1st Grade Already!

It can't believe my little girl is a 1st grader! She had a great first day! I'm so excited where this year will take my wonderful daughter. I am looking forward to all the books she will read to me (and her sister), all the fantastic stories she will write, the creative crafts she will bring home and most of all seeing her love of learning grow day by day. Oh what a year we will have!

Mia's Photo Shoot

My good friend, Mike, took these amazing photos of Mia. They turned out so cute! I can't believe she is getting so grown up. He's going to do family pictures this fall and I am so excited to see how his talent will be displayed!

Mia's Birthday Parties

Mia's Unicorn

Hipity-Hop Fun!!!

Riding her new scooter.

Mia and her friends.

Don't you just love that face!

Mia models her new backpack that Mimi got her.


(Sorry the pictures are a bit random!)

Now that we are in Spokane we have the opportunity to celebrate birthday's and other occasions with my family. My family has been so important in my life and it means so much that my girls are able to have these experiences as well. So this year we had two birthday parties for Mia, a family party and a kid party. Twice the parties, twice the fun!

The family party was at my cousin Terri and her husband Pat's house. Mia and Pat share a birthday so we were celebrating him as well. We had a nice BBQ, the girls swam in the pool and enjoyed the first of two unicorn cakes that I made for Mia. She has been talking about having a unicorn party for about 6 months now. I didn't even know she knew what a unicorn was until she announced that was what she wanted for her birthday. Trying to find birthday items that have unicorns proved to be a bit more challenging than I anticipated. But being a mother who doesn't want to disappoint my 3 year old, I made it work and she loved it!

The second party was at, Jump N-Party, which is full of inflatable jump houses and slides. There was about 10 kids and they all had a blast! Mia jumped, ran and slid down the slides for an hour straight. So much fun! All in all, turning three turned out to be a lot of fun for Mia. She has been blessed with spending so much time with a lot of wonderful family and friends. We look forward to many more birthday's to celebrate!

Camp Dart-Lo

Last Day of Camp

First Day of Camp

Hailee spent the last week attending Camp Dart-Lo. This was her first experience at camp and she had so much fun! She spent the week hiking, swimming, acting, doing crafts, singing songs, learning about nature and making new friends. I was a little worried because of the warm weather but she was a trooper and pulled through like a champion! She already has asked if she can go to camp for 2 weeks next summer. I'm sure she will be going to overnight camp before I know it. I'm so glad this was such a positive experience, one of which will remain with her for a very long time!

Birthday Letter to Mia

Wow, where has time gone? You entered the world three years ago today and changed my life forever. Hailee's birth was special because she made me a mommy, your birth was special because you not only did you double my love in my heart but you made Hailee a sister. I see your relationship with Hailee grow every day. You two are so lucky to have one another! Since the day you entered our lives you have brought us so much joy! You have such a wonderful spirit and a kind heart. You make us laugh everyday with the funny jokes you tell and the quirky songs you sing. You have always kept me on my toes and I'm sure that will not stop anytime soon! I am so excited to see what life has in store for you! You are my sweet little girl and mommy loves you so very much!!!

4th of July

Mia and her friends having a little lunch.

I know it's blurry but I love Mia's face.

Nothing sweeter then my girls together!

A little rest after fun in the sun!

The view from our beach.

My little beach babe.

Hailee and Abby

My aunt, uncle, cousins and their families were so gracious to include the girls and myself this year on their annual 4th of July trip to Priest Lake, Idaho. Every year they stay at this wonderful cabin that is so secluded and peaceful. It truly is a little piece of heaven right in North Idaho.

The girls had so much fun swimming, I don't think they got out of the water for two days straight. Hailee would throw Abby (1 of the 5 dogs that made the trip) her toy then they would race each other retrieve it. Abby was worn out, which is saying a lot for her! Both of the girls are swimming so well. I had life jackets on them but Hailee really could go without. Safety first! She would dive into the water at the end of the dock and swim back to shore without help. Mia even jumped to my awaiting arms.

Hailee wanted my uncle Gary to teach her how to fish so they spent a few hours one morning troll fishing around the lake. They didn't get anything but Hailee still loved it! Gary has been waiting for a fishing buddy in the family for a long time!

The girls even went huckleberry picking with my cousin Amy and her husband Rich. They ate them all before I was able to get a picture. When they girls weren't in the water or huckleberry picking they were on the tree swing. Hailee is such a great big sister, she would push Mia the majority of the time. I only heard a complaint once or twice!

We spent the night of the 4th on the beach roasting marshmallows and watching the firework displays for the resorts across the lake. I was looking forward to this trip for a long time and I enjoyed every minute. I just hope next year we are able to join them again and maybe stay another day or two!

Strawberries!!!!

We went strawberry picking last weekend. The weather was wonderful and the girls had a great time! For every one strawberry that Mia put into the basket she must have eaten four. Oh well, who's counting. Hailee was a great help to me. She has a good eye for the big, juicy ones. When we brought them home I proceeded to make 5 batches of freezer jam. There is nothing better than homemade jam! Now we're waiting for raspberries.