Washington!

3 Days after returning home from Canada, we headed to Port Orchard, Wa.

a.k.a. our old stomping grounds.  

We had a great time visiting friends!

Here are just a few pictures from my phone.

I haven't even had time to download them from my camera yet.  

Sheesh!

We were fortunate enough to stay with great friends, The Carpenters, in Port Orchard.

Somehow Ruby stole my side of the bed...

This is one of the things I miss about Washington.

Girls coffee date at 6 am with my friend, Katie!

OH HOW I MISS YOU SWEET KATIE!

Liam's first time on a ferry...

...um no...

...Liam's first time on a ferry when he can walk and knows what a boat is :)

Riding bikes in Gasworks Park.

Seattle view from Gasworks Park.

We had to take this picture...

We left the fountain right before the nudist bike rally showed up...

Seriously...truth...

go ahead and read that sentence again...

Seattle Children's Museum.

Liam LOVED it!

(so did Clint...obviously...where is Liam in this picture anyway?)

There was a 4ish-year old-girl bully there...

She was pushing, shoving, etc. and seemed to pop up everywhere we went, so 

We had to go slightly ape on her when she kept trying to steal Liam's grocery cart!

(bully parents, where where you?!)

There were about 100 other carts just waiting for her to claim them. 

(we probably shouldn't have been "those" parents but we were...a little bit...HA!)

We went to the Tacoma zoo with our friends the Carpenters.  

Here are Liam and Caroline sharing some goldfish.

Ruby enjoying riding in the stroller.

We also spent and afternoon with the Lees!

Liam made a new buddy...

Julie had animal cookies AND chocolate milk at her house!

mmmmmm....

He still talks about the "nice lady with yummy snacks." :)

He also rekindled his friendship with CeCe...

He still talks about going to see her "tomorrow."

We stopped at many parks along the way to let the littlest little eat, 

and let the little-bit-bigger little RUN!

We had a chance to feed some ducks in Spokane.

AND both kids got to take their FIRST carousel ride together :)

Outback Steakhouse in Spokane...

A.L.M.O.S.T. home...

WHOOOO!

Waterton Lakes, Canada

When I was about 8 months pregnant with Ruby I thought to myself,

"I'm so excited for a relaxing summer at home."

Ha!

It has been CRAZY!!!

In a good way...

We have been going non-stop.

Ruby's first road trip was to Waterton Lakes, Canada.

She was 6 weeks old...

Clint's Aunt Mary was married to Cori, and we were fortunate enough to help celebrate!

Liam still talks about this trip fondly, and wants to know when he can go see Mary and Cori again.

Ruby and Liam with Grandma Kit.

Woohoo!

The Bride and Groom

Ruby May and Esther May...

R: "I just love my Great Grandma Esther."

Liam singing Old McDonald, and Twinkle, Twinkle at the reception.

This was probably the highlight of Liam's trip.

(sorry, Mary.  The wedding reception took a close 2nd).

We actually rented this crazy cart twice, because he loved it so much!

Liam and his new friend Lyla...

She kissed him...

He pushed her over...

and so it begins...

A Public Shout Out to My Main Squeeze!

WARNING:

If you don't want to hear a mushy-gushy post at how amazing Clint Finlayson is, then read no further...

But seriously, who wouldn't want to hear about that?!?!

Most of you celebrated Father's Day quite some time ago.

Well...we did too...

We had a picnic lunch outside, and relaxed most of the day away.

HOWEVER...

The kiddos and I had GRAND intentions of making our special guy a SUPER COOL gift.

We got the idea, set out on a shopping adventure, gathered our supplies...

I am sad to say that the supplies are still sitting on my desk, in the very same shopping bag they were put into at the store so very long ago.

Clint, it sure doesn't mean you weren't worth the effort!

We just haven't been able to get  our ducks in a row.

SO...

It is no longer a SUPER COOL Father's Day Gift.

It is now just going to be a SUPER COOL random surprise some time before 2014!

I didn't want anymore time to elapse...

Since I spend a gajillion many hours every day feeding Rooberrie, 

I wanted to take the time to publicly document just how amazing you are at being a husband, father, and friend.

You, are so selfless, and caring.

I love seeing you with our kids.

You aren't afraid to get on the floor with them,

or make a fool of yourself just to get them to smile.

It is no surprise that Liam claps his hands in pure joy when he hears your car pull into the driveway.

It is so sweet to hear Ruby trying her best to have googling conversations with you.

To all of us, you are pretty much the BEES KNEES!

Thank you for leading this family.

We love you and want to say Happy Father's Day a month late!

Everybody's Growing

Everyone is growing and changing right before our eyes...

Who's Who

Do you remember Sweet Pea Liam?

Now introducing, Sweet Pea Ruby.

Can you tell who's who?

We tried to replicate the best we could, 

but sometimes 2 week-old babies just don't pose the way you want them to.  

Here you go...

Who's Who #1?

Who's Who #2?

A few more of Ruby...

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

5 1/2 Weeks In

Not too much new and exciting is going on here.

We are now 5 1/2 weeks into life with multiple children.

Somedays I am confident feeling as if I could conquer the world...

Other days I just try to get out of my pajamas and into "real clothes," (aka... yoga pants) by the time my hubbers gets home.

Liam is doing great and getting so big.

I am realizing before Ruby he still seemed like such a baby to me, 

but now that my attention is divided I am finding he is capable of SO much more!

I'm guessing he has been this capable for a while now...I just didn't give him the opportunity all of the time.

Liam has taken on the role of "big brother" with grace and tenacity.

I couldn't be a more proud mama.

Mr. Shaggy Pants...

Big boy hair cut for a big boy!

(How did I do in the bangs department, Dad?)

5 weeks old!

"I'm so big.

It makes mommy and daddy a little sad, but I think it's down right hilarious!"

Story time.

Liam loves to share story time with Ruby in HIS bed.

We always sing a few songs afterwards, and today Liam did most of the singing.

You can't tell by the serious look on her face, but Roo-berry was ALL smiles when brother did the singing.

It seriously melted me...

I love these kids!

I am so grateful God has entrusted me with with the job of being their mommy!

It rocks my face off that they think I'm pretty cool too :)

It made me smile

This morning I was thinking about yesterday...

and it made me smile.

Let me fill you in.

Ruby was asleep in her swing.

Liam was contently building lego towers and knocking them over with a King-Kong like vigor, 

so I decided to take advantage of the situation and brave the shower.

Not even two minutes into my steamy haven Liam came barreling into the bathroom...

Mommy, Ruby's awake!!"

"Okay.  Is she crying?"

"Yeah, she crying!"

"It's okay, Liam.  Babys cry sometimes.  I'll be out in a minute.  

Do not try to pick her up, okay?"

"OKAY?!"

"Okay, Mommy."

A quick hair rinse later, and I was out of the shower.

 It was quiet...

too quiet...

I walked over to Ruby's swing, and there was Liam.

He had gone to her room, grabbed a sweet toy, and laid it next to her.

When I saw him, he was standing over the swing gently stroking her face saying in a sing-songy voice, 

"It's okay, Ruby.  It's okay."

She was not crying...not even fussing.

In fact, She was looking up at him happy as a clam.

It was one of those sweet moments every mom wants to remember perfectly in her mind forever.

It got me thinking...

Brother Sister relationships are pretty awesome!

The Lord blessed me with three amazing guys I get to call my brothers.

Jason, Brock, and Jordan...

Growing up we had times of arguing, fighting, annoying one another unintentionally and INtentionally. 

BUT...

We had beautiful times too.

Times where Jason patiently helped me with my math homework while I was in tears of frustration.

Times when Brock let me hang out with his friends when I was a nervous High School Freshman and he was a Senior. 

Times when Jordan and I got to team up and play worship together for youth group.

We laughed...

sometimes a little too hard...

 some of us may or may not have peed our pants.

(I won't embarrass anyone here, but we all know who it was ;)

We played games, rough-housed, and so many more things. 

I ALWAYS knew you were in my corner,

and that I could count on you to help and protect me whenever I needed it.

And, no matter how old we get, I know it's still true.

SO...

Today I was thinking...

I'm SUPER pumped that Ruby will get to share this special bond with Liam.

 ...and it made me smile.

P.S.  I've been blessed with some pretty SA-wEEt sisters too!

I'll save doting on you for another day. 

Much love to all my crazy siblings, and their beautiful families!

I wish were were closer in distance.