May 26, 2016. Sophie and Ruby get Hair Cuts.

These cute girls have been growing their hair out the entire school year. Both of them were ready for a fresh Summer haircut. To our surprise they both had hair long enough to donate! Ruby couldn't believe how short here hair was! I'm sure she'll enjoy it once the hot Summer heat hit us!! They both look adorable!

May 25, 2016. Last Day of School!

My cute kiddos finished up another successful school year. I am so proud of them! This year wasn't easy, but they handled it so well and thrived! Each one of them is so smart and got such good grades. They all made some great friends at school this year and I love seeing them interact and have fun with them. It's a bittersweet ending. We are so excited for Summer and the fun that we will have, not to mention the break from homework and early school days, but we are also sad to say goodbye to such great teachers. I feel so blessed to have had the teachers we did this year. Cute Ruby cried and cried because school had ended. I love these kids like crazy and I can't wait to spend my Summer days with them!!

And my favorite photo tradition. First/Last Day of school pictures! I love seeing how they change and grow each year!

March 7, 2016. Sophie gets braces.

This cute girl got braces! She was so excited and nervous. I can't believe how grown up she is getting. I love her so much!

October 31, 2015. Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from my crew!

A skeleton, a raven, a devil, a shadow, and Cinderella!

Love these little people of mine!

Aug. 13, 2015. First Day of School.

The kids started school today! The kids and I were excited for the new school year. We got our new school clothes, our new shoes, registered at our new schools and were looking forward to all the adventures that we would have this year. As it got closer and closer to the 1st day however, I had a lot of anxiety about the kids starting school this year. Especially about Sophie starting 6th grade in an intermediate school. I was trying not to project my anxiety on to the kids and instead we would talk about how awesome the school year was going to be. And I really think it will be! All the kids came home and said they had a great day! Sophie didn't get lost going to any of her classes. She likes her language arts teacher the best so far, and she said the day flew by! Collin has a male teacher this year who loves math and science...just like him! His favorite part of the day was getting his own Chrome book to use this year! Ruby has such a sweet teacher. She got to be the mystery student and bring some things from home to share about herself and she is adjusting to going to school full day. She said the day was so long it felt like two! Ha! Love that girl! So proud of each of my kids. I know they will have a great year! Tomorrow we will tackle riding the bus!

June 2, 2015. Last day of school!

Well it wasn't really the last day of school, but our kids didn't actually go to school on the last day of the year and the last day they did go was field day so they wore swim suites, so these pictures were taken three days before school ended!

I'm so proud of my kiddos this year. They all had a great year in school this year. It wasn't always easy,  and it wasn't always fun, but they all gave 100% all year long! I have such great and smart kids. I love them!

As per tradition, my first and last day of school comparison for the 2014-2015 school year:

And one of this cute girl because she wanted a picture too, and who can resist this cuteness!

August 25, 2014. First Day of School!

The kids started school! I for one was so ready. They were ready too although I'm not sure they would admit it! They all seem to have good teachers this year and we are looking forward to a great year full of lots of learning! Sophie and Collin had a great first day. Ruby however was totally disappointed in her first day. She had Kindergarten orientation and was only there a short time. She is loving school now, although I think her favorite part is riding scooters home with Sophie and Collin! Such smart kids I have. I know they are going to have a wonderful year!

We couldn't forget about Miss Lyla. She isn't going to Preschool this year but really wanted too! She was eager to get dressed, pack a lunch for herself, and wear her backpack! Thank goodness she was content with just dropping the kids off at the school.

August 23, 2014. Sophie's Birthday Party!

For Sophie's birthday this year we celebrated a couple of days early because her actual birthday was on the first day of school. She chose to invite one friend to go miniature golfing and out for frozen yogurt!  They had a blast! It was so much fun to watch her and her cute friend interact with one another. They played their own game of mini golf in front of Logan and I and I loved watching them have so much fun together! They may or may not have cheated a bit!! After mini golf and frozen yogurt the girls came back to our house for cupcakes and presents. Such a fun afternoon!

That evening "Grandma and Grandpa Sheep" came over for dinner and presents! It was a great day to celebrate a great girl. We love you Sophie! Happy 10th birthday!

May 30, 2014. Last Day of School.

The kiddos had their last day of school. Such a bittersweet day! Neither of them wanted school to end, although I don't think they have been too disappointed with Summer yet either. Sophie in particular was so sad. She cried and cried that night because she didn't want to leave her teacher. I am so grateful for her teacher this year. Both kids had wonderful teachers. I'm so proud of these guys for the great year  of school they had and I'm so excited I get to have them home this Summer!

October 31, 2013. Happy Halloween!

The kids were so excited for Halloween! Sophie wanted to make her own costume this year and she did a great job! She was a raccoon! One of our sweet neighbors painted the kids faces making their costumes complete! They all looked so cute! 

Sophie and Collin wanted to trick or treat with friends this year and had such a great time! Collin could have stayed out all night. Logan and I took the little girls out. They did our street and then they were ready to be done. We spent the rest of the night handing out candy and the kids ate a bunch of their loot! 

September 2, 2013. York's Birthday!

We don't know exactly when York was born, we only know he was eight weeks old when we got him. Sophie decided he was born on September 1st. For a while now she has been talking about his birthday and what she wanted to do. So when the day came, I convinced her to have his party on the 2nd so we would have enough time for the preparations. I made this cute cake, and Sophie put together quite the party. We had all the neighborhood boys over and played some fun puppy games and then we all enjoyed some of York's birthday cake! It ended up being pretty fun! Happy birthday York! May you start to mellow out some this year! love the pictures of Soph with her pup!

August 25, 2013. Happy Birthday Sophie!

Sophie turned 9! She is growing up so quickly. She had a great birthday. Her celebrating was spread out through the Summer. She got to go on a fun one-on-one trip with her Grandma to Seattle where she was spoiled rotten. Then the week of her birthday she chose to go the a trampoline park and out to eat at Sizzler. On her actual birthday both sets of Grandparents came over to celebrate with cake and ice cream! I sure do love this girl! Happy Birthday Sopher Bug!

For Sophie

Dear Sophie,

Happy Birthday to you! I can't believe you are nine! How can it be that I have been a mom for nine whole years. Crazy! You are sweet, and sensitive. Funny, and smart! Life is so much better because you are in it!

Sophie you have grown up so much in the last year. I am so proud of the girl you are becoming! Collin, Ruby, and Lyla think the world of you. They look up to you and love being with you. They miss you so much when you are not here with us. I am grateful for the example you set for them, and I'm so grateful that you guys are such good friends. It is so fun to hear the three (and sometimes four) of you busy in play! Such a special bond you have with one another.

You are an animal lover. If it were up to you our home would be swarming with pets. You recently told us you wanted to live on a farm when you grow up. York is your pal. And he loves so much. You always say you are his favorite person in the family, and you are right! You insisted that he be a part of you birthday pictures.  I love the way he brought out your personality. You have to pet every animal we pass by. And you remember all of their names. Earlier this Spring, you wanted a chick, and just recently you begged for a bunny. You stomped your foot and threw a little fit when your Dad and I told you no way!

Along with real animals, you have a love for stuffed animals. They are by far your favorite toy to play with. You have so many. Each one of them holds a special memory or place in your heart. You can't stand the thought of getting rid of just a few. Sometimes Mom puts a few in the basement to free up some space in your room, but it isn't too long before they are all back up in your room.

Sophie you are so much fun to be around! You have the greatest laugh. One can't help but to laugh right along with you. You love to be silly and to tell jokes. You love to listen to music and sing along. You love to read. You love to shop. And you love to eat yummy treats. You love to play with friends and get lost in imaginary play. You love to cuddle and you give the best hugs!

Love you so much sweet girl! I'm grateful you are mine. You are such a blessing.
XOXO
Mom

August 26, 2013. First Day of School.

Sophie and Collin had their first day of school today. Such a bittersweet day for me. On the one hand I hate to see them go, but on the other hand I am ready for the routine and the structure that comes with the school year. My kids are getting so big. Sophie started 4th grade and Collin started 2nd. Can't believe I have a fourth grader! Both kids had a great day! Here's to a great year!!!

June 26, 2013.

For months Sophie has been begging me to buy a coconut. Her third grade teacher had talked with the class about them and Sophie told me almost weekly about how sweet their milk was and how she couldn't wait to try one. So I decided to to buy one for her the other day while I was grocery shopping. She was so excited!! She could hardly wait for Logan to get home so we could break into it. She found out the coconut milk wasn't as sweet as she expected it to be. And when we broke into it the coconut was moldy so she didn't even get to try the meat. Bummer! But at least we got to feel like we were on a tropical island for a few minutes at least!!!