Special Visit

We had a special visit this week from our friends Constance and Richard Sipe. Their daughter, Carmen, is my best friend from WSU and our families became close during those 4 years, and they often joke that I'm their "adoptive daughter", making Cassidy a very special "adoptive granddaughter"! Cassidy took the role seriously and played hostess with the mostest starting with wanting to take them over to the barn to meet Ziggy. Along the way she shared her special huckelberry bush (which I don't usually get to share!)

Back at the house she showed off her swinging skills with her "no hands" move

Richard did manage to get a profile shot of me...despite my warnings!

Cassidy also showed off her garden and shared the snap peas and blueberries we are still getting this cool summer

It was a great visit and they promise to come back up after the twins are here, and we can't wait!

Baby Update

What a great Doctor's appointment today. At 35 weeks, the girls are growing; A is now 5#6oz and B is 5#7oz. That is a little over a pound each in the last 2 weeks. Through the pregnancy they have both been right at the 50th%, but have started slowing slightly and have just dropped a little below. This is typical for twins as they simply are running out of room. I've definitely felt the growth, feeling very pregnant and a little on the large side. However, every thing looks really good and holding strong. The best news, besides all are doing well, is that we can now deliver here in town and not have to travel down to the closest large hospital an hour away. This is a tremendous relief and such a blessing. With just 2 more weeks to go before our c-section on Sept 6th, the girls will continue to grow and get strong and I'm sure will be ready to take on the world when they arrive. I have another appointment next Tuesday...we'll keep you posted!

Great Weekend and 10 years

It has been an amazing and fun weekend starting off on Saturday with all day spent on the river fishing and being with great friends. We don't get to see Aaron and Maggie nearly enough and it was the perfect setting. Us girls could stay at the house and play while the boys "worked" at fishing. Most of the time, we could see them from the porch and the girls were often checking in on them!

Ainsley and Cassidy also found the sprinkler very fun, while almost 2 year old Pria thought the blackberries were more fun!

The girls eventually thought going through the sprinkler "nakie-nake" was even more fun, especially when they found the mud! The next thing we knew they were throwing mud at each other and giggling like crazy

After a good bath, Ainsley and Cass found more things to play with and have fun and roped Maggie into the game too! We had a great day and Cassidy has a wonderful friend in Ainsley

Saturday night, Cassidy headed north to spend the rest of the weekend with Grandma Kit and her cousins while Sunday Chad and I headed to the islands to celebrate our 10 YEAR anniversary. It doesn't seem possible that it's been 10 years since I married this wonderful man who continues to amaze me with his love for me and his family and how hard he works.

The ferry ride was beautiful, we couldn't have asked for nicer weather

We did a little exploring at a state park that will definitely be on our list to camp at next summer

This weekend, just being together and enjoying our family, is truly the Good Stuff that doesn't get any better.

Yay! More Summer

Summer has made a more consistent appearance the last few weeks and it's been great!

We got our blueberries in the freezer...

Cassidy LOVES the new patio, and thinks it's a great place to practice her bike skills. It's now completely done, gates hung and lovely power box camouflaged...YAY!

We actually broke out the pool and slip-n-slide! It was so much fun. I'm not sure who had more fun, Cassidy or Mossy, who was in the pool any time Cassidy was out and they were often playing together...You have to LOVE the giggle, and I'm pretty sure Mossy is laughing too, but maybe not Echo


Cassidy, Morgan and Chase had a great time on the slip-N-slide, but Cassidy has her own method of going down the slide...She definitely needs more time in the sun! She did progress to an army crawl, but is a long way from running and sliding...Maybe we'll get enough sun to figure it out!

Summer Days are Good Days

It's taken a while for summer to get here, but we've had a few days of warm temperatures and sunshine. Cassidy took full advantage, not sure if we'd get more!

She started off her day playing at the park with her friend

then after nap, playing in the sprinkler at home

Picking raspberries

Eating popsicles with Papa Jerry...he always lets her have her favorite kind

Picking huckleberries on the way to the barn

and riding her bicycle

And then the next day Grandma Kit, Auntie Lori (the photographer who managed to stay out of all the pictures) and cousins Lindsey and Brady came to take her to a "sandy" beach for an afternoon of fun

And a GIANT strawberry ice-cream cone to finish off the day...Does it get any better?

Baby Update

We are at 32 weeks this week and had our Dr. apt yesterday. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to post, the Dr. said it was "too crowded" to get a good one! The girls and the pregnancy continue to be going well. Baby A is 4#5oz and Baby B is 4#2oz, only a 4% difference which is perfect. We couldn't get an accurate length measurement either, due to the tight quarters again. I am doing good also, still no restrictions other than take it easy, although I made the mistake of asking a silly question as he was measuring my belly; "How big do most women get at 40 weeks with a singleton baby?". Answer: rarely up to 40 cm. My measurement: 42 cm and 5 weeks to go...that's ok though. It means our girls are growing and will be healthy and strong at 37 weeks. We are looking at Sept 6 or 7 for the c-section date, we'll keep you posted. I do get to start seeing the Dr. every week now, but only 5 more to go!

Work Party

Chad has been a man on a mission, wanting to finish some big outside projects before the twins come. He had been working very hard for a couple of weeks getting ready for the recruits to come and help. We had 3 goals: re-rock the driveway, make a pull through for trailers from the back road past the shop, make a concrete patio out front and re-do our front yard fence. Thank goodness for our amazing family! Jerry came down to help in the front and Doug and Margie came with the tractor and dump trailer to tackle the driveway and new road. Bryce also joined in on the weekend to lend his expertise and muscle. While the guys were working outside, Mom and I tackeled some rooms inside. What a help to get things more organized before the twins come. With all the help, we were able to get everything accomplished! We are still putting on the finishing touches to the fence (a gate and the tall boards around the electrical box), but that too should be done by the end of the week.

The concrete pour went well, everyone pitched in and with Jerry's expertise it finished very nice. We then sprayed a molasses mixture over the top to expose the aggregate. After a somewhat nervous 16 hours ( no none had done this method before) the top layer came off just like it was supposed to and we had a beautiful exposed aggregate patio! I'm thinking a fire ring and some nice chairs....S'mores anyone?

After we all supervised, it was back to work on the fences, both in the back and the front!

The finished product looks great and matches the handrail on the porch very nicely

We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful and not to mention talnented family..THANK YOU GUYS!