Havin' some fun

Even though the weather isn't really cooperating, we are still getting the feeling around here that summer is coming, making every one a little happier, even if we have to stay inside.  Cassidy's new favorite daily comment is "Mama, we are eating dinner and it's not even dark yet!" Amen!

Cassidy learning about having mobile and adoring sisters

Cassidy and her friend Morgan playing superheroes.  Cassidy was Animal Girl
while Morgan was Apple Girl...Mossy got quite a bit of attention that day!

On one of the nice days we decided to do a trial run on our new tent that we got last year.  I got some serious heckling for it being so big when I brought it home, but who's laughing now!  My question is...How did Costco know we were going to have twins?  Cassidy can not wait for our camping trips in July...Chad and I are just hoping Summer decides to show up by then

Then there was the tea party next door in honor of a granddaughter visit from Montana.  Cassidy of course was thrilled to get the invitation and the afternoon was complete with a very nice lunch, nail painting and craft projects.  The perfect afternoon for some pretty cute little girls

To balance out the tea party, Chad has been taking Cass fishing.  The first time out, despite Cassidy proclaiming as they left "this is going to be the best day ever" was a little bit of a let down.  I blame it on the rain and no fish.  But she was ready to go again the next week and thanks to some sunshine and 2 fish, had a great time!  I think it's pretty safe to say Chad has himself a fishing partner



Mossy's favorite spot in the boat...We are waiting for her to fall in

The sign of a good day...

A fun bathtime experience, at least for Cassidy!

Cassidy showing her multi-tasking ability while helping Rylee and watching a show...that's my girl!

If we've had this much fun already, I can't wait for summer!

9 months

This last month we've had our first bout with stomach flu and chest colds, trying new foods, possibly teething, pulling up, cruising on the furniture, playing peek-a-boo, clapping and definitely being BUSY!

Sawyer in white, Rylee in brown

They love dumping things out, the louder the better! 

Sawyer is in the pink/animals, Rylee is in the white/flowers

Sawyer had to resort to drastic measures one naptime

Rylee playing peek-a-boo

Sawyer not wanting to clap for the camera but is showing off her moves

At their 9 month doctor's appointment everything went well.  The doctor did say "well, they aren't the biggest kiddos, but they are staying on their curve" meaning they are growing at a steady rate, just like they should! 

Rylee is now up to 18lbs 7oz (50th percentile) and 27inches long (25th percentile).  Doc couldn't hear her murmur, which is a great sign, but he wasn't willing to say it had healed completely.  Sawyer is 17lbs 12oz (30th percentile) and 26 1/2 inches (15th percentile).  That means when we're packing both of them around we are up to 35lbs!  Sawyer's hernia continues to improve and it's looking like she won't have to have surgery when she reaches 1 year.  The best part is that she will probably always have a little bit of an "outie" belly button...thank goodness for little blessings.  We've already had to resort to that belly button and I'm sure we will again!

Overall, things are great and we are truly blessed.  I can't believe they are 9 months old and how fast that first birthday milestone is approaching...wow!

2 little monkeys

Since they learned to pull themselves up, this is their new favorite game...I love the giggles!  Sorry about the coughing and heavy breathing, I'm fighting a chest cold...

(Sawyer is in the polka dots)

Hoowwlllll

For his birthday this year, my genius husband asked for an overnight trip to the Great Wolf Lodge for he, I and Cassidy.  BEST birthday present ever!  We had so much fun and made good use of our time.  Cassidy was a little overwhelmed at the beginning, kinda like me, but warmed up quickly and got her "fish" on.  We were able to go down on Thursday which was great as there was hardly any one there and we played and played.  Friday morning we were back in the pool until our tummies decided to head home around lunch time. 

Chad and Cass howlin' it up after storytime that night

Cassidy was able to sneak down these waterslides...Cassidy decided the red
one was the fastest!

Cassidy's favorite thing turned out to be the wave pool, the bigger the waves
the better.  She learned to float with her life jacket and loved it!

wait for it.....

free style in the toddler pool...this move got her kicked out, but not for too long

My brave little fish

We had a great time and Cassidy is still talking about it, saying it was the best day ever.  The best is when she puts on the wolf ears she got with her kids meal and howls through the house and as Chad's alarm clock!

Mother's Week

Instead of Mother's Day, I had a Mother's week this year, starting off with a tea party at Cassidy's pre-school.  Cassidy had a great time getting dressed up and we enjoyed a very nice couple of hours with just the two of us playing and sipping tea.

Mom and Bryce came over Friday night and Saturday morning we did the "Run for your Mum" local 5k with all the girls.  It was pretty funny seeing Cass back in a stroller...kinda all arms and legs, but it worked with Uncle Bryce pushing her all the way. Mom did great and we did not come in last!

Before

Ready and waiting for the starting horn...

Check out that form!

After the race we had lots of time to just hang out.  Chad and Bryce made us a wonderful halibut dinner Saturday night with yummy sweet potatoes and salad and even cleaned up.  It was great!

Me and my girls for breakfast

Happy baby in a box...I think it's Sawyer, maybe?

Sunday the girls were dedicated at our church.  It was a nice little ceremony and I was thankful that Bryce and Mom could be there.

Sawyer, Cassidy and Rylee in there Sunday dresses...oh yeah, and Mossy

Bryce headed home Sunday afternoon and Mom stayed to help out while Chad went fishing for the rest of the week.  We had great weather to enjoy and lots of fun just hanging out.

Grandma's new "hands-free" feeding method.  It works pretty good for the first part of the bottle
but once those little tummies start getting full, there is a lot of squirming to contain!

Rylee, Sawyer
Teething??  Maybe, but still no teeth!

Sue and Aunt Bette came up from Woodland to give me a play day so Cari and I took our Kayaks out for the first time in 2 years!  It was a perfect afternoon on the water and a great time.  It was awesome not having to worry about the girls with 3 grandma's on duty!

Sue and Rylee, Cassidy and Bette with Sawyer

Grandma snuggles are the best

This week, Sawyer learned how to pull herself up....and I learned how to drop the crib mattresses!

I could say the girls enjoy playing together but I'm pretty sure all Sawyer wants is her Monkey...and Rylee knows it!

Sawyer in white, Rylee in purple
TROUBLE?  Who us?  Oh yeah!

It has been a great week with lots of reminders of how blessed I am by my children and family to be able to celebrate Mother's Day

Project

I hate to admit it, but my idea of putting the slate walkways in gravel to keep a "natural" look just didn't work.  The stones never seemed to sit quite level (sorry again to all friends and family with slightly twisted ankles) and I don't have time to pull all the little cedar trees and weeds that like to grow there. So Chad, Jerry, m friend T, our neighbor Don and I outside and a whole babysitting crew inside (THANK YOU JoAnn, Sharon and Shannon) took our walkways from this....... 

I kept waiting for the I told ya so's, but the guys graciously just dug up
all the gravel

Papa's bonus pay

Our supervisor was never too far away

Don helping T and I with the layout design

The moment of truth is the next day with the power washer.  This was
our second pour with exposed aggregate and we were still a little nervous

To this.  With the exposed aggregate, it's a great compromise.  The look is still natural with no weeds and they look beautiful thanks to all of our helpers!

8 months

8 months;  Smiling, giggling, mobile, cute bundles of trouble!

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Rylee                                                         Sawyer

Both girls have mastered some new skills this month; Rylee now laughs like a goat while Sawyer can blow raspberries with the best of them.  Physically, we have gotten rid of all the 3 month old clothes in their closets (admittedly some just on principal) and they are now solidly in 6 month outfits.  Both girls have mastered the army crawl to get where they want to go, which is everywhere and are very curious. 

Sawyer leading the charge

It begins....Sawyer's favorite place to go is Cassidy's room and I'm pretty sure it won't be "cute" for long

Rylee is very curious these days on how things work

and is definitely on the move to explore

1st blood...any guesses on who? I'd hide the picture but that doesn't necessarily help! It was Sawyer trying to stand

She is determined to stand...almost got it....

GOT IT!!

Masters of the sippy cup....WSU here we come!

Oh, and their adoration for their big sister Cassidy just keeps growing!

and now they can chase her!  Sawyer is on the left 

There are lots of giggles in our house, one busy mom and dad, and the good stuff just keeps getting better