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!

Lauren Grace

Lauren Grace.  Baby Lauren.  Lauren Gracie.  BLG.  Snuggle Bug.  Baby L.

I know, she's not a baby anymore.  But she's our baby...and too young to protest the title.  So we use it.  Probably will for a bit longer.

Lauren loves adventure!  Climbing, running, jumping, and getting into things.  She wants to attempt to do everything that Elise does.  The height factor is quite debilitating, but doesn't slow her down.  She gets into mischief daily and attempts things that even her big sister is not brave enough for.  Forging new roads is her expertise.  She is small and limber and I wish I had a picture of the crazy locations she has wiggled herself into.

She is often very quiet.  She is amazing at hide and seek...a game she adores!  She can find places that are really great places to hide and she can sit quietly, still something Elise has yet to learn.  This is troublesome at times, sadly we have lost her in our house on several occasions.  Seriously, we have had a few panic stricken moments looking for her.  None the less, our front door is constantly locked.

Lauren can't get enough water.  She loves it.  She climbs into the bathtub at any opportunity.  She often chases me down, ripping off clothes, shouting "shower mommy!"  She loves splashing and does not mind it if the water is in her face.  I am fearful around pools with her because she has no hesitation about the water.

Lauren loves the consistency of reading a few of her favorite books over and over.  Bedtimes are usually pretty predictable.

She loves to snuggle.  She is very affectionate and enjoys curling up in your lap for a good book.

Her favorite toy right now is her baby.  She drags it along constantly and loves to snuggle her.   Surprise surprise!  She loves to sleep with her baby, push it in her stroller, and give her hugs and kisses and tuck the baby into bed.  So precious!

Like her sister, Lauren loves to be outside.  We often have teary meltdowns when we come in the house after playing outside.  She doesn't mind that her lips are blue and fingers freezing.

She too, loves adventures.  When daddy gets a SWAT call and is packing, she disappears into her room to pack as well.  She usually manages to put on shoes and put her lovie and baby into her backpack and waits at the door, telling me "bye bye mommy."  She is so sad when her daddy has to leave, but is usually happy after watching him speed away with his lights on.

Lauren loves chocolate *awe* a girl after my own heart!  Seriously, we have to hide it around my house.  She has a sweet tooth like her momma, but I love that about her!

Unlike her big sister.  Lauren loves to go to bed in at night and for naps.  There are many times she skips lunch and heads upstairs with her lovie in tow to go to sleep.  She squeals and is delighted when we lay her down at night for bed.  And, she loves to get up in the morning.  She is an early riser and has a huge smile plastered on her face.  If only my children were wired the same.  It would make life a little more simple, but where is the fun in that?

Lastly, and certainly not least Lauren is stubborn.  Wow, it's wild how or one year old can hold her own.  Scott tells me she get's it from his dad, Steve.  But I have my own suspensions.

The joys these two monsters bring to our family.

Elise Kylie

Elise loves attention.

She likes to sing, dance, and preform, and often demands for us to sit and watch as she entertains.  Her favorite part about Cubbies is when she stands on the stage and sings in an empty church once everyone leaves.

She is bossy.  I often find myself reminding her that I am the mommy, as she attempts to discipline Lauren, much to her sisters angst.

She is very melodramatic. This is lovely when the tears turn into giggles.  

She is getting more strong willed and I have found myself dealing with a few ugly 4-year-old tantrums.  But she hates to disappoint us and usually is quick to apologize.

Her imagination often surprises both Scott and I.  She has an amazing ability to create a wonderful fantasy in any situation.  She does not have make believe friends, per se, but she is always talking about pretend people.

Elise is really into movies, Shrek is her favorite of the week.  She would watch it over and over all day long if we allowed her to.  However, thankfully she is 4 and easily distractable.

She loves books and reading, every night at bedtime she chooses a new book.

She really loves coloring and drawing.  She has mastered drawing a flower.  I am impressed.  This is new for her and she is so proud of herself.

She loves to travel.  She enjoys exploring new places and asking questions.  Sleeping in a hotel is beyond exciting for her, and she is very jealous that daddy sleeps in hotels so often, something he does not enjoy.

She loves to don her apron and help cook, clean, and do dishes.  If I get her a chair and a scrub brush she can easily spend 20 minutes cleaning the plates.  Score 1 point mommy & daddy.

She has to be cohersed into the shower, unless it's at Dammy & Papa's and she eagerly hops into the tub.

She likes to stay up late and sleep in, in the mornings.  She is a little grumpy in the mornings, but after 20 minutes she is ready for anything.

She eats most anything.  Usually willing to try anything once, and loves going to Bill and Praries House for lunch (Happy Horse.)

My favorite quote of the week:  "Mommy, I don't want a boy, just the ring." After she asked when she can get a ring like my wedding ring.

She adores her family, and her little sister!  She is quick to consul Lauren after little sister gets hurt, and always worries about her sissy.  When I picked her up from the babysitters without Lauren last year to have a special afternoon with just her, there were tears.  She didn't want to leave Lauren.  Not what I imagined, but it made my heart happy.  

Aloha!

January 26, 2012.  At 4:40 in the morning (PST) I was lacing up my running shoes.  At the exact same moment in time, Melissa was in Hawaii loading up in the car to watch the sunrise from Haleakala in Maui.  Awe, sometimes I wish to trade places with her, and this is one of those times.

Needless to say, what a super thoughtful sister I have. While home for lunch the FedEx man stopped by my home.  Not an unusual occurence...we do live in the sticks.  I will be expecting a coffee filter shipment next week because Safeway (our one grocery store) does not carry the ones we need for are camp trailer.  Seriously, who has to order coffee filters via mail...this gal.  I digress.

Back to the story, she and Matt mailed our daughters beautiful leis.  Authentic from their Hawiian vacation.  When our girls got home they were elated!  They were absolutely beautiful, more so than expected after the FedEx trip to Oregon.

Thank you Auntie and Uncle Matt for bringing these smiles to our faces!  Have a wonderful time escaping the Alaskan winter and enjoy those sunny beaches!

And, yes there were cute photos.  Lost in my organizational system.  Sorry!

Aloha!