Photo Shoot

My friend Jill just finished taking photography lessons and she wanted a family to practice on.  She asked our family if we would be willing.  We are SO glad we said yes because she did a fantastic job.  Thank you Jill!!!

Burfoot Park in Olympia, WA

Since we moved here last Summer, we have been to several beaches and have had no luck in finding hermit crabs or critters running around.  Our kids have been asking to find a hermit crab so we decided to check out this beach in Olympia.  It was AWESOME.  There were starfish all over.  I had no idea a starfish was actually pink.  I have only seen dead ones which are usually brown at that point.  There were little crabs hiding under rocks and they were too fast to catch but it was still a beautiful day.  We ended up going home with lots of seashells, exhausted kids and a very smelly starfish....I think it was a success.:)

No words needed to describe how excited this little girl was!

Making our way down to the beach.....It was SO beautiful!!!

SO excited about all of the seashells she found!

Sam loving the seaweed...don't ask why we didn't just put him in a swimming suit.

Brad trying to catch a crab for the kids

Trying to get Will to smile for me...Nope!

The kids and I went home to see my family in UT.  My parents spoiled us and we did so much in such a short amount of time.  It was so hard to leave and say goodbye.  Here are a few of the things we did while visiting...

Hogle Zoo with Mama

This Is The Place with Mama, Uncle David & Aunt Marjorie

Happy Easter

Sweet Sam

Reading

Look Who's Walking

Our kids take their sweet time when it comes to crawling and walking.  I am actually grateful for it and feel they stay my babies longer and I am not out chasing them too soon.  Sam started taking a couple of steps last month at his 15 month mark.  Now that he is 16 months he has been walking more but still prefers to crawl.  Here is our new walker...well, walker in progress(:.  

Park Days

This is where we spend the majority of our time these days!  Grateful we have this park so close to our house!  The kids love to ride their bikes while I walk Sam.

Date Night

Since we moved to Washington, Brad and I have made Thursday night our date night with the kids.  I always look forward to my alone time with Abigail & William.  It is always so nice to have time to sit and chat without distractions and sibling rivalry:).  I definitely had the cutest guy as my date the other week!:)

Sam is growing...

How did our little baby grow up SO fast!  The only thing which makes it bearable is the fact he not only gets cuter each day but he is growing in personality as well.  We call him Sweet Sam these days because he is nothing but a delight.  I am in awe by what a little sweetheart he is.  We feel blessed to have him!  These were taken by Brads phone so they are grainy, but too cute not to post:).

Sam 14 months old

We recently gave him a haircut (Brad was begging me to do it for awhile) which makes him look more like a little boy now.  He also lost some weight while he was sick so he looks extra lean in these photo's. 

Abigail's New Look!

A couple of days after Christmas Abigail lost her two front teeth within an hour of each other.  We can't get enough of that gumless smile:).  As you can tell, she is pretty pleased with her new look!

Look who's one!



Happy 1st Birthday Sam!  They don't come any sweeter than you!  We love you!

More pictures to come from the big day...



Park Days

One of the best parts of where we live are all of the parks in our neighborhood.  I love that although it is cold here, we are still able to go outside and play with or without rain.  Yay for more park days during the winter months, even if that means getting a little wet at times:).

 

 

Oldies but goodies

My mom came out to visit us last week and while she was here I found these pictures on her camera from her last visit in August.  We love it when she comes out to visit because my kids adore her and she adores them. 

Why is it so hard to capture one decent picture with kids?

Modeling at Norstrom

Pikes Place in downtown Seattle

Taking the underground tour in Seattle

Again, trying hard to get one decent picture after church in front of the Temple.

Date with Mama

Already missing those Summer days out riding bikes and playing in the yard