Happy 4th of July

We took our yearly trek to Camano Island to stay at the cabin with my family, for the 4th of July! A definite highlight was spending more time with our new baby nephew Jack (or Jax, as my sister is now sweet talking to him... we like our kids to have rhyming names). It was gorgeous weather, and we packed a lot of fun into a few days. The fireworks show was awesome as usual, and this was the first year we let the girls stay up as late as they wanted. They lasted until about 930 or 10pm, however I think the last hour was sustained by the sugar rush of unbridled and unmonitored s'mores consumption. More pictures & descriptions below. USA! USA! (for those of you around my kids enough to understand, yes all four of the older ones were chanting this regularly throughout the weekend)

We love our baby Jack, he is so cute and cuddly! There was constant bickering about who got to hold him next (myself being the loudest). Jess got some practice with my Ergo, it holds a swaddled newborn like an angel.

First smile capture on camera :)

 

Speaking of swaddling, here's a funny one of the girls (age 5 and 3) swaddled and "napping" together.

 Beach exploration resulted in many treasures.

I just can't handle myself, these little cousins are too cute in all their matching outfits (for which I am responsible).

 

Another new tradition: lemonade stand! The girls raised a whopping $9.08 selling cups of lemonade to their family & neighbors at the cabin. Marin was the best saleswoman I have ever seen. She would ask my mom "Nana, what's that neighbor's name sitting over there on her deck", followed by a loud and cheerful "Hellooooo Anna, we are over here selling juice, would you pleeeeeeease come and buy some?" Next was "Helloooooo there Sandy, we are having a lemonade stand, would you please come here and see?"... How people can resist this is beyond me. Madeline was the banker, carefully filing each coin and dollar away in the green jar. Go girls!



And last but not least, rides on the boat and crabbing! For the first time ever, we caught enough keepers to meet the limit. Maddie was laughing the entire boat ride saying "I'm not even scared! I can't believe it, this is fun and the boat is not even too loud!". Marin on the other hand - already trying (and succeeding) to drive the boat. Love my adventurous girls!

Visiting baby Jack

We've all been just itching to get our hands on the new little cousin in the family, little Jackson Newell Mumley born on his momma's birthday, June 10th. He is such a sweet little lump of love. As you can see from the pictures, we all loved holding him! Welcome to the world, my precious nephew.



Happy Father's Day

This year on Father's Day we were the traveling road-show, heading to Bellingham to visit our new nephew! We got to visit both of our own Dads over the weekend and Kyle got a little pre-celebration on Friday... We love our Daddy, he's the best!

Life is her canvas

My little artist can make something out of anything! Today it was lunch :)

Because my Daddy loves me...

A father's heart for his daughter is a beautiful thing. Kyle brought home a bouquet of flowers for each of the girls yesterday... Their inquiring and delighted little minds wanted to know: "Why Daddy? Why are these for me?"... To which he responded with his simple, life affirming answer: "Because I love you..."

Now all our friends coming in and out of our home this weekend will get to see two little faces brighten up when asked about the two different vases of flowers on our kitchen table. When asked what the special occasion was for getting her VERY OWN vase of flowers, they will each reply "Because my Daddy loves me"...

Tools & Tiaras

The End of Preschool

Another school year has come to an end. Marin has reached the end of preschool, having two wonderful years at Bethlehem Lutheran. Her teachers, Mrs. Meier (3 year old class) and Mrs. Sellke (4 year old class), have been wonderfully nurturing and faithful in teaching Marin the preschool basics and most importantly, that God loves her so very much. As a mother, this touches a special part of my heart, to know someone has been caring for my babe in those hours away from me.
 

 

And my little timid Madeline has completed (with gusto!) her first year of preschool with Mrs. Meier. It is amazing and awesome how a secure and loving preschool experience has helped my shy little girl come out of her shell!

 

We ended the year with a very special preschool graduation ceremony for Marin's class, and the family got all dolled up "Fancy Nancy" style! We are proud of our girl, and not afraid to show it. Nana and Poppy joined us for the ceremony too! There is a picture there of little Max folding his hands during prayer time, so cute :) 

Last event of the year was the annual school picnic, it was a tad bit rainy but Maddie insisted on one last picture with her beloved Mrs. Meier.

I am so thankful for a spiritually nurturing and enriching preschool for my kids! We are going to enjoy the summer ahead, but have a lot to look forward to with my preschooler and kindergartener this fall!

Field trip to the Duck Pond

What fortunate timing to be headed out on Maddie's field trip on THE most gorgeous day yet of 2011. I went with her preschool class to the Commonwealth Lake Park in Beaverton, it is an amazingly beautiful place! Last year Marin's class was rained out, and even YESTERDAY the other 3 year old class didn't see nearly as many ducks (so I hear). We saw a bazillion, with all ages of babies & colors/varieties of adults. One might think ducks are not that interesting, but I was totally enthralled. Can't wait to head back there with the family for some fishing (rumor has it, they stock it with trout). Such fun with my little duckling

Oh the dentist

Maddie had her first ever visit to the dentist. I wish I could say she was a perfect angel, but despite this darling little picture, the child flipped her wig. No picture of that, as we all kicked into high gear (me, Marin, Max, hygenist, dentist) to convince her she was going to be JUST FINE. She just had a hard time, my timid little sensitive sprout... But thankfully we were able to get the bare minimum accomplished... Let's just focus instead on this sweet little picture of my girls in their dentist chair! :)

Belated Anniversary Trip to Cannon Beach

Kyle and I took an overnight trip to Cannon Beach, to celebrate (a little belated) 11 years of marriage! We had such a good time, just strolling around, holding hands, enjoying the quiet, the dry skies (woop!), the very cozy and pretty studio, eating tons of yummy food, sipping coffee and just savoring the beautiful ocean. Thanks to Nana & Aunt Nancy for entertaining our kids & making their time away from us very special.

Raising money for St Jude Childrens Hospital

My sweet girls... They were so excited this year to ride in their preschool's bike-a-thon fundraiser, to raise money for St. Jude's Childrens Hospital. I love this fundraiser because it supports a hospital that does not  require families to pay, if they don't have insurance. Families of sick children can focus on their child's care, rather than stress about money. I can especially appreciate this sentiment, remembering one year ago when my precious Max was in Portland's Emanuel Childrens Hospital. I can't imagine the stress of paying such high bills on your own.

So needless to say, we were extra excited this year. The girls raised a total of $210! I am a witness that they truly biked their buns off, pedaling hard for those sick kids! Thank you to everyone who sponsored them and supported such an amazing cause.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there! A special prayer is always in my heart for those who are struggling to become a mommy, or have lost a little one. I am so blessed to have three special ones to call my own... They are my joy. The shenanigans of picture taking is well documented below :) I was spoiled with delicious cooking all night and day (thank you my dear Kyle), and even some cleaning up, woop! Some very special cards, new Mother's Day shoes, and THE cutest "family cupcake" I've ever seen, complete with two ladybugs & a bumblebee (coincidence! i guess the cupcake was meant to beeeeeee)... Sweetness all around :)