We love you Daddy!

We love you Daddy more than words could ever express.  You are the best daddy we could ask for.  You play outside with us, take us on walks to the park, and take us swimming.  You teach us how to drive the boat and do all kinds of projects.  You show us how to have fun and not take life so seriously all the time.  You snuggle us every day and give us lots of kisses and hugs.  We know you love us lots and lots.  Thank you for being our daddy! 

Love, Rylee & Carson

"Talk like a pirate"

Rylee had her second dance recital yesterday.  Her group danced to "Talk like a pirate."  She was so good!!!  Definitely the best of the group (I'm not biased at all).  She remembered all the moves and smiled the whole time.  You could tell that she was having a blast.  My little performer.

A weekend in Leavenworth

Lance was in Charleston (for work) for his birthday this year, so when he got home we took a weekend trip to Leavenworth to celebrate.  We'd only been there for a short trip before, so we thought it would be fun to explore with the family.  We rented a cabin about 20 minutes from town.  Lance's parents met up with us for the first night and Mandy and Jon came up for the second night.  It was so much fun.  Beautiful weather, fun family, delicious food, and new adventures.  The kids loved the trails by the river and watching the rafters and kayakers float past.  We all had fun playing on the beach and splashing in the water (although it was really too cold to go in).  The town was super cute and fun to walk through.  This may just turn into an annual trip!

Mother's Day Weekend

We spent a BEAUTIFUL Mother's Day weekend at the beach house with Grandma and Grandpa Jacobson, Mandy & Jon, and the dogs (Coulee & Callie).  The weather was warm and sunny and the tide was out so we did plenty of exploring.  

Big surprise... Carson would not stay out of the water. =) Luckily the water was cold so he would only go in ankle deep.  Rylee had a blast playing on the beach, looking for crabs under rocks and holding baby jelly fish (which is what she's holding in the picture below).

There was also lots of play time on the deck.  A bubble machine and a pirate boat.  What more do you need?



One evening was even windy enough to fly a kite!  (For a few minutes... then the wind died down).

Another beach weekend was filled with family, great food, good stories, and lots of love.  <3 p="">

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's out there! 

Much needed girl time

I've been on two different girls weekends in the past couple months.  They were really fun and much needed.  I love my kids to death, but sometimes I just need some "me" time.  The first trip was with a group of friends to Seabrook, WA.  We stayed at a super cute cabin in a tiny little beach community.  We did some beach walking, some hot-tubbing, game playing, and mostly just caught up on girl talk. 

I just recently got back from visiting my good friend Wendy in Boston.  She moved there a few months ago for work and is just starting to find her way around the city.  We had a long weekend filled with sight seeing, eating great food, shopping, and lots of wine!  Boston is a beautiful city.  I will definitely go back again soon!

We went to the ballet one day.  The theater was absolutely stunning.  The show was good too.

One night we came across the memorial site for the bombing victims.  It was so sad to see exactly where this tragedy had happened.  The city has definitely come together after this event, every where we looked people were wearing shirts that said "Boston Strong."

Rylee Van Gogh

 Rylee has been all about artwork lately.  Drawing, painting, writing... she loves it all.  We recently put up a bulletin board to display some of it because our fridge was being overtaken by her art.  I have been doing some preschool activities at home with her and she has been learning so much.  She has almost mastered A,B,D and R.  Both writing and signing them.  Every day she asks me if we can do more "schoolwork."

 This painting she told me was Daddy, Mommy, Carson and Grandma (I'm not quite sure which is which!) and a rainbow.  I think it's pretty good for a 3 year year old!

This is a picture I took of the two of them tonight.  They are just starting to play really well together.  They are constantly making each other laugh and smile.  They are hilarious to watch, and also very sweet.  You can tell they just love each other to pieces. 

 

Carson is learning more and more each day.  He talks a lot, but doesn't say many words.  His sister talks enough for the both of them.  =)  He loves walking, being outside, playing with his cars and trucks, eating, and his BFF Coulee (the dog).  He is still such a little love bug and loves to snuggle.  He will randomly come over to us and give kisses and hugs.  He is such a little sweetheart.

 

Rylee is becoming a little know-it-all.  She loves to sing, dance, draw, read, and terrorize her little brother. She has her 3 year old moments often, but at the end of the day she is still my little sweet girl.

Happy Easter 2013

We started Easter weekend off with the annual Easter egg hunt at Allan Yorke Park in Bonney Lake.  It took literally 5 minutes for the hunt, but was pretty cute to watch.  Rylee had a blast opening the eggs to see what kind of fun treats and toys were inside.

On Sunday we went over to my parents house for another egg hunt and a delicious ham dinner.

Carson had fun picking up a couple of eggs, but had more fun eating what was inside.  Papa hid 50 eggs (not including the ones I hid), so Rylee had a TON of eggs to search for.  She LOVED every second of the hunt.  Of course she needed Papa and Auntie's help too!

We spent lots of time outside playing bean bag, hula hooping, walking around the lake, and just enjoying each other's company.  We are very blessed.

On a side note, Carson FINALLY learned to clap!  He gets so excited when he does it.  You say "Yay Carson" and he gets a huge smile on his face.  He is also walking everywhere now.  Such a big boy.