Getting Back on the Horse - The Blogging Horse

I've definitely lost my touch - if I ever had one - on this whole blogging thing. I ALWAYS felt like I had something to write about. My family would even say... while I was snapping a photo or telling a story... that they smelled a blog post coming. They were usually right!

Lately, I can barely remember what I did yesterday, let alone recall something significant worth sharing. I just got to get back on the horse and then the creative juices will start flowing. Right? Regardless, these are my memories, my thoughts. If I don't purge them today, I'll never remember them tomorrow, let alone six years from now. So back on the horse we go!  (You can always follow me on Instagram. Not as much "purge" as a blog post but fun little tidbits nonetheless!)

The big news of this past week? I became an aunt again. Yay! Court's brother's family grew by one on Wednesday. I haven't gotten to meet the newest addition but I hear all are well!

Speaking of babies....babies ARE a conundrum, aren't they? They are so cute and amazing and they bring so much happiness. Every time I see one, it just makes me crazy. Throw in the fact that I'm up to my eyeballs in archiving my photos. I'm currently working on photos from 2009 - Grace's first year. All those firsts! All the cuteness! I'm just in total bombardment of "baby" and I ain't gonna lie, it makes me want another.

At least, it makes me think about wanting another. A lot. God was onto something when he made babies so darn cute. He was also quite genius in sprinkling some kind of magic voodoo powder on a mother's memory so that she'll look right past the haggard, exhausted mother holding a tiny, new baby in the grocery store and at first sight want another....instantly...overwhelmingly. It's crazy. (*Side note: Funny how He didn't feel the need to sprinkle the same magic voodoo powder on men. They can recall all the HARD stuff on contact! They are not as easily bamboozled by cute...cute babies that is! ha!)

So other than 'The Great Baby Debate' going on upstairs, we've been up to the usual. Busy, busy.

The sun has been out so we've been out more too. Bring on summer! It is still amazing to see Grace run post surgery. She just flies! She easily runs a half mile at a dead sprint. 

I took this photo with my iPhone. The sun was in my eyes and I couldn't see the screen so I just blindly snapped away.

When we got home from our walk I looked at it and it really hit home. It captured so much more than I'd realized. Yes, it captured a sunny winter day. The vineyard that surrounds our house. Mt. Adams in the background. 

What caught me most was the distance. How far Grace was down the road. At a dead sprint. Symbolic of her growing and maturing.

Charlotte in hot pursuit. Snipping at her heels.

Also, extremely symbolic.

And me. Left in the dust.

You guessed it. Symbolic.

There are times when I've had it up to my ears and I've secretly counted down the days until Grace will be in kindergarten...ALL DAY! EVERYDAY! After seeing this picture it hit me pretty hard how much I'll miss her. All day. Everyday. 

Switching gears. Dogs! Oh thank god for dogs! The dogs love going on our walks. It helps burn off some energy. Luckily, they entertain themselves for the most part. You never know what they are going to be up to when you look outside. 

Spring is springing and so they are chasing and sometime capturing little critters that are returning to these parts. I am REALLY hoping they channel some of their energy towards snuffing out snakes this summer. Fingers crossed.

Court is out of town for a few days which is hard in all ways OTHER than the cooking department. It's no secret I don't love to cook. The only reason I ever REALLY cook a meal is when Court gets home from work. Even then, it sometimes doesn't happen! So while the cat is away, the mice will eat pancakes for dinner, hit Red Robin and order pizza. woo hoo!!

Other than trying not to cook, we did manage to have a little fun. We saw the Lego movie, and did a few projects. The girls made chalk which they loved!

We also made panda ear headbands. Grace and Charlotte pretty much have refused all hair doodads of any kind. Charlotte will do a pony tail from time to time but Grace absolutely refuses.

Slap some white and black felt on a piece of plastic and they won't take it off.

Go figure.

January and Then Some

Well, hello there February. Geez, I wasn't prepared for January (as clearly evidenced by my lack of posts) and I am REALLY not ready for February! Alas, here we are. February 5. 

I am disappointed that I haven't gotten more up on the blog. I just can't seem to get in a rhythm. I want to sit down and write, capture the day, the moments…rehash a funny scenario. Recently, I've been uninspired, tired and just plain busy. There just aren't enough hours in the day. Does anyone else feel like that too?!

So I thought I'd give a brief update as to what is going on here - behind the scenes - and try to get some of my blogging mojo back!

Where to begin??…The months between September and December nearly kill me - every year. Yet I love them! I live for them! The changing of the seasons! Back to school and buying school supplies! Birthdays! Holidays! And the big doozy! Christmas! I literally don't sleep for three months. 

Coming off all that holiday frenzy…I am literally exhausted. Throw a vacation in there to Maui, where I was warm, rested, didn't have to cook, do laundry or drive a car for an entire week - getting back into the swing of things - i.e. REALITY! - has been close to impossible.

My plan over Christmas break was to back post on the blog and get caught up. That didn't happen. We got both girls up on skis instead! A wonderful and exciting break through for our future skiing adventures!

But anyone who has skied with kids knows that  at the end of the day all you want is a drink, a hot shower and bed! (Who am I kidding? That is what I want at the end of EVERY day!)

When we got back from skiing, our washer and dryer broke. So you can imagine the amount of laundry that needed to be done when those babies were back up and running.

Once we were finally unpacked and laundered for the first time in 2014, it was time to hit the road again. This time to much needed warmth and sunshine. Maui!

It was a great trip. My only complaint?

Not long enough.

One of these days, I 'll get photos up.

Speaking of photos. That leads me to another time suck. My computer is so slow. No really, like so slow. Take slow and multiply it by 20,000 and it is still slower than that. Even after an extended visit with the computer guy, it's still so mind boggling slow it has severely impacted my photo taking/uploading capabilities. 

Court urged me to rectify this situation (aka he was sick of hearing me complain!) and pointed out that the 30,000 photos on my hard drive *might* be slowing things down.

Ya think?

The computer guy says no but I figure it is about time I properly back up and store my photos. I mean I REALLY don't need a computer crash about now.

So I am uploading all my photos to SmugMug (highly recommend - check it out!) and because of slow internet connection I can only upload photos in small batches of about 30 or so. Let me remind you that I am trying to upload tens of thousands of pictures. It's a time suck.

Once uploaded to SmugMug, I am starting to save all photos to external hard drive. Once that is done, I plan on deleting all photos from my computer. Hopefully, that will aid in the photo uploading department which will in turn get me back in business on le blog!

In other time suck news, I've got an Easter project that I am working on. It's something I've never done before so I have to teach myself each and every step. It's moving along at a pace opposite of speedy.  (surprise, surprise!)

Valentine's Day is around the corner and we are TOTALLY behind in our preparations. I'm no fortune teller but I see some late nights in my future.

On Friday, we head to Seattle to meet with Grace's doctor. It is her 6 month post surgery follow-up appointment.

Hard to believe it has only/already been six months! Hopefully, all goes well! Fingers crossed!

So there you have it! Just a few of the things we've been up to. 

Probably need to sign off but a quick, funny story.

Charlotte has taken to drawing "marks" on her arm. She pronounces it "mak" which makes this story even funnier. The "marks" are usually drawn on her left arm with her right hand and are inspired by the "cutie marks" on the bums of My Little Ponies. 

Yesterday, her "mak" was larger than normal so I told her that her marks can't be that big.

She immediately went to level 10 on the 1-5, 5 being the maddest scale. She stomped her feet and fisted her hands at her side.

"Mom, these are big things. This is how I am."

(Insert several foot pounds on the floor…no idea where she picked up the foot stomping!)

Charlotte, the mark is too big.

"MOM! This is how I am. I am meant to do big things!"

Point. Set. Match.

Until next time…hopefully, that will be before March 1!

Ringing in 2014? Really? Already?

REALLY hard to believe that 2013 has come to an end. 

2014? Wow! Time is not standing still and each year seems to go by faster and faster!

We've spent the last few days in Idaho - trying to slow things way down. 

We took our annual sleigh ride. This year we planned ahead and made our reservation during daylight hours. 

Not so cold. Not so hungry.

A little time to enjoy!

Time to enjoy a drink or two...

….time together as a family

…and time to enjoy the view.

New Year's Eve day we decided to play in the snow...

or lack there of. 

Even with so little snow, we were able to sled, make snow angels and even make a snowman. 

(My camera ran out of batteries five minutes into our snow adventure.)

It was a fun afternoon regardless of the snow level. 

We had a quiet evening in to send off 2013.

Charlotte led the sleep brigade and I don't think anyone made it to twelve. At least I know I didn't!

I haven't yet reflected on 2013. I think I'm still recovering from Christmas.

While it felt like a "quick" year, I know each day was filled with love, hard work, appointments, commitments and family. 

We moved. Grace had her surgery. We traveled a bit. Stranger and Hiccup joined our crew - as did the chickens. Sewing projects were completed. Birthdays celebrated. The girls started piano…

Full and fun.

I am so very grateful!

When I woke up this morning, I found these words of wisdom in my inbox. 

As the year comes to an end and a new one lies ahead take time to: Cherish the words and memories of those who have left us. Embrace the sunrise. Marvel at the sunset. Wonder at the stars at night. Read. Look at the little things. Step back and take in the big picture. Give back. Be kind to yourself and others.  Do not count the days, make the days count. Treat your body well, good health requires effort. Never give up. Do something different.  Smile. Laugh at yourself. Respect others and yourself. Make new friends and reach out to old ones. Tell the ones you love, that you do.

Great words to kick off the new year, don't you think?

I wish you a Bountiful, Healthful and Happy 2014!

Merry Christmas! {2013}

    

 

      Hope everyone has a magical day!

First Egg

Our chickens laid their first egg today!

Not sure who laid it yet but a great Christmas present nonetheless!

Santa {2013}

Every year we visit Santa on the Sunday before Christmas. Seeing Santa - on a weekend - in Seattle is no easy task. It involves A LOT of line waiting! Line waiting that rivals Disneyland ride waits! But it is our tradition and seeing the girls with Santa is totally worth it!

Santa day usually begins early. Court heads to Starbucks for a cup of joe and the NY Times at about 6 am. He hops in the line that is already forming for Santa - who opens at 9 am! 

I wake, feed and dress the girls. Then we hustle down to meet him just as Santa's shop is opening.

This year we were about 4th in line so we were in and out in less than a half hour!

We've had the same Santa since 2009 and he is REALLY great! He spends so much time talking with the children. It was funny to hear Grace and Charlotte's responses and requests. 

Charlotte requested a tree house for Christmas (hadn't heard that one before!) and a monster doll. Grace's list included a Barbie Dream House (which Santa had known about), a wedding doll and a monster doll. The last two items had been fairly new additions but Santa kept hoping that Grace would forget about them. Now only three days out from Christmas, Grace was pretty locked on and we all know that Santa doesn't disappoint. Especially when you've been good AND made a personal request while sitting on his lap.

Ugh!

 Santa was going to have to act fast and hope that Amazon would be able to timely supply a Christmas miracle!

After our visit with Santa, since everyone is already dressed up, our tradition is to have brunch at the Georgian room. As our visit with St. Nick went much quicker than expected (thanks to Court securing a spot in the front of the line) we decided to take the girls up in the Seattle ferris wheel before brunch.

We hadn't done it before and while it probably wasn't the best weather day...

the girls had a blast!

After brunch, we packed up and headed home. I was sweating bullets because I figured it was going to be blizzarding in the mountains. Luckily, it was just a bit of rain so I didn't need to panic. I thoroughly hate driving in the snow!

A fantastic weekend in Seattle! Every minute filled with family, friends, fun and of course, last minute shopping! While I always enjoy my time in the big city, it is always great to come home!

What the The Season is About

While several doctor appointments (not fun) and our niece's third birthday (fun) brought us to Seattle for a few days, we TRULY squeezed in as much fun into our time in Seattle. We managed to get together with our dear friends, Joe and Aimee, and their children for some cookie-decorating, pizza -eating, holiday fun!

We hadn't decorated cookies yet this season and it was soooo nice of Aimee to set up cookie decorating stations for each of the kids. They were all SO focused! I'm definitely going to have to ensure we have time each holiday season for cooking making! It was soo much fun!

It was nice to spend an evening with friends. Catching up and planning for more fun in the future.

After all, that is what the holidays are really about right?

Connecting and appreciating our friends and family!

Unfortunately, we had to call the evening a bit on the early side. We had a date with Santa in the morning!