Princess Laila

Ten years ago our church started something called princess in training. It is for girls from 7-12 years old. The goal is pretty simple, teach these young girls how to be princesses of God. This is a 6 week course, one day a week for 2 hours. On Wednesday night Laila was given a notebook which had scripture they want them to memorize and all of the things they covered that night that they want them to think over and practice for the week. She was also given a pot of pansies to care for and bring back on the last night to decorate the table with for the mother daughter tea. Laila really loved being treated like a princess, they refer to the girls by princess and then their name and they each have their own crown they wear. However, she didn't like having to learn table manners. She thinks it is too hard. I guess I am going to have to set a better example for her from now on. I wanted this to be something special for Laila. Now that she is getting older I am starting to realize that she is going to become a little lady, not stay my little baby girl forever.

After I picked Laila up we went to dairy queen for icecream. I was eager to hear about everything and wanted her to have my undivided attention which can be hard at home sometimes.

this is us at Dq. for some reason I can't get it to turn. Laila kept closing her eyes so then she opened them wide and I gave up:)

May Day!

My parents stopped by our house at 6:30 this morning to drop off special May day surprises for the kids. They intended to just leave them on the door step but I was in the living room drinking coffee after my morning run when I saw them pull up. I let them know they kids were awake so I shut the door and let them ring the bell, even though Brad was still fast asleep.

The tradition on May 1st is to ring your neighbors or friends doorbells and run, leaving flowers outside their door. My mom didn't think the kids would appreciate flowers so candy it was! My kids have been having way too much candy lately, it seems to be everywhere and given to them at school, church, everywhere...no wonder Laila has to get her first filling. Yes, Laila has her first cavity already. Luckily, it is a back tooth and it is a baby one so we are doing the cheaper silver filling. I am pretty bummed that she has one at 7. I have had only one filling and it was last year at the age of 27! My kids are all really great at brushing and they have always taken fluoride....sooo I am blaming it on the candy.

Lazy sunday

 Every year my best friend's dad gives us a great deal on shrimp he catches from hood canal. Friday night we went and picked up our 5 lbs. When we got home Landon chased the girls around the house with the shrimp. I should have taken pictures:( This afternoon we had our friends the Careys and Sawyers over to enjoy the shrimp with us. When they went home we ALL had a late afternoon nap. I have found that waking up at 5:30 every morning during the week to run makes for a tired mommy for the weekend. I must get that nap in.

                                                  Here is Brad taking the heads off the shrimp...don't ask me why he is doing it while sitting on our couch. We DO have a kitchen and we DO own a table. :)

                                            Hanging out after our nap...we are all a little groggy.

tomorrow I am taking my gingers to a mops movie play date to see some animated pirate movie..the name escapes me...then Laila and Landon have dentist appointments.

weekend in Salem

                                                                     the happy parents

                     I don't think I have seen my brother look so genuinely happy...besides their wedding

                                                  Lisa(Marianne's sister), Marianne, and me

                                                            Lydia likes her Uncle Ben

Last weekend we were able to take a trip down to Salem Oregon to attend my brother and his wife's baby shower. Marianne grew up in Salem, with her parents still living there. She went to high school with Napoleon dynamite(John Heder). I believe John's dad is her father's doctor) Anyway, Ben and Marianne live in San Diego so we don't get to see them too often.  Ben works 6 days a week researching in a lab with 10 hour days and doesn't get a lot of vacation. However, they were able to get away for a few days to score some awesome gifts for their baby boy. I had so much fun catching up with them and hanging out at her parents house with her side of the family. Ben and Marianne have been waiting to be parents for a really long time. Marianne is the type of woman you look at and just know she would be an amazing mom. She is great with my kids and I just can't wait to see her and my brother with their own. We stayed the night in a hotel and were up bright and early for some swimming with the kids. Laila and Landon got snorkels and fins for easter from my parents so they were so excited to try them out. After getting ready for the day we had brunch at one of the wineries. It was a buffet and it was delicious. Everything was fresh and made in front of our eyes. My favorite was waffles with macadamia nut crunch:) num num num...I brought home a bag of their macadamia nuts to make my own. After brunch we got our shopping on at the Woodburn outlet mall. It was 80 degrees out and all my favorite stores were there. The weekend went by way too fast with all the fun. My mom and I are planning to fly out to San Diego in August after the baby is born. Can't wait!!

BFF's

This is Lydia and my friend Jessica's daughter Ashlynn. She and Lydia are only 2 months apart. Today I watched Ashlynn while her mom was at the dentist and they played dress up the whole time. They are hilarious when they are together. They fight like sisters. One minute they are hitting each other and the next they are saying "you look pretty." I hope they will always be friends!

May 20th

May 20th will be Lydia's 3rd birthday as well as the day I complete my first half marathon. I have been running and off for over a year now...getting side tracked with knee swelling, shin splints, colds, stomach bugs, wanting to be lazy. I never had a goal in sight other than losing weight which is never a good enough motivator for me. I have lost 10 lbs in the last 3 months which is great for me but I still have about 40 to go to where I will feel healthy. However, clothes fitting how I want is way more important than numbers. I have always thought I weigh more than I look like I do. I blame it on my massive muscles..haha. Anyway, I have a goal now that takes daily dedication. With dieting and weight loss I had no date in mind so it didn't matter if I ate like crap for 2 weeks but with this goal I will lose ground if I decide to not run for 2 weeks. I am excited to be doing something just for me again. However, at the same time I feel like throwing up everytime I imagine myself at the starting line in May.

New Years Eve

Yesterday was by far my busiest of New years Eves....AND I have no pictures to show for it. Normally we will hang out with friends or family, relaxing at home and eating yummy treats. This year we were invited to hang out with the Butler clan. Their family consists of mom and dad, 5 kids who are spread about the country, 2 spouses and a grand baby. This year they were all home.

The Butlers are a busy active family so they ended up renting the aquatic center in Olympia for some swimming in the afternoon. I had all sorts of worries about taking our 3 kids swimming but eventually relented when I realized I am always wanting to go out and do more things as a family. It turned out I had nothing to worry about. The pool was the warmest pool I have ever been swimming in. It was a giant bath tub! There were life jackets and tons of toys for the kids to play with that they did not whine or freak out once. Ok Landon freaked out once when Kenan tried to take him away from me. I would have freaked out too though. Uncle Kenan always has the kids upside down. Anyway...our family had so much fun. This place even had a party room all decked out in beach theme decor. One we were all done swimming we had cake and sparkling cider.

That evening they invited us over for dinner and a bon fire. The kids lasted until about 9 where Lydia fell asleep in Tirsa's lap and Landon kept asking me every couple minutes what time it was. Brad and I went home and had some more sparkling cider and put a movie in where I fell asleep on him. We ended up getting in bed at 11:30 and I don't even care!

Today we get to see my brother and sister in law's fabulous new house in Puyallup. Happy New Year Everyone!