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.

Memorial Day Weekend

This was taken right before the duck bit Mia because she was trying to feed it. She has now learned to through the food!

After months of waiting for Spring to arrive in the Spokane area we were blessed with a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We took full advantage of all the beautiful weather. On Saturday, we went to my mom and dad's where the girls spent all day playing baseball and soccer outside. Sunday we planted flowers, tomatoes, basil and then headed over to my cousin Terri's house for swimming and a BBQ. On Monday the girls and I headed down to Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. If you ever come this way you must stop at the park. There is a wonderful Carrousel, rides, walking trails, ducks to feed, a giant Radio Flyer Wagon slide, fountains to run through and much more. I got the girls season passes and I'm sure we will take full advantage of them. I have many fond memories of the park when I was a child and I am so happy my girls will have the same. We ended the weekend with a BBQ at my friend Stacy's house with her family. All in all the weekend was busy but filled with lots of fun. I am enjoying all this quality time with my girls, family and friends!

8 Things . . .

I was just tagged by my friend Kelly. So Here I go:

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:

1. My visit to Oregon to see my friends.
2. Mia getting potty trained.
3. Hailee finishing Kindergarten.
4. The sun!
5. Summer Fun!
6. Mom being done with this round of chemo.
7. Hailee going to Camp Dart-lo.
8. Watching Grey's Anatomy tonight.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Drove Hailee to school.
2. Cleaned bathrooms.
3. Picked up pictures.
4. Went to the Doctor.
5. Had X-Rays of my knee.
6. Made lunch for my mom, dad and Mia.
7. Cuddled with my girls.
8. Gave Mia a bath and Hailee a shower.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Cure my mom.
2. Keep my kids away from anything harmful (words, people, actions, ect.)
3. Play on a warm beach.
4. Loose weight.
5. Go back to school and get my Master's.
6. Finish Mia's 1st year scrapbook.
7. Walk without pain.
8. Watch my cousin finish her Ironman Race in June.

8 Shows I Watch:

1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Jon and Kate Plus 8 (Maybe not now!)
3. Lost
4. Real Housewives of New York (it's funny)
5. Barefoot Contessa
6. Brother's and Sister's
7. Oprah
8. Friday Night Lights

Mother's Day Tea

Happy Mother's Day!

Hailee and some of her friends from school.

Today was the Mother's Day Tea at Hailee's school. She has been talking and preparing for this day for months now. She's been in her room with the door closed practicing songs because she hasn't wanted me to hear them. It really has been so cute! All the kindergarten moms and grandmothers were treated to wonderful songs, poems, verses and worship. It really touched me to see my little girl praising the Lord through her heartfelt voice. We had a even more special treat that my mom was able to come. She spent the week in the hospital with another infection and low white blood cells and we thought she would have to miss out on this special day. She was released yesterday and was able to come. She was even sporting a new hair-do. Now we look even more alike! All in all it was a wonderful day spent with my mom and my little girl who seems to becoming more grown up by the minute. I look forward to many more of these special days in the future!

Easter

I know I'm a little late with these photos but I still thought I should share. The girls and I spent the night before Easter at my parent's house. The Easter bunny stopped there first and left nice baskets and some eggs to find. We all then went to my cousin Amy's beautiful house for a nice brunch that brought our family and her husbands Rich's family together. Amy lives on 10 acres in North Spokane. She hid 150 eggs for the kids (there was only 4 little girls to go egg hunting). It was so nice to spend the holiday with my family!

Picture Updates

My little helper!

One of our Spring Snow Storms!

Hailee's new haircut!