Stop Growing Up So Fast!

January 30, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  I have been freaking out about sending Hazel to full-day kindergarten in the fall.  I did the tally and if we wait one more year, Emily will be a freshman when Hazel is a senior in high school.  Classes of '30 & '33!

Cute, Cute, Cute!

January 29, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  I think watching this little girl crawl just might be the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Music Makers

January 28, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Music Makers is finally starting to catch on over here.  Emily was just darling making music with her little egg-shaker today.  I think Hazel, on the other hand, is getting a bit bored of it.

Emily Crawls

January 27, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  This just happened!  Hooray!

Two Little Monkeys

January 26, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  My two little monkeys #jumpingonthebed

Straw People

January 25, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  We started off the day with a little Straw People project.  It was really great for her fine motor development including scissors and glue.  I love that while I was making a sun over my tree she chose to make a moon for her people walking in the dark.

True Success

Play Train

January 23, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Giggles, giggles and more giggles.

Deer Field

January 22, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  This is my proof that the sun was shining today.  (In December we hit a record for consecutive days with rain and while typical rainfall for December is 7" we got 17")  We walked up the hill to a small field of deer to feed them some carrots.  This non-deer was the only animal brave enough to eat it out of our hands.

GOAL! Or....maybe not.

January 21, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Yes, still working on 15 Minutes Outside.  Today 15 minutes turned into 60 minutes as I set up a mini soccer game for Hazel and I in the backyard.  It seems Hazel's attitude is better the entire day when she and I get our 15 Minutes Outside.

Corporate Office Design: Forward Networks

January 20, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  I am updating my online portfolio with some of the jobs I've complete in the Bay Area, California.  Click here to see photos and details for Forward Networks in Palo Alto. 

P.S.

I have one of the coolest jobs.

Corporate Office Design: Complete Solar

January 19, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  I am updating my online portfolio with some of the jobs I've complete in the Bay Area, California.  Click here to see photos and details for Complete Solar in Foster City. 

Our Little Emily

December 16, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Our little Emily is 8 Months this week.  Before she was born I honestly wondered if it were possible to love another child as much as I love my first.  With her birth and the growth of our family my heart has known an incredible peace.  We love you Baby Emily, more than words can say.

First Typing Lesson

December 15, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  She has been showing interest in sitting at the desk and interacting with the big screen...so I opened up Word and showed her how to type her name.  Very cool.

15 Minutes Outside

December 14, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  It's rained every day for as long as I can remember and I'm starting to feel cooped up.  So I've resolved to get outside with my girls despite the weather.  I'm working toward 15 minutes a day--inspired by this book.   Today we took a walk to a neighbor's house and it was wonderful to be outside, even with the drizzle.

That Your Burdens May Be Light

December 13, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I want to remember this quote always:

"Only when you lift a burden, God will lift your burden.  Divine paradox this!  The man who staggers and falls because his burden is too great can lighten that burden by taking on the weight of another's burden.  You get by giving, but your part of giving must be given first."

- Spencer W. Kimball -

Done Shopping

December 12, 2015.  Portland, OR.  It's been a long while since I blogged last; but I've got to start somewhere and today is as good a day as any.  

Look who I found in the book isle.  I guess they're done finding gifts for one another.

Snapshot #1237: Emily's Blessing Dress

June 18, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  On Emily's blessing day countless friends congratulated me by exclaiming, "Oh, that dress!"  It truly is a beauty.  Mom designed it after an antique blessing dress--the dress my Grandmother Anna Laura Petersen was blessed in as a baby.  Our friend, Sue Ormond made it.  She should definitely go into business!    

Snapshot #1236: Pretty in Pink

June 17, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  So pretty in pink.  And doing her favorite thing...sleeping.

Snapshot #1235: Home Preschool

June 16, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Every one else's kid just finished school for the summer, but I'm just now wrapping my brain around (since the baby's birth) some home preschool ideas...so we are working on a few things here and there.  This weeks topics include:  Rhyming, Calendaring, Writing her own name, and Gratitude.

Snapshot #1234: Skinned Elbow

June 15, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Hazel fell and skinned her elbow and hand this morning while running along the Heritage Trail.  Poor girl cried and cried, so Daddy came home at lunch to make it all better.  We are so blessed to have him work close to home.

Snapshot #1233: Chicken Jicama Salad

June 13, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  This was a good one--worth remembering.  Romaine lettuce, spinach, green onion, rotisserie chicken, orange, jicama and candied walnuts topped with a maple balsamic dressing.  Delish!

Snapshot #1232: Emily's Two Month Photos

June 12, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Believe it, she's two months today.  Boy, do I love these girls!

Snapshot #1231: Local Girls

June 11, 2015.  Washougal, Washington.  We just discovered Hawaiian Shaved Ice from Local Girls.  The best part is the ice cream on the bottom.  Perfect for a hot summer's day.

Snapshot #1230: Cottonwood Beach

June 10, 2015.  Washougal, Washington.  Our first time on Cottonwood Beach since New Year's Day.  We will most definitely be back.

Snapshot #1229: Baby Swing

June 9, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Wait a minute, that's not MY baby in the swing.  More "Hazel Tracks."

Snapshot #1228: Lacamas Lake Trail

June 8, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I'm so proud of these girls--they walked 2 miles today along Lacamas Lake.  I'm so blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful place.

Snapshot #1227: Fresh Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

June 7, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I don't normally post on Sundays, but this strawberry-rhubarb pie was too beautiful to miss.  Tasted pretty darn good too.  Summer is the best.

Snapshot #1226: U-Pick Strawberries

June 6, 2015.  Vancouver, Washington.  Don't let this photo fool you...she only picked a dozen strawberries the entire time.  We filled 3 buckets in one hour which tonight yielded 16 jars of freezer jam.  Come on over for some freshly-baked bread with fresh strawberry spread...YUM!

Snapshot #1225: Good Morning

June 5, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Hmmm...maybe we should have gotten the king-size bed rather than the queen.

Snapshot #1224: Oh, That Face!

June 4, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Oh, that little face.  I just love it.

Snapshot #1223: Sister Hazel

June 3, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Sister Hazel is constantly swooping in to give baby Emily kisses.