Last Week

Sadly, my blog is always last on my long list of to-dos. But I have a minute so I'll try and catch up. Braydan had a scout trip to Leavenworth last Friday and Saturday. They did some fun climbs that make me jealous. However, my attitude is improving this year about all their scout activities. It helps to remember all the hours my YW leaders spent with me growing up.
Friday night (while they were gone) we had a girls night and stayed up late watching Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell. Loved it. It's right up there with all the Jane Austen movies. North and South is good too.

Saturday Kaleb asked if we could go on a bike ride, so we did (and had to stop at some garage sales and parks on the way :)
the only "flowers" I ever get

I don't know where the rest of the week went, but I finished painting my room (thank you Amber). I promised myself after to never buy cheap paint again! It's not worth it.

I was half way done painting and already thinking about the next project (to put crown molding up in the room---Braydan really wants to use his new nail gun) Then I want new doors in there and do chair-rail downstairs, and repaint downstairs. . . . and the list goes on. I need to learn to stop and enjoy what I just finished, before thinking of the next thing!

My tomatoes are popping up.

My tulips and daffodils are blooming.
I love spring.


Although she's a princess . . .
She can still get down and dirty.

The Low Down

So......my birthday. It was great, but I"ll post about it later cause I need pictures off Braydan's camera. In the meantime, here's the latest on each of us:

ELIZA~ She loves to play outside. She thinks it's so funny to run down our driveway into the road cause she knows I"ll chase her. Not good little lady!


She still loves to eat and is growing out of her 12 month clothes as you can see by her shirt.

My favorite thing about her lately is her princess nature coming out. She loves to put bead necklaces on and have bows in her hair. She also insists on wearing shoes. She picks them out and plops down on my lap, waiting for me to adorn her feet.

her hair before the bows :)

Kaleb-Loves to help me in the garden. He has his own miniature shovel and it's always an adventure seeing what creatures we'll discover (worms, centipedes, beetles, etc.). He's going through a little independent streak. He wants to get dressed all by himself, and he can do it (sort of). See my problem? His shirt is on the right way, so that's good I guess.
Despite the outfit, lately I've felt he's more BOY than ever. He really needs some quality tackle/wrestle time with Dad or he gets a little wild. (running around, knocking Eliza over........)

Braydan--What would I do without my nice husband? He's the best. Just an example, he wakes up at 5AM for work so he can be home early for us and never complains about it.
He's liking his new BRAIDS project in Bellevue, designing freeways and bridges. If he's not busy with scouts on the weekends, he's working on some project (like our cabinets) or our budget.

Me: I have a few obsessions lately. I went to an enrichment activity on gardening and got really motivated. We planted peas, spinach, romaine, onions and more strawberries outside. Braydan started tomatoes inside. I love to get my hands dirty and teach Kaleb about plants like my Mom did. Our garden was like a jungle last year! I'm hoping to manage it better this year.

Other obsessions: cooking. I dream and plan what I'm going to cook every day. i love food! I have a list now of food blogs I check. I really like Our Best Bites.

Photography: My class ended this week and I was sad, but I feel like I got my feet wet on the subject at least (I still don't know what I'm doing . . . in fact I'm probably worse cause I don't leave it on automatic) I have some good resources now to study and our teacher is going to help shoot portraits of our kids this week. That will be nice to have his help.

iPod: I love my iPod. I've got through some boring cleaning listening to books. Don't worry Mom, I don't use it when the kids are awake, although I've thought about tuning them out sometimes.

And finally.....painting. I can't seem to stay away from a brush too long. Our bedroom has been neglected. The whole house has been painted and decorated except for our room. But I started on the trim and I think this week I'll actually get some color on the sad walls.

My B-Day

On the 12th, I turned 26. The day got off to a slow start, but finished out nice. I'm totally asleep when Braydan leaves for work, so I didn't hear him say happy birthday. I came downstairs in the morning hoping for a note or a balloon or something to signify that he remembered. Nothing. I was kinda sad, but my friends made it a fun morning. HOWEVER . . . Braydan surprised me and got off work at 2, had a babysitter ready, and dinner arrangements all lined up. Then he let me choose what I wanted to do. First I went and picked out a tripod for my camera. It's just a cheap $25 one, but it's lightweight, which is important when I'm always packing a million other things. Then I wanted to try Vertical World in Everett.
We brought clothes to change into and I was so excited I practically got hit by a car running across the street to the place. They had some fun routes so it was an awesome night/workout! I think I really need to start running more (or start running period).

Thanks family and friends for the nice day.

On Saturday I went up to Arlington to Kara's (my soon to be sister-in-law's) bridal shower. It was fun meeting more of her family and eating delicious food. 2 more weeks and counting!

Queen Anne

I can't figure out how to "un-link" the text? I'm so annoyed with blogger lately!

Last Saturday I went on a field trip for my class to a park in Queen Anne. It was a beautiful sunny day, but horrible for shooting Seattle. At least I got Rainer in there.

Dad starts playing too! I didn't think I had to worry about him!

I love "the sprout!" If I comb it just right, viola!
Kaleb "helping" clean out this old book case

Anybody want a kiss?

IT'S FUN . . .








TO PLAY OUTSIDE!!!

Okay, enough pictures already MOM!