Decorating fun!

I love the day each year that we get to turn on the Christmas tunes, put the lights up, and decorate for Christmas! We had a great time kicking off the Christmas season! I also LOVE the wonderful traditions that have been passed down through our families, as well as the ones we are creating ourselves! Thanks to a friend of mine, we have a really neat advent calendar going that leads us to a scripture every morning! It's a tradition I hope to continue every year! It has also become tradition for Leah to help me put out our nativity scene as the first decoration of the season! ... a good way to start the season, wouldn't you say? :)

...A Family Tradition!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!It's tradition! We always go up in the hills looking for that 'perfect tree!' Most years we find great trees, although they always resemble the infamous "Charlie Brown Tree!" This year, we went tree hunting on Thanksgiving weekend. It was a full family affair... and SOOO much fun! The snow hadn't hit yet, allowing us to travel much farther up the mountain to find the trees not touched previous years. When we found this one, Leah exclaimed..."it's our perfect tree, mama!" It was then we noticed the obvious bend mid-way up the tree. We decided a tree with that much character was a good thing! So, here are some pics from our adventure...

Leif is 2!

I can't believe it, our cuddle-bug is two years old! :)

Leif is such an incredible JOY in our family! We are blessed!




Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Fall Fun!

I'm officially a 'soccer mom!'

Leah had her first full soccer game this past weekend! Her team had quite the cheering section... I think we'll win the prize for loudest sideline! :) Of couse, it's all encouragement (mixed with a little teensy bit of competition that runs in our blood! :) Leah had her cousins, grandparents, and parents all there to cheer her on! So far she loves the game, is really enjoying her 'soccer friends' and it's one more thing we get to do as a family! ...The veteran soccer moms tell me it's about to get tough... cold, cold days are coming! Bring it on! :) I'm embracing this soccer mom bit.

A puppy!

Our family has a new member! Bailey (or 'Bay-Bay' as Leif says) is our new 8-week-old Labradoodle puppy! Yes, Labradoodle. :) A mix between a black lab and a poodle. Crazy, you say? Not in our book! For years we've been looking forward to the day our family was ready for another dog. The time is here, and we're all thrilled! Brian wanted a large dog... preferrably a lab. I wanted a smaller dog that was soft, cuddly and washable. :) Bailey is the perfect combination! About a year and a half ago, someone told Brian about Labradoodles, and when he told me, I busted out laughing. It's not something I would have put together... but what we've learned is that they are great family dogs, with loving and calm temperments, very trainable, and non-shedding! :) So, after much consideration, we chose Bailey and are having so much fun!


When we got to the farm to pick her up, there were three females left to choose from. We hadn't told Leah or Leif that this was happening because growing up, Brian has very fond memories of the many occasions his parents took he and his brother and sister to pick out a dog and it being a complete surprise. He wanted that for our kids, as well. So, when we got to the farm, Leah thought the surprise we had been talking about was simply visiting the farm. She was so excited to see horses, chickens, goats... and then the puppies! The kids went to the puppies and Leah asked if she could hold one. The man let the three puppies left out of the kennel and Leah and Leif were giggling and squealing! Now, at this point, I was more excited than I thought I would get because it was such a joy to watch my kids experience this! I had wondered how we would choose OUR puppy from three, but it was so easy. One of the puppies (Bailey) ran right over to me, and then to Leah, giving puppy kisses, tail a-wagging! Leah picked her up and Bailey cuddled right in. Leif was busy squealing and giggling... but it was clear Leah had found our puppy! "Oh, mommy! She's so cuddly!" She still thought we were there to visit the animals, until Brian asked the kids if they thought we should take her home. I saw pure joy in my daughter's face, as she screamed "Yes... I'm ready! I'm ready!" Leif echoed with a "Yay!" as he so often does! What a precious moment!


It was a long day (we also got to see our dear friends for a first birthday party and enjoy Leah's first soccer game!) but overall a terrific day!


These are the pictures I have so far. The one of Leif in the crate... totally his idea! He has spent the last two days acting like a dog... barking, licking, and yes... crawling into the crate!

Our First Grader!

Well, school has begun again and Leah is so excited to be a first grader! Here she is on her first day of school! She shared with me (the night before) that she didn't feel ready for first grade and that she had "big butterflies in her tummy." I was able to lay with her and discuss all of the things she CAN do, and all of the things she is excited for in the coming year. I loved having the opportunity to pray for her.. with her... for a wonderful year. The next morning she bounced in, admittedly still a bit nervous. I saw her a few times throughout the first day... in the hall, cafeteria, playground. Each time I saw her, she was smiling a bit bigger! By the end of the day she reported that she really IS ready for first grade. When I asked what it was that made her so sure... she replied, "Well, it's pretty much just like kindergarten... and I know all about that!" :)

She is enjoying her friends, loves her teacher, and is excited to be reading and writing!!! We are so proud of her and pray that her year is one filled with confidence, growth, laughter, and a love of learning!

The beautiful San Juan Islands!

There are those moments for me when I'm out in God's amazing creation that I feel so absolutely at peace. I realize that this busy world and all the things that don't really matter take so much away from what really DOES matter! I had a few of those moments during our family camping trip to Orcas Island this past week. The trip lived up to every expectation I had and then some! We had gorgeous weather, enjoyed the camping life, watched our kids fall even more in love with the outdoors, and returned refreshed and a bit more connected as a family. :)

Brian and I have wanted to kayak in the puget sound for at least 10 years... we even have our own kayaks, but somehow never felt secure enough to head out into unsettled waters. (well, Brian was ready, I just wouldn't go!) We had the best date night we've had in years... we took a moonlight kayak tour out among some of the smaller islands, watched the sunset and the moonrise. It was absolutely breathtaking!!! As I sat in that kayak with the man I love more each day God gives us, watching one of the most beautiful sunsets He's ever painted, I had one of those moments. I felt overwhelmingly blessed and taken care of. I had a moment of clarity that I wish I could wake up with each morning, because it causes me to live differently... to live for what matters: Faith, family, kindness, selflessness... It was a gift. My goal now is to hold onto that moment and let it challenge me to GROW in my faith, patience, and relationships.

Here are a few pictures... I wish I had taken one of Leah playing with the slugs... it was creepy, but so darn cute! :)

We had a blast splashing around at Cascade Falls.

Our campsite was super for exploring and climbing. :) The kids loved it!
Oh, the giggles!

It was wonderful to have Brian's folks with us! The kids LOVED the ferry rides!

We found a great little beach that was about a mile hike in. We found starfish, clams... and even a water snake! This was one of the best days we had!