Spending Time With Family

 Every time the horse went up and down she made a "whoo" sound.  It was funny!

My brother was in town last week from Germany, so Hannah and I tagged along with my brother and parents to Seattle for the day.  Hannah loves her uncle Justin.  She met him earlier this summer when we were all in California, but she loved him even more this last time he was in Seattle.  We walked around Pike Place Market, did some shopping, rode the carousal, and ate at Ivar's with all the seagulls.  Hannah loved the carousal ride, and was very intrigued by all the seagull at Ivar's on the pier. 

Labor Day Weekend

 Hannah ran out of clean, dry clothes so she wore my sweatshirt the last morning.

We had to get a picture of the entire families feet in the sand :)

This past weekend we took our first family vacation.  Where did we go?.....camping along the Washington coast.  Every year Blake and I suggest going somewhere over the long weekend, but by the time we actually get around to planning something it's too late.  This year we got online early, reserved a camp site, and kept our fingers crossed for nice weather.  We couldn't have asked for a better weekend.  The sun was shining, the ocean was surprisingly warm, Hannah loved the beach and did great sleeping in a tent, Lucy was in heaven being in the woods and water, and the best part was no cell phones or internet for 2 days.  Blake and I had some great talks around the fire with no interruptions from phones, we were able to play games, and just enjoy each others company.  Life has become so focused on "being connected" but it's really important to unplug from the world every once in a while.  We had such a great time, we may have started a new family tradition of camping every Labor Day weekend. 

Big Girl

At Hannah's last appointment with her pediatrician, she suggested that I start letting Hannah feed herself with a spoon and fork.  Of course that gave me a little anxiety with how messy things can get, but doctors orders.  Here was our first attempt with yogurt.  Hannah thought it was fun and did fairly well. 

Birthday Party

I can't believe that our love bug will be "1" on the 31st.  Where has the time gone?! With each milestone, it's bittersweet.  I miss some things about her being little, but at the same time I'm also so grateful for the stage we're at now.  This past weekend we celebrated her birthday with family and friends.  I went a little crazy with learning new skills, and putting them to the test for her party.  I knew she wouldn't remember her first birthday, but my philosophy was if I never have another girl I wanted to make sure I made this the best girl birthday party ever.  I took a cake decorating class and learned how to work with fondant.  I learned how to make tissue paper pom poms at a mutual activity.  I made stuffed animal owl party favors, inspired by someone selling them on Etsy.  Best of all, inspired by Pinterest, I made a tulle tu-tu and a fabric cake and sewed it on a onesie for Hannah's birthday outfit.  It was all a lot of work, but so fun at the same time.  Hannah had a blast with cousins and friends and she loves all of her new toys. 

Stuffed animal party favors- so fun to make.

Ready for the party!

I can't wait to make another cake and decorate it with fondant.

First baby doll.  It even giggles.

She loved her cake.  She still doesn't love things stuck on her fingers.

Ready for the sun with her new shades.

Her birthday was an owl and bird theme.  She loves her PB Kids owl "Joy" and now she has her sibling "Penny."

Splish Splash

It's finally summer here in Washington, so Hannah and I have had a few play dates at the local outdoor pool.  I think Blake felt left out, so we went last night.  The water was warm, but the air was cool so our swim was short.  Hannah loves the pool, so I'm sure her and I will be going again soon. 

Lately

We've been playing outside a lot

Our "hungry little hippo" eating pizza and ice cream-YUM!

Discovering the fan

We have a beaver in our house and it's not Blake, Lucy, or I.  Hannah pried off the rubber crib protectors with her teeth and thought she would try out wood to see if she liked it.  Apparently she did.  I had to hurry and make these fabric protectors.  They turned out cute, and I learned how to use my serger in the process. 

Hannah discovers a laser...