Remember When

The sun is finally poking through out here in Seattle and the kids and I feel reborn. 
Seriously, letting the kids loose at the park mirrored some sort of jail break or the hysteria at Walmart on Black Friday. Scout couldn't stop screaming, "Hi!" at everyone she passed or maniacally laughing throughout the playscape, while Jude ran his skinny little legs ragged and came home each day with a pound of sand in each shoe. 
So I'm proud to say that we took full advantage of each sunny day and it was an exciting preview for this upcoming summer.

Seattle: The winter was brutal. Please make sure the summer epic. 

To recap this encouraging week, I'm remembering when...

...an hour before bedtime, Scout demonstrated expert problem-solving skills when she was exhausted, not ready to go inside, and quietly grabbed a blanket and fell asleep outside...

...the kids spent half the day as little spider monkeys under the most beautiful flower bush in the world that we're lucky enough to have in our front yard...

...a friend in our ward helped Adam get his motorcycle running after not being used all winter and Jude was brave enough to go for his first ride--and Scout decided she was brave enough to just wear the helmet. "It's too loud, daddy"...

.....Jude and Scout engaged in yet another 20-minute cuddle sesh...

...how tonight, Scout was too tired to make it to her bed and landed on my lap instead...

...and then in how just a few short hours my sweet Piper will be eight months old and how both completely impossible and never more believable that seems. She is a beautiful force in our home and I daresay she will be so for the world. I love her--and all of them--with my whole heart.

Here's to hoping this week is as killer as this last! 

Jude's 6th Birthday!

My sweet boy is six!
Honestly, after the kids turn one, subsequent birthdays don't usually phase me. But something about this one--with Jude losing his first tooth only a few weeks prior and the resulting ever-so-slight lisp, the current way his hair is sitting, his voice that I swear has deepened a few notches within the last month, all making him seem like this majorly big kid now--has me teary-eyed. 

Jude, 
You have always been unanimously described by people who know you best as a sweetheart. You are good and kind and funny and endlessly curious. You are the absolute best big brother and I love, admire and adore you so very much.

Happy birthday, sweet, sweet boy! 

On Saturday afternoon we had just a few little buddies over for a Lego party! The boys made their own Lego cars to race down a ramp Mr. Adam Mark Stevens is very proud to have made with his very own, very manly hands, had pizza for lunch, shot Nerf guns at some really fancy plastic cups, and finished with cake and presents! In between, the boys dug in the dirt, hit trees with random objects, shot Nerf pellets at each other--it was like herding the most well-trained group of cats and I love them all so much. 
They and their enthusiasm stole my heart (every last one of them wore their Lego crowns with PRIDE) and if my pizza bill wouldn't quadruple in the process I'd honestly have them over every day. 
Here are a bunch of photos from the party! Thanks to all who came and for all of your awesome gifts! (You all seriously have the coolest kids!)

Getting caught snacking before the guests arrive. She's not as startled as she looks. She really has no shame in being sneaky. #idowhatiwant

Game faces ON.

"Don't mind me, I've just got my own cars to race." Scout had no intentions of being left out at any time. 

Also, her overalls are so gloriously stretchy and I want a pair for myself sooooo badly. 

Just look at this handsome crew! 

Yes, Scout, I see you over there too. "CHEEEEEESE!!!!!"

And only one minor injury = success! 

Taking a break to play in the dirt. 

The only thing going through my mind was all the episodes of AFV we've watched with people walking with their lit cakes and falling on their faces. *please don't eat it please don't eat it*

YAY! Happy birthday, Jude Dude! We love you so very much! 

Miss Scout is 2!

Always so many emotions when one of my little ones turns a year older.
ESPECIALLY those first couple of years.
This past year of having Miss Scout in our lives has been even sweeter than the last. Pretty much immediately after she turned one her big personality came out and we came to know her as a sweet, but sassy, impatient, but kind and very loving and nurturing little girl. She has us all wrapped around her finger, especially her big brother, Jude. Those two are seriously the best of friends.
The other day, after picking Scout up at the play area at the gym, Jude got really excited to see her. And as they opened the door to let her out he yelled, "Hi Scout!", and then turned and walked the other way. Scout immediately yelled, "Wait!" And Jude turned around just in time for her to hug him around the waist. 
He responded, sweetly, "Oh sweetie, I love you." 
It melted my heart and that of a few other moms who were lucky enough to hear.
They have their moments, of course, but for the most part, they're truly great buddies.

But geez, girl, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS SCOUT!
The most terrible and traumatizing labor and recovering out of the two I've experienced by far, but you were well worth it. And although my body at times mimics that of a 90-year-old woman, I forget all of that when I reflect on the joy you bring into my life constantly. Your quick kisses, tight hugs, huge smile, love for dogs and all things princess and babies and ice cream are just a few of the reasons why I love you so much. 

And here are a few favorites taken of our girl by our ever talented friend, Myra Merrill, back in May! 

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.