North Bend, Washington

For my birthday present, Hans took me shopping. I really wanted some new tennis shoes, but I couldn't find any that I really wanted. They were a little too brightly colored for me. I decided on getting clothes instead. 

As we were shopping, Arlee kept asking if she could ride these as we were passing them. We told her if she kept being good and patient then we would let her before we left. She was prefect! I kid you not she is a super star shopper. Shopping with Arlee and a stroller work out perfectly. 

 She was one happy girl

 Hans was happy as well... haha

Lydia was happy I was holding her and I was happy to have found a few things that I loved. It was a successful shopping trip.

The 4th of July!

Our ward did a breakfast the morning for the 4th. Hans went and helped cook with the Elders Quorum and I met him there. It was an early morning, but we made it, bright and early. The girls were ready to go and we were hungry. The food didn't disappoint either. 

After that I had to get some shots with the girls looking so cute wearing patriotic red.

 Arlee saying: "It's okay Whitty-ya" ----^

 Arlee likes to relax on Lydia. she doesn't mind either. I am sure that shoulder will come in handy once the girls get older. A shoulder to lean on or cry on.

 This is how Arlee talks with Lydia. -----^

 Oh yes... The twirl and spin as I am trying to get a cute picture of her little face. It is still a cute picture of her in her little moment of princess-ness!

After torturing them with pictures we headed to our friend's brother's house for a BBQ.

 Arlee was a bit hesitant with the sparklers at first.

 Hans went over and helped her have fun with them. I don't remember having any reservations about them as a child.

 Our friend's mom and daughter.

 Arlee and her little princess companion!

 Once a princess, always a princess.

Beautiful sunset before the fireworks.

Oh and Lydia hated the fireworks!

Pierced and not looking fierce!

We finally pierced our Lil' Miss' ears. 

Doesn't she look adorable?

SUM- MA!

This summer has been a blast. We have been involved in a  lot of activities here in Washington.

We have been invited to swim at a ward member's home- which is greatly appreciated on days over 85!

 We have been playing outside. Our neighbor lets Arlee borrow her bike, which she still isn't very good at riding. Practice and a little motivation from me to keep her on the bike will help her be a pro.

 Enjoying the shade on those really hot days! Capturing a few photos of the little ones is always a bonus.

 Playing and pretending together.

What can I say. My girls love each other.

Date Nights

Recently, we have been involved in a date night group. Let me just say, it has been wonderful! Hans and I have enjoyed our time being by ourselves and the kids have enjoyed being with their friends every Friday.

Hans and I generally go out to eat, but I have to say that the best time was going to the park and walking together. I think it is important for Hans and I to be able to converse with each other and not be interrupted. It has been such a blessing. Our girls are a blessing too. We love them so much. Spending time with the girls and with each other has been great. We are so thankful to have friends that we can trust with our children to make this happen.

Looking forward to more date nights in the future to come.

Holy Cow!

First things first.... I have not be doing anything worth writing about and this is my problem! If you have wondered why you are not seeing anything new it is because I feel like I have been out of my mind-crazy lately. I am going to add a couple posts pretty quick, I hope. Hang in there I am working on it. And if I don't get them done today then I probably won't for a while.

EASY... breathe...
Please hold on.
I am coming....
with some pictures and stories to go along with them.

6 Months and a hair cut later...

My Lil' Miss is 6 months old. We are all so happy to have her around. Lydia is definitely a joy to be around. What is she like today?

Well I will tell ya...

She still sleeps through out the night. Not particularly fond of anyone other than me (mom) but just when she is tired. She absolutely adores Arlee and the time they spend together. It is of course mutual too. Arlee has fun talking to her and making her laugh. What really gets Lydia going is when Arlee laughs. It is hilarious to watch them laugh with each other.

Eating: She still eats about 28 oz of formula and a little bit of rice cereal a day. The rice cereal is best eaten if Arlee barks at her. Don't ask me why, but she loves it. Parents do all kinds of things to get their kids to eat these days and Arlee- well she barks! Hahaha! Pretty funny to see as well.

Lydia is 15lbs 2oz., 25 inches long and her head is 41.75 cm. These make her in the 25th percentile for everything. I am guessing that the babies Lydia's age are just huge and the ones that were Arlee's age were tiny. Lydia doesn't seem that much smaller than Arlee was, but according to this she is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Arlee was always in the 80% by this age. Weird, I know.

For the last month or so Lydia has really found a passion for using her voice. She screeches, squeals, grunts and growls. Makes for an interesting sacrament meeting that is for sure. 

We love our Lil' Miss and all the things she does. 

Lydia got a hair cut.  I was kind of fighting giving her one, but the top well....

it was getting too long. It looked like a bad come-over. It was all right on the top of her head so finally after a few comments, which at the time I found annoying. I put her in the bouncer seat, added a twisty and snip! Here are some pictures...

I have to admit. I like it better, but at first I felt like I took her personality away. Then I woke up and saw the big picture. I wanted her hair long, but then realized it would be so much better if it was all the same length. go figure- I know I am weird.

 This was Lydia's 6th month pictures. 

Isn't she just so cute?

The one above is a little bit goofy, but I love it for some reason.

 

I was playing around with the editing program and these are how they turned out.

I love the above one. The last one is another favorite, but I wish she was looking at me.

Well, there you have it. Our Lil' Miss is getting so big! 

Next month we are going to Utah and we can't wait. My sister, Lyndsay and her family are going to come. We haven't seen themr for a year and a half and we can't wait! Lyndsay didn't see me pregnant and still hasn't seen Lydia. It is really hard to be there the same time when you both live out of state.  We have missed them so much and can't wait to see all of them.

YAY for vacations!!!