April & May shenanigans

At the beginning of April, my mom and sister went to the family cabin on Camano Island for a little girls getaway before the new babies are born. So relaxing! The weather was beautiful, and I saw the most wonderful sunrise from the deck. One of the fruit trees fell over, from the crazy winter weather!















During my weekend away, my darling husband was on Daddy Duty at home with the girls. One of their fun activities was discovering frogs at Rood Bridge park. These girls are not shy about slimy things!











This year for Easter, we had plans to go to Renton to be with my family. Oh the plans we had... Unfortunately, throat infections took over our family and we were stuck home sick for a week! Marin did get enough energy one day to decorate her eggs... A few weeks later, all the grandparents came to church with us so we could show off their yellow Easter dresses! Such a precious picture with all their favorite people!






Kyle went on a motorcyle trip to Bend with his friend Alex. No broken bones!! Although it was in the 20's at night (they camped outside in tents), so there might have been a little frostbite.








Marin just completed her first set of swimming lessons in the pool without mom. I cried the first day, seeing her in this huge pool with her class and teacher. Welcome to turning 3, there is a whole world out there, people! She thoroughly enjoyed it, and even pulled out the nose bubbles in the end, allowing her to graduate and be able to move on to the next class.













As much as we threaten to send her off to the glue factory, Ivy really is a good dog. She puts up with everything from the girls, and is our expert mole catcher (I think this might be #8 or 9). Even with those grey hairs, she can still hunt with the best of them :)











Check out my new haircut!











Recently when friends Sommer and Jordan were over for a BBQ, Marin asks Jordan "Can you climb that tree?"... Lickety split, Jordan and Kyle are up a tree. I think there might have been a few scrapes (these boys are not teenagers anymore people)... She was in awe.









We planted our garden on Mothers Day, and Kyle surprised the little girls with their very own red shovels. Thrilling! That and the worm (again, slimy things impress them greatly). What didn't impress them was the stinky fertilizer. Pee-ew! Did I mention the darling dog Ivy already ate all the broccoli plants? (Here's where the glue factory threats come in.)














Sisters are funny... I found Marin feeding Madeline like a baby, and they were both enamoured with this exchange. Even after Maddie had a "beard" (their words, not mine) full of yogurt, she just threw up her hands as if to say "what mom, do I have something in my teeth or something?"

Bubbles make the party complete! We had our end of year community group gathering at our house, and we got out the Bazillion Bubble Machine (yes that's what it's actually called)... So fun! Check out the one of Marin blowing them to Ivy, who loves them as much as the people.

What an eventful March!

My sister Jessica is expecting her first baby in May, and we had a baby shower for her in Renton this month. I left Marin at home with her Daddy, and Maddie and I had a special weekend together at Nana & Grandpa's house! Since my Mom and I were hosting, Grandpa and Madeline were pals that weekend. Can you tell this girl likes her Grandpa? She NEVER falls asleep on someone's lap!








Kyle and the booyas when to a Portland Trailblazers game this month... While they were out, all the wives & kids came over and we had a pizza & popcorn party, including lots of wild playing, topped off with watching Cars. Mine are the only girls in the group, so the boys weren't going for the Strawberry Shortcake suggestion!

As an early celebration of our 9th anniversary, Kyle and I went to see a performance of Wicked in Portland, and had dinner at the Portland City Grill... I had never been there before, delish!! And the performance was AWESOME, just a fascinating and fresh plot... A twist on the Wizard of Oz... Kyle and I both thought it was funny and captivating, and the singing was insane. Insane! Here are some pics of our dressed up outing, including the dressed up food we ate :)

Before the show, Marin and I experimented with my old sponge curlers. I love having girls!!

We had our buddy Silas over one evening recently, while his mom & dad Sommer & Jordan went out on a surprise date! My girls smothered him & his toys, but I mean really... Look how cute he is, how can any girl resist??

Hmmm, Marin's first black eye! Considering how it happened, it's suprising it's taken this long. All it took was running into the dining room table during one of her races around the house. I guess we will delay Easter pics a week or two!

Who gave Marin the camera?!! I guess you can tell who she loves the most, since sister is front and center :)

It's been awhile since I've had the "matching girls on the steps" pose... For some reason, it's our favorite place to take a pic when they happen to be matching that day. And for those of you wondering if our son will be subjected to the same, the answer is no. I'm not THAT into matching (well, yes I am but I do recognize the boy needs some dignity). Of course, holidays don't count :)

If there is one thing I can say about my sweet, cute girls... they are TOUGH!! It was like 38 degrees outside, and Kyle decides to wash his motorcycle with two helpers in tow. When I cleaned them off an hour later, they were completely muddy and SOAKED from head to toe, down to their undies/diaper. Not one complaint! Just cold girls needing a warm bath. Wow, even I am not that tough.

And last but not least, Happy St Patrick's Day from the Irish Corrigan girls!

It's a boy!

We are ecstatic to share the news... It's a boy!