Boating Trip!

This past weekend the weather actually hit 90 degrees, so Mike and Kathryn took us all boating! The water was still only 50, so we all only got in for a few seconds, (although, Kathryn only got on the inner tube, so I decided to help her out by jumping in and tipping it over...that way we all experienced the cold water!) but it was still a load of fun! The kiddos loved it, and Hobbes kept wanting to jump in the water! Madeline would roam the boat, wave her hands in the air, and try to jump overboard whenever she could-altogether I think it was a success! Thanks, Kathryn and Mike, we love you!Whenever the boat went really fast, the wind would blow really hard, and Madeline would wave her arms in the air...it was hilarious!



Right before they jumped into the water!
Hobbes wanted to get in the 50 degree water all on his own......and wanted to get out of the water all on his own-it was freezing!


He even got to drive the boat with Uncle Mike!
The life jacket was just a tad too big on Madeline- she couldn't reach her mouth to put a cracker in! Me and the little babe!

She even got to eat some of Kathryn's jelly beans-a favorite!
Keepin the glasses on, clappin and lookin cute with Daddy!

Glamor pose.

Oh, Dad you're soo funny!Sisters! (we were sad Carolyn couldn't come, though!)

Rachel's awesome hair in the wind!
A picture I will definitely have framed-Grace Kelly as a baby! (well, maybe not, but she's still pretty cute!)
Daddy time!
Getting blown away by the wind...and having Kathryn take a picture of it!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cool dudes.

Hobbes has decided that this summer it's cool to wear sunglasses.

PS-the shopping cart is actually Madeline's, that Aunt Kathryn picked up at a yard sale...but since it has wheels, and is still too tall for her, it is currently Hobbes' 'car' cart. Boys.:)

Puddin' face...

We made pudding for the kiddos the other night, and it was Madeline's 1st time eating it...we think she liked it! She was devouring everything-including the bowl! Hobbes thought it was pretty funny, and often had to stop eating so he could watch her.

For Gege-2nd take

This is the official video message..he liked being able to talk to the camera and then watch it afterwards!

For Gege-1st take

This is the more 'realistic' toddler version, but we thought it was funny, so we decided to post both takes!

Madeline walks...to Daddy!

Madeline decided to have a "Daddy day"-on Mother's day.

Mother's Day...

We had a simple, very windy, yet very wonderful Mother's Day today! My mom took a break by...slaving away on a beautiful dinner for us, and then both kiddos konked out, so we relaxed, Kathryn and I went to the mall, and then we went home. Bray was really sweet and ordered me flowers (tulips!) that came while he was in California, and then took care of the kiddos tonight while I went running/coffee time with Helen.A pic of Bray and me...since he wasn't here last Mother's Day, having him here was the best present!
Trying to get a cute pic of Madeline and I-but the wind took over. (Madeline's dress is a dress I bought before I was even pregnant, and I thought for sure that meant I would never have a girl.-Wilkins are still male-dominant.:) But God is good, and gave me a gorgeous daughter that can now wear the dress! I thought it fitting she wear it for the first time on Mother's Day!)
Like Father, like son. And so cute. I mean handsome.
Painted toes! I had to explain to Hobbes that it was just for girls...and that he and Daddy could play tackle football when he came home.:)
Happy Mother's Day, all you mothers! (and Mom, thanks for putting up with me for 24 years-I know it was harder than you let on! I love you!)

Afternoon in the Park

Last weekend, Bray needed to go to Spokane to get a tux fitting, so we all headed up to have a fun afternoon at River Square Park. Unfortunately, the big red wagon slide was closed, but we walked all over, and I even saw some parts of the park that I've never seen before! It was a gorgeous day, and although the kiddos got tired at points, they had a fun time!Family pic with the stone blocks...
This would've been really cute, but those of you who know Hobbes should recognize this face...oh well, now we have it documented, right?
Riding the carousel with mom- he kept telling the horse to go "up and down..."
Pointing at the ducks in the river.
I took this picture by leaning over the railing, and pointing the camera back at them-they were looking down at the 'crashing' river, and Hobbes kept sticking his head through-made me a bit nervous, but he is a boy!
He even spotted a lone duck on a little 'rock' island...good eye!

Bray's Photo Shoot with Mr. Lamoreaux

It seems like it's been awhile since I've updated everyone on Bray's 'career happenin's.' It's truly hard to keep all of his 'gigs' straight, and once we've finished one, it's easy to be done with it, and move on to the next. Thus I apologize for my lack of communication-exciting things have been happening, and we know you all (sorry, yall-gotta keep the Southern lingo going) have supported us throughout, and want to keep up with what is going on.
In order to prevent myself from writing a 10-page post, I shall list the things that have happened recently, and upcoming events, and try to keep it as clear as possible (if you aren't in this business, it's often hard to understand the 'game' it really is).

Beginning of March: asked to be in the Seattle Opera Young Artist's Program- of course, yes!
March 14: Winners of the Coeur d'Alene Symphony concert;it was fun to hear Bray with a full orchestra behind him...a first for me!
April 11&12: Lotte Lenya Competition in Rochester, NY-Bray takes 3rd place! WOOHOO!
April 26: Gala in Coeur d'Alene-Sang for Fundraiser with some wonderful singers; Carolyn and I managed to sneak in and listen!:)
May 9: Concert/fundraiser performance with Warren Jones, Eugene Chan and Christopher Herbert (Martha Stewart's nephew!) in Santa Barbara
June 21: Gala in Seattle for a Metropolitan Opera National Council fundraiser!
June 22: Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara begins! (fun vacation time for me and the kids...we'll be right by the beach!)
It's funny, but I think Bray and I are starting to feel like we're moving into the grown-up/professional world. For some people, it's buying their first house, or their first car, but for us, it means buying Bray his first 'brand-new' tux, getting new professional headshots done, and hopefully, setting up a website soon.
God has truly blessed us this year, and opened important doors-although it is still a bit scary, as it's truly moving into the unknown, I feel like it's the right step, and trust that God will bless us through it.
So, today Bray had headshots with the wonderful, funny Mr. LaMoreaux- and these are just a few of my favorites-isn't he good-looking? ( I get to say that.)
Miss you all, and we thank you for your support and prayers!

I thought Wendy would love this one...it's the 'pure-joy-Bray-smile.'
Love this one...

My absolute favorite-and probably the one we'll use the most.

Ode to Archer and Jaiken

Until recently, Hobbes has not shown a huge interest in drawing, coloring, etc. He prefers to build things, to line up every single one of his cars in a perfect symmetrical line, and then take one car at a time and drive it out in front of the line...you get my drift.
Madeline seems to be the one with more of an artistic inclination, but you never know. She received these very cool, Crayola paints on her birthday, and they have plastic holders on them, so as to prevent messes. She has painted a little with them, but then starts to suck on the brush part, so we have to take it away. Hobbes, however, has taken to these like wildfire, and has whipped out more paintings and creations in a week than over the entire course of his nearly 3 years of life.
Because of his lack of artistic desire, he has never written on walls, etc, and thus this has not been a huge concern for us. However, the other day, Hobbes was playing quietly in his room, and Bray and I were cleaning. All of a sudden we heard the patter of little feet running and pushing his mower out into the living room. As soon as he turned the corner, we saw an underoo-clad boy with multi-colored legs, and pure, orange feet. We both just stood with our mouths open for a moment, and then quickly ran to the room to see the damage.
Below is what we found (I had to take pictures): Hobbes' work of art-which he dedicates to his cousins, Archer and Jaiken-seasoned artists of their day.


Thank heavens for Crayola's "washable" power...it just took over an hour of scrubbing to get it all out!