Let it snow!

Apple Cup 2007

I think the pictures speak for themselves. We had a blast (despite the outcome)! This is what our yard looked like when we came home... Needless to say it lasted about 2 seconds. Thanks Mary & Steve! The prank continued further when 2 weeks later I saw this Christmas card hanging up at one our mutual friends' houses. All I got to say is you better be praying next year because you are going down!

Thanksgiving

What a great Thanksgiving! My sister Monica and her fiance' Mike came up here from Las Vegas for the holiday. They flew into Spokane and drove over to my mom's in Gig Harbor, WA with us on Wednesday. We sure missed TJ & Jen but it was so nice to be together. I had so much fun cooking with my mom & sister!

We also got to meet the newest addition to our family- my Mom & Mikee's baby dog Gemini.

Mikee, Olivia, Mom & Gemi (check out his coat!)

Tavian getting some Daddy loves

Mikee, Olivia, Mom & Gemi (check out his coat!)

Time to eat! What an awesome meal it was.

The kids are out!

After we ate we left Mo, Mike, Mom & Mikee and headed northeast to Quyen's brother Sean's house in Covington, WA where we enjoyed another fabulous meal and stayed the rest of the weekend. The next morning Sean's girlfriend Sara & I took my kids and my niece Madison into downtown Seattle for the Christmas parade. We had a ball and spent the whole day downtown shopping and enjoying the festive atmosphere. I love this city!

A brisk fall day at the park

Last Sunday we spent the afternoon at Friendship Park. It was a great time and here are the pictures to prove it!

Nostalgia

I am sitting in our family room watching my little boy walk along the furniture. Every time he makes eye contact with me he laughs. He is overflowing with joy and watching him so am I. He returns himself to the floor and speedily scoots over to his jumperoo where he again stands himself up with the help of the toy he once loved but has now grown out of. Mobility trumps all.

I am over come with nostalgia as I reflect on this time last year. I am 6 months pregnant and was recently put on short term bed rest due to some unexplained contractions. My son flips and flops inside my belly and I pray silently for his protection. I worry about him. I hope that he will stay in there and grow and flourish until it is time for us to meet. He does of course and that moment is nothing short of miraculous. He is strong, healthy and absolutely flawless.

Although it has been a long 9 months since then for me personally, his journey thus far has flown by. He is now a little boy. Fearing nothing he scales the stairs like he’s been doing it his whole life rather than only 3 days. He is a daredevil. Yet at the same time his heart is the size of this earth and he loves nothing more than to snuggle with you and exchange smiles back and forth. His personality shines. He is perfect and we all so very blessed.

Halloween 2007

The kids & I went to a costume party hosted by my friends Hara & Angela the Saturday before Halloween. On Halloween day the festivities began for the kids at school where their teachers put them in their costumes and they celebrated all day long. They even had a costume parade through the infant room. Olivia loved that! She adores those babies (especially her Tavian of course). When I came to pick them up one of the teachers said that it was official- Olivia was the cutest little ballerina ever! Well I would have to agree with that! At home we got ready again and headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Sam's house so they could enjoy the kids in their costumes. They always go all out with decorations so it's quite festive. Grandma scared Olivia a bit with her mask but after a quick explanation about the mask she was ready to get to it. Tavian fell asleep on the car ride over but we woke him up just in time for trick or treating. Grandma, Daddy, and I joined them as they (well, Olivia) made her way through their neighborhood. There are only a few houses so it's perfect. We did this last year as well and it seems to be becoming a fun tradition for all of us!

Caught with his hand in the candy jar =)

Gotta love the look on Olivia's face

Yummmm... sugar!

Tavian with Grandpa His antenna kept flopping in his face all night long!

After being thoroughly spoiled with treats from their grandparents we headed back to our place where we handed out candy to more trick or treaters. I think Olivia enjoyed this more than anything. She got such a kick out of putting the candy in their bags. Each time the door bell rang she would run to the door yelling "THE KIDS ARE HERE! THE KIDS ARE HERE!" We ran out of candy just in time to turn out our lights and head to bed. A very enjoyable Halloween indeed!