Fourth of July '17!

This past Fourth was a beautiful day in the PNW! 
We Stevens were feeling more like our normal selves, and instead of hunkering down and basically doing nothing until dinner-time, we decided to make the day as much of a good ole' American time as possible. 
After our ward's 8AM pancake breakfast and flag ceremony, we headed over to the Bothell Parade, which was just about the best small-time parade I've ever been to. Jude was especially blown away by the parade of Corvettes, and he even worked up the courage to beat out some of the other (greedy) children for the candy being thrown at them. My Jude is so sweet and doesn't like to push and shove, but that day this mama told him it was okay for the sake of sugar. Scout was afraid of the whole situation for most of the time, but warmed up at the end to the idea of people throwing Skittles at at her. 

Those Corvettes, man. 

Oh, Scouty, the 4th if just not your holiday. It's okay, you can have
Halloween. There's way more candy anyway. 

After the parade we maneuvered our way around the other 50 parades going on nearby to try to get to a freaking Jimmy Johns (ended up going 10 miles out of our way, but WORTH IT), and then parked it over at Waverly Beach Park for the afternoon, which if you east-siders haven't been to, we highly recommend. I figured that since the high was only in the mid-70's that swimming would be a stretch, but Jude and Nana were completely unfazed and had a great time in the water together while Scout played on the playscape and Piper pillaged everyone's food. For how much that girl eats, the babe is not chubby enough. Definitely doesn't get those genes from me. 

Just look at that handsome little water bug.

Everyone took quick little naps on the way home, and then we ate fried chicken and mac & cheese for dinner and played with our new snails. I'm a firm believer that pets are fantastic for children, but gosh, the snail infatuation needs to be over. Can't tell you how many extremely slow snails have somehow gone missing in my house and then reappeared still alive a week later. And Jude insists on taking them everywhere. But it is pretty cute when they come of out their shells and he takes them for rides on his pull-back cars. Probably gives them the thrill of their short little lives. 

We then finished the day by staying up late and blowing up whatever we could find. Scout was terrified this year of the fireworks, and coped by snuggling with grandpa on the couch and watching Sarah and Duck to drown out the war zone going on in our neighborhood--can't tell you how many car alarms went off--and by the way, if your kids haven't seen that show yet, we highly recommend it. Sadly, Jude got so into the fireworks that he forgot to put his shoes back on and ended up stepping on one that was still hot and got a second-degree burn. But otherwise, it was a top-notch day.

I love our country and those in my family and those not who've sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms. 
America, you're just the best. 

Christmas 2016!

This year was our first Christmas at home together with just our little family of FIVE!
Adam and I agreed that it was so nice to be able to start some traditions of our own and to enjoy the holiday at our own pace without having to travel. 
Christmas Eve we went out for an early breakfast and then saw half of Moana (once the 10AM popcorn was devoured they had no interest in staying any longer), stopped by a nearby Christmas Village to see Santa's reindeer before their long flight, and started our first original tradition of killer grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner. 

 

Then all that was left was for Jude to write a note to Santa reminding him to leave a Lego City cargo train, place it next to some freshly baked cookies, throw on our Christmas jammies that Santa's reindeer had left on the doorstep, and go to bed--so us parents could stay up until 2am watching Christmas Vacation, It's a Wonderful Life, and assembling Scout's new play kitchen. 

That all being said, we still definitely missed sharing the day with our families--especially when we were the only two people available to absorb the insane level of Christmas energy. Holy cow: THE ENERGY. By lunchtime Adam and I were exhausted and ready for the kids to go to bed. 
But with Christmas being on a Sunday, although we had to practically tear Jude away from his new train kicking and screaming, we really appreciated having Christmas on a Sunday and changing out of our jammies into our Christmas Sunday best to sing hymns and really enjoy the sweet reverence of the season. And Piper even got to wear the same dress Scout and I wore for our first Christmases! She was pretty happy about it :). 

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and wish you a wonderful and blessed New Year!

Paw Patrol!

This past week we enjoyed the company of my sister Briana and brother-in-law Nick who flew in last minute to spend Thanksgiving with us! Gosh, those two are just the best. It isn't until one of my sisters comes into town that I remember how much I love my family and late night burger runs and pie and working out to AC/DC and not shaving my legs or bothering with makeup and constantly talking in terrible accents and pretending as if no time has passed at all while planning the layout of our shared home in the middle of nowhere. 

They left yesterday and as balm to the wound they've left on my heart since their departure, this video of Scout's reaction to the Paw Patrol dvd Adam purchased for the kids while Black Friday shopping has been on repeat. Catching this moment has been my greatest achievement this month. Besides still being able to nurse Piper. The fact that "the girls" still know what to do this late in the game is just so freaking awesome. 
Good job, ladies. 

Scout is 9 months, Mother's Day '15 and Lately

This past month has been a little crazy. 
-I started a new job and new specialty at a great local hospital (working one night a week, holla!), and since it required a pretty time-consuming two weeks of orientation my cousin Kacy and mother-in-law, Lisa, both flew in for each respective week to watch the little ones. 
-Scout turned 9 months! Nine months of Scout has been indescribable. This girl. Anyone who knows Scout knows her as a happy, social, bouncy, just sweet, sweet little (chubby) girl. She brings such joy and warmth into our family. And her and big brother are 100% best friends. It's magnificent. Also, these past 9 months have gone way too fast. When you're running after two kids life seems to go that much faster and these babies are growing up quicker than ever. 
-Shake Shack opened up here in Austin! Them and their burger/fry magic have already made us one very, very happy family. 
-I was completely pampered this Mother's Day (two naps, what??)! Jude made several sweet gifts for me in both school and church, Adam bought me a beautiful new necklace, and also cooked perfect pancakes for breakfast and a delicious Italian pasta for dinner. Am I one lucky baby-maker or what? 

Happy 9 months, baby girl! 

She stole that donut hole so quick I didn't even notice. Girl after my own heart.

Trying to teach Jude to *wink* is seriously the funniest thing ever. 

Jude thought Scout needed a snack, so he dumped his bag of Life cereal on the floor for her to enjoy. And she did. 

 

Salt Lick with Nana! This place is an Austin-area institution, and we are really learning our way around good BBQ. 

Adam sent me this picture of taking the kids to school via bike-trailer and I could.not.stop.laughing. Look at our little sardines! There's far too much cuteness packed into that little thing. 

 

Hallelujah.

Although we have been busy, we are not nearly as busy as we used to be. For the moment, we've found a balance, where there's far more time to make sweet memories and really sit and enjoy those heart-swelling moments. 

Life is so good right now. We love Austin.