Haircut

Seoul got a hair cut. Doesn't she look excited? Unfortunately I okayed them to take off more than I intended but it looks cute and Seoul likes it.

{January 2013}

Seoul's 4th Birthday!

I can't believe we have a 4-year-old! She is so excited about being 4.

The last six months has brought amazing growth and change in our beautiful girl! She has become more independent and sociable! (a day I never thought I'd see!) Of course she's still our smartie pants - writes and draws all the time, along with knowing lots of sight words and beginning to read on her own. Lately it's all about asking questions - she has an insatiable curiosity and still has a great memory. Asserting her independence, she is definitely trying to figure out her emotions and energies.

Per "tradition" (as dictated by Seoul since we did it at Sydney's birthday and she had to have the same), we started the day with donuts and chocolate milk. The really funny thing is that she doesn't drink chocolate milk. A new birthday shirt and socks rounded out the morning breakfast.

Then we had play group with our friends. Adrienne planned a super fun activity with balloons and fly swatters. The girls always play together, even with all the other kids around. Adrienne also did a science experiment blowing up a balloon with yeast. The kids were enthralled! We ended with the mini cupcakes Seoul brought to share with her friends. Such a fun morning!

For a birthday lunch we went to Chipotle with Daddy in Portland. Since Kelley wouldn't be home after work she opened her family gifts in the car - a set of beginner Encyclopedias. She was really into the Rocks and Earth books first.

Her favorite...

... color is red.

... letters are S and T.

... songs are I Am a Child of God, Picture a Christmas, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

... games are Treasure Hunt and Tag.

... princesses are Ariel, Rapunzel, and Melody (Ariel's daughter).

Happy 4th Birthday Princess!!

Just one more silly photo of our big girl that we love so dearly!

Pinewood Derby

Canby 2nd Ward has some fun ward activities. This was a Pinewood Derby. We weren't awesome enough to win but the girls had a lot of fun.

{January 2013}

romantic getaway

Kelley treated me to a getaway in January. It was a combination celebration of our wedding anniversary, his new job, and time together before the baby comes. It was fun driving together and just being able to talk and laugh without entertaining little ones. First we hit up Seaside to stretch our legs and get something to eat. Must love the Pig 'N Pancake for breakfast all day long! We rode the carousel and walked the beach. Lots of hand-holding and talking... it's been far too long :) Fortunately the weather was beautiful today! The interesting thing was watching this gentleman measure, mark out, and scientifically set up the launch of his kite. The disturbing thing was a dead seal that we saw being kicked by kids then beheaded and dismembered for samples by some scientists. Ugh.

Next we headed up the coast to check in at the Cannery Pier Hotel and look around Astoria. Our room was right over the water with a fantastic view... of the fog :) No beautiful sunset this time around. We booked the car that came to take us to any restaurant of our choice. We checked out the beautiful room and ship-gazed for a bit with the binoculars that were provided. Later we went down to the lobby for a wine & cheese tasting. No worries, we didn't indulge in wine but the cheese and hot chocolate were super yummy!

The funny thing is that we were excited to watch some cable TV since we don't have it at home. I napped. Then we were picked up by a chauffeur in a Cadillac to go to the Silver Salmon Grille. Unfortunately my salmon wasn't cooked and my dessert wasn't the best so it wasn't the best dining experience I've ever had but Kelley's food was yummy. Always an adventure with us, and being "unclassy" we didn't know the driver would automatically come back to pick us up in a couple hours. Oh well - it made us laugh.

Borderline TMI (sorry!), I indulged in a bath because the tub was longer than I was tall! Spectacular.

We loved the King size bed. I loved sleeping through the night with no interruption. Ironically I felt drowsy all day the next day because I am not used to getting so much sleep. We did sleep in a bit. Then we enjoyed the continental breakfast before heading out to the Columbia River Maritime Museum. It was neat to wander and see the various exhibits. We drove up to the Astoria Column but we didn't walk up. Last time we went up I threw a plane from the top and it was a bad throw so I told Kelley to catch it. Sweet man that he is he tried... and he's scared of heights. So it wasn't a great experience for him. The weather was icky today. Then we drove down the coast sightseeing. We ended up in Lincoln City to eat at Mo's. We got some salt water taffy for the girls, then headed home.

The girls had fun with their cousins - grateful for their generosity in baby-sitting. They didn't even miss us :)

It was a lovely weekend - thanks Kelley! I love that we're married, that we're best friends, and we have such a great future in store for us. Congratulations to us for all our blessings :)

For the record Kelley was down 28.2 pounds and I was 26 weeks pregnant.

{January 2013}

Seoul trying...

... to make a sad face for a preschool activity. I don't think she was very successful - silly girl! She is beautiful, though!

{January 2013}

Pledge of Allegiance

In preschool the kids learned the Pledge of Allegiance. The girls wanted to do it on video. I know, not the most optimal circumstances but still cute nonetheless.

As a note, this video is from January. Sydney speaks much better than that now - she repeats whole phrases.

{January 22, 2013}

family birthday party

Boy the girls sure are loved and spoiled! We had a separate family birthday party this year. The girls wanted a butterfly cake. We kept it simple: yummy food, visiting and laughter, with the tradition of sharing memories of the girls on cards for their journals. We missed Dubbee and Aunt Kendy at the festivities.

After blowing out the candles, the kids snuck tastes of the frosting - yum!

more family love

Boy do we have awesome family! It's always fun to visit with cousin Cason, Aunt Klorissa, and Uncle AJ! They came up for the girls' birthday party as well as late Christmas gift exchange. It's always a good time :)

Kelley has a new job

Kelley started his new job at Bonneville Power Administration (contracted through TEKsystems) mid-January. There is always a learning curve and adjustment period but he is enjoying it. The financial benefits are superb, and it turns out it was a good time to leave Legacy. He does miss the great friends he made at Legacy but he still keeps in touch with them.

He is an Application Packager Level 3, which means he virtualizes applications that are delivered through BPA's My PC environment, also known as virtual desktop. Got that? :) Or in his words, "I get paid a lot to do a little. Pretty much I'm a hacker."

Here is a picture from Kelley's phone - early morning hours.