November Highlights

Now that the weather has turned and we are inside most of the time, the days can drag on, and yet, I can't believe that Tuesday we turn the calendar to December!

Eli has been growing and changing rapidly. He is now a speedy crawler, but prefers to stand and cruise along the furniture. He has begun to play more with Grace & Isaac, which they love. I say it frequently, but he really is the happiest child I have ever known. Truly a gift.

We had our first snowfall of the season last week. It didn't stick around long, but the kids loved watching it fall. Eli was especially taken with it, as it was his first memorable experience with snow. I love the pictures of him peering out the window below.




We were in Moscow for a nice, laid back Thanksgiving this week (if you can ever call life with three under three laid back, that is). The highlight of the trip for Grace & Isaac was our venture out to feed Gumbi. Gumbi is a horse up at the U of I that the kids have come to know and love. One of his buddies was there as well and was sure to get in on the carrot action.






Grammie dressed the kids for our Thanksgiving meal. She recently found this dress - one that she made for me when I was young. I love Grace's coy little smile here as she snuggles into her brother.


I had to try to capture this contraption of Poppa's, it has provided hours of entertainment already! Grace doesn't look too amused here, but they both usually squeel with laughter as they pull each other around on this scooter.


We also decided to introduce the kids to their first full length movie - Lion King. They watched intently for about twenty minutes and then pulled out the puzzles and books.

Though Thanksgiving is officially over, I have much to be thankful for each and everyday - our home, my job, the beautiful northwest. I am especially grateful for the incredible people God has placed in my life - my children, my family, my friends, and my church community...gifts beyond measure.

Family, Family

We recently enjoyed a visit from Lindsey, Kolby and Eden. We spent part of the week in Moscow with everyone together, followed by a few days here in Spokane with just Linz and I with our kiddos. With five under three, it is always a little chaotic, but lots of fun!



Always have to take a few pictures in the leaves. Poppa even managed to get everyone to smile at the same time!


This girl has been cracking me up lately. She looks sweet as can be here, which she typically is, but she has definitely got some spunk!




This series had us all in stitches. We were trying to teach the kids about the notorious jumping shot. First Poppa gave a lesson, then the mamas showed their skills, then everyone tried it together. Hilarious - at least to us!







One of the highlights of our time together was a morning spent out at Spring Valley Resevoir. We went on a leisurely hike and Poppa taught the kids how to fish - they each even caught one! Grammie was sure to point out the beaver-chewed tree stumps, and helped the kids collect leaves and various pieces of nature for an art project.











The post-hike snack. Love their expressions.



We are so fortunate to have fun cousins, and so close in age. Now if only we could get them to move to the northwest...already looking forward to their next visit at Christmas WITH Uncle Micah!!

Kicking Off a New Decade

I have incredible friends and family. Really. They know how to make a girl feel loved. My 30th birthday was last week and it was a good excuse for a fantastic evening together. There were a TON of toddlers running around the first part of the evening, which made things even more festive! We were all having a good time, so we only snapped a handful of pictures, but here are a few of the folks that are such a gift in my life.










So, I knew about the party and was able to look forward to it ahead of time. I did not, however, know about the big surprise that awaited me! If you've checked out the blog before, you have likely noticed the add off to the right for Madsen bikes, because I have so badly wanted to win one in a free drawing. Well, sweet Nicole overheard my wish and made it happen!! I told her I felt like I was on Extreme Home Makeover when she led me outside to the friends waiting for the big reveal. I was pretty well speechless. The kids and I are so excited about "our big new bike" as they call it. We have taken it out for a ride everyday and LOVE it! It makes carting my little crew around easier and far more entertaining. Many, many thanks dear friends and family, this bike will be well used.

A Little Grown Up Fun

One of my summer highlights was time spent up at Arbor Crest with my small group friends from church. Arbor Crest is a beautiful winery up on a bluff overlooking the Spokane Valley. They have outdoor concerts each Sunday through the summer. You bring your own food and purchase bottles of wine on site. We went in early September and had such a great time that we went back for Round II last weekend.



These two were taken of the women this past weekend. We had quite the spread of food both times and enjoyed the wine, music, and time together.




This is the whole crew, taken when we went in September. This was a pretty comical evening, as a tremendous wind storm blew in and most people left right away. We ducked under one of the few covered areas & waited out the storm. It was worth the wait, as it turned out to be a beautiful evening (notice the pic), the band played again after the storm, and we laughed a lot as we hid out under cover.

Thanks friends!

So, we tried pre-school last week. A great, co-op style school that I liked, and only one morning a week, but this just doesn't seem to be the time for us. Looks like we'll try again next fall, and spend this year doing more of our own play together. But, since it was officially Grace & Isaac's "first" day of school, I had to take a couple of pictures!


Indicative of our morning...



This kid gives the best bear hugs!



When we were in Moscow last week, we were able to meet my good friend Megan and her girls, Stella & Mia, at our favorite park. Megan and I have been friends since childhood and it is pretty fun (and still a little surreal) to now watch our kids play together.


I took this moments after we arrived at the park. Though they have only played together a handful of times, Grace & Stella always seem to pick up right where they left off - much like their mothers!



Eli with a big smile & thumbs up as he played, in the shade, next to Mia.



We were the only ones at the park but it has been ages since Megan & I had a picture together. I had my big camera with me & my arms only reach so far...this was the best we could do!