Crazy child!

Here's what happens (click here) when Natalie wants my phone, earrings and/or necklace and can't get her hands on them!

New favorite game

Sometimes the fancy toys don't cut it. Sometimes old enamel bowls are the way to go! Here are 2 videos (click here and click here) proving just that.

Break-through!

It's there (bottom right). Barely visible, but there.

Something to smile about

Guess what? Natalie is getting a tooth! Her front, bottom, left.
She'll be so cute once her little pearl starts shining!

Always, Mommy?

Every time I put Ashley to bed I sing her "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be", and on the second verse I end with "...my Ashley you'll be." I stole the lyrics (but made my own tune) from the book "Love You Forever" - a favorite of mine when I was a little girl.
Lately after I put Ashley down and tuck her in, she'll ask me as I'm leaving the room "Always again, Mommy?" I'm a sucker for Tucked-In-Eyes-Closed-Sucking-Her-Thumb Ashley, so I sing the last verse one last time as I'm walking out of her room, but tonight she caught me. As I was leaving she didn't ask me "Always again, Mommy?" Instead she said "Always for Sister too, Mommy? You always love Sister too? I always love Sister. Always, Mommy?"
Even when the world isn't going my way, my girls can warm my heart and make me smile. I love watching Natalie grow and develop. It's fun watching her little personality shine through. Ashley is at such an amazing stage that I want to soak up every second with her. She's learning so quickly and wants to experience everything imaginable. There are times when she makes me bonkers, but her spirit is amazing and her heart is pure.
I am truly blessed in every sense of the word.

Family is everything

It can't wait...

...I just have to share this picture of our Spunky. This was taken earlier this week up in Bellingham at Shaun and Lindsay's house.

If this doesn't make you smile...

Swinging good time

It's no surprise Ashley loves the swing, but while we were in Bellingham we found out that she has another love for swings: pushing Natty Kat in them! Check it out (click here).

Just had to share

Here are a few pictures from dinner the other night at my parent's house. There's no way I'd ever give up these girls!

No doubt about it...
...I love food!
Flower picking

Take a little trip

We recently took a trip up to Bellingham. Even though the car ride is looong, it's certainly worth it once we get up there. Ashley absolutely adores her Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Shaun, and it's always fun to get to see them. The girls didn't sleep much on the drive up there and instead spent most of their time keeping Kathy busy entertaining them. Thanks for taking the backseat, Kathy! I would have switched!
Ashley was so excited to see Lindsay, but all of the sudden it's like she hit a wall and realized how tired she was! Here are a few pictures of our first night in Bellingham.

Got my cartoons. Got my couch. Got my chips. What more could I need?
Come chill with me, Daddy

Smiles!

Guess who loves her Aunt Angie?

Out like a light

Another reason I love taking Ashley to the water park? It wears her out!

Splish splash!

I took advantage of the rare summer-weather and spent the afternoon at the water park with the girls. Natalie had never been in a pool before and she LOVED it more then I can even explain. She was crawling all over the place, splashing, putting her face in the water and just enjoying life. Ashley was a little apprehensive of the water at first, but slowly got more comfortable and was eventually walking into chest-deep water by herself. I wish I had the opportunity to take her swimming everyday because I know that's what she needs in order to feel more comfortable in the pool. But for the time being we'll just enjoy the special days we have at the water park, splashing each other and making memories. I love summertime with my water babies!

Getting ready to shoot the water gun
Spending my time cruising the beach
Sun beauty
Ker-splat!
So much fun!

Cousin loving

Last week we met up for a BBQ at my parents hours. My cousin's kiddos are all in town for a while and they *love* playing with Ashley almost as much as she loves playing with them!

"Momma I pway and color with my cuz-ins!"
left-to-right
Jessi, Taylir holding Natty Kat, Midget and Kole
Eating popsicles
Snitching angel food cake
Kiss kiss!
I love playing with my cousins!
Zooooom!
Listening to Uncle John's funny accent
That's a good look Aunt Sandi
Gosh take a seat Aunt Melinda
Having fun
One more crazy joins the group
Worn out from all that play

Girl power

Me and my sweeties

Learning the hard way

When I was at Farmer's Market on Wednesday and the girls were hanging out with Kathy, Andy was going to take Ashley outside to play in the hammock. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but Ashley started crying and getting really upset. From what I understand Ashley was shaking, crying and her little hand was swelling. Turns out she got bit by a wasp: once on the top of her hand, another on the bottom. By the time I got there her hand and arm were red and swollen; poor little sausage fingers! Luckily the only reaction she seemed to be having was swelling and redness, so I gave her a good dose of Benadryl and lots of love and hugs. The rest of the afternoon and well into the evening she kept telling us she got bit by a bee and that her hand hurt. She was pretty cranky for the rest of the day, but who can blame her? I'm sure it was traumatizing for poor Midget. It certainly was for me since we didn't know if she'd be allergic or not (I am)!
First wasp bite. As far as 'firsts' go, we could have skipped this one!

Busy at being slow

So I've been getting a little flack lately for not updating the blog as quickly as I once did. I know, I know. I'm slow! But get off my back because I'm busy! Busy at being slow!!!
Many of you know I started working for the amazing, the incredible, the delicious and yummy Blue Raeven Farmstand a few months ago and I.LOVE.IT! It started out as Wednesday Markets in Salem and has slowly grown to include working in the Farmstand and soon-to-be Saturday Market in Salem. I cannot tell you how much fun it is making pies, selling pies, being surrounded by pies and of course eating pies! I feel so fortunate to have met Ron and Jamie (Blue Raeven Farm and Farmstand owners) and that they've given me the opportunity to represent their business by working for them. Of course it means I have to be away from the girls for a few hours every week, but lucky for me (and them!) they get to spend the day with either Kathy and Danny or my mom and dad. A very HUGE and special thank you to them for helping me out and playing babysitter.
So if it's been a while since I updated the blog or shared pictures, I'm sorry but I've been busy and up to my elbows in yummy goodness. And I might as well throw this out there too: if you haven't been by Blue Raeven Farmstand, boy are you missing out! Get down there! Get a pie! Get some quickbread! Get some fresh and local produce and veggies! You have NO IDEA what you're missing!
Oh, and they're on Facebook. Maybe someday I will be too...

We're in love with our girls

And that's that.

It makes Mommy crazy, but as soon as I see the camera I silence my giggles and put away my smile
Life is good...
...and then I remember how tired it makes me
Wow Big Sister's so fast she's just a blur on camera!

I didn't forget

I'm still working on getting through all of the pictures from Katie's wedding. Today I have shots of the actual ceremony. Aww. It's all love, love, love. Special thanks to Jackson for taking most of these pictures. Great shots, Jax!

Lessgo Momma!

I just love taking this walk with my Jakey
Shaun and Emily
Abe and Jessie
I think his name is Steve and Nika
Not-sure-of-his-name (I'm not sure I ever even met him?!) and Angie
Best Man Nate and Matron of Honor Lindsay
Her last chance to wow 'em with her flower girl abilities and she walks down the aisle with a cup full of ice, crunching a piece in her mouth, and then squats right in front of the groomsmen. Oh well. At least she had fun!
Here comes the bride!
Isn't she lovely? Isn't she marvelous?
It got a little windy during the ceremony
Even Pastor John tried to keep Katie's veil under control
I do!
Rico Suave
My job's done - now it's time to dance!
Check out all that loot
I love my grandma and Grandma loves me!
Now introducing Mister and Misses Andrew Lee
Adorable Henderson
Is that music I hear?