Spring Was Here!

As many know, spring in Lakeview is a very confusing time.  Elise asks why she cannot wear her "summer" clothes when it appears to be beautiful outside.  I usually reply with something like, "it will be snowing in an hour."  This is usually a very true statement.  Today it has been beautiful, snowed on several different occasions, hailed, and generally overcast.  But, we had a beautiful St. Patricks Day.  We ventured out for the parade and festivities that our community has to offer.  The girls loved it!

With Alida & Matthew Finetti.  

We have been enjoying some down time at home.  Here is what is happening around our house these days:

* We have some intense games of Hide and Go Seek.  It's really cute when it's just the two girls playing.  Lauren usually covers her eyes and says, "1-2-9-20, I toming!"  Actually, Lauren is a great hider.  She it really quite when she hides, something Elise is still unable to do.  They love to hide in the kitchen cabinets.

* I am a little embarrassed to share this story, but they love to "play doggie."  Lauren is the dog and crawls around barking.  Elise is usually shouting commands to her sister and giving her pets on the head.  

* Elise continues to be really into playing "restaurant."  She is the "cooker" and serves up some delicious food to her sister.  

* And I can't forget the laundry basket....its a race car some days and a wild ride others.  They take turns pushing each other around in it.  They occasionally get a ride from mommy....it always elicits huge smiles!

* They have learned some amazing fort building skills from Scott.  They are always dragging out numerous blankets to make forts or have sleepovers.

*Right now they are really into hot chocolate.  It's the favorite of the month at our home.  Both girls love it and ask for it daily.  Oh, and drinking tea like mommy.

* Elise is more interested in what we do when we leave home.  She is really curious about daddy's job.  We have had some interesting dinner conversations about what he does.  We usually just try to tell her that daddy helps keep people safe, but that doesn't seems to be enough anymore.  She likes to ask about jail and why daddy has a gun.  Hmmm...not something they teach you in recruit school.  None the less, their favorite part about daddy leaving is his lights.  After Elise figured out that daddy's car is equipped with some flashy lights she is constantly requesting to see them.  He usually cooperates and I wish he could hear the cheering and excitement that goes on as we watch him pull away.  

As usual, not many dull moments here in Lakeview.  I better get back to the laundry before the girls wake up....I am sure they will be wanting some hot chocolate. 

Our favorite places...

SEASIDE: one of our favorite Oregon Coast locations.  Too bad it's a really long drive....and I did it alone with the girls.  It was much more painful for me than Elise & Lauren.  This entitles me to brag a little: we did it with three stops, something that would not have been possible with Scott.  We enjoyed a long break for lunch in Eugene, enough to put the girls back to sleep.  Yes, I was the mom chasing her girls all over...

Scott was training at Camp Rilea (between Seaside & Astoria) and eagerly awaiting our arrival.  Actually, the promise of dinner with daddy made our trek across Oregon much more enjoyable.  Scott tells me the weather was beautiful the whole week, sadly Friday was our only decent day.  None the less, it is the Oregon Coast...in March.  Elise enjoyed digging in the sand and searching for shells and Lauren was mesmerized by the water.

Much of the trip was a "staycation"  as we enjoyed the views from the comfort of our room.  The girls played for hours with Lego's and we had a couple family movie nights.  As you can see, Lauren brought her baby doll, which she is tucking into bed.  The girls did really great sharing a room, it was a big highlight.  Along with the morning spent in bed watching cartoons, a novelty in itself.

Saturday we ventured back into the city.  Scott spent the day with the girls at the Children's Museum, always a golden ticket.  It was perfect for the rainy day and the girls had a blast! I headed over to the convention center for a scrap show.  I meet my mom and Melinda and we had a fantastic day.  We finished the night with some shopping downtown and dinner.  It's always a treat to ride the Max, the girls love it!  Again, it's the small things!

It was a wonderful family vacation!  And here is how it ended:

We woke up to snow on the beach.  It was beautiful, and yes it was raining when we arrived home in Lakeview.  Who would have thought.  

Sick Butterfly

Our Lauren Bug was a sick girl on her 2nd Birthday.  She was just getting over a really bad cold and her eyes were still infected.  We spent most of the night snuggling, all she really wanted on this particular day.

What's all the fuss about?

Presents opening was a little difficult.  The usual gusto was long gone.  Here we are trying to get her excited for the gifts Elise chose for her sister.  

Yes, Elise chose clothes for her little sister.  Those who know me, know I hate toys...and no I didn't force Elise to choose clothes for Lauren.  It was pretty cute when Elise was shopping, she wanted to find the perfect outfit for sissy...purple shirt, shorts, and flower sandals.  I was happy to oblige :)

Here is the party girl, getting some snuggles from Grandma Lou.  There were plenty of laps she was welcome in this particular night.

Lauren loves books!  We decided to have "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" party.  Super cute, thanks Pinterest for the fantastic ideas!

This is all the smile she could muster...poor thing!

Despite the look on her face, the biggest highlight for Lauren was blowing out the candles.  That girl is obsessed with fire!

Enjoying some delicious cupcakes!

And one of big sister.  Elise was a super helper and did a great job letting Lauren enjoy her special day.  Sadly, Elise was not the center of attention (for a change).  But she was over her cold, and was more able to enjoy the festivities than Lauren.

Awe.  My baby is 2.

I couldn't help but feel bittersweet on this particular birthday.  

But what a joy to watch these two grow up.  

We Got Flocked!

LHS seniors are doing a fundraiser and we were one of the latest recipients.  It's a migrating flock of pink flamingos, super cute idea!

When the girls got up in the morning they were super excited that there was snow.  And even more excited to find the pink flamingos in our front yard.  They wanted to immediately go outside and play with them.  

So they did, when daddy got home....he is the fun one.

Ta Da!  A snowman too!  Sadly, it's only our second of the winter.  Yes, Lauren is starting to cry because mommy just told her we need to go inside for dinner after the photo op.  

Alas, the simple joys of life!