I spy...

SPRING!

Nothing says spring like 40° and raining. Welcome to track season!

Leap Day 2020

Four years ago we decided to make a time capsule for the next Leap Year, February 29, 2020. As the day approached we were getting excited about opening it up.

Inside our time capsule was a picture of us and of each of the kids. Also included was questionnaires that each of them filled out. On the back of the paper we traced their hands and feet. We also made a video. We all had a good laugh about some of our answers and marveled at how much we have grown in 4 years. Funny how things that seem so important at the moment are not even relevant now.

This year the party had a similar theme as last time. The girls took over the decorating and had fun. They decided to make Jello Jigglers cut out like 2s, 9s, and frogs.  They were a bit disappointed in the lack of frog themed items at the grocery store.  

The next 4 years hold some BIG changes for our family.  As we made our new time capsule we talked about who might not even be here when we open it. Crazy!  Where does the time go?!

Thrilled

Tate has found a new place that he likes to sleep. Mitch’s pillow.  Mitch is thrilled about this turn of events as you might imagine.

Mr. Theodore

Today we had a visitor! I was lucky enough to be able to babysit Little Mister while his parents went out. What a fun time! I miss having a baby around. They are so sweet. I forget how you can’t get anything done but hug them but BOY I sure love it. Thank you so much for coming over sweet little man. Can’t wait till I get to watch you again. 

Tate meet Theodore, Theodore meet Tate

The girls were so concerned that by the time they got home from school that Theodore would be gone. Thanks Laura and Zach for staying awhile so that we could kiss him. Also Zach is a trooper for being Lucy’s personal playmate. 

Never too old

Proof that sometimes my big girls are still little. ❤️

Cookie making

For one of Lucy’s goals for the new church program, Lucy decided she wanted to learn to make cookies by herself. For one of Natalie’s goals, she is teaching Lucy to make cookies. (See the genius move that I orchestrated? Bwah ha ha) Today we went to the store to get some stuff (Lucy stayed home) and afterwards Natalie and Lucy were going to make the cookies. This sign was on the garage door when we got home:

“Lucy can do it by herself because she has the recipe book and she can read it”

She kills me at times. 😂

Oh Canada!

We took the kids to the Canadian border. Last summer when we were in San Diego we went to the Mexican boarder and we wanted the kids to see the difference. Wow!! It really is a huge difference. While trying to find a magnet to document our trip we accidentally found ourselves in Canada by taking a back alley way. If anyone needs to find themselves in Canada without taking the proper steps come talk to us! Ha ha

We could spend a lot of money going on trips but this is the kids favorite thing about them:

Twenty

February 18th was our 20th wedding anniversary.  We spent the day with our kids and reflecting on our many blessing from the past 20 years.

2000

2020

Mid-Winter Break-Sequim and Port Townsend

For Mid-Winter Break we decided to spend a couple days on the Olympic Peninsula and visit our favorite animal game farm. The farm never disappoints.  The kids enjoyed feeding the animals the 12 loaves of bread we bought.  I also enjoyed cleaning the car yesterday as it was filled with bread crumbs, hay, and buffalo hair. Yuck!

The wait for the ferry was long so we spent some time walking around and seeing the sights of Port Townsend.

  Lucy's homework assignment over break is to write a review of a place she has eaten.  She was very excited to review the Black Bear Diner.

Valentines

Lucy came home from school today and said that she made Theodore a Valentine's Day card.  I pretty much love the way she spelled his name.  Ha ha. 

Lucy also made Mitch and I Valentine's Day cards.  Not sure that I love that Mitch is known for running and I am known for sleeping. Hmmm....

The rest of us had a pretty low key day.  It isn't quite the same when you aren't in elementary school and get a bag full of candy to bring home.

What?? I’m back!

I made a decision today. I miss my blog. Not sure when I will find the time, nor do I promise anything interesting but hey! Here’s to 2020!!

Here’s a random picture of my newest decor. I mean who doesn’t need ballon dogs in their house? 

Proud

So much to catch up on not even sure where to start. To say that life has been BUSY the last few months, like 100 mph every day, is a bit of an understatement.  Things are not too bad and then BANG the kids get out of school each day and that starts a marathon of activities that leaves Mitch and I dead tired each night and amazed that the two of us pulled off another day of CRAZY!  The other night we were reflecting on the accomplishments of each of the kids these past few months we couldn't be more proud of them.  Each of them has done some amazing things since school has started.

This GUY!  I mean don't get me started.  FRESHMAN!  He trained hard all summer and this fall he started his first season ever of cross country.  His team is extremely good and we told Cameron ahead of time that for a boy to be on varsity with a team like this it was going to be pretty darn hard to impossible.  That being said he has run so awesome this season.  There are 10 boys that are fighting to take 7 varsity spots.  Of those spots 4 of them are pretty clear leaving 3 up for grabs.  Each week, it has been a dog fight for him to find a place on varsity for the next week.  With the last two meets of the season, the coach told the kids that these two races would decide who would be on varsity for league, districts, and state.  Cam ran his GUTS out and earned a spot on the varsity team.  It has been HIGH stress and Cameron seems to take it all in stride.  It has totally stressed me out, though!! HOLY COW.  This weekend is districts and next is state.  Can't wait to see how this goes! Go Bears!!

And by the way...the mom in me has to say, he is so handsome in his uniform!

My Jules!!  This girl tried out for the volleyball team on the first day of school.  What a scary thing to do.  She made the team and has been a starter for the Maple View Middle School team the whole season. She has gotten better and better each week.  Overhand serving is her nemesis but is practicing, practicing, practicing.  Her cheerful attitude is so fun.  Everyday she gets home and is all smiles.  She is so happy about everything.  It is refreshing!  She got braces and started in a new school this year that is huge, and is fully engaged in Young Womens.  She takes it all in stride.  Her schedule is busy, busy busy.  We are still getting use to having Julia have so many things each day going on.

On the downside for Mitch and I...she looks about 16 in her uniform!

Natters, Natters, Natters....

Natalie was in the school play, Treasure Island last week, she was Mother Hawkins.  She got a big part this year and was EXCITED.  She had over 30 lines and worked so hard learning and memorizing her part.  She was seriously the cutest.  She has also filled out an application to be on the "Leadership team" at school and is hoping to hear back soon. She is in zero hour volleyball and is starting rec volleyball this week. I love that each of these kids has been trying things that are scary and hard.  They are such examples to me.  I don't think I could have done that play, no way!

Lucy is living the Kindergarten dream and loving every minute of it.  She is reading and is getting really good.  She comes home everyday ready to play school and spends hours teaching her dolls and stuffed animals everything she learned that day at school. She also has been playing on a soccer team this fall.  She loved the fact that the shirt matched her glasses and her team is called the "Stars."  Lucy is the last glimpse of a small child left in our house.  The other day we were buying her a toy for her birthday and were getting a little nostalgic about how we don't go into the toy section every much anymore.  These day when I am walking with my kids, I look around and see people the same height as me not my little babies.  Thank heavens for my Lucy Baby, even though she isn't much of a baby and is turning 6 on Thursday.

Oh...and we got a kitten...  Meet Tate....

He and I are in the "adjustment" phase of our relationship.  I will leave it at that.