-12-30T22:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Aunt Jen, my girls got matching PJ's for christmas! I LOVE anything matching for them. I know that I am a complete geek, but I figure that I will only get away with it for so long. So as I am changing Payton's diaper tonight and trying to decide what PJ's to put her in, I yell to Reese, "Hey Reesie?"
"Yeah?" I hear back
"Do you and Payton want to wear your matching PJ's toinght?"
"YESSSSS", I hear again
And here are the pics from afterward. I can not possibly get enough of how much Reese loves her sister and likewise. These two are just two peas in a pod. I can only hope that they will still feel that way in the long run. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my brothers, but I never had that sisterly bond. I have so many hopes for the two of them. It swells me inside to think of the two of them as adults and calling eachother for advice. I can only hope that Mom is still cool enough to be on that call list!!!

P.S. After these pictures, I nursed Payton before putting her to bed. Her, Reese and I all snuggled into Reese's bed. After we were done, like all nights, I asked Reese if she wanted to give Payton a kiss goodnight? Of course! One just wasn't enough though. And on the 2nd one, Payton did what she does best, PUKED! All over poor Reesie:) Reese was such a good sport! Even though it was on her mouth, hair, PJ's, and her bed, she helped me wipe it up and told her sister good night anyway! What a trooper! (She was a little upset that her bed was wet though:))

Snow Days and Christmas

2008-12-26T22:37:00.000-08:00

Last Monday, my cousin was stranded with us for 24 hours while waiting for a flight back to Arizona. My uncle had dropped him off at the airport because the airlines had said that his flight was running on time. They were wrong! And...my uncle didn't have his cell phone on him (it mysteriously dissapeared in his bag) so Trevor was stranded at the airport. He got ahold of my parents who were going to go and get him, but they live in Shelton. So, Jason and I got in the car and went and got him! Long story short, I haven't even seen Trevor in 15 years, and it was a chance meeting that Jason and I could go and get him. Let me just say, it was a great 24 hours having him stay with us. So much so, I was sad to see him go when he was able to get a last minute flight home! But being 20 yrs. old, he may have been happy to get out of the little girls' world that we call home:) (Although I did catch Trevor snuggled up on the couch with Reese playing games:))
So to pass some of the time, we took him, our little neighbor Eliana, Reese and Payton up to the park by our house and did some sledding.

Here is Jason and Eliana coming down! Next time down, Eliana headed straight for the fence and slammed into it! She was just fine luckily. You should have seen Jason and I at the top of the hill yelling to Ellie to just roll off. She wouldn't and was quite a trooper about hitting the fence:)

Trevor throwing snowballs

Reese and Ellie coming down

Payton's ride to the park and back! I just drug her along like this:) She loved it

Christmas Morning...

Payter sitting on my lap eating the paper (By the way, red and white snowflake paper comes out just as it goes in as we saw later that night:))

Payton sucking her thumb while snuggling with Reese's giant stuffed Unicorn that she got from Santa. Now how did Santa know that was exactly what Reese wanted???

Reese in her new princess robe. Showing us her outfit!

Bella with her present! A vanilla raw hide chew toy. These are the best! They give the worst smelling dog breath a hint a vanilla to make it bearable:) (She is
trying to find a place to hide it)

My brother Jason (sneezing), his girlfriend Sephra and Payton on Christmas morning

Our sweet niece Lucy who we could all stand to have her endless energy rub off on us! This girl is the energizer Bunny! Isn't she sweet???

Last, at Daddy's work on Christmas night. Payton all snuggled up in her new PJ's from her Auntie Kim. Can you tell these were from her?

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas! We sure did...

2008-12-18T21:23:00.000-08:00

Not a creature was stirring, not even a Payter, when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter. We got up to see what was the matter...There was the Plunket's throwing snowballs at our window at 8:45 at night! Payton tucked in for the night and Jason, Reese and I were sitting at the island finishing our ice cream when "Bam", "Bam". Our LOVELY neighbors, the Plunket's, Keith, Maria and Eliana, challenged us to a full-on snowball fight:) Such fun! We were out there for over a half-hour this evening throwing snowballs. Family against family! Friends against friends!!!
We all wished we had our cameras, but instead, here are a few of our favorite things that have gotten us through the last few days. And, are sure to push us through until Christmas!!!

There is nothing like air popped popcorn and old fashioned movies on seriously cold days.

Two sister's loving eachother like mad and enjoying eashother's company!

A portrait of Bella taken by Reese, discovered by Mommy when downloading photos...

Reese playing in our 1st bit of snow the other day, obviously more to come...

Payt, watching sister play in the snow! Oh how she loves her big sister:)

Payter with static hair from all the dry weather! This face melts me:)

Me, trying to get Bella to play in the snow. But her staring at me like, "Really Mama? I am soooo not going out in this stuff!" From under a snow-covered patio table.

Last, but not least, after a crazy day, my loving husband brought home one seriously worn out Mama, a bottle of wine! And thanks to my friend Natalie, I am trying out the glass that she bought me to see if it really fits a whole bottle of wine!

UMMMMM, YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

3 years ago, Reese's 1st Chirstmas, we packed her up and hiked through the forest service roads out of Enumclaw to find our "Perfect" christmas tree. It is great, you pay $10 for a permit and get to "hunt" it down. The only problem, it's a forest! So, there is always a "more" perfect tree "just over there"!

We started out getting some lunch in Bonney Lake at "oh" McDonalds as Reese calls it. Nothing like a little good old fashioned fat to warm them bones up:)

Soon we found FS Road 74 and turned to drive up the mountain. Jason, in a zone, passes right by a herd of about 20 of these friendly fellos! I said, "Whoa, back this truck up!" It is not very often that us city folk get to see Elk in real life! Jason backs right up to this guy and he practicly said "Cheese" for his photo. We couldn't have been more that 10 feet away from him.

ok, so we get up there (4 miles in) and Jason arms himself with his saw and a bundled up Reese.

I armed myself with my Grandpa Frank's woolrich jacket and Payton in the backpack and off we go to find the perfect Charlie Brown tree:)

So, here it is! Can you see it behind the self-portrait of the 4 of us?

Daddy playing "Lumberjack", Reese thinks he needs some of Pops' logging toys:)

Finally we get it home, decorated, and my girls set oh-so-nicely in front of it!!!

P.S. I HATE colored christmas lights. I told my husband that it ruins the christmas tree for me:( But in good holiday spirit, I decided to give in just this one christmas. You know, that whole marraige and comprimise thing?

2008-12-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

Every Wednesday night, we try to get together with J's sisters for dinner. There is always someone who can't make it, but we still persevere anywho. This week, both J and Jen couldn't come, so it was just Kim and I (and my girls of course). Auntie Kim loves to come and see her nieces. This week i had a special treat for her. She got to be involved in Payton's 1st solids!

Normally J would be here for something like this, but I am at my wits end! Mind you, Payton started sleeping through the night at 9 weeks, and for the last couple, she is up at least twice a night! Then when I go into her room and pick her up, she is ravenous and sucks my neck like a vampire. We finally crawl into bed and I feel like I am being eaten by a pyrana (did I spell that right?). So, at five and a half months, I decided it was time to start rice cereal.

Payton has started to reach for anytihing that Jason and I are eating or drinking, so I thought that it was time.

Auntie Kim, Reese and I all armed ourselves with the camera, a towel and plenty of laughs as Payton DEVOURED her rice cereal!

Who knew that rice cereal and boob milk could taste this good??? She practictly served it herself and ate the whole bowl that I thought might last a couple of feedings! Oh well, at least it is cheap:)

And last but not least, Payton was satisfied! I didn't realize that her eyebrows were hungry too though? She has this look like, "Geez Mom, could your aim suck anymore?" Really it had something to do with her being so excited and doing the Payton "Bob-and-Weave".

Sorry Daddy that you couldn't be here for my 1st food, but Mom's boobs just couldn't take it anymore! Maybe next time:)

Ladies Lunch

2008-12-03T13:37:00.001-08:00

Thank you "Blog Ladies" for the lunch last week! I really enjoyed seeing all of you and catching up on all of your lives. I will look forward to next year, but I will be checking up on all of you lovely ladies on you blogs! Cheers...

Family Picture

2008-12-02T21:36:00.000-08:00

Here are my sweet girls getting their picture taken with Santa. Even though Reese is terrified of strangers (good girl), she came out of her shell when she was able to inform Santa that she wants a HUGE unicorn for Christmas. She still wouldn't smile for the picture. That was just asking too much:)

Well, since most of you are getting your Chirstmas card this week, I will finally post our family picture from Hawaii. It is from the Luau in Kona and it is the only decent family picture that we have taken since adding Payton to our family. Granted, the girls aren't looking, but neither is crying either. So you take what you can get right? Merry Chirstmas Everybody...

We're Back!!!

2008-11-19T10:39:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone-
We got back LATE Monday night from Kona. We had a blast to say the least and have many pictures to share. I have not had time to post them yet, nor do I have them all, but here are a few to start! We enjoyed everything from cliff jumping at the southern most point in the US to a Luau and snorkeling with Sea Turtles. I will be back with more...

Here are J and the girls on our flight, both girls did great!!!

Paytie and I in the water. This was the only water that she liked. It was the only spot that was warm enought for her little toes!!

The boys and our girls hanging in the pool. Dave is trying to teach our girls to do the "Hang Loose" sign.

Reese with the "Pretty Girls". That is what she called the Hula dancers at the Luau

Reesie and Mommy at the Luau

Our Sweet little family...

Cora and I on the beach just after I got swallowed by a wave. Look close and you can see all the sand in my hair that I had to scrub out for days.

Cora trying to get the baby drunk. Just joking! Payton was just fixated on the beer bottle and considering that she popped her 1st tooth while we were there, she just wanted to gnaw on the cold smooth bottle.

ALOHA

2008-11-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

Only 5 more days until we leave for Hawaii!!! Jason and are taking the girls to Kona on the big island for 10 days with some very good friends of ours. We are so excited for Reese to see new things and take little Paytie with us:) If I don't get a chance to update before we leave, Aloha and have a great couple of weeks! I promise to have lots of pictures when we get back...

A Day with the Dahlia's, Oh, and Nellie too:)

2008-10-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

Once a month or so, my dear friend Nellie comes to visit us and stay for the weekend. I am truly blessed to have her for a girlfriend. We have been buddies since we were in the 6th grade, and my how time flies. She has watched me through my relationship with my parents, my husband (6 years of dating 1st), then through both of my pregnancies. Only a true girlfriend would tell right after you have given birth to your 1st child, "Your toes look horrible! I can't believe that you went out of the house with them looking like that! Now put them up on this stool and let me give you a pedicure!:)" It was wonderful to know that I had a friend in this world that would not only tell me the truth, but help me fix it and pamper me at the same time. After about the 5th month with my pregnancy with Payton, I could no longer reach my toes again. Nellie to the rescue! Every month when she came down for the weekend, she would pamper me and make my toes "pretty" again. I love Nellie for always taking the time to be my friend. My True Friend!
Here are a few photos from the last weekend that she came down. We went down to the park at Point Defiance and went through the Dahlia Garden...

2008-10-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Every time I try to video Payton, she just stares at the camera. Finally, yesterday, she smiled and giggled for me. Granted, you can hear Reese in the backround screaming that she is "flying like a birdie", but here you go anyway!!!

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

On Thursday we went to the Pumpkin Patch with Reese's pre-school class. It was a wonderful organic farm in the Puyallup Valley called Terry's Berries. We had a lovely tour guide named "Farmer John" who showed us the ins and outs to farming. Reese informed us that she is ready for us to have a garden and chickens. Yes, that is right, me the city girl is getting chickens! Jason and I are going to take the winter to get our back yard all ready including a coupe and shed built. As well as the garden beds prepped. So needless to say, we all learned a lot at the pumpkin patch this year!
All the kids loved the mud puddles! I would only let mine walk through the thick muddy ones! I am not one for dirty! Good thing I only have 2 girls:) Anyways... here are a few pics from our 1st field trip...

Reese listening intently to "Farmer John" about how to grow potatoes

The Mommy dreaded mud puddle

Reese picked corn, mmmmm yummy!

Daddy helping Reese pick some yummy apples! We even brought some home!

And the pumpkin! She picked a great one! Just her size and nice and round...

And finally a snack with her whole class before we left. What a great time we had! Even perfect weather:)

Happy October...

2008-10-03T17:02:00.001-07:00

Reese and I baking together is one of my favorite things. It actually inspired a whole kitchen remodel and a mamoth center island just for her and I to do so. So this was our project today...Oreo Cookies (Homemade)...
I dyed the cream cheese frosing filling orange to make "Happy Halloween" cookies!
I will share the recipe with you, and maybe you can put your own twist on it...

I told you easy! I use boxed cake mix and pre-made cream cheese frosting. I will give you the recipe for homemade frosting, but who can beat the price. The tub of frosting was on sale for $1, and just cream cheese for the frosting is over $2.50! Cheap and Easy:)

I like to whip the canned frosting to make it fluffier. You can also add your food coloring here. Just red and yellow to make orange.

The munchkin loves to frost the cookies. Beware, it is sometime hard for them to keep it out of their mouthes!!!

And then she FINALLY gets to reap the reward of baking cookies! Still warm to boot...

Oreo Cookie Recipe

2 packages of Devil's Food cake mix
1/2 cup shortening
4 eggs
**Mix eggs and shortening, add cake mixes. Roll into 1" balls and flatten. Lay on baking sheet and bake on 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool cookies.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 & 2/3 cup powdered sugar
**Mix and spread between two cookies!

Eat and Enjoy...

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

My Sweet little bundles of joy! That's what I am suppose to call them right?

2008-10-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

Being crafty is what saves my days. I HAVE to have a project going on, or all my days run together, Reese pulls at my pants whining and I feel like I nurse all day long. My latest project include making these headbands for Payton. Seeing how she has very little hair (very unlike Reese at this age) I don't want her looking like a little boy. Nothing wrong with little boys, but she lacks those parts so why not make her pretty? Jason thinks these headbands are ridiculous, and I can kind of understand, but they are also so stinkin cute and so is she in them.

See? Cute huh?

And cute again...

And then it all goes wrong! This is where I understand Jason. I went up to the kitchen to pull the cookies our of the oven and I heard Payton grunting. Uh-oh. I go back downstairs to find this! How funny! She didn't even care. I think she was just glad this one was nude colored. She could at least see through it!

And my sweet girl Reese. She loves kissing her sister. Next we were bored, so I turned on the radio...

And I see Reese "Shaking what her Mama gave ger!"

10 Necessities

2008-10-02T10:22:00.001-07:00

Here are 10 things that make life easier, nicer and just more enjoyable!

My Swiffer Vac. With new hardwoods, 2 dogs, a 3 year old and a hubby, this thing has saved me! I use it everyday...

I have struggled with my complection since I was 16. I use to take all kinds of medicine for it, but when I got pregnant with Reese, I had to find something that was safe to use with her growing in my tummy! I have been hooked on it ever since. I know every time I skip a day. It's not pretty!

Oh Baby! There is nothing better for snuggling and keeping a new baby close to you then a Moby. My girlfriend lent this to me and I use it all the time. I even figured out how to nurse in it. It's great for getting things done and letting Payton nap.

This is my new, yet old favorite. This sewing machine use to be my Grandpa Ben's. My Mom thought I might like it when he passed away last year. It sat in the box for a year until I had had enough of Jason razzing me about it. I finally figured the thing out, and I use it all the time now. Who says things have to be new? This is a trusty old machine and I love using it.

This is a MUST! A hot, steamy cup of creamy coffee in the morning! With 2 children, enough said.

As a nursing Mommy, I am always thirsty. I drink about 100 oz. of water a day, and this is always with me. I LOVE my Camelbak!

I have noticed no-one put this on their list! Are you all CRAZY? Where would any of us be without our trusty communicators? I am lost with out this. Don't count on me to remember your # if I lose it!

As you can see, these Citizen's are well loved, I think I took them off right before I took the picture. I bought them right before I got pregnant with Payton, and they are one of the only ones that fit. We all need a good pair of jeans that make our butts look good, right?

I have been addicted to Downy since Jodi's mom used it high school! Her clothes were always so soft and smelled so good! Well now they have more scents, and my new favorite, and must-have is Gardenia.

Last, but not least, I must have a good conditioner. My hair has always been so tangly. My girlfriend Rachel introduced me to this one and it is my new favorite. My hair brushes like silk after my shower. (Notice I get the big one, I use a LOT, and Reese needs conditioner now too! Life is getting expensive with 3 girls in one house!)

I do have a "Place"

2008-09-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Heidi, I started thinking about what my "place" is. It is anywhere on the water with my family. Last week, to enjoy the last bit of summer, we headed out on the boat for 2 days. There is nothing like enjoying the sun on the boat. We BBQ'd steaks and went for "dingy" rides. We motored up to Jerril's Cove on Hartstein Island and tied to a mooring bouy. Then in the morning, we motored over to Stretch Island State Park.
Funny story, after Jason rowed us to shore (he didn't want to start the dingy motor because we were only 20 off shore) he pulled us all up onto the beach so that Reese and I didn't have to get our shoes wet. The dingy was about 3 feet up on the beach and I told Jason that was plenty. Payton fell asleep in her life jacket, so we wandered down the beach where there was some shade to set her down. All of a sudden Jason looked down the beach and noticed that the dingy was floating away. I started running after it like I was really going to jump in the water fully clothed and get it! No way, that is what Husband's are for:) Jason starts to empty his pockets and take off his leather belt so that he can jump in. Then I told him to just take his shorts off! He was wearing boxers, and there was no one around. So there goes my hubby, diving into the water in his undies to get the dingy back which was already a ways away. He gets the dingy, climbs in and starts to row back to us girls. He says, "Don't mind me, I'm just out for a row in my underwear". Too funny! He saved the day!!!

Payton likes to help Daddy drive the boat

Payton and Mommy enjoying the scenery

Reese and Daddy wathing a movie, "Spirit", Reese won't go anywhere without it now!

Reese wants to flush the toilet, but she just isn't quite strong enough to do it by herself...

And this is Payton sleeping in her life jacket. Only my kid could sleep in this bulky, uncomfy thing!

The Big Race

2008-09-08T11:42:00.001-07:00

So, our little girl is quite the runner. Jason saw that the Bank to Bay run here in Tacoma had a 1K kids run for free. He went ahead and signed her up and then starting "training" her. She loves to run and thought that it would be so much fun! Jason taught her how to pump her arms when she is running to "go faster" and taught her how to start. She even says, "On your mark, get set, GO"!!! The 1st picture is of her in her starting stance! So Cute:)
So we get her all pumped up and even invited my parents up to see her run her big race!
Obviously we all forgot what an intravert our cute little girl is:) She started getting shy when we got there. And then when the gun sounded to start the race, well, she cried!!! Her Daddy had to pick her up and run the whole race with her in his arms! What a good Daddy:)
I decided to not be dissapointed, and focus on the good here. She went and experienced it, finished (thanks to Dad) and even got a free T-Shirt!
Maybe we will try it again next year...

My little photographer

2008-08-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that Reese took this photo of Payton and I? I was doing a little photo shoot of the girls and Reese HAD to have the camera. I didn't realize that she was such a natural! Now if only she could photo shop the pimple and crows feet!!!

Sweet Sisters

2008-08-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

I was having a heck of a time waking Reese up from her 3 HOUR nap yesterday! I know, what Mother WANTS to wake up her 3 year old from a good nap? But, if I hadn't she never would have gone to bed last night!!! So, after having been in there 3 times already, I decided to lay Payton next to her on her pillow! Reese LOVES her little sister. I couldn't of found a better way to wake her up smiling:)

Can you see the love?

My "little patunia"

2008-08-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

I had to take a photo of Payton in this! It is a towel that my Mom found for her! Jason thinks it is rediculous, but I think it is adorable:) That's is the difference between mom's and dad's. I dress them up all cute in funny things, and he gets them dirty!!!

A Sunday afternoon

2008-08-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Payton was being fussy, so we took her outside. Pretty soon, Reese had both her Mommy and Daddy doing somersaults and cart wheels. Here are a few for fun...

And here is Payton saying Hi