Family photos

Where was this post when I was in "what on earth are we going to wear for family pictures" mode. Picking the outfits is the most stressful part for me. Getting my self and 2 little girls ready is a close second. But really, is the outfits that hard for anyone else? I go a little crazy over what to pick, how well it coordinates, who will stand out, dressy or casual, can I use anything we already own, now what shoes are we all going to wear ... and the list goes on and on.

At least in the end, it all worked out. I love the colors and Ash's dress, so cute.

This year I wanted to get our pictures taken down in the Hyde Park area. On our first date Jason took me to Goody's for ice cream and then to Camel"s Back park. Of course that day, I wouldn't have imagined that in 9 years we'd be back there with our 2 beautiful daughter taking family pictures. How truly blessed we are.

Thanks pal, for taking our pictures again this year. I love that I have this precious time in my life captured in photos. You did such a great job and I appreciate all the work you put into them.

Now, it's time to decide which ones to print.

The place to be

(picture taken Aug 2009)

Do you see Jake? I laugh that he always decides to lay right there, right under the girls swings. It's the place he'll receive a few kick and jabs, some on accident, some I think on purpose. But regardless of that, he'll pick this spot every time the girls are out playing. He thinks it's the place to be.

He loves them. Loves to be close to them. Loves that they are around and near him.

That's how I feel. I also want to be right there where the girls are. Close enough to feel their love, hear their laughter and know them like only those who get close enough can. To be filled with their joy, bask in their innocents and hear the things that are in their heart. I choose that place even though some days I receive kicks and jabs in my daily journey of raising, disciplining, guiding and directing them, but no matter how hard those day can be, I still want to be ... right there where Jake is.

Close to my girls, it's the place to be.

eight & four

Happy 8th Anniversary, Jason!

&

Happy 4th Birthday, Ashlynn!

"Am I 4, yet?"

Nope. I still get my little 3 year old for one more day!

We celebrated Ashlynn's birthday last night with the family.
You know the favorite part is the presents. Ash could hardly wait to tear into them. After dinner, a quick clean up and a round of fly killing (oh, the flies are so bad out here) we let her at it. I love the cards she got, Abigail and Michayla each made her one. My mom gave her the cutest winter dress coat. My sister a cute lady bug game that we played this morning and Ash won.
Thanks everyone for the nice presents.


After the presents were opened, the family played Mario cart. It was my mom's first time and she was hilarious to watch. We all had a good laugh.

While they all played, Ash sat and played with her new Tinkerbell house and tea set. She was so happy in her own little make-believe world.

The party ended with cake and ice-cream.

Dear Ashlynn, my sweet ... I hope you enjoy your last day of being three and that your year of being 4 is full of plenty of make-believe, love and laughter.

2 Chronicles 20:12
O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.

Jehoshaphat knew that a vast army was attacking, he didn't know what to do, but he did know to turn to God and focus on him.

In our lives we have "vast armies" attacking us too, I am so thankful that I have a God who is bigger than all the circumstances I'm facing and mighty in power to defeat them.

Training Day

Jake loves going to the pond, this is good because duck season is coming. I'm not sure he'll be ready to help Jason this year, but they both have fun on training days.

Jason recently bought duck decoys, new bumpers (yes, Jake chewed up the old ones) and duck scent. Jake thinks his new toys smell great and he's a little more eager to go and retrieve them. He definitely doesn't have "retriever fever" but he always gets it and brings it back.

funnies

Me: Hey Ash do you open your eyes under water.
Ash: What, you can do that?

Abigail, after school: Hey mom, can I get a drink of water? It's the first drink I've had all day.
Me: What?
Abigail: Yeah, I went to lunch and you didn't put money in my lunch box for chocolate milk. I saw all the other kids with their chocolate milks and juice boxes but I didn't get one.
Me: Oh hon, I'm so sorry. I forgot to put it in your lunch box, I just stuck it in your backpack.
Abigail: It's okay mom. We've only been in school 9 days, you'll get the hang of it.

Abigail: Watch this, I can turn on the light with my nose. (she uses her nose to move the light switch up)

Me: Who made this cupcake mess all over the floor?
Ash: Your favorite little daughter.

An Island Getaway

We spent our Labor Day Weekend in beautiful Bainbridge Island, WA. Jason's sister and family just moved there this summer from back East. It's so nice to have them on the West coast and close enough to drive. We also made a stop by Dave and Mary's on the way there and home to break up the driving, which meant we got to see them twice that weekend too.

On our drive back home we made a list of our favorite things from the weekend.

• huge seafood feast
• going to the saturday market
• swimming at the aquatic center
• Abigail passing the swim test and having full access at the aquatic center
• rocking out to guitar hero
• dressing up in Emily's Hawaii cheerleader outfit
• playing with cousins
• swinging on the rope swing
• taking a hike in the park
• collecting shells
• blueberry pancakes in the morning
• being able to pick up Anna from school and waiting at the bus stop to see Emily
• eating dinners outside
• getting a big hug from Amy
• looking through Jason and Amy's childhood photos
• eating fruits and veggies out of Grandma and Papa's garden
• walking on stilts

Our stay was definitely too short, but we're so glad we were able to go. Thanks Keith & Amy and Dave & Mary for having us!