Leavenworth 2012

So I made a deal with myself that I was going to try and be better about posting on our blog for those of you that actually care and may look at it every once in awhile.  Well this past December we made our annual trip to Leavenworth.  We we trying to think how long we had been going and we came up with we have been going since I was 5 and missed 3 years in there and I am now 34 so that is 26years if my math is right.  That is a long time but a tradition that we are keeping alive with our kids.  Elliott looks forward to this trip every year now and that means so much to me.  This is the first year that Edith really remembers it and they are still to this day talking about it.  We get the share the fun weekend with my parents, my brother and his family and now dear friends from our church that went for the first time last year and were hooked.  This year there was no snow but it was cold.  It was still super fun.  Here are a few pictures to capture this year.  Looking forward to next year already!

One of the beautiful trees on the hillside.

My brother and his little man

My dear friend who just happens to be our pastors wife as well.  We went to high school together and reconnected a few years ago.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the weekend.  That is our baby girl who is not so little and my hubby and our pastor who "photo bombed" the picture as his kids would say.

The best family picture we could get when dealing with a 5 year old in a mood and a 2 1/2 year old girl:)

Tried to get both kids to take a picture with Santa and Mrs clause but Edith would have no part of it.  Elliott was super sweet though, because they gave him a candy cane and he asked for one for his sister.  He can be sweet to her!

                                 

Pumpkin Patch

Every year we go to Scholz's Pumpkin Farm in Orting.  We were beginning to wonder if we were even going to make it this year because our October became super crazy and all of the sudden it was the weekend before Halloween and we were just making it to the farm.  I can remember as a kid loving going to the pumpkin patch in the rain and I still do but now that there are 2 kiddo's and 2 pairs of muddy boots, it is getting less appealing!  Well we packed up in the van, boots, hats, rain coats and umbrella's and off we went.  It was down pouring just before we left home but by the time we got there it was just raining a little and we had a good time.  Every year we take the kids picture in front of the how tall this fall tower.  Here is this years.  It is always interesting what you may get with the 2 kiddo's.

 

So after we got the yearly picture it was time to just have fun.  We picked out some big pumpkins for Mimi and Papa's house but got small ones for the kid's to carve (daddy actually).  We had some more pictures and lots of fun stomping in puddles.  Looking forward to next year already.

Edith is a little short to look through the Gingerbread Man so we told her to give him a hug. 

 Love this picture each year as well.  Edith is determined to stand by the princess and and wants nothing to do with the other "people".

Last Day of School

I know that people say this all the time but it is so hard for me to believe that my baby is going to be starting Kindergarten in the fall.  This past year he had the honor of attending Community of Care Montessori Preschool taught by Ms. Sharon and Ms. Jennifer.  Two of the best teachers in my opinion.  I am a little bias since this is where I use to work also.  They are so caring and loving to each and every child that comes through the door.  Not that I want our little girl to grow up but I am excited for her to have the same wonderful experience that Elliott had.  Thank you Ms Sharon and Ms Jennifer for loving your job and all of the kids.  You guys are the BEST!  Here are a few pictures from the beginning of school and the last day of school.

Goes in as Buzz Lightyear

 

Comes out of the year as Superman!

With Ms Jennifer at the beginning of the year

 

With Ms Jennifer at the end of the year.  It was a sad day for mommy:(

With Ms Sharon whom I have known for probably 15+ years:)  Beginning of the year

 With Ms Sharon at the end of the year. 

Elliott's First Field trip

So in June Wes and I were able to go with Elliott and his preschool class on his first of many to come field trips.  We went down to Washington State Extension Center to the kids garden and got a tour.  It was a lot of fun and turned out to be a great day.  We were all set for rain but it was actually a little warm.  We were able to take Edith with us and they got a tour of the garden, and were told that they were going to see the Giant from Jack and the bean stock.  Elliott was so excited to see the giant only to find out that it was just his footsteps and his chair.  There was a little disappointment but he got

over it.  Here are a few pictures.

 Elliott found this chair in the garden and every time they would talk about seeing the giant and then they had to wait or it did not really exist, he headed back to it.  It was a quaint little spot in the middle of the garden.

 At the end of the tour the kids were able to plant a pumpkin plant.  Ours did not make it:(

 This was all that was there of the Giant.

 Elliott and some of his friends looking at plants.

It was a great field trip and we look forward to many more.