Passport Photos

I went to Costco, not for more diapers, but for passport photos.  We will be joining a large contingent of family and friends attending Sarah's youngest brother's wedding on a western Caribbean cruise this spring.  When departing and arriving by boat, the State Department doesn't require passports, but parents worry about what "might" happen and we get them just in case.  While waiting for the photos to be developed, I let the kids choose Mom's next pair of frames.  I think they have style!  Also, I have no clue what song Sam was singing at the time. 

Bell Pepper

The concept of complete disorder takes new meaning with two children in the house.  You never know what you're going to find when you come around the corner, unsuspecting, and find the rest of your family in the bathroom.  At least they are all smiling. 

I'm surprised how Sam has been taking to potty training.  Everyone (literally, EVERYONE) says boys take longer to get into the habit than girls.  It was with this universal wisdom that I purchased 4 of the Costco mega, ultra, apocalypse diaper packs two months ago when they went on sale.  No worries, if Sam really does become potty trained in the next month, I'll only have about 600 extra size 4 diapers laying around. 

For the record, there was not an actual bell pepper in the bathroom.  Sarah made me hide Sam's penis for the interwebs.

Loadmaster in Training

Sarah sent me this photo last week while I was in class.  (More on that later.)  Her caption "Loadmaster in Training" had me giggling as much as the photo.  Grace sees airplanes in the sky, and she knows which one are, and just as importantly, which ones are NOT, C-17's.  The approach path for the VOR DME arc to runway 16 goes right over her daycare.  Her teachers let me know every time when the kids were outside playing as one flew overhead and Grace tells all her friends, "That's a C-17!  My Daddy's in there."  No denying it - this makes me just the slightest bit proud. 

Super Bowl Cheering Section

Regarding tomorrow's football game; we live in a split house.  That is, Sarah is from Denver and her allegiance remains strong.  I consider myself a member of the 12th man contingent.  As such, we have anticipated this game since, oh, maybe week 3 or 4 of the season when it appear as though both our favorite teams were doing well.  Do not think for one second though, that I would teach our children behavior that could be potentially explosive, and marriage ending.  It was their daycare.  I swear it. 

Go Hawks!

Major Milestone Alert

Around Thanksgiving Grace started coloring between the lines. Out of nowhere. A light switch went on in that developing brain of hers. Apparently another light switch went on recently, not sure when exactly, but I was greeted with the most wonderful evidence the other day that she no longer picks up a pen and just scribbles. She can actually draw and write! Yup. Who knew?!

I came home from yoga class and was informed by my daughter that these precious pieces of paper needed to be sent to Denver to the respectful people on each page. Well, sorry Papa, Jack, Ava, and Connor. These will be filed away for eternity for my sake as memorabilia. So, this blog post is my way of sending them to you. Scott informed me that she drew pictures of these people and asked him how to spell each of their names. He verbally spoke each letter in order and to his surprise she wrote out each letter. As you can see some letters are backwards or not quite right, but how awesome is this! She hardly needed help too! My girl is growing up so fast! 

p.s. Papa, she really liked writing your name :)

Samuel Turns 2

Samuel definitely suffers from second child syndrome. Nothing is ever as done-up or planned ahead as they for his older sibling. Good thing he goes with the flow. I will add however, that this birthday celebration was blunted by the fact that both kiddos were under the weather. Two days later they started antibiotics for double ear infections. Grace still says "WHAAT?" to just about every thing you say to her as all the pus in her eardrums is making it difficult for her to hear! It is actually kinda funny.

We spent January 4th visiting the impressive Children's museum in Olympia for the first time. Then had a relaxing day at home followed by delicious cupcakes after dinner with some of our precious neighbors.

 

 

This amazing boy fills our hearts with such joy. He is full of smiles and giggles every morning when you lift him from the crib. I see so much of his father in him. His energy for adventure, eagerness towards learning, constant playfulness and good looks. He is such a blessing to our family. Happy Birthday big boy.

Christmas Recap

I wanted to slap on a few more Christmas photos before it gets too late. The special season is now behind us, although you wouldn't know it being in our house. Still tons of decorations to put away. Hoping to put a dent in that this afternoon.  

We spent the week of Christmas in Denver and our days were packed with activities. We spent an evening at Zoolights, meeting and taking pics with Santa.

 Then it was baking and decorating sugar cookies. Santa had 3 left out for him on the fireplace at Papa and Grandma's house but they were still there in the morning. Santa must have been full (or didn't see them!)

 

Christmas morning Grace and Samuel opened presents and were soon joined by the rest of the Hesseltine clan for brunch and opening stockings (all made by Grandma with such love).

 

Grace received her highly anticipated Barbie doll with several sets of clothes made by Grandma. Grace is putting to use my old jewelry Caboodle case I used growing up for all her doll items.

 The grown up kids had some adventurous fun sans little kids as well. The ladies enjoyed tea and lunch at a historic bed and breakfast downtown (http://www.castlemarne.com) with Mom and friends then it was off to beer tasting at no other but Great Divide. We met the men at The Source, an old warehouse recently turned into a multi use space where were spent time tasting more delicious beer and filling our tummies with the best tasting tacos around. The watermelon/jalapeño and pineapple/habanero margaritas were a huge hit. Gotta love the selfie portraits :)

 

Cousins enjoyed play time together with many trips to my old elementary school. These three have officially graduated to the big kid swings. No bucket seat required!

 

Such great memories! Miss the Hesseltine clan already!