Can you tell we had fun?

Grandma time.

The Red Baron.

Toes.

Ft. Columbia

On the way over to the coast, we stopped for a bathroom break and happened upon this lovely scene:
It is Ft. Columbia, and was built during WWII. It is absolutely gorgeous, and was the best bathroom stop I've ever had!:)

Madeline was pouting here because it was super-windy and cold. But my Mom looks great!
Hobbes, ready to fire the cannon that has never been fired.

Quiet moments.

My men.

I love them.

Nostalgia

just thought I'd give y'all a bit of trivia about Bray and I:
7 (7!!!) years ago, we took a trip with some friends to the Oregon Coast. It was about the same time of the year as now (middle-end of March), and it was on this trip that I found out Bray was interested in me as more than a friend. This picture was one my dad took last week-I have to admit, it makes me a bit sentimental, and it also makes me wonder-where has the time gone?
I am SO blessed.

Beach preview...

Kiddos playing

they do this sort of thing a lot...singing, playing, making up games. just the daily schtuff.

No words.

Guess who's really into dress-ups now? You got it! 6 months ago, Madeline refused to even look at hats, etc., but now it's a daily duty. She reminds me of the flowers from the cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland...

Sweet boy.

This boy is the 2nd sweetest one I know. He makes sure that Madeline has what he has (from pb sandwiches to boots to trains and candy) and he loves checking up on me when I'm busy cleaning,etc, by coming in, smiling, and giving me a kiss. When I come home from work he greets me with an enthusiastic "MOM!!! You came HOME!!! Look, DAD! Mom's baccckkk!" The tree right outside our apt. is blooming, and he always comments on the flowers when we go outside. The other day, he had to give some to me.:) LOVE this kid!

Accessorized.

In case you didn't know, I love accessories. I mean, I love them. I believe they can change an entire outfit, make it feel new, and they are just fun! Looks like it's genetic. Here's Madeline in Forever 21.:)

Excursions, countdown in Seattle.

Checking out the cool car on Pike St.
This week has been fairly open for Bray, and so we have taken advantage of the time to go to some of our favorite places in Seattle. Since we are only here through mid-April, and Bray will have multiple rehearsals till then, we thought we should do it while we can! We will definitely miss all the fun venues Seattle has to offer!Hobbes loved them.The very cool police horses! Both kids were not afraid, and Hobbes even pet their noses! They got stickers for their bravery.
Making their chips into airplanes at Chipotle.Going upstairs to all the pretty things in Anthropologie.
So this kid is just a little obsessed with mirrors. In this pic, he was saying, "Mom, these are my cheeks!" And the other day when we went to a friend's house for dinner, he introduced himself like this: "HI! I'm Hobbes, I'm handsome." Oh man.
The cool windmill in Anthropologie!
Another cool mirror. In this pic it was, "Look, Mom, I'm SO happy!" :)
Walking back to the opera house, the sun came out amidst the rain.

Guess what today is??

Grandparent weekend!

Guess who came for Valentine's weekend? Ama and Ampa!! We had a fun-filled, jam-packed weekend! We managed to go to the Children's Museum in Factoria, Red Robin, watch Cloudy with a chance of meatballs by the fire, go to the Aquarium, and even have a date night! Altogether, the kids loved it, and tried several times to persuade Ampa to take them back to 'his house.' Thanks for coming and treating us to all the fun Ama and Ampa!!


At the water exhibit in the children's museum.
Getting choked by an octopus' tentacle! (Jill Fagan met up with us at the aquarium!)
For the 1st time ever, Hobbes wanted to 'do' everything...head in the holes, touch all the exhibits, climb over and swim with the seals, you name it!

Being an octopus.
Happy octopi.
Valentine's Day!

Happy Val-Birthday, Bray!!

Since Bray's birthday is so close to Valentine's Day (the 18th) we decided to combine celebratory desserts this year. The result: Red Velvet cupcakes with lots of love, and even an Alabama symbol.:)

Friends, frills and fun.

My girl is no longer a baby. Not even a little bit. She has always been more 'mature' for her age, and even at 16 months, felt more like a 2 year old to me. Now, she's nearly 3 and she already seems much like a preschooler. A few weeks ago, she got invited to her first 'big-girl' birthday party, and they even got to dress up as princesses! Madeline wanted to be a ballerina, and she had to wear the gloves, boa, tutu and 6 necklaces. Although she and Hobbes play together very well, the games they create are very different from the ones she plays with other little girls. Last night, we babysat our friends' daughter, Mackenzie, and they immediately got all decked out in princess costumes, purses and crowns. I took them to my work for some 'ice cream' (frozen yogurt) and they sat and chattered while I ordered. It is so fun to see her growing up!
At Lily's birthday party.
Showing me their puppies.
Girls and crowns.
SO excited to have a friend over!