Trip to the Coast

So we managed to hit the Oregon coast and the Washington Coast, along with Portland and Woodburn all in a 5 day period. We did a lot of driving but the girls did great and we had a lot of fun with old friends and family! We left on Thursday and headed to Woodburn, where we stayed with Craig's Aunt Caroline and Uncle David. They entertained the girls and fed and housed us! Then we traveled on to Long Beach, Washington. We drove up the Oregon coast and over the bridge to Washington. We have never been there before so that was exciting. We spent time with my mom's family and enjoyed the beach. Rylie became good friends with Della who is a year older than her. It was fun to see all the little cousins. Everyone was joking because among the little cousins we have: Della, Bella and Ella. We need to keep thinking of names to add to the list for future children (I don't know if any boy names rhyme but I am pretty sure that Craig will move if we have another girl.) After the chilly Washington coast, we headed south to Portland. We had a big BBQ with our dear friends (Big Brenda who I was named after),her mom and her sister and their families. Rylie spent girl time with Liza and Ruby and it will be fun to see their friendship develop as they get older, even though we live far apart. We all had a blast and it was hard to come home. Alberta was very nice to let 2 crazy little girls stay! We celebrated Rebecca's Birthday and our 6th Anniversary (I am married to a wonderful, thoughtful, man who loves the Lord and would do anything for his family. I love him so much and he makes life more enjoyable!)

Just Flying By...

So it seems like Craig just finished school for the year, but our summer is half over! Crazy! Anyway, here are a few highlights from our summer...

Camping with Morgan and Joel at Horsethief Reservoir- Ella was guarding the outhouse and following innocent people back to their campgrounds! It was so much fun to spend time with new friends and see the girls enjoying what God has made!!!!

Rylie's First Swimming Lessons- Yes Rylie is almost 5 and these were the first lessons she has ever taken. She was a little nervous of the water last year so we waited a year and she did great! She is already starting to swim a little on her own after two weeks of lessons! Thanks Miss Sarah!

Our New Dog Duke- Ok, so he is not really our dog. We are taking care of Papa's dog while he is in Alaska. I am not used to having another furry child that I have to feed and clean up after, but we are really enjoying having him in our family!

Spending 4th of July at the Cabin- We usually head up to Lowman for the 4th and this year was no exception. It was fun to hang out with Craig's family and go to the annual picnic. The excitement this year was the addition of a zip line.

Last but not least our latest patio project-Hooray! We are getting a back patio and covering!!!!! Our house is south facing which means that our backyard is in the sun most of the day and it is hot! Craig has taken on the task of building this with the help of some kind neighbors and friends! We have the concrete poured and he is starting on the covering. Pray that I will be patient and not drive my hubby crazy by asking "Is it done yet???"

We hope you are all having a wonderful summer and we hope to hear from you or see you sometime this summer!

School is out for Summer!!!!

Ok, so the only person that really attends school at our house is Craig and yes he is very excited to be out for the summer (as are the girls)! Rylie finished her "preschool" this last week and we went to the park to celebrate! It was fun to see them learn and to be apart of this experience with some wonderful ladies!!! As far as summer goes we are looking forward to many bike rides, running through the sprinklers and doing a little bit of camping! On one of the first warmer days the girls put on their suits and headed out back! We discovered quickly that Ella is a little taller than we thought she was and is unable to wear her adorable 3T suit. So we pulled out Rylie's 4T from last year and surprise it fits and yes she is 2! Rylie loved the sprinklers, but our little dare devil wasn't to sure about them. The other thing that Ella has discovered besides a million new words and phrases is the joy of getting ready in the bathroom in the morning. She asks me almost every morning for lotion, to brush her teeth and she recently started blow drying her hair. If it weren't for the fact that she tackles her sister several times a day and loves sports and playing outside more than dress up I would concerned!

Recital, Reading and Running in the Sunshine

It has been a little low key around our house lately, but we are still enjoying our little girls. One of Rylie's best friends was in a recital last weekend for ballet. Rylie and I were able to go and cheer her on. Rylie loved every minute of it and wants to be in her words a "balleter". Rylie is learning how to read and she has been trying to teach Ella, now that she is such an "expert". It is fun to hear her sounding out words everywhere we go and see all of her books that she makes out of paper with strings of letters. The best part is when she says, "Hey mom will you read this to me?" This is what is on the paper: CTrlMqt. Ella has been talking a lot and trying to keep up with the big kids. She loves to play outside and swing. She is quite the dare devil and tries to leap off of furniture and hang from high places. Most days we are praying that she will make it through the day without injury. As a mother of a toddler and a preschooler, I am learning the value of patience, a kind voice and spending time with God each morning!!!! We are looking forward to some summer sun!!!

Park City, Chubby Cheeks and Pedicures

Over Spring Break, Rylie and I jetted off to Park City, Utah, to see one of my best friends Monica and hang out with her family! She just had her sweet baby girl in November and Rylie wanted to hold her every second she could. Rylie also helped take care of the dogs (fed, walked and played) and realized that we should get a dog for our family. We are still in the midst of a family discussion about whether or not that will come to be. It was so fun to catch up, go to the outlet mall, get pedicures and relax away from home! Rylie did great on the plane and she asked 100 questions about why they were stealing all the people's luggage on the truck and what was all the white outside the window. It was fun to take my little girl on a fun trip- just the two of us!
p.s. Think before you purchase an umbrella for your child- I think Rylie prays for rain every morning!

Ella Bella turned 2!

All of us had a really fun time at Ella's little doggie party! Rylie had a fever that day so both Craig and Rylie missed the party. Ella had fun finding the little poodles out in the backyard and wearing her dog ears. It was fun to see her interact with all of her cousins and her best friend Katelyn and learn how to share her new toys. The highlights were the amazing and delicious dog cookies (made by my cookie lady- Erin) and all of Ella's new baby accessories and baby. Thanks to all our family members who came to celebrate Ella's 2nd year. I am thankful for her zeal for life, her love for people and her quirky and hilarious antics. Please pray with me this year that she will learn more about who Jesus is and that she will be a good friend and sister.

Delay of Post

Hello! Sorry we have been a little busy and sick! I can't believe it is already March!!! Ella is saying so many more words and she copies everything that Rylie does- good and bad! We were able to go to McCall with our Bible study again this year and we had a blast. Rylie and I went snow shoeing a little bit with our friends Shaanti and Mason while Cole and his daddy were skiing. We also played in the snow with Mel and Katelyn. Jenny was a little prego so she had to stay inside with Craig and his "crutchers" as Rylie calls them. Craig couldn't do a lot with his ankle, but it is pretty much healed up! Other exciting news around our house is Rylie is signed up to go to preschool next year for 3 afternoons a week and she is very excited. Here are a few pictures from February and I will try to keep up better this spring.