The great northwest

there has been a long pause over here in blog land. 

it's the combination of keeping busy and not being my usual crazy picture lady self to blame. 

i MISS my camera and my "i have to picture document everything" self. okay, so maybe i was a bit crazy before, but i really do miss it. 

to my faithful blog viewers, i am going to try to be better. 

over thanksgiving we took a little trip up to washington. 

it was wonderful to get away, no schedule, no pager, no super early mornings...

just tons and tons of family time. 

believe it or not my camera was with me, but i wasn't so great about actually using it. seems to be a trend huh? 

on a more positive note, i loved being able to soak in every second with my family and not worry about capturing every moment. 

here are the moments i "snapped"....

travel day! 

the girls love this part. and after haven flown 13+ hours overseas this summer, it made this journey a piece of cake. 

as you will see in all of these pictures my girls are either matching or at least coordinating. i just love. 

further more, they don't seem to have an opinion yet and it is super easy to keep track of them this way. it's a win win really. 

one wanted to give a kiss, the other didn't want it. this happens a lot in our house.

mr. moo. chloe's kindergarten class mascot. 

he was fortunate, or should i say we were fortunate to have him with us the entire trip. 

a requirement on every trip to washington, a stop off at taco time. don't mind my minor obsession with this place. we ate their only twice, i could have done it a lot more. 

next up a ferry ride to canada where we spent a little early christmas with family from barth's side. the girls loved it. 

a little photo session with chloe and mr. moo...

and here is the ride back...told you i must have missed some things. 

we had the most beautiful weather during our stay. very un-pnw style. blue skies, sunshine and a crispiness in the air.

a few tidbits worth documenting. 

we got to visit a few friends and some of my family one day. always so much fun. 

we love visits to our dear friend dean curry, kinda fun that he married us too. the girls just love him. 

next up....washington insta-style! 

ella bella♥

happy birthday to this sweet girl!!

today you are eight years old.
eight years ago today you were born on thanksgiving day, two weeks before your due date.
our lives and hearts were instantly full. what a blessing and privilege it is to be your mama.

a little bit about you...

you have the sweetest, most gentle spirit.
you are a nurturer.
you often times talk in third person when you talk to riley, it's pretty cute. ("riley, want ella to help you tie your shoes?")
you LOVE to learn and get board on the weekends if your little mind is not being continuously stimulated.
you can read a chapter book in one sitting. actually, this is how you prefer to do it.
speaking of books, you carry one with you wherever we go and read it every chance you get.
you are quiet and easily embarrassed.
but you have a crazy side that is reserved for those people you are the most comfortable around.
your best friend, besides your sisters, is elee. you both are two peas in a pod and act like long lost sisters.
when you grow up you want to be a nurse
your favorite foods are stir fry, pancakes, breakfast burritos and crock pot tri tip. (haha, i love that last one)
your favorite ice cream flavor is s'mores.
your favorite color (for now) is purple.
you rarely have to be disciplined, but when we have to do it you are literally devastated by it.
you love Jesus.
your prayer every night must include to "sleep good and have no bad dreams".
you are really good at math, but are more challenged by assignments that ask you to use your imagination. (so like your daddy, a left-brained thinker)
you LOVE soccer and at the end of fall soccer got invited to play on two different club teams. (a dream of your daddy's)
you play defense just like your daddy and have earned the nickname "garbage man".

we love you so much and are so proud of you. we can't wait for the things God has in store for you♥

three.

it's a special day today. 

my sweet alexa is three!! 

happy birthday sweet baby girl. 

auntie dookie loves you so much and sends you lots of birthday kisses today. 

♥

happy halloween 2013

it's a modge podge kind of year. 

at the end of every halloween i always tell myself that next year i will plan ahead and not wait till the last minute. 

but every year its the same thing. scrambling to put the girls outfits together. 

oh well, at least they are all decked out with smiles on their faces. 

we had what i like to tell the girls is a dress rehearsal for our costumes. 

in reality its really just another photo op without all the craziness of the actual day. 

they bought it and i got some cute shots. 

have a safe and happy halloween!! 

♥

meet izzy from jake & the neverland pirates...

meet my strawberry shortcake...

and last but not least...my peacock princess