Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Debbie's Wedding

My sister Debbie tied the knot with Jacob on May 21. The wedding was held at a BnB in Wenatchee with just family in attendance. It was a special day and we're so happy for them!
The happy couple

Sisters!! Me with Becca, Debbie and Helen.

Family photo in all our wedding finery.

Livia likes giving kisses these days - apparently this bunny was in need of a kiss.

My little cutie sporting the dress I made her from the leftover fabric for the bridesmaid dresses.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Great Wolf Lodge Vacation

Last week we took a couple of days and went on a mini vacation to the Great Wolf Lodge which is south of Olympia. It was so family friendly with the main attraction being a huge indoor water park. We had a great time away as a family.


I made quiet books for the kids (see post below) and wrapped them up and gave them to the kids while on our trip. Here's Livia checking hers out - she was a little young and destructive to really enjoy it. It was entertaining for a little while and then she started trying to tear things apart.



Hudson checking out his quiet book - he probably got a couple of solid hours of entertainment out of it so it was well worth it!



This place was huge! Check out the size of the wolves at the entrance. That's Hudson in the red shirt by the wolf on the left to give you some perspective.


Hudson exploring his space at the lodge.


Our room at the lodge had this great little area with bunk beds for the kids. It was nice for us too as it provided a little separation so we didn't have to go to bed when they did like at a regular hotel.


This was Livia's face every time we went to the pool. Because it was all indoors it was very noisy and I don't think she appreciated that. It took her a solid 45 minutes to warm up to the idea of playing in the pool each time we went.

Hudson had a fantastic time. He especially liked this wave pool. I think he's an ocean baby - nearly every vacation we've taken him on has been to the beach so that's what he likes!


Playing together on one of the little jet skis (no they didn't move - just sprayed water!)



Hudson on another of the jet skis - you can see some of the huge water play structure behind him - it was all pretty impressive.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Quiet Books

I'm not quite sure what inspired me to make these but once I started planning and thinking about it there was no turning back. My goal was to finish them before our little vacation last week and I just made it!


Front cover of the books



Hudson's book - The tires come off the wheels (buttons) for easy tire rotation. The tent unzips to reveal a bear hiding inside.



Both books had a clock page and Hudson's has this fishing page. The fish are attached using hooks and eyes. I think this was my favorite page. The fisherman is made using an iron on fabric transfer. As a side note...one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish - I couldn't resist.


Hudson's Book - The car can go into the garage and there are 6 different road signs that are velcroed on and can be moved around (the other 4 were floating around in the van somewhere when I took this picture).


Both kids books had these two pages. The beads slide back and forth and the apples are snapped onto the tree.

Hudson's book - Thomas puzzle, velcroed on, with a pocked to store the pieces.


Livia's book - Sun rises and sets behind the mountains




Livia's book - flowers are velcroed
Flag moves up and down (well it did until Livia ripped it off) and the door opens to put the mail in or out.


Livia's book - dress up doll with 4 little outfits and a zippered garment bag for storage.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday we celebrated the resurrection with our new church family at Ephrata Community Church and then had a big dinner with the Koethke clan.


Our family of four in all our Easter finery.




The best photo I got of the three cousins together. Neither of the girls really appreciated being strangled by Hudson....go figure.



Hudson with cousin Vesta


Looking oh-so-handsome in his suit.



Why is it so hard for two kids to look at the camera at the same time?




My pretty little lady - I love the dressy dress!