9 month Check up

Hannah had her 9 month check up today. She now weighs 20lbs 1oz and is 30 inches long. She is 75% for weight and >95% for height. She's amazingly healthy and perfect from head to toe. We are so blessed. She's changing so fast. She's crawling faster now, and tying to pull herself up on anything she can. She loves to babble. She has her two bottom teeth and one that has just broken through on the top. The doctor said he saw all 4 top teeth trying to break through and within the next few weeks she could have 4 top teeth. WOW she'll look so grown up.

Taste of Home

The cutest little package from Maine

My friend Annee, who is from my hometown in Maine, sent me a very thoughtful gift yesterday. "Made in Maine" read the box delivered by our UPS guy, so I already knew I loved what was in the box. Inside was the cutest little boat tote with blueberries embroidered on the front.(funny because I want my kitchen to be "maine themed") Then tucked inside the tote was a can of buttermilk pancake mix and a jar of wild Maine blueberry syrup. She now lives in Oregon, a little over 5 hours away from us here in Washington. She said she saw it and thought of me because she knows that I get "homesick". Wasn't that thoughtful? It amazes me that I have such friends in my life. I mean who am I? I do get homesick...I admit it. But I must say that I am in a place somewhere in between being so homesick and being content where I am now. God has brought such amazing people into my life since moving here, He has strengthened friendships back in Maine, and He has reintroduced friends like Annee into my life.

Ok seriously the syrup was AMAZING. I could drink it right from the cute little jar.

Parade in the Neighborhood

For a few weeks the boys and some of the kids in the neighborhood have been planning a parade. It's been really cute to watch them plot and plan. Now it wasn't the Macy's Day Parade by any means but it was the perfect example of kids being creative and having good clean fun. They wanted to have dirt bikes so they attached can to the wheels to make a dirt bike sound. They raced around the cul de sac. They wanted to have dancing, so they had music playing and they danced. They had costumes. They had clowns riding in a wagon doing silly things. The only thing missing was a marching band! Check out the cuteness below.

Here they are preparing to line up.
Elijah riding his "dirt bike"

This is our neighbor, she's the master of ceremony. The kids built the stand. They took an old bike ramp and nailed the posts and draped the blanket. It was adorable.

Isaiah on his dirt bike. Unfortunately Isaiah has a dirt bike accident shortly after this. He wiped out and scrapped his knee, shoulder, and elbow. He recovered.

The lion and the boxer....I don't know what that was all about.

Elijah making another appearance. He cracked us up because he kept waving all around the cul de sac at no one. It was adorable.

Isaiah taking his turn at the mic.

A sumo wrestler pulling the clown wagon.

They have plans for a lemonade stand and bake sale this summer. It's going to be an interesting summer in the neighborhood.

Exploring

Schools out for the summer! I think I am just as happy as the kids! We took a little adventure on the Mt.Baker highway. Peter has been wanted to go for awhile. We didn't get very far but we had a blast. We pulled off at an information center and then on to the Horseshoe trail. It was beautiful. We live in a truly amazing area. Family picture taken with the timer on the camera...one day we'll get "real" ones done.

Isaiah playing by the river.

Elijah showing off his "safari gear" as he calls it. A compas, ruler, ranger bange and a walking stick.

She wouldn't let go of the Hagen rewards card. She loved the sand although she kept trying to eat it.

Isaiah showing off a big leaf. They were as big as his head.

The river, it was moving fast, and I loved the sound! WOOOSH

Hannah and Daddy...love the mountians in the back!

Elijah and Smokey the Bear of course.

The THREE kids in front of a 750 year old tree stump. That was one big tree!

A special Day for our Family

Many of you you who know my family well know that my parents have been raising my niece Taylor since she was just an infant. I won't go into details about how all that came to pass because it's what is happening today that I want to focus on. Taylor is now 6 years old, almost 7. And today she is officially adopted by my parents. It has been a long, sometimes very painful journey for my parents to get to this day. And I just wanted to use this opportunity to acknowledge them and the amazing people they. They have loved Taylor unconditionally from the start. It never crossed there minds to abandon her or leave it up to someone else to take and care for her. In a time in their lives where most people are slowing down and enjoying the fruits of their labor, they have sacrificed to give Taylor a loving, and safe home. Taylor has known great love, because of my parents. I am so thankful to have Taylor in our lives. She is a blessing! So on this "Adoption Day" I give thanks to God for leading my parents and really our whole family through this journey. This adoption is merely a formality but it's an amazing day nonetheless. Here is Elijah, Taylor and Isaiah when she came out to visit us in Washington!

Great Craigslist find!

No not the cute baby, the bench! But I must say that Hannah is way cutter than that bench. I had been looking for one for awhile for a place for the kids to put their shoes...( an mine too) because they are always all over the place. I couldn't resist showing of my $20 find and my adorable daughter!

The House

So here's a picture of our house that we moved into about 3 weeks ago. My friend Kate brought me two hanging baskets that she planed herself so I thought it fitting that I finally post a picture of the house.