Gardening

I have no clue how to garden. I am great at killing plants. Still, we have lots of space in our back yard and I am determined to grow some fruits and veggies this year.
We went to Home Depot last week and picked up some soil, starter plants and seeds. Thinking it might be easier to keep the garden in a confined space, we talked about building the garden in a raised bed.
While we were at Home Depot, I tracked down a worker and asked him where I could find the "gardening boxes" (thinking there might be a starter kit somewhere or even better, a pre-made box I could purchase).
He looked at me like I was crazy and said,
"Um, try the lumber section."
Apparently that was a ridiculous question. Great. How am I going to find the time, energy and know-how to build myself one of these?
Enter my wonderful Husband, who surprised me when I came home from my trip to Easter WA last weekend with a beautiful wooden flower bed he had made. What a treat!
Now I really feel the pressure to get this garden going...I'm sure this will be quite the learning experience for me but I'm excited to get the kids involved and give this a try

Joy at 6 months

20 lb, 2 ounces
28 inches
Eating lots of table foods, not yet rolling over, no teeth yet, smiley as ever, loves the exersaucer and johnny jump-up, likes to grab my water cup and take sips from it, if you smile at her and laugh, she'll laugh back like the two of you have an inside joke together. Love her!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Clara

We had a fun time celebrating our adorable, energetic and loveable niece today at her "Dress-Up" party:

A Weekend in the Country

I just returned from a fun weekend in Eastern WA a with some of my college friends. It's not that often that we get together, and it was such a treat. We congregated at the beautiful home of CJ and Jen and celebrated Marla's soon-to-arrive Baby Girl, visited, played with babies and ate lots of good food. I also lusted after Jen's home just a little teeny bit. Jen is so talented and has impeccable taste.
Thank you so much for welcoming us into your home, CJ and Jen. Not only is it beautiful, but it is filled with warmth and comfort. A true country retreat.

Will at 4

Will just had is 4 year old check-up. It was quite the extensive check; we were there for almost 2 hours. John and I both went and Will was loving the two-on-one Mommy/Daddy time. He also loves our pediatrician, who is not only a great doctor but a very kind man. Will enjoyed all the tests/question asking. It was like watching an episode of "Kids say the Darndest Things."
Ex: "Dr. Roskin, I sometimes get boogers in my nose but I take them out with my finger" :-)
In terms of measurements, Will is growing well at 39# and 41". After 5 shots, he is all done until age 11. He is very happy about that and is eager to tell anyone the good news.

Wonderful Day

Today felt like such a treat. Sunshine and lots of family time outside. After several months of health problems, John has been starting to have more good days than bad days. We are so thankful for this and all that God has been teaching us as He guides us through this trial. It has been so comforting to rest in Him and the knowledge that He has a perfect plan for our lives and will work everything out for His glory. We are ever humbled by His love for us.
After a nice morning at home, we spent the afternoon in West Seattle celebrating our nephew, John at his 2nd birthday party. The cousins had a blast together. I forgot to bring my camera to the bday party (darn), but here are some pictures from earlier in the day:

Jane woke up super early and wanted to make smily face pizza for breakfast. Sure, why not?


Fun in the front yard




Will's super hero cape made from an old ink-stained shirt of Johns

St Patricks Day

We had some friends over this morning to play/hang out. And seeing as it is St. Patrick's day, we of course ate lots of green food, wore green clothes, and listened to Irish music on Pandora. I don't know much about St. Patrick, but from the little I dug up on Wikipedia, he sounds like quite the man. Here are some photos from our crazy morning:

The Kids:



Kerri and Henry Whitworth

Laurel trying to avoid being pinched:

Reading List

I have always loved to read. As a child I remember devouring book after book in a cozy corner of the house.
Now that we have children, I love to read with my kids. Here are a few of my childhood favorites that I am planning to pick up from the library this week:



Once their attention span is a bit longer, I look forward to introducing them to some of my other childhood favorites like these:





Have any children's books you love? I'd love to hear your recommendations!