Happy Birthday

Today Allie turns 4 years old. And she could not be more proud!! It is amazing to think our little girl is 4 years old.

To celebrate, we had family over for lunch and opened a few gifts.


Then, we headed over to McMinnville Aquatic Center for cake and swimming with friends.


After cake, it was time to get into the pool.

Making the cake

Tomorrow is a special day, and today we are getting ready. Do you know what happens tomorrow? Do you know how we are going to celebrate?

Planting time

Today the sun came out and it called us to go outside and enjoy. Shannon was playing with Kenai, and W Daddy and Allie decided to plant bulbs (yep, we are a little late on this).



At one point, Kenai decides to help. Notice what he is planting?


Then the whole family gets involved... how many shaver humans and dogs does it take to plant some bulbs??


After a little work, it got done. All enjoyed their time outside, and we even accomplished something off our to-do list!!!

Story Time... one of those moments you just treasure!!!

Is there anything more precious? I mean really..

So, as if the pictures were not enough...

Boy, it does start early

Allie got this little computer from Leap Frog as an early birthday gift from Aunt Kris and Uncle Ross. She loves it. She has become a huge fan of computer games, and we are a bit excited to have her off our Mac and on her own little computer. It uses a tv as the monitor, and has a mouse and keyboard. Thank you Aunt Kris and Uncle Ross.

AC Gilbert Museum

We decided it was time for a family outing to somewhere new, and we had been meaning to head south to Salem to try out a little museum there for kiddos.. so off we went. Here is how the website describes it....

" A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village offers year-round fun with indoor & outdoor interactive exhibits that promote learning through play. Kids & adults alike enjoy our three historic houses & 20,000-square-foot Outdoor Discovery Center. The hands-on children’s museum invites families & groups to enjoy a truly unique educational experience in Salem, Oregon’s Riverfront Park" Click here to find out more.

Crazy.. this guy, AC Gilbert was a Olympic gold medalist in the pole vault, earned an MD from yale, and went on to invent the Erect0r set. Hmm.. he was a busy guy.

Well, once we arrived, it was not exactly what I was expecting, but was a real treat. Each room had a theme, and it was very educational, hands on and fun for the kiddos.. especially Allie.

I forgot to get my camera out until the end, but here are a few shots...




Allie is uncovering dinosaur bones here with some little boy.

Breakfast Girls

Have I mentioned lately how much my girls love breakfast. Let me tell you. They wake up ready for cereal. Screaming for cereal. Actually, Allie wants Lucky Charms right away (thank you Aunt Kim) and Shannon wants cream of wheat with a side of lucky charms. Allie then enjoys a second bowl of cereal. Then we take a break.

One hour later. 2nd Breakfast. Usually something more substantial (after a couple cups of coffee, mom and dad are better able to make a full meal). today it was eggs. Burrito for Allie. They love helping make the breakfast...

And eating the breakfast...

A girl and her dogs

Does this look familiar?


Perhaps this is why... go back 3 years....


Think they might be related? these girls love their doggies!!!

I am a big girl now...

Last week Shannon had a fever for 3 days... and during this time, in addition to being cranky and not wanting to eat.. she also REFUSED the bottle. She would only drink water or juice from a sippy cup. Now, before this.. Shannon drank about 24 oz of milk a day.. she loved her bottle. But cold turkey she quit. Then, when she started to feel better, we decided if she can go four days... enough. and that was it. Weaned from Bottle. Check. (granted, this was her and we don't get the credit.. but weaned none the less).

Good morning!

Early morning story time with Dad.

Nap time?

Proof she is part monkey.

Thanks for Visiting, James!!

A good friend came to visit for the holidays. It is always nice to have James around. As our girls get older, they are also enjoying having him around, as he is so good with them and plays with them.


While he was here, the girls enjoyed using his new laptop and his Iphone. I think Allie is hooked on the I phone.



Also, again this year, he came bearing gifts for the girls. Don't they look great? Actually, this is Allie's outfit from last year... this years outfit is pink and orange and equally adorable.. but give the time of year, we thought the red and green would be fitting!!



Thanks for a great visit James!!

Tea Time

Allie got a new tea set for Christmas (thank you Uncle Ross and Aunt Kris). It was a special tea set that she got to paint. She took her time and painted each piece a different color. She didnt want to do any designs, just different colors.


In the end, it turned out super cute.


And the girls have been enjoying using them.