california

We had a great vacation to California to visit Aunt Michele, Uncle Tom and cousin Suzi (and Grandma Nola and the dogs, Jack & Joe, of course). We timed our move perfectly. Move out of the condo and into the new house. Next day, I (amber) and the kiddos fly to California and Ryan joined us a week later. Perfect in my mind. Not so perfect in Ryan's. But that is a story for another time. 

California! Yes, we left sunny, hot Washington to go to sunny, refreshing California. We stayed with my aunt, who treated us to scrumptious meals and even found out I sometimes have trouble not eating cookies (ahem, like a whole batch) after I bake them, and proceeded to keep cookies stockpiled in her house. Thankfully, she also bought lots of good-for-you foods too. Ha! :) Auntie M also took us to her health club, a local pool and my cousin's house to swim as well as a variety of restaurants. We visited Legoland, Balboa Park and the Olympic training center in Chula Vista. We kayaked, thanks to Uncle Tom. I got to run several times along the beach and Hwy 101. And yes, we visited Disneyland. The whole trip was great and we had a lot of fun.

I don't have any pictures of me on the airplane or in the airport with the kids. Gee. I wonder why. But seriously, everything went well and I packed us just right.

Here are some pics at Legoland, the first time we went. With Annie, Kerry, Shelbe & Jacoby. They had been the day before and knew where to go and when. We got a great spot in the water park and once we were there, Emma didn't want to leave. We went a little later in the week with Ryan and saw some things we hadn't before. Who knew that the entire series of Star Wars was created in Legos? Or that small city replicas, including the White House, was there in Legos too? Emma love riding the large Lego horse. And it was fun to taste Apple Fries.

Emma was very serious about her drive.

Adding to the castle outside the Legoland Aquarium.

Inside the lion's mouth!

Emma & Jack in a Legoland car.

Emma posing in front of the aquarium sign.

We went to Disneyland on a Monday, which turned out quite well. There were only 2 lines we had to wait 30 minutes or more in. We stuck mostly to Fantasyland and Toon Town. We also went to a Princess lunch and A Bug's Life. The first thing Emma wanted to do was meet all the characters, so we headed to Toon Town. 

On the way, we rode the new Buzz Lightyear ride, which our nephews loved, but Emma & Jack did not. They were a little shellshocked to say the least. It took some convincing to go on the next ride, It's a Small World, which we did after Toon Town.

Once Emma got in her Cinderella dress and met all the princesses, there was no getting her out of it, despite Aunt Michele's best efforts. It was a hot day at Disneyland and my mom and Aunt Michele thought the kids must be so hot... bought them hats, which they promptly discarded and cooler outfits, which Emma refused to wear until the next day (and it's hard to get her out of it now). Jack's shorts outfit did cool him off a bit. You can see his new digs in the picture in front of the castle.

The fam @ Minnie's House.

Inside Mickey's.

Finally met Mickey. Jack loved looking at him and Emma was brave enough to hug him.

Goofy was silly.

Teacups

Meeting Ariel

At the princess lunch

Emma & Grandma Cheri

Aunt Michele & Ryan

Emma & Snow White

Emma & Cinderella

Emma & Belle

Sleeping Beauty (Aurora) & Emma

Some of the leftover mini treats.

Emma cooling off. 

In front of the castle.

Eating dinner during the light show.

At the Coca-Cola restaurant

Have we left the parking lot?

Here are some pictures from the rest of our trip.

Chula Vista - Olympic Training Center

Checking out the grounds.

Future Olympians

Swinging at the beach park.

Playing in the surf.

Flying home.

How Great a Love

The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. ~ Zephaniah 3:17 RSV

We celebrated Jack's baptism on Sunday. Surrounded by family and friends, we claimed God's promise of love and redemption for our son as we welcomed him into the kingdom family. The verse we chose for Jack holds such significance and beauty. We want Jack to know God is always with him. That God will fight the battles for him and make it possible to be in his presence for eternity. That God loves him so much that He is glad to know him and see him everyday. That God's love is a healing balm covering all the hurts that are sure to come in an active, engaged life. That God's love is full of joy and grace and strength. And it seemed fitting that God would sing to Jack as Jack sings himself to sleep quite often; who knows, maybe he is singing to the King.  

We were surrounded by loved ones. The elder who held the baptismal water is a member of our Bible study. Pastor Hinman also baptized Emma. The church prayed for us as parents and Emma as Jack's sister to share the love and peace of God with him. Of course, Ryan had to include his beloved Huskies in our son's baptism. As he introduced the family, he described Jack as, "our 25 lbs. 6 month-old answer to prayer for the Huskies defense," which achieved its intended effect, a chuckle from the congregation. Friends came with their little ones. Family came from 1-2 hours away. We enjoyed sandwiches and cinnamon rolls following the service. Jack snuggled into Ryan's shoulder and slept through many pictures.

His Auntie Natalie wrote a beautiful piece about it entitled, A letter you can't read, which you can check out on her blog.

Firsts

Here is Emma ice skating. She did pretty well. Here you can see her going by herself for a bit after a couple hours of practice. Ryan went with her first and then I got to go. When I got out there she said, "Put your arm out like this for balance Mommy." And when I was wobbling a bit, she said, "Keep steady, Mommy. Don't worry. I gotcha!"

Here is Emma skiing. Her instructor said she was enthusiastic and had good balance. 

Here is Jack on his first Christmas morning while just before Emma was wild with excitement in the next room.

Baby Laughs

Jack is such a happy baby and has been laughing since the beginning of October, although it's been hard to capture on video since the camera distracts him. From tickles and silly noises to something that just strikes his funny bone, this little one can chuckle. He smiles at the ladies at church, in the store, heck, even in the bathroom and they all thank him. He smiles when he wakes up. He smiles when he eats. He smiles in his sleep. His joy is contagious. Maybe he'll make you smile today. 

Here he is laughing with Grampy.

Walk Like a Puppy

Lately, Emma has been imagining herself as a puppy, lion, mama, or Jane from Mary Poppins. Of course, the rest of us fill the various roles to go along with each character. Here is a clip of her being a puppy at the mall. She brought extra shoes so her "feet" would not get dirty.

Gratitude

Well, I thought when I started the blog at the beginning of November, I'd post everyday with something we're thankful for, but it turns out I was overly optimistic about how much time I would have to devote to posting. Ha! So, here is a list composed by Emma and I... Emma's are all her own with no prompting from me... well maybe I tried to get her to add "Daddy" to the list to no avail. (But, don't worry- she is still her daddy's girl.)


Emma
1. God's love
2. bedtime
3. morning time
4. Mowgli
6. Jack
7. My mom


Me
1. sunshine
2. crisp fall air
3. baby giggles
4. Emma's assurance, "It's okay, Mom. I'm alright," in response to me saying she shouldn't ____ (climb on the counter to reach the top cupboard, stack two chairs to get to the top of the closet, dress Mowgli in Jack's clothes, etc.) It shows her confidence and independence.
5. A spouse who loves me unconditionally
6. Sisters who encourage and listen
7. Parents who believe in me
8. In-laws with wisdom, humor and love
9. running, when I get a chance these days
10. creativity
11. trying new things
12. health
13. God
14. clean sheets
15. broccoli
16. friends who encourage and inspire
17. a car that works
18. a cozy, warm place to live
19. diversity - in opinion, culture, style, flora, fauna
20. intensity
21. passion
22. coconut
23. warm beaches
24. sand dunes
25. hills
26. the Pacific Northwest
27. competition
28. volunteers
29. peanut butter and chocolate
30. salty sea air

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.