Family Fishing Day

We decided to treat the kids to a family fishing day up at our favorite trout farm. There is nothing that gets these kids more excited than a fishing outing! Nana and Poppy were able to come along with us and experience the delighted faces of four little grandchildren. The kids caught multiple fish each, and even little Marcus caught his very first! We all laughed when we saw the teeny tiny fish on his hook. Perfect little tike for our little buddy.

Side note: I found an AWESOME fishing camp for Marin to attend this June. It is going to rock her entire world. Stay tuned :)

Happy 14th to us!

This is what I get when I try to take important pictures with my new i-phone. Fuzzy. I have no skillz. But we did have a nice dinner on the Portland waterfront! Happy 14th anniversary to us :) I sure love my husband!

Happy Baby Shower to Zazie

My sister in law recently gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, and all us "family girls" gathered at Paulette's for a girls' weekend/baby shower. I went there & back in the same day, but it was worth the effort to spend time with my family! Nana, Paulette, Mara, Stephanie and I all had such a nice time together pedicuring, chatting, eating and celebrating the newest baby in the family :) I love my people!

Sisters

I am soaking up every last minute (or year) that my girls want to do the same things, be together every moment, be partners in crime at all times. They are so close! They love & spar with the best of them, but oh man I LOVE seeing how they have each other's backs and are always the first to advocate & defend the other.

Two little samples: choosing matching outfits, and helping each other plan "crazy hair day" at school. Marin chose a half up/down curly style, and Madeline chose hair dye and the curling iron :) They gave each other tips and advice like pros. I ADORE THEM!!!

Spring Break at Camano

Oh the life of a family with four little kiddos - I was itching to go somewhere for spring break, and Kyle was itching to get a project done :) So it worked out great for me to take the kids up to my parents at Camano, and Kyle stayed home and remodeled the downstairs bathroom! The kids and I had a blast doing lots of fun spring-time activities up there with my parents, including getting started on the garden, exploring at the beach, building wooden boats up at the State Park, lots of jammy/reading/coloring time, yard adventures, working at the food bank, riding the city bus up to the playground, exploring the baby animals at the local farm store, helping Nana with cooking, even some baking out of our "Little House on the Prairie" cookbook, and of COURSE a visit to our cousins up in Bellingham. My parents, once again, have spoiled us rotten and provided us an amazing week of rest and fun at their property.

Soon after we came home, Marin brought home a project she had completed many months ago, where she did a little essay/picture about what Camano Island means to her. Such perfect timing as we all relived the many reasons we are thankful to have a wonderful place to go for retreat.

Also a little picture of the masterpiece new bathroom!

Days with little boys

I am enjoying these days with my two little boys. Funny how it feels nothing like my days with two little girls. I guess once you have four, two will never feel the same :) These two are my delight, and what a gift to be able to "go back" to these little years. I love these studly little things!