Climbing up and moving closer

After some pretty depressing weather, we finally got a break...at least for today. It is somewhat a family tradition to climb Mt. Baker at least once a year (not that it's really a mountain but a largish hill), and this year we added Bailey to our troop. Watching Colton and him trekking up the rocky terrain together was joyful. I cannot describe how much of an impact this little guy has made on our family. Lennon can't bear to be away from him for more than a few minutes, and Colton has his new best buddy. Colton and Lennon have always loved to cuddle together, now Bailey gets smooshed in the middle and loves it. And after the kids go to bed, Josh and I get to play with him and spoil him a bit on our own.

In other news, our sprawling extended family just shrunk a bit with my Grandma Mead arriving last week from Arizona. She bought the cutest house in Lake Clear and is waiting for her stuff to arrive by truck tomorrow(hopefully). It is wonderfully odd to have her here and I mean that in a good way. Not since I was a baby and my Mother and I actually lived with her and my Grandpa (while my Dad was at boot camp) have I lived in the same town as my Grandma. (I did live with her for a few months ten years ago, this feels different) It is great to think that she in so close and will get to watch my children and my cousins children grow and just be here with us. Welcome home Grandma and Libby(her utterly adorable little dog)!

Soothing Music

I am a little awed at that fact that my 4-year-old daughter can fit in her Daddy's guitar case, not to mention fall asleep there!!

Fort Clement

Last summer we made a valiant attempt at building a fort for the kids. It never made it further than a platform under a tree at the top of the hill. This summer Josh is the man. Using only lumber left here on the property he has made excellent headway toward the ultimate fort. As you can see from the pictures Dad made sure there is plenty of room for him to play too. Now that Bailey has joined the family he will get his very own "doggy-lean-to" off one side. It has been a great project for the family and Colton has appointed himself official photographer and the above slide show is his first showcase.

Out for a walk

This past Friday we played host to a bit of company. Dawn was in a jam without a babysitter and Kyle and Adam came over for a slumber party. Kyle, whom you've all heard about, is Colton's good buddy and Lennon's favorite friend. This causes some turmoil as the boys want to be "alone" and Lennon just wants to play with them. At 19 months, Adam apparently isn't a suitable playmate for her. She loves him to death when she wants to, but mostly just wants to be with the big kids.

To ease a little of the tension we decided to take an after dinner walk with Bailey. Yes, we are crazy. I put Adam in the pack, grabbed the leash and we went for it. I am so glad Josh came with us. On the home stretch Bailey was dragging his feet, Lennon was on Daddy's shoulders and Kyle and Colton were poking at each other with sticks and racing for the driveway. In the end the kids had a good time, slept well (eventually) and we survived the night .

Growing family

I would like to introduce you to Bailey. Our newest family memeber. He is from a wonderful family in New Hampshire, who with much sorrow had to give him up. He is a Puggle (Pug-Beagle mix) and two and a half years old. It has been instant love for the whole family. Josh and the kids drove down to North Creek on Saturday to pick him up while I was at work. Josh called as soon as they got home and I could tell he was smitten. How could you resist such a face!!

Lennon takes this job very seriously.

Colton is even excited about scooping poop!

Spring has sprung...

This brought a smile to my face...and more sunscreen!

Tonight Lo 34°F
Saturday SunnyHi 72°F
Sat Night Lo 34°F
Sun Sunny Hi 67°F
Sun Night Lo 32°F
Mon Mostly Sunny Hi 64°F
Mon Night Lo 27°F
Tues Sunny Hi 67°F
Tues Night Lo 31°F

I got to play in the dirt today, yippee! Our yard is still mostly snow but with a forcast like that it will be gone soon.

Watch for pictures of our big news early next week...

When I Grow Up

What did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut? The President?

Not in this house hold. I have asked Lennon several times, just to see if the answer changes, and it doesn't.

"I want to be an Indian and an Artist when I grow up."

I still haven't got an explanation on how to "be" an Indian. Where do they get this stuff?

P.S. If you were wondering, Colton still wants to be a Rock Star and a scientist. Oh yeah, and maybe a chef too.