First Comes Love...

We spent the weekend in Leavenworth celebrating Kirk and Kevin's birthdays with my parents, Mamie, Papa, Victor, and Catherine.  Things get busy with three immediately family birthdays and one Grandparent birthday within 11 days, but it's also so much fun! The weekend kicked off at Munchen Haus for Papa's birthday dinner of pitchers and Big Bob brats where the food filled our stomachs, while the live band filled the warm summer air. It was a relaxing weekend sprinkled with a BBQ, some nice morning walks, and a mini-hike along the Tumwater.  Kevin's only request was to sleep in and play nine holes of golf Sunday morning. (I only fulfilled the latter request... :/ ) Abigail loves telling people she's three, so this weekend we tried explaining to her that Daddy's now 33: "So you know how you're three?  Well this weekend is Dada's  birthday and he's going to be three three!" "Ooooh.  Okaaaaaay"  I think we lost her ...

This time next month we will be celebrating you first birthday! It's hard to believe we'll be ready for a party in the new house a month from now, but you know how I like a good, stress-ridden challenge (if you're not familiar with this trait of mine, just ask Dad) :) Last month got so busy that a 10 month post slipped by, so I've got a lot of new news for you! Since spending time together in Cali , you've become a HUGE Mamma's boy.  I love how cuddly you've been, but with you and Abigail both being big Mom fans, it becomes a little exhausting (although your sweet attention makes it hard to complain) We've plateaued at 6 teeth (none since  8 months ), but with lots of chewing and drooling, I think we have another round coming soon You've started taking your first steps.  You can walk about 3-5 steps at a time and take such pride in each one. You love pulling up on Sissy to walk with her.  This has ended badly more than once. Sleep...

(now there's a depressing thought!) Monday I turned 34 and was grateful to spend the day on the lake with Kevin.  Since selling the boat last summer, we haven't spent time on the water, so a surprise boating trip was a wonderful treat. (aside from hitting the dock while the owner sat watching...) We had lunch at Chandler's where I used my birthday as an excuse to eat a nauseating amount of fresh oysters, then out to Meydenbauer Bay to spend an afternoon floating the lake and drinking copious amounts of beer.  Our happy place  :) I was told we'd be meeting my parents and the kids for dinner in Kirkland, but was beyond thrilled to see so many close friends when I arrived at the table. (for so long I've told Kevin about wanting a surprise party, and this year he really pulled it off!) As a Mom of two littles, and mid-thirty year old adult (this is going to take some getting used to), it's not often you feel the child-like sense o...

Abigail got to celebrate her birthday three times this year, and while she may have been born in the Year of The Rabbit, this was the Year of The Choo-Choo. Festivities began Saturday afternoon at Lattawood Park.  We scored on the weather and with not many people at the park, we practically had the place to ourselves. The kids brought bikes and scooters, the adults had ladder ball, shade, and libations, and everyone, including a few of our furry friends, enjoyed a relaxing afternoon.  It took the birthday girl a while to warm up Playing ball.  One of Abigail's great loves Charlie and George Uncle Bob and George Charlie and Auntie Anne Baby Cameron Reid, Alford, Cameron, Steph, Johanna, and Taryn Steph, Danielle, Reid, and my Dad Safety first  :) Mason and Charlie riding bikes Our "venue"   :) When asking Abigail what she wanted for her birthday, her respon...

Happy Birthday, Bitsy Girl! We have been celebrating your birthday since Saturday; lots of singing, party hats, and fun, but today marks your actual birthday. I can hardly believe we've been on this journey for three years already! You have grown so much in these past few months.  "Mama, I do", "No, no, my turn", and "I help" are your mottos.  You are cultivating your independence, and while I relish watching you grow into the little girl you are becoming, every so often I get a glimpse of the baby you are fighting so hard to no longer be. As I rock you to bed, help you down the stairs, or wipe big, brave tears from your sweet little face, I cherish the moments knowing they are numbered. We are in transition.  This is the part of the story where you begin paving your own path, and I sit back and learn to watch.  Lord, help me be a good watcher. *** This morning Dad and I brought cupcakes to ...