The BIG Trip

In June, the kids and I got in the truck and headed to Washington. I was a little nervous going without David and driving that big beast, but we had a very smooth trip over. Of course it took 15 hours to get to Sequim instead of the normal 11, but we made it!

Schwartz Lake

I can't tell you how excited our little naturalist was when this butterfly landed on her hand. For days, she told anyone who would listen all about it


























Not the most flattering picture of me, but I think the view at Schwartz Lake is so spectacular and it is only about a 1/2 mile walk, perfect for us.











Well, thanks to a thunderstorm, our fishing plans got cut short, but we still had a great time and can't wait to go back!

Lanie's Family Party

We celebrated on Lanie's "real" birthday and had this not-so-lovely cake instead of making our traditional homemade cake. There's quite a story to this cake, but let's just say when I originally went to pick it up for her party, I ended up buying a couple dozen cupcakes instead and coming home with this for free from the manager. But, we saved it for her actual birthday and neither of the kids seemed to care what it looked like!

GUESS WHO?

"RAWRRR"

Lanie takes after her daddy in the art department. I might be a little biased, but I think her drawings are wonderful. Most 4 year olds are drawing heads with lines sticking out of them, I think, but maybe moms just like to believe their kids are great at things...

Just some cool pictures

Most of you know we just can't get enough of the Bison Range. Sightings like this are the reason why!

Lanie's Birthday Party!

Lanie had a very fun My Little Pony birthday with all of her friends and family. We played on the new swingset for quite awhile and then headed in for cake, games and presents.

I hate to admit it, but my sweet girl was quite the cheater on her My Little Pony game. She kept peeking and was a truly bad sport when someone else won, I guess everyone has their moments... As with Jack, I cannot believe how fast my little girl is growing up. She is officially a big kid. I look at her sometimes and can hardly remember what she was like at
Jack's age. She already looks like a little school girl even though she has another year before she starts kindergarten. Man am I going to be a wreck when that day comes...

Mother's Day

We had a super busy Mother's Day weekend. On Saturday, we all walked in the 5K fundraiser put on for school scholarships. We were so proud of Grammie who did a great job and finished the race too.

These are the lovely rocks sissie colored for me for Mother's Day.

After a nice brunch, we took Grammie and our little "animals" to the Bison Range for the first trip of the year.

Fun With Family

Lanie and I took Grammie to see the Lippazzaner Stallions as a Mother's Day outing and Lanie is still talking about it! We went with cousin Brooklinn and aunt Suzie and had a wonderful "girls day out". Lanie and Brook are 2 peas in a pod when it comes to anything having to do with horses. I don't think I can put off riding lessons much longer. I don't think she will be satisfied being led around on Chloe (Daniel's donkey) for too long.

The same weekend, the "boys" went with uncle Rusty and Daniel to a magic show featuring a Siberian Tiger. Unfortunately, the tiger came out all of once, so they were a little disappointed. Of course it wasn't anything a little fishing on the way home couldn't cure!

Jack had a great jungle birthday party at home with all his cousins, and Grammie even made it out to visit and celebrate. It is so hard to believe he is 2 already! He is definitely not a baby anymore. I love all the new phases he's going through, but I want time to slow down! It's happening too fast...

Jack's "Family" Birthday

Once again, Lanie decorated an adorable cake for Jack's "family" birthday party. We always like to bake a cake and open a couple presents on the day of the kids' actual birthdays, even if it's not the day of their party.

Easter

I know it's been 3 months since I've posted, but I figured I could try to do a quick update starting where I left off...