Big Girl is FIVE!

Audrey's 5th Birthday 2010

Audrey was very excited to turn five. She wanted a birthday cake that was pink, purple, silver and gold. We celebrated her special day with a birthday crown from Teacher Kris and five different flavored cupcakes. Then, we had a party on the weekend with face painting and great friends. Happy Birthday, Big Girl!

Spring has Spring

Happy Spring 2010

While it's grey and cloudy today, we have had some sunny days that remind us that spring has sprung. We celebrated with an visit to the Tulip Festival and an Easter egg hunt. We're looking forward to more sunny days!

Atlanta Visit 2010

Atlanta 2010

We set off during Spring Break to go visit Nanny & Papa at their new house. At the aquarium we saw a whale shark (is it a whale or a shark?), and beluga whale. We tried all the different varieties of soda at the Coca Cola museum. And, we had a great day at the zoo. Daddy even had cake for breakfast on his birthday. It was nice to spend time with Nanny & Papa and see their new home.

Atlanta, Part II: Marie & Jack

Marie & Jack, Atlanta

While we were in Atlanta, we got to catch up with Marie, Jack, Katie & John. It was great to spend the day at their house and play. Now that Nanny & Papa live in Atlanta, we will have more chances to see our dear friends more often (10 years was too long!).

Maui 2010

Maui Album 2010

We had a great visit with Tutu and Colin in Maui. We played in the sand and surf, explored the Iao Valley, and celebrated Chinese New Year.

Piper's 3rd Birthday

Piper turned three with friends and cupcakes. What more can you ask for? She is growing into a wonderful playmate for her sister, has a fashion sense that is uniquely her own (stripes match with stripes, polka dots with polka dots, and purple with everything), and is developing quite a sense of humor. It's been a great year and we keep looking forward to what's to come. Happy Birthday, Little P!

Piper's 3rd Birthday Album

Happy New Year!

Snowy Cabin 2009 Album

We headed out to Leavenworth to celebrate New Year's. It was so much fun to be out in the snow. We went sledding, made snow angels, and went on a horse drawn sleigh ride. We had wonderful company, ate yummy food, read lots of books and played games by the fire. 2009 was a fantastic year. We can't wait to find out what 2010 has in store for us. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2009 Album

As we get older, there are a few Christmas traditions that we are really enjoying. We head to Swanson's Nursery to visit the reindeer and koi. This year, they also had a camel! We help Daddy trim the Christmas tree and love to read Christmas stories with him. We spent Christmas Eve with Uncle David, Aunt Cassie, and Cousin Panda. Christmas morning, we woke with excitement to find out with Santa had left in our stockings. Mimi & Grandpa even made it for a belated Christmas celebration. Merry Christmas everyone!

'Tis the Season

Diane's Cookie Party

Diane invited us over to decorate Christmas cookies. We had such a blast sqeezing out the icing, sprinkling sprinkles, and taste testing along the way. Diane and Camille were fantastic assistants. Did we mention that we had a blast?!

Vegas & Thanksgiving

November 2009 Album

Not much for a kid's post in November, but I threw in a couple of kid pictures anyway. Mama & Daddy went to Las Vegas for a weekend getaway. Mimi & Grandpa stayed with us and we made a mess of the kitchen. And we joined the Burk(e)-Ellises for Thanksgiving. December is coming so we'll make up for the lack of kid pictures.

Halloween

Halloween 2009 Album

Happy Halloween! We had perfect weather at the pumpkin patch. We especially loved playing in the corn and picking out our pumpkins. Audrey got to go back with her class and had a party at school. Our new block was hopping on Halloween night, complete with haunted house. Mama ran out of candy so we had to "donate" some of ours. Don't worry, we got to keep some. Next year we'll make sure she buys more candy!

Audrey's Half Birthday

Happy 4.5!

Uggie's New Clothes

Weekend Project for Mama...
clothes for Uggie, made out of A&P's hand-me-downs, the cat was an appliqué on the jeans.

Summer Fun

Summer Fun 2009 Album

Here are some random shots of our summer. We had a blast hanging out at our new house, and growing a vegetable garden. We went on our annual strawberry picking trip and did some camping. We even took in a couple street festivals. If you didn't make it to visit this summer, we hope you will come visit soon.

Black Butte 2009

The highlight of Black Butte this year was spending an extra week with the Chongs to celebrate Papa's 70th birthday. The girls had a great time hanging out with their cousins, swimming, hiking to Sahalee Falls and hanging out with their cousins. Happy 70th birthday, Papa!

Black Butte 2009 Album

It Was 20 Years Ago

Mama went back East to attend her 20th high school reunion. She had a great time catching up with some great friends.

CRHS Reunion 2009 Album

Shaw Island Camping

We had a great time camping on Shaw Island. Frolicking naked on the beach (the kids, that is), cooking marshmallows over the fire, sleeping in tents, riding the ferry!

Shaw Island Camping Album

Heading South

We packed our bags and headed south for two worthy causes...Great Grandpa & Grandma Simes' 60th wedding anniversary celebration and introducing ourselves to our new cousin Caden. What a great trip! Why don't we go to Portland more often?

Portland 2009

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day 2009 Album

We had a great mother's day at the Sounders game!

Palm Springs

We had a relaxing vacation in Palm Springs with Mimi & Grandpa. We hung out by the pool, rode the Aerial Tramway to the top of Mt. San Jacinto, watched the golfers. Great Uncle Mike and Great Aunt Stacy drove over from Palos Verdes to have lunch with us, what a treat! Fun was had by all.

Palm Springs 2009 Album