Ski Bunny in the making...

On Sunday Emma's Dad came home just in time to head up to Baker with Ted and Kyla. The girls are taking ski lessons together. Kyla had a hard time getting started but once she got it there was no turning back. By the end of the lesson the girls were turning and stopping like pros. They have a few more weeks of lessons. Kyla came home excited and energized by her accomplishment and Ted was happy to have someone else take on the task of teaching for a bit.

Sleepover...

We had Kyla's friend Emma this weekend while her parents were out of town. The girls had a ton of fun playing, watching movies, going for a midnight stroll to check out the stars. (It was only 7pm but they had on their pjs and they thought it was pretty cool).

Great Finds...

I have been searching for some items to add to a plant shelf in our living room. I have been looking for about a year. I found these items at Target. The plate and stand were originally $30 marked down by mistake for $9.98. The candle holder was on sale for $9.98 and I already had the candle. Not bad for $20. Now I just need a plant and I am all set. I love a good bargain (even if it is a bargain by mistake).

A spring teaser...

We have had sunny but very chilly days lately. We are not complaining though. It has been nice and dry! Friday it actually warmed up enough to have our lunch outside. By warm I mean in the mid 30's. We were surprised when we found a bush full of ladybugs to play with. Nothing more fun for the girls then to find ladybugs. Now if we could only find some fairies....

Music, Music and more Music...

We came across this today. Our new favorite!

Lemon Bread...

I made this yummy Lemon Bread today. It was super easy and so good. I did add one additional tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the batter and added a bit more conf sugar to the glaze. I will definitely be making this again.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
GLAZE:
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, lemon juice and peel. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; stir into creamed mixture alternately with milk. Pour into a greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until bread tests done. Combine glaze ingredients. Remove bread from pan; immediately drizzle with glaze. Cool on a wire rack.

I wish I could wrap up the loaf and take it to my sister who is in the hospital with some Kidney troubles. We love you and are thinking about you. I am so excited that you will Finally find some relief to your pain.

The Sun Seeker...

Like most people our dog Maddie is not just "a dog". She is part of our family, our first "kid", and truly part human. She loves the sun more than I do and spends a lot of time finding just the right spot to soak up as many rays as she can. This morning she found a few beams on the staircase. This pictures cracks me up. Take a look at how she is sitting.

Barack Obama...

Today is a new beginning! I am excited to share in this amazing moment in history. As I listened to the President's speech today, I felt like he really understands the fears and worries that are weighing so heavily on many of us. He was reassuring, but he made it clear that we all have a responsibility to make it better. That we will need to be patient and we will need to work together. This country has certainly been through some tough times before but the key is that we always pick up, dust off, and carry on. I feel inspired. I feel motivated. I feel responsible to help. We are the change.

Bathroom remodel...

Soon we hope to start on our bathroom remodel. This is my inspiration. I have always wanted an orange room.

Happy Days...

I love the sun!!! Ted and I were treated to some non-kid time today when my friend offered to take the girls for the day. We had lunch, shopped for a new book, and went for a long walk at Whatcom Falls. It was a great day! Thanks Lark!

Jill's crash and burn...

Yesterday while Ted and Kyla were skiing Jill and I had a great day playing outside in the sun! All the neighbors were out riding bikes, swinging, chalking, etc...It was so nice. At the end of the day Jill and her buddy Cole were racing down the hill and Jill had a major crash and burn. Scratched up her glasses, cut open her lip and scraped up her nose. She was fine after a popsicle. Today you can see her nose. The inside of her lip isn't so pretty but I will spare you that picture.

Billy & Kyla sitting in a tree...

So you all remember Billy, Kyla's friend. Well the other day his mom called me and told me that Billy has been talking a lot about Kyla and that he thinks he loves her and wants to ask her to marry him. So after our phone conversation I asked Kyla if Billy has been spending time with her at school and she said well he told me he loved me at circle time yesterday. I said really and what did you say? Kyla said "Well I wasn't sure what I was suppose to do with that. I'm only five."

Jill and Hazel...

On friday Jill had her friend Hazel over for a few hours while Kyla was at school. Both girls are 3 and I am always amazed at how well they communicate and get along. The played ponies for 2 hours. Acting out scenes and singing made up songs. It was so fun to listen in from the other room. I am so glad we have such great neighbors for the kids to play with.

Kyla skiing...

Kyla and Ted headed up to Mount Baker today for Kyla's first attempt on the slopes. The weather was absolutely incredible. Ted said Kyla did amazing! She had a great time and I am so excited for her. I have so many great memories skiing. We hope to make this a family sport and get Jill and myself on the slopes next year. So many memories to be made.

Another Just Jill moment....

We like to ask Jill to go check and see what time it is. For about a year she would always tell us 6:45. Lately she has been more creative. Such as our conversation today...

Me: Jill. What time is it?
Jill: 1 S O O
Me: But S and O are not numbers. I think you mean 1 2 0 0. So what time would that be?
Jill: 7 7 9
Me: Do you see a 7 or a 9?
Jill: No.
Me: Then how can it be 7:79?
Jill: Because I am Jill and I say it mean and that is it!**

**I think she has heard me say many times "Because I am your mom and I mean it."

Jill a jammin'

Jill received a Barbie guitar with headset for Christmas yesterday and she has been jammin' ever since. It is hilarious! I will try to get some video of her rockin' out.

Wisdom Commons...

Found this on a friend's blog. I absolutely love it. Take a look.

Thanks for sharing Sue!

The last of the Holiday Celebrations...

Sunday we had our family Christmas Dinner with the DeGross Clan. It was a few weeks late but definitely worth the wait. It was great seeing everyone and it is amazing how all the kids get along so well. They are all growing up way too fast. The food was amazing and there was tons of crafts, movies and games for the kids. Thank you Mom and Gerrie for a wonderful night! As we were leaving Kyla said she just didn't understand how she could be so lucky!! I have to agree with her.

Kyla, Jessica and Jill enjoying desert.

Taylor, M'Shaiya, Jimmy, Jill and Grandma

All the kids with Grandpa and Grandma.

Jimmy checking out his new dartboard.

The kids table.

Tay and D'Marco hanging out. I think they enjoying having each other to chat with. Jess is showing of her gymnastic skills.

Making necklaces. Even Uncle Mark helped out. Thanks to Aunt Michelle for taking on the girls as usually. I always get a nice break when she is around.

Ted and Mark telling stories and catching up. You can always here them laughing.

The girls making more jewelry.

We also got to have lunch at our favorite restaurant with Grandpa Mike to open gifts and celebrate a late Christmas. The girls always love going to the Outback. We as always are treated like royalty. Thanks Dad for a great time. Next time I won't forget my camera!

Dinner with G'ma & G'pa

On Saturday Grandma Kay and Grandpa Bob came up to have dinner and play games with us. We had lots of fun teaching them all about Cariboo and CandyLand. Thanks for making the drive up in such yucky weather. We always love having you!

This is what we have been doing this week...

Kyla's drawing of the Barbies from Diamond Castle.

Watercolors

One of Jill's masterpieces.

...and lots of playdates with the neighbors! Yea!

Peaceful and Safe...

My dear husband has finally fell asleep after working non-stop day and night since 6am Tuesday morning. We have had historic flooding in the Pacific Northwest and the rain continues to fall but is starting to let up ever so slightly. The roads, lakes, rivers, pump stations, etc...are all slowly coming back to safe levels. So Ted has finally left the Emergency Response Center. I am so happy that he has finally fallen asleep with his dog and blackberry by his side. The only problem is that he fell asleep on the couch in the family room and we have an open floor plan. Which means I can't do anything right now. No laundry, vacuuming, dishes...
Wait. Did I say that was a problem???
No I mean Hooray! I can go read my new book without any guilt knowing I am helping my husband sleep peacefully. .

p.s. Maddie does not sleep well when Ted is gone at night so she is happy to have him home. And she scooted this pillow over from the other side of the room to get snuggly right bedside her big fella.

Kyla & the Diamond Castle...

Kyla or I guess both girls for that matter love Barbies. They spend hours playing up in Kyla's room re-enacting scenes from books or movies. Their current obsession is Barbie and the Diamond Castle which they got for Christmas along with the matching dolls, Soundtrack, books, etc... Here is Kyla performing one of the songs. This song is continuously playing all day long.

Note: It should be protected not protective but Kyla insisted she is saying it right. So cute.

Kyla-another Barbie song...

Bobs and Lolo...

At the aquarium we were lucky to hear a fun singing performance by Bobs and Lolo. They were performing at the Aquarium during the holidays and we just happen to catch the last show. The girls really enjoyed it. You should check them out if you get a chance! http://www.bobsandlolo.com/

On the way up....

On the drive up North we saw at least 35 Bald Eagles. We stopped counting after 35. They were lining the highway. It was such an amazing sight. As we crossed the border into the U.S. there was one perched on a post almost like it was welcoming you. It was so incredible. I wish I had my camera up front. I caught these pictures on our way home. It was definitely a sight to see.

Trip up North...

We headed up to Vancouver BC today to hit the Aquarium and explore Stanley Park. Two of our favorite places to go. We were excited to see Tika the Baby Beluga and sang our hearts out to her. You know the song...Baby Beluga by Raffi. We hit all the exhibits this time and had a great time. Here are some of our favorite shots.

These eels were so cute. Like little worms sticking out of the sand.