Apartment pics...

The apartment is mostly done, with some remaining boxes that need to go back to our storage unit in Moscow being the last remnants of unpacking. I have only taken pics of part of it, but I thought I'd post them anyways. Once again, forgive my dying camera-half the pics are fuzzy, half are fine. Miss you all!Kiddos, going on an adventure-Madeline with my red purse, and Hobbes with his Alabama hat.:)
These are Beatrix Potter paintings my Dad did for the kiddos last Christmas. He began the tradition for each baby that was born into the family (nieces and nephews included) I believe with my oldest cousin. So I have one of a Mama mouse with her babies. Jemimah Puddleduck is Madeline's, and Jeremy Fischer is Hobbes.' Aren't they great?
Jeremy Fischer.
The kiddos' beds.
Pink side of the room.
Blue side of the room.
My small but cute kitchen-I love the windows!

There's a window into the living room, which makes it REAlly nice for watching kids!

Jesus loves us:)

The kiddos are finally really 'singing'-and their favorite is still Jesus Loves Me. Madeline chimes in and sings Bible and So the whole time, but Hobbes can do it word for word, and almost note for note!
It's amazing what joy a little song can bring!

Kelsey Creek Farm

So one of the great things about a city, is that there are LOTS of fun things to do-especially with kids! Our church here, Trinity, has a great Moms/preschool group, and they go on lots of fun little adventures. My first one was last week, and we went to this park/farm that has lots of animals you can go see, and also a normal park for the kids to play in. It ended up being fairly close to where we live, so we'll definitely have to go see it again! Attempting a group shot-all the little boys were playing with the rocks!
Hobbes was not scared of the chickens at all-but he did tell the other kids they would bite.:)

Madeline, trying to climb through the fence to the sheep!
The safer, less painful version of the teeter-totter. George and Hobbes decided to test it out, with Jennie's help! They're not quite heavy enough yet to really make it work, though.
Looking at the goats.
I had to drag Hobbes away from the horse pen-he loved it!
Feeling like a big kid, up on the fence!

Cupcake Royale Verite

So we decided to take a break from the unpacking/figuring out where everything is, to go and see Jordan last night. He and his band moved to West Seattle in August, and he works at a cupcake shop/coffee shop there. We hadn't had a chance to go see him yet, so we had a nice family date, and I must say, the cupcakes are delicious! Both kids were asking for more, and my lavender vanilla cupcake was delectable! So, here are a few pics of us dancin to the music in 'Cupcake Royale Verite' and of Jordan hard at work.
Silly me, I forgot to take a picture of the sign out front, but I'll try to next time I go.Jordan, talking coffee...
Kiddos, with a sugar high.
Dancin the 'cherken wings' dance that Bray and Jordan taught them.:)
From Jordan, to Wendy.

Finally in Seattle!

Hello, everyone!
We are here, after my biggest fiasco experience with the airports...all our stuff has arrived, is mostly unpacked, and we are getting used to the traffic, wonderful shopping possibilities, and cooler weather.
It was quite the week coming back from Monroe! Things started out somewhat iffy from the beginning of the trip. In the Monroe airport, the ticket lady thought we needed paper tickets for the second half of our trip, and thought our luggage would cost too much to check. Turns out, she was wrong. But, because of her little slip, we got to leave some things for Wendy to mail, got to be re-ticketed, and go through security again in LAX of all places, had our luggage delayed, and then got to go pick it up ourselves after packing our UHaul, driving an extra hour and a half out of our way, and then head to Seattle from there.
But God is good, and sent a nice surprise in the form of Jill Fagan with lots of food from Pizza Hut upon our arrival.
Things are almost unpacked and organized, and we all love the area and our apartment! We live across the street from Lake Washington, so we go down to the waterfront everyday, play at one of the best parks I've ever been to ( I have to admit, I have tested out the equipment.) and even eat at Ivar's on the dock! (not everyday, though).
SO, that's all I have time for right now, but I will try to post our first church playdate and seeing Jordan and his work soon! Miss and love you all!

The path down to the water! Pop, see the Ivar's sign? Within 2 minutes from our apt.:)The water, with the docks and Boeing in the background. Hobbes ADORES all the airplanes, and even Madeline gets super excited when she sees them and shouts at the top of her lungs, much to the enjoyment of the people walking by, "AIRPANE!"
Out for our daily constitutional.

My smiley girl on the bridge over the water.
Eating a picnic lunch on the dock.

Sleeping ducks-Mom, you'll love how brave they are! You can see all the colors on their wings, which are quite vibrant-turquoise, teal, purple, navy blue...you get the picture.
The kids came too close...and set the ducks in a row.

Escaping into the lake.Then we saw turtles sunbathing. Pretty neat!

View of the lake! IT is soo peaceful, we feel at home already! (not to mention, there's a Target and a Starbucks within 5 minutes of our house!)

Missing Gege...

Yesterday, as we were driving in the car, Hobbes was talking about airplanes, which, since we live near Boeing, is now the new daily topic, and all of a sudden, he stopped and looked at me and said, "Mommy, go to Gege's house? Hobbes wants to go to Gege's house. Go on the airplane to Gege's?" I thought that was pretty sweet, but had to reply, "Not right now, buddy, but we can try to talk to Gege on the phone!"
Then, today, Madeline was scribbling on a piece of paper with a pen, and I asked her who she was drawing the picture for. She said, "Gege!"

Bop and Madeline

I had Bray take these yesterday, when Madeline and Steve were rocking on the front porch...I thought it was so sweet, as that is 1 of my favorite childhood memories of my Grandpa Garfield and I. I LOVED sitting on the porch swing with him, not saying anything, just sitting together.

My handsome hubby...

We had to get a few pics together when we were all gussied up...after all it was a wedding!

The Wedding!!!

Sorry, I didn't get any pics of the ceremony, as we had the kiddos, but I got a fair amount from the reception...such a fun, good looking couple! Oh, and Seth should especially appreciate what the recessional music was- the Star Wars theme! So fitting! Annndd they even managed to fit in a lightsaber fight in their first dance! It was a blast! I'm so excited to have another sister-in-law!


Mr. and Mrs. Matt Wilkins:
The 1st dance:

Hobbes, waiting before the wedding...he kept waving at everyone and saying Hi, Dad! Charity and I with our new sister-in-law!

Charity and I, ready to party at the reception!

Jordan and I:
Bray, Steve, and Wendy, enjoying the yummy reception food! They had mini sandwiches, and my favorite one-Peanut Butter and jelly! Yes!
My beautiful new sister-in-law!
Grandmommy(Wendy's mom), Aunt Bette, and Memom(Steve's mom), looking gorgeous!

Bray and Charity!
Bray and Charity being-what a surprise-goofy!
Steve and Bray and Charity:
Steve, throwing rice at everyone...don't worry, we got him back!

Throwing rice as they came out the door!

Matt, protecting his new wife from the onslaught!
Getting ready to drive away...The new Mrs. Matt Wilkins!