One of S's favorite things to do, ride in the dump truck with a cookie in each hand.  He loves his sisters and they love him.  This is one of the things I will miss when they get older!

 Oh I Love the imagination at this age!

 This is one more attempt to get a family picture, it is not an easy task!!!!!!  Christmas Day 2011!
We were up many times during the night (1:30, 3:30, 4:30-5:30) and then slept in until 7:30 what a treat.
We opened presents and no one was hungry for breakfast just wanted to play and play some more.
S loved everything, He had to check everything out, He really loved Ju's play dog that sounds like a real one, and his big truck, and any sugar he could get in his mouth.  Je's loved her new dolls and her hat and boa, which I think she looks darling in.  Ju loved s's tools and spent the morning deconstructing the wood truck and table.  And caring for her new dog.  Church was at 12 and I sang with the choir and had the whole hour to sit with out wrestling children, it is these moments you need to realize you are so grateful for each of them and why you are grateful for your family.  I had another moment like this the other day when out shopping with the children, an older gentleman kept wanting to talk to us and as I watched him, he was alone I could not help but wonder what his family was like and if he was alone at this point in his life.  Life can be crazy busy doing the basics at this stage and it is not always easy, but I am so grateful to have a loving husband and wonderful children!  And to have the longing to be near my own siblings and parents.  I love how families make each other and need each other if that makes any sense.
After church we had a munch and mingle, and enjoyed visiting with friends.  We went home and played some more and forced veggies and some sort of nutrition down the kiddos and they enjoyed making faces on their plates with their food and maybe ate some.  I enjoyed talking to some of my family on the phone.  Then we all went over to my cousins home for Waffles and kids were elated to play with N & S.  The ending to another day they are all sleeping and I think I should be also so.  Merry Christmas!!

Beach and Baby

Its spring

Thank Heavens for Dad! Jes is gearing up to wrestle her brother!

Our spring snow.

Twinkle little star is a favorite right now.

Dad had a day off work and the sun was shinning. I packed a lunch and the bikes in the car and we met cousins to ride bikes, so great to hang out in the sunshine with the whole family!

My girls are not as brave as their cousin when it comes to bugs. . . it is rather entertaining to watch the discovery. We seem to average one cold a month this month we are staring off with the flu, but seemed to be well enough to be outside. My thought was that at least it would be one less carpet to clean! We enjoyed a nice break in the clouds. The buds are all beginning to bloom around here, seems so early.

our dress-ups for halloween

Dress-ups for halloween and many other days!

What to love

The girls loved showing off the projects we made to Dad after work.

They love to do projects!

Oh my what a mess this was to clean up! Do you ever have those moments when you remember laughing not getting upset would be the important thing to do here. We smelled baby powder for a long time after this. (And if you are wondering, I did remember to laugh. . . I just had to leave for a minuite first. . . and grab the camera so I could look back and remember the good times.) It was worse than it looks.

Family outing to the Mariners game with some friends from church.

Gathering tools to work out in the yard. The girls are great at helping me out in the yard and garden. We just love being outside!

I love being entertained by their creativity.

I had been canning and my sweetheart was needing to cuddle and resorted to the bear, I love these pictures. Good thing Dad could come snuggle. She is such a love bug.

Maybe it was the way the sun was shinning this day but I was just so grateful for the simple things. Yes, the little bees my girls made and the ripe tomatoes from my garden and the bowl they were in that a dear friend gave me years ago and a birthday card from a friend that said such nice things. My Dad having been forced to slow down in life has found time to do some of the projects He has wanted to do. . . Soap making being one of them. Yes, a picture of one of his bars of soap. To me Beauty is simplicity!

Love fresh herbs in my garden!

And fall harvest!

And the bottles of canned fruit!

and being creative, even if it takes longer than it should! (I think I looked forward to each step I could get to after the girls went to bed, savor the progress even in baby steps.)

Love that my girls also enjoy the harvest from the garden! Just wish it were big enough to keep up with them!