It's been a while

I was inspired by some of my other blogging mom friends to finally do a new post or two.  No major events going on around here...just life...so I decided to do updates by kiddo.  Enjoy!

The fun that happens when you put four of us on a love seat together.  :)

Sweet Hazel Jane

What a joy this little girl is in our lives!  

Trying out Daddy's new chair - is makes me think of goldilocks...it's too big!

Is this what you look like after you eat spaghetti?  Definitely our messiest eater yet!

Trying out sister's goggles 

She pulls weeds!  Sometimes she is actually helpful.  Now, if only I can keep her from pulling the flowers and veggies.

Playing trains with Hudson.

This girl has no problem getting dirty! 

Livy Lou Lou

Our big girl is full of smiles!  Though definitely independent, Livia has recently developed a very affectionate side - so nice! 

Big smiles #1

Big smiles and "no, I will not actually look at you."

Sporting her cougar dress.  Hudson says Saturdays are cougar days and Livia is only too happy to oblige.

Ice cream!  This is a girl after my own heart.

Grandma & grandpa gave her this book...which apparently also doubles as a pillow!

The Hudson update

Here's the latest on the big H -

March 21 marked Hudson's 6th birthday.  I can't believe how fast this boy is growing up!

Total farm boy now - he actually told me recently that he loves living on the farm and wouldn't want to move to town (even to live next door to his cousin!).

He is a serious reader now!  Here he is in the van reading his Bible on the way home from church.  Makes a mama proud.  :)

We got to enjoy some one-on-one time while in Richland for a home school conference.

Speaking of growing up...Hudson lost his first tooth!

Hazel's Birthday

This little doll turned 1 year old on February 12.  I can't believe how fast the past year has flown by!  She is a true joy - her smile fills her face and comes so easily.   

She loves her books 

Birthday cupcakes - "Can I eat it now??"

 She was a big fan...ate the whole thing.

Checking out her new computer

Birthday cupcakes round 2.

The chocolate frosting really adds to the look.

And now a funny comparison - Hazel versus her cousin Lane 

They started eating the same thing at the same time.  Hazel was a total mess by the end and needed a bath.  Lane just calmly and neatly picked one noodle out of his bowl at a time.  I guess we need to work on that girl's manners!

Spring!

Spring has sprung here on the farm.  We have enjoyed getting outside to play in the sunshine and have even managed to get some yard work done.

Someday this rock/landscape project will be done.  With cute little helpers it's more fun!  :)

Playing at the park in George!

Happy to be in the sun!

Swinging glee

Spring cleaning?  Maybe not...

This just makes me smile.

Canada Baby!

The end of January we took advantage of Christian's working (err...not so much) status to visit our dear friends in Canada.  Once we finally got there...we had a great time.  For those of you who don't know - after lunch in Seattle we realized we had forgotten our passports and birth certificates for the kids.  We turned around and headed back over the pass where we met my mom in Thorp.  She graciously agreed to bring our passports that far for us so at least we didn't have to go all the way home. Then it was back over the pass (3 times over the mountains in one day!) and on to Canada.  Poor Christian managed to get food poisoning at dinner and was sick the first night there...but after that it was a great visit.  It's especially fun to see our kids playing together.  

Twister with 3-5 year olds...it got silly real quickly!

I love Livia's expression in this one

A serious game of Candyland

Meanwhile this munchkin was happy to push lightening around.  

And then there were the big boys....playing with their grown up toys.

Family Vacation

January 4 we headed south to the San Francisco area for a family vacation.  We stayed about an hour north of San Fran in Windsor.  The countryside was beautiful and we found all kinds of fun things to do.  Debbie and Jacob joined us for the trip...we were glad to have the extra adults along so we outnumbered the kids!

Shuttle to the airport - ready for vacation!

Hazel enjoyed driving this airplane at the airport play area.

California here we come!!

Made it to California!  Waiting for Daddy to pick us up in the rental van.

Day 1

We had to take Livia to the doctor (turns out she had a staph infection - yikes!) so in the afternoon we headed to the nearby Jelly Belly factory for a tour and some free samples.  

Day 2 - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

We were all very impressed with all the animals they had!  We enjoyed watching these dolphins swim around while we waited for the rides to open.

 Hudson and Livia taking Uncle Jacob for a ride in the train. 

 The trains were the only rides that Livia enjoyed - the rest resulted in her dissolving into tears....not sure what the deal was with that.

Everyone needs a photo with a gingerbread man!

Hudson was a big fan of the airplane ride.

Livia blew kisses to all the penguins.

Day 3

We marveled at God's creation at the Armstrong Redwood Reserve

"This tree is how old?"

Little poser

How many people does it take to hug a redwood?

In the afternoon Christian and the kids stayed at the condo to watch the Seahawks game while I went to do a bit of wine tasting with Debbie & Jacob.

Day 4 - The Beach!

Hudson wanted to know why he couldn't go swimming...brrrr!

I could sit and stare at the ocean for hours!

These kids from Washington deemed the afternoon warm enough for a swim in the pool.

Day 5 - San Francisco 

The token family photo with the golden gate bridge.

Interesting tidbit...the golden gate bridge was completed in 1936 - ahead of schedule and under-budget!

Hyde Street pier - we got to go onto a couple very cool, historic ships.

Aboard an old paddle boat ferry

 Mmmm - Ghirardelli Ice Cream Sunday!

Riding the famous trolley car through the big city.

Alcatraz

Day 6

 Castello di Amoroso - a modern day castle that is a winery.
The owner built this crazy 121,000 sq foot castle which opened in 2007 - complete with a moat, dungeon and private chapel.

Crossing the drawbridge

The Culinary Institute of America was in the neighborhood so we decided to stop in and check it out.

Day 7 - Headed Home

When we were getting off the plane in Seattle the pilot invited Hudson and Livia into the cockpit  

 Hudson even got to sit in the pilot's seat.