Moving Along

Our addition is finally starting to really move along now! The foundation sure took a long time with the two sets of forms, inspections, concrete...but ahhh, it's done and the floor joists are waiting on an inspection this week and then it's go time! (well go until roof time, then the county will hold us up again.) Here is a picture I took the other day with the floor partially done.

* The wall with the window will come out - that is a current bedroom and will extend out. The chimney will be coming out too. A master bath will be added in the area closest in the photo. I CANT WAIT for a second bathroom!!!

36 weeks now.

I am ready to meet our little man. Well I am, the house is far from ready (their new room currently has no carpet, half finsihed closet, and us still in it. - But as my MIL reminded me, Jesus was born in a manger.) Adding an addition AND remodeling right now...I'm learning ultimate patience!

I wish I could be one of those moms who has a baby early, but let's face reality - I most likely wont. So Im just trying to make it through each day waiting for another 4 weeks. I can analyze and research every little sign and symptom (as if I havent dont this before..) but really, he will come when he's done and ready.



4th of July

We took a trip to Pullman for the 4th this year. Our first official vacation as a family and traveling with Grace! We had so much fun! I was most worried about her sleeping since she has freedom in a toddler bed and we put her in a pack and play, but Steve ran her down and by the time she crashed she was out! :)

Grace and Hazel

Grace cant get enough of swinging

Grace became Papa's new BFF during this trip. Momma is old news.

My favorite from the trip. I love Grace and Papa pictures.

Family photo at the parade. I was 33weeks with Orion here and ready for him to come now!

Keeping Berries Fresh

This is genius, I had to share!

I love this time of year when berries start going on sale in the store (my strawberries are still green.) So when they are a great deal I snag up some. Yet, how many strawberries can one small family eat in a day before they go bad? And I feel bad giving Grace an overload of Vitamin C 3 times a day, even though she loves them.

The internet has amazing solutions!

To keep your berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.) fresh WAY longer: mix 1 part White Vinegar and 10 parts water. (I did 1/2c Vin and 5c water), put berries in bowl, let sit for 5ish minutes. Strain and lay out to air dry. Then put either covered or uncovered in fridge. (Mine were good uncovered for 4-5 days!!) This doesnt affect the berries taste at all and it kills all the mold spores, etc on the fruit (which really, you should be killing anyway!)



Toddler Painting

It was a beautiful day out again yesterday and I have been waiting for a good time to make these "paints" and let Grace play! Even though these are technically 'edible', they really aren't a snack or to be eaten. If she tasted it (which she did) it was okay, since it was all food. It actually tastes kind of strange, so she only tried it once.

Recipe: (Filled all 7 jars perfectly)

4.5 tbs sugar

3/4 c. corn starch

3/4 tsp salt

3 cups water

Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan and warm until it thickens, stirring so it doesnt become chuncky. Let it cool, divide into jars and add food coloring. That's it!

Ours became thicker as it cooled, so if it is too gooey, mix in a little water to be more paint-like. I liked the goo for Grace to experiment with. Surprisingly, nothing stained her skin. We tossed her in the bath immediately after we were done and it all came off.

We put her in the yard just for an easy clean up. I would really suggest doing this outside or in a contained area (high chair, empty bath tub, etc.) I gave her paper and a couple old paint brushes and let her go. (The food coloring didnt seem to stain her skin, but I didnt trust it on clothes, so diaper time it was! Disposable at that - I love my cloth prints too much to risk staining those a random color too!)

I am absolutely the parent that wants my kids to be kids. I want her to be "okay" with getting a bit messy sometimes. This paint goo was all over her hands, body and hair when we were done. (I'd show that adorable mess, but I dont put naked baby pics online.) She is a girl by all means. She would rather play with her purse, phone and babies instead of the trucks and balls. But she also loves to make a mess and get dirty. Let your kids explore!

The aftermath of art.

And Baby Makes Three

"A family is a little world created by love."

And how much I do love my little family!

First Trip to the Zoo

My dad couldn't help himself on my birthday this year...he bought me an annual zoo pass. So yesterday I used it for the first time. Grace, Grandpa and I had a blast at the zoo!

Grace looking at the sea lions swimming by. She did really well following the animals and watching them! I wasn't sure how a 4mo old would be interested, but she loved it!

Showing off the new hat and snow leopard she "had to have," said Grandpa.

Exhausted! Her favorites were the sea lions, puffin, camel and sharks. I can't wait to go back!

A Hot Summer Day at the Beach!

The first day of summer has finally arrived (and hit 90 degrees!) so we took a trip to the coast with the pups. Hopefully there is a few more this year like this!Reagan LOVED the water. Riley, not so much.

I got bored, and Riley didn't care at all that I was covering him in sand. HAHA!

Beach Bums!

Steve out in his kayak. He had a blast!

So tired after a long, hot day at the beach. I came home with some sand dollars and a sweet tan!

Happy Birthday To Me!

It's one of my favorite times of the year! On Saturday I celebreated my 23rd birthday. Thank you to everyone who remembered me! I got two wonderful gifts from Steve. My Kitchenaid shredder/slicer attachment is amazing! Shredding cheese was always his job and he obviously disliked it enough to get me this attachment. It makes cooking so much faster! Again, I LOVE my Kitchenaid!
And my favorite: the ice-cream maker attachment. I made french vanilla here and it only lasted 4 days! It was delicious. Nothing beats home made!

Summer Projects and Fun

There is never a dull moment in our house! Steve's buddy gave him and old canoe and he is custom making it for me! Here it is all sanded and put back together for the most part. It was originally about 16-17 feet long...way to big for me to be solo. So he cut out the middle and now it is about 10 feet long and a lot lighter!
Here's the nice chunck still in the back that was cut out. Its in our dump-run pile. but I wonder if they'll take it?

As soon as the roof was done we purchased Steve's dream. A Liquidlogic kayak. He is in love!

Speaking of roof, we did finish that over the Memorial Day Weekend.

Like I said, we are always busy and up to something around here!