California - part two

My dad, the kids and I headed off to Sonoma to visit my grandma for three days. We always have such a wonderful time there!

Let me just stop right now and tell you about my hotel. The hotel the kids and I stay at is SO cute - Sonoma Creek Inn. We have stayed there the last three years, and it is great! If you are ever visiting Sonoma, this is a wonderful place to stay. It is central the the Valley and wineries, it's clean and comfortable, everything is new, AND it's very affordable - especially for Sonoma. Check out this room:TOO cute! They had an air mattress that the kids fought over who got to sleep on it each night. Very family friendly place... They all have private patios with lovely little fountains that my kids couldn't keep their paws out of...

Enough about my hotel!

Dad and I dropped the kids off with my mom for the day, and he and I spend some time perusing the vast Napa Valley and all the loveliness it holds - wine! My two favorites were V. Sattui (California Winery of the Year - 2006) and Rutherford Ranch (little family owned winery - great Merlot).

We spent some time at the Mumm Winery taking in the museum collection of some 27 original Ansel Adams prints. Absolutely incredible. There was also some crazy Mustard Festival Photo contest pictures up, but we really loved the Ansel Adams.

After some wine tastings, decided to get some dessert. So it was on to Dean and Deluca Fine Market to get a yummy raspberry cinnamon roll and some kind of walnut/oatmeal/chocolate/wholesome goodness treat! It was delicious!

This was outside Dean and Deluca's - isn't it beautiful?!

After a wonderful day, Dad headed back to Vacaville, so we said our goodbyes!

The next day, we celebrated Madisyn's ACTUAL birthday - finally. She had a record three birthday parties this year - lucky girl!

She wanted to be a princess for the day - who doesn't!

She chose to go to the beach for her birthday. It was a windy, cool day, but still beautiful!

Point Reyes was so much fun. Maddie and I ran around on the beach for a long time, finally succumbing to the wind...

We topped off the evening with dinner at Mary's Pizza Shack! Maddie put away an entire plate of spaghetti AND managed a piece of cake! She picked out the decorations herself! When we asked Maddie what her favorite part of her birthday was, she said she dinner with Uncle Gary and Aunt Gayla (my aunt and uncle)! She really took to them. I am just sorry I don't have a picture!

Taylor was just looking really cute this particular morning. Such a little man.

The trip ended with a wonderful three day visit with my Grandma Mary. We discovered that Maddie looks just like my grandma did at age 5. We found a picture of her and compared it to Maddie - SO crazy how much alike they are...

Four Generations...

Our trip was wonderful, and now it is back to reality. Next year can't come soon enough!

California - part one

The kids and I have just returned from a week long vacation to visit my dad, brother, and grandma in California. It was a wonderful week, a lot of good food, some great wine (thanks Dad), a couple birthday celebrations, and a great day at the beach!

The first part of the trip was to Vacaville, CA where my dad lives. My brother, Bryan, and his girlfriend, Michelle came up from college in Monterrey to stay for the weekend.

Maddie spent a lot of the time at Grandpa's cuddling on his lap!

Taylor was happy to be hanging out with Uncle Bryan and Michelle

One our second day in California, we took a trip with my dad to the famous Pier 39 in San Francisco. We took the ferry from Vallejo to Pier 1 in downtown SF, then walked the half hour to get to Pier 39. We went on a perfect day - sunny, not too hot, a little breezy, and not a lot of people. It was great because the kids practically ran the entire way to Pier 39. We went and had REAL SF Sourdough Bread Bowls with Chowder! It was SO yummy. Then walked down the Pier to the infamous Carousel at the end. The kids love the ride!
We topped off our day with Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and took a cat nap on the ferry ride back! Perfect day!

The next day was a bit cold, sort of like Washington weather, so we spent time inside.

Maddie was happy because she got to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa!

Taylor was happy because he got a hair cut! Actually, he was NOT happy at ALL! She screams as though the hair clippers were slicing him into pieces - it was SO embarrassing - and ridiculous. Any suggestions on how to get a three year old to be okay with hair cuts, PLEASE let me know!

When the sun was out, Maddie and Taylor could be found in Grandpa Eric's "pool" (aka: hot tub). They really enjoyed swimming!

Grandma Donna's house was fun, too, because she really likes to cuddle, and her "kissing machine" gets a good work out!

We capped off our time in Vacaville with a wonderful birthday celebration for Madisyn. We we to the Nugget Market (SO incredible - like a glorified Whole Foods) and bought four different desserts to part take in in place of birthday cake. SO much better!

The delectable assortment of treats from Maddie's birthday celebration courtesy of the Nugget Market - (Top, clockwise) Tropical Cupcake, Cheesecake with chocolate ganache and red raspberries (MINE!), Chocolate Brownie, and Pink Champagne cake, all accompanied by Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.

Maddie chose the most beautifully decorated cupcake I'd ever seen. She also got a cute little puppy (stuffed) from Grandpa. Love at first sight!

Our time with my dad was wonderful. I always look forward to getting in a good visit. Looking forward to next year, Dad!

Now - on to Wine Country!

Check our the rest of our pictures clicking on the "Our Family Photos" link to the right OR click here

Easter Blessings

Easter came quick this year. As always, we are blessed to belong to our Lord and to know that He is Risen. I praise Him for everything we have, everything we are.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the LOVE OF GOD that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

As we reflect on how wonderful our Lord is, we also take the time to enjoy the blessings He's given us. Our kids are the best blessing! It is amazing how much joy they can bring you. They were so excited to go to the Easter Egg Hunt this year. I loved watching the enthusiasm they both had when they saw all the easter eggs.

We coached both of them to run out to the swing set since most kids would probably stop along the way. Maddie made a killing, but Taylor got out to the swing set and didn't know what to do. She got a basket full, he got three!














They also have a grandma Nani who spoils them rotten. She got them easter baskets the Easter Bunny can't even match!



Easter Blessings to your family from ours! May our risen Lord bring you peace, joy and love!

It's a Bowling Birthday

Maddie and Taylor decided to share a birthday party this year!

They were so excited to go BOWLING! Maddie has been planning it for about 6 months - no kidding! She asked around Halloween if she could have a bowling birthday party. So - here we go...

Maddie had a wonderful time - she got really excited every time her ball even came close to a pin. While the bowling was the highlight of the party, she really liked the socializing. She is a bit of a social butterfly. :-)

Taylor was glued to Lane #2 for the entire party. He would roll the ball (with the help of his cousins, Caleb and Emily), stand there patiently while is slowly rolled down the lane and get REALLY excited when it knocked down the pins. Then, he would go right to the ball return, practically stick his head down the hole to see where the ball was. As soon as it was returned, he'd grab it and start all over. No kidding - I don't think he stopped for over an hour! No one else got a turn either!

Cousins Emily and Caleb were Taylor's coaches the whole party! Thanks, you two.

Five and Three are going to be fun ages... stay tuned!

Birthday Boy

My little boy turned 3 yo today. I have a hard time believing this since it feels like yesterday we brought him home from the hospital. It seems like yesterday I was "enjoying" sleepless nights... It seems like yesterday he learned how to say "Mama". Now, he is writing his own name -------->
What the heck happened? I won't complain since I am SO proud of him and the incredibly smart little man he is becoming, but there are days I miss my "baby."

When I look at this picture, he looks like a little man. Taylor's nickname is "Mr. Man," and I'll tell you, he is turning into a little man right before our eyes. Right now, he likes learning sign language with Maddie, he loves writing letters and numbers on his magnadoodle, he is always asking to play Maddie's Leapster video game (basically a game boy for preschoolers), and going on pretend fishing expeditions in buckets of water... All of these big kid things make me miss the olds days.


It is moments like this picture of him sleeping that remind me of those days. He just looks so incredibly sweet and quiet. Granted, he wasn't the most quiet baby, he was certainly tenderhearted.

This also reminds me that while he is growing up, he is always going to be my baby. There is something about a baby boy that tugs at a mother's heart! I know... sap, sap, sap.



Onto the fun stuff! We had Taylor's third birthday dinner at Red Robin (his choice). He got to wear a funny robin mask while the waiters serenaded him. The good thing is he didn't cry when they sang (that is his usual - he doesn't like "Happy Birthday" - don't ask...)

I have enjoyed this last year with Taylor, watching him grow, develop his big personality, exert his independence. I look forward to what this year brings! It's sure to be full of race cars races, "fishing" expeditions, and a lot of laughs.

Spring is Here!

Our kids have discovered that spring has arrived! With that, we are now spending a lot of time outside. Here is what spring looks like at our house....

This is Maddie and Taylor's Spring Flower Soup.
Here is the recipe if you are interested:

20 pink camellia flowers
1/2 bucket of water
10-15 scoops of dirt & beauty bark, to taste
dandelions for appearance

The sidewalk chalk was rediscovered - these are the first masterpieces of spring

Maddie is really into drawing houses and grass and sunshine

Taylor likes to scribble all over Maddie's houses, grass, and sunshine

Daddy offered his artistic expressions in the form of dimensional drawing. Maddie was distraught that he didn't finish coloring in the boxes at the end of the sidewalk - she didn't quite get the "shading" thing.

Taylor really loves the bubbles right now. I am filling the container every couple of days. Almost all of it ends up on the ground, his face or shirt, but it is too cute to watch him try and "blow" a bubble. As you can see from the picture, he doesn't "pucker" when he blows the bubble, he uses the "F" sound... therefore, not much air gets out and into the bubble. I caught the rare bubble success on film!




Maddie really loves her fishing pole she got for Christmas. Her Poppa (my dad, Gary) taught her how to cast it. She is REALLY good at it. She actually pushes the button, pulls back, and let's the button go as she casts it. It doesn't matter that her AIM isn't that great - I am often untangling it from the light post in our yard and various rose bushes, but needless to say, she is looking forward to Opening Day of Fishing Season!

We top off our afternoon of outside joy with the highlight of the day - a PICNIC!
Applesauce, Turkey Sandwich, Cheese, and a few Doritos are the perfect ending...

Now off for a nice, long nap so Mommy can blog!

School pics

So, Maddie's school had a professional local photographer come and take pictures of the kids this year. They turned out SO great! We have such a beautiful little girl.

I ask for smiles... this is what I get

Favorite Maddie & Taylor quotes of the week:

"Hey guys, where does God live?" mommy asks... (mind you, I am looking for "in our hearts" as the correct answer)

Maddie: "In our necks!"

Taylor: "In Bellingham"

And that is my two kids in a nutshell.

Maddie and Taylor are fast approaching 5 yo and 3 yo. I am having trouble believing it myself, but it is going to happen. We went to their well child visits last week. Maddie is in the 100th percentile for her height - go figure - and 75th for weight. She is taller than most 6-year-olds we know. When I went to register her for Kindergarten, a woman in the office asked if we were new to town and enrolling her in 1st grade?! Slow down! I gotta get her in Kindergarten before she is half way through 1st grade. She is now at the age where every time I ask her to smile for a picture, this is what I get:


Looks like it might take some work to get a good smile for pics (sigh...).

Taylor is a ham. He is getting so big! He looks like such a little man. I probably said it before, but this time warp has GOT to stop. According to the doctor, he is 50th percentile for height, 60th for weight and 100th for his head circumference! Now THAT is something to be proud of... maybe that is why he is so stinkin' smart. The kid has already mastered all of Maddie's LeapPad games that are for ages 4-6. He is really excited about his new "dinosaur" bed. He and Maddie share a room, and his bed has dinosaur sheets (I wonder if those come in queen size).

Seester Time

My sister is one of my favorite people. She has been my friend longer than anyone I know. She knows most of my secrets :-) She is one of the first people I want to talk to when I have something great happen to me or when something devastates me. I moved to Bellingham because of my sister. She and her family have lived here for over 15 years. I wanted to be close to her and her kids, so in 1998, I moved here. I have never regretted that decision. Although I left behind my dreams of being a stage actress in Chicago, and possibly moving to New York to pursue Broadway, I have been blessed beyond what I could have ever dreamed by choosing to move here instead.

My sister is one of those people who push you to be a better person. Sometimes I love her for that - other times, not so much. But if there is someone other than my husband who challenges me to set my limits high, it's her. It is one of the reasons why I love spending time with her. When we get together, it's like we are teenagers again (boy, does that feel good). We laugh, we reminisce, we make fun of each other. Basically, have a good time.

Rarely do we get more than a couple hours together (that is usually with kids), but this past weekend, we got to spend the entire weekend in Seattle having a "Girls Weekend." I had been looking forward to it for a few weeks. We went shopping, ate delicious food, went to a late movie, and stayed up way too late talking and laughing!

This is us eating dinner at PF Changs - delicious!! The chicken lettuce wraps there are mouth watering - I am salivating just remembering them!

This was us at breakfast on Sunday morning at Lowell's - a popular restaurant in Pike's Place Market. The food was fantastic, but the view was amazing. We had the perfect view of the bay and of the ferries coming in and going out. What a beautiful place we live in.

We got some great deals while shopping, hung out with some good friends, but mostly, I just enjoyed being with my sister. Lately, I have been trying to teach my children that as siblings, they will be each others life-long friends. They will be together and share life together long after I am gone, so they not only need to love each other, they need to like each other. Seester, I love you - and I like you, too! I look forward to a lifetime of friendship, laughs and girl time!

Catching up...

Sorry it has been awhile since an update. Life has been crazy. The kids are growing up SO fast! We registered Maddie for Kindergarten last week - can you even believe it? I can't!

She looks like she is seventeen! She has loved preschool this year. She taught herself the sign language alphabet, is starting to work on addition/subtraction, and is REALLY looking forward to her bowling birthday party. Her latest accomplishment was finally mastering the NickJr.com internet games for kids - it is quite hilarious to see her play the computer!


Taylor had become quite the little man!


He loves to play video games on Maddie's "pink" LeapPad game. He is already spelling, Maddie taught him the sign language alphabet, and he is looking forward to going to "school" next year (he will go to a daycare while I am in school). He loves to play with his trains and race cars, and they are both looking forward to swimming lessons and learning to ride their bikes this summer. Taylor is quite the character. He likes to laugh and tease his sister - isn't that what little brothers do?


Rick's band has gone through quite a few transitions, but they are doing better than ever. They are writing/recording some new stuff to get out and heard. Church is going really well - we love the peeps and we are going in so many different ways.

I am three days away from finishing my pre-reqs for the nursing program at Whatcom. I am turning in my application May 18, and should know by mid-June if I am accepted. Please keep me in your prayers. This will be a major change for all of us since the program will be full time for two years starting this fall. I am really excited, but nervous. The program is competitive entry, so there is a chance I won't get in - but I am hoping for the best. :-)

The kids and I are looking forward to a California trip in a couple weeks to see my dad and grandma, Rick and I are excited about a trip to the Grand Canyon in June, and a college girlfriend reunion for me in Chicago in August - this summer is going to be great!! More details later...

Hope you all are doing well! I will be better at updates - I promise. Maddie and Taylor have birthdays coming - I will be sure to post pics of the party.