Weekend at Auntie's

This weekend found us in Eastern Washington again. We seem to spend quite a bit of time here during the summer. Marlin spent most of his time at the hydroplane races down on the Columbia, so the kids and I got to spend a bunch of time with Auntie Heather!

The dogs love it when Aidan eats!

Saturday night we went out in the boat so the guys could do a little fishing. Aidan didn't particularly care for his life jacket, but Livi loves to be out on the water. 

This morning we headed to the little neighborhood playground. We stopped and got doughnuts, then had a little breakfast picnic before playing. Olivia loves to slide, and this time even enjoyed the "tiger" swing:) Even Aidan joined in on the fun. 

This little guy is 9 months today, but I'll do an update on him after his check-up:)

Time Flies

My goodness, where has the time gone? It's been a month since my last post, and I really didn't mean to let that much time get away from me. We've had a pretty busy month, filled with playdates, Easter, family visiting, and tea parties.

A play date with Leah is always a fun and crazy time.

Playing at our house

Jumping Jacks with Leah and Tyler

Easter found us in Eastern Washington again this year. My sister and Marlin's sister live about 15 minutes apart, so we can double up the family time when we head over there. Marlin's brother was up from Utah with his family, so it was quite the crowd at my sister-in-laws. We stayed nights at my sister's, so Livi and Aidan got to spend lots of time with aunts and uncles.

When we came back home, Marlin's brother, his wife, and their 2 kids came to stay with us for a few days. Livi had a blast spending some extra time with her cousins, since she doesn't get to see them that often. While they were here, we decided to take a trip to the zoo.

Livi had fun at the aquarium, and even ran into her friend Parker.

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

Despite the cold weather, all the kids had fun seeing the animals.

But I think the best part of the day was the carousel. Olivia was terrified the last time I took her on it, but this time she loved it. She and Daddy went on 3 times together:)

We have also been having lots of tea parties together. Several times a week I brew some tea and set up a tray to take in the living room while we watch a movie. I found these cups at Goodwill, and I love that they match my teapot so well.

I even managed to get a little crafting in. I made Livi a bunny from the pattern found here, so fun and easy. I knit my square in garter stitch on the diagonal.

 

And with the long drive to my sister's, of course I got some more rows done on my granny stripe. It's about halfway finished and I love it so far.

3.16.2010

One of my favorite days:) 3 years ago, at 11:36am, we became a family of three. You were the sweetest baby I had ever seen, and I just couldn't believe that you were mine.

1st Family Photo

From the beginning, you were a very easy baby. Even the pregnancy was smooth, with no major concerns, though I did get very emotional! And if all labors were like yours (which I found out they're not!) I could have hundreds of babies:) For the first few months you slept all the time, and hardly cried at all. It was so amazing to watch you change and grow every day. And boy did you grow during that first year.

Olivia, the first year

I look back now, and can't believe that tiny little baby is now a silly, independent little girl. You've grown so much and developed such a neat personality. As I write this, I can hear you upstairs singing in your bed, even though you should be napping. I'm afraid our easy nap times may be coming to an end. You love to dress up and pick your own outfits. Sometimes the combinations are rather wild! You love books and puzzles and playing with your baby dolls. You're a princess girl at heart, and love to watch your Disney movies. You sing and dance along, and love that they end with everyone getting married (even if they don't). You also love animal movies, like The Lion King and Brother Bear, and most of the Pixar ones as well. You have been the best helper since your brother was born. You sing and talk to him, and bring him things when he cries. You love to hold him, even though it makes mama a little nervous:)

We are so lucky to have you. I love you more than you will ever know.

Happy Birthday, my sweet baby girl.

To the Beach

One of the things I love about where we live is how close we are to the coast. And one thing we love to do at the coast is dig for razor clams. Since there were digs this weekend with afternoon low tides (opposed to the insanely early morning ones), we decided to load up the kids and head to the beach. Olivia was super excited to go, though she didn't understand about the whole clam digging thing.

If you've never had them, razor clams are delicious, and I like when we dig our own. You can use a shovel, but we're gun people around here:)

Yes, that is my custom pink clam gun:) 

 Since this is Washington, going to the beach means bundling up like you're trekking through the mountains. Livi was prepared, and ready to help Daddy.

Clam digging is serious business.

Normally I love to dig my own, but since I was packing Aidan in the carrier, Marlin might have helped me get my limit:) Aidan and I supervised. My job is spotting the little suckers in the sand, and I'm pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. It's a talent:)

Hanging out in the carrier

Razor clams aren't the prettiest things, but they are really tasty. I forgot to take a picture yesterday, but in case you've never seen one, hear ya go:

This is from a few years ago. And yep, I caught that bad boy myself.

All told, we had a really nice day. The sun was out, it wasn't too windy, and best of all it didn't rain:) Olivia had fun playing in the sand, throwing it, and pretending to sink in the holes left by the clam guns.

A lovely March day on the Washington coast

4 Months

Our little man turned 4 months last week, and yesterday he went in for his check-up. I'm pleased to report that he is growing great, though a little underweight. He's longer and lighter than Olivia was at the same age, but the doctor's not worried about it right now. I can't believe how much he has grown and changed in just the last few months!

Clockwise from top left: Birth, 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, 1 month

Aidan has such a happy personality. He smiles so much, especially when Olivia is in view:) He loves it when she talks and sings to him, and watches her when she dances around the room like the crazy nut she is. He loves his swing, but he's still not a big fan of tummy time. Yesterday he figured out how to solve that problem, though. He figured out how to get from back to front a couple of weeks ago, but yesterday he managed the reverse. He's also become very attached to his little blue blanket, just like Olivia's night-night. She has always made sure that he had it whenever we went anywhere. He likes to rub it all over his face, then leave it there while he falls asleep (yes, I make sure he can still breathe!)

And a little comparison of the two of them at 4 months:

Aidan is currently 12lbs, 4 oz and 25.25 in long. Olivia was 13lbs, 8oz and 24.75 inches. Look at those faces, they are definitely siblings!

Little Pink Owls

Mini crafty post ahead:)

I am so pleased with how these turned out, I just have to share them.

Owl twins

I have twin nieces that turned 1 on Valentine's Day. Their party was this last weekend, and I knew I didn't want to get a toy for them (plus I have no idea what they don't already have). I figure clothes are always needed, especially for small children, but I wanted to do something a little special. The owl pattern came from here. I originally wanted to make little stuffies, but once I got the eyes on I realized I hadn't really left myself any seam allowance, so shirt appliques they became. I used heat n bond to stick all the pieces together, then went back with embroidery floss and back stitched around the edge of each piece. The owl is just cotton, and the wings and eyes are just cut from sheets of craft felt. I initialed the wings so that each girl has her own shirt:) These got paired with a some leggings and a book (because I always gift a book). Olivia has now requested her own owl shirt, so I'm sure there will be several more made for her and her friends.

And because I shamelessly love showing off how cute my babies are:

In the kitchen, 1950's style

Surprise Face!

Happy Valentine's Day

Well, it's not technically until tomorrow, but I'll probably forget to write this by then:) I'm already not posting as much as I would like, and I just started this thing. Gonna try to do better.

Things have been kinda crazy around the house. We decided to take an impromptu visit with my parents to the other side of the state to visit my sister. We all had a great time hanging out and shopping. Plus, the almost 5 hour drive (one way) gave me a chance to start on a new project (I was smooshed in the back between the kiddos):

 

A new blanket for the couch. I think this is going to be great for snuggling, and I am really liking the colors together.

When we got back home, Olivia wasn't feeling well, so I took her in. Turned out to be an ear infection, so we've spent the last few days just hanging out and playing. Puzzles are always a big hit, and baby dolls. She's a sweet little mama.

Meanwhile, Aidan has just been all smiles. This little guy sure melts my heart:)

So, that's life here. I'm going to really make an effort to post at least once a week. We'll see how that goes:) Now in honor of the holiday, I leave you with my two Valentines