Feeling the Love

Happy Valentines Day

There was a lot of love in February. Cute custom made heart people greeted our kids on the table as they woke up. Each had a note written on the inside sharing a little love from Mom and Dad. I remember my Mom making cute little things like this and I loved it! I am trying to continue in her footsteps.

The girls were invited to a Valentines Sugar Cookie princess Tea Party with girl friends from Church. Everyone came dressed in their princess best. It was very fun.

 In the picture below I laughed as I noticed the reflection in the mirror, each mother is holding a baby and snapping a picture. I tell you Mommy's make things happen and have fun doing it! We have made some wonderful talented and fun friends in The Dalles. Each girl made a gigantic cookie for their dad and herself. I think the amount of sprinkles and candy on each cookie doubled the weight. Unfortunately Josh's cookie was attacked by the cookie monster at our house (ME) before he got home from work, at least he got a small taste. (I felt kind of bad but not bad enough to stop eating his cookie, that giant heart kept getting smaller and smaller, he's an ice cream guy anyway right!?) Yes I truly have a super weakness for ANY cookie, they are not safe in my presence.

Daddy Daughter Dances and Dates

 The community has an annual Daddy Daughter Dance. Marissa and Josh attended and danced all night. She is a dancer, one of her favorite songs was Gang Nam Style. Josh has a love for it too since it is full Korean. He rocks out when he hears it. I caught him passionately belting the Korean lyrics one night in bed. What can I say but. . . Oppan Gang Nam Style!!! They finished the night with a helium balloon and a treat.

 These girls love their DAD! 

 Olivia had a Daddy Daughter date they next night. They went to Josh's office and had a snack and made pink play dough hearts. Then we all went swimming in the awesome saltwater pool. Olivia likes to make sure she has hugs and kisses from her Dad. 

Josh is a loving father he has a kind nature and soft side that endears these girls to him, including me. He is a romantic at heart and constantly surprises me. He is good at keeping secrets and can be quite sneaky. And he will watch chick flicks with me. . . he would probably make me erase that last part but unless he discovers it, it gets to stay because it's true and I love it! :)

Hiking in The Columbia Gorge

Our family has decided to get out and discover the adventures that are all around us. Josh is the master mind in finding hikes we can all enjoy. Wahclella Falls was a Gem. It was so fun to take the kids on a "cool" hike.  Josh has a book about hundreds of hikes throughout the Columbia Gorge we are going to try and visit all of them over the next decade or so. . . ha ha it's a big bucket list but let's get started. Here are a few captured moments of why this was a "cool" hike.

Cool reason #1 The Name. It is Wahclella Falls which is a rather tricky tongue twister if you say it 3 times in a row. Try it. Extra tricky if you are missing two front teeth like Ty. :)

 Cool reason #2 Bright Furry green moss on everything and we mean everything.  The river was impressive as well.

Cool Reason #3 Muddy Trails are Squishy. There was a light sprinkle for the entire hike we almost had second thoughts getting out of the van but we decided it will be an adventure to remember plus we had just driven 45 mins to get there. 

Rain coats are a must in this neck of the woods.

 Cool Reason #4 There were huge bridges that crossed the river, but no trolls were spotted. Marissa almost didn't cross because it was so high, she ran across and waited on the other side, she didn't want to get eaten by a troll or stop in the middle for a picture.

 Cool Reason #5 The Beauty. To see God's creations and the beauty of the earth is refreshing and inspiring. I think we all felt pretty lucky to see the gorgeous views around us.

 Cool Reason #6 The GIANT Rocks. They were HUGE and we were so small next to them. Ty wanted to climb everything.

The guys climbed down the steep trail to get a closer look at the water.

Cool Reason #7 Ty Marissa, Olivia, and Tessa they are just cool kids. Josh and I were impressed with their endurance, rain + mud+ steep trails+ no snacks= happy kids. They must really like this. 

 Cool Reason #8 Getting to the Water Fall! It was "Awesomely Cool" loud and big! Plus it was used in the movie Homeward Bound 2 or maybe in the original, ok maybe we need to brush up on our Homeward bound movie trivia.

 Success! Tessa was excited to be included in the group as long as Ty and Riss held her hands. The loud pounding sound of the water made her nervous. She was in good hands. Livvy's facial expressions were so animated all day she couldn't get enough adventure.

 As I looked at my children I got a little teary eyed, not just because the water spray kept getting in my face, I feel that moving to such a beautiful place will provide many opportunities for our children to spend time together and help each other. They are going to be each other's best friends and support as they move through life. I can't help but feel blessed to have Josh as my husband and best friend. Heavenly Father has let us start a sweet little family that will forever be the center of my heart. They are each different and each so unique, I am lucky to be their mom. The best part of my day is when my kids look up and say "Mom, you are the bestest mom ever mom." Granted there are plenty of hard moments, but the little sweet ones are the ones that make all the difference.

Cool Reason # 9 Dad Ty and Marissa hiked to the bottom of the water fall. It was much louder but worth every spray of water to feel the power of the waterfall.

Cool Reason #10 Rock Towers. Ty and the girls discovered rock towers that fellow hikers leave to mark that they have reach a certain place. We are now on the look out for towers to add to or places we can start our own.

Last days in Sacramento

 The Last month in Sacramento was a busy fun fast blur full of birthdays swimming and friends AND packing AND finishing residency. Josh really did well and finished strong so did the kids and I. Here is the last few months in Sacramento covered in Snapshots.

Ready for church- Pretty girls

Tessa was too tired to play any more.

The Train Ride at the Folsom Zoo.

Happy Birthday Princess Marissa and Olivia

Alyson Symons made the girls a beautiful Birthday Princess Cake.

We had a "clink and drink" party with all of our friends from church and school.

Marissa and Eve

Liv and Leah

Everything was Splendiferous!

Ty's T-ball the A's

Coach Joe Green and Ryan Kanzler made for a fun team with boys in our neighborhood.

Ty was great at catching the ball he is a great 1st basemen.

 Green cupcakes are so delicious!

What to do in the summer when it is super HOT?

 This was a common activity in the back yard under the huge shade tree.

 Happy Father's Day to the best Dad around!

I love to play in water and I love my Mommy and my Daddy.

HAPPY 7th Birthday Ty

 Best Friends from school Joey and Andy. These boys knew how to play and have fun.

Del Norte Club and Swimming Lessons

We spent most of our final days and weeks playing in the pool at the club.

The girls best friend Kiera Matthews. Livvy prayed for Kiera and Soomi every night.

  Olivia loves sitting in the sun.

  Tessa loved being born in Sacramento, not a bad place to start life. :)

 We love Smoothies in the Summer!

 Exhaustion sets in even with the strongest.

 The Big Truck that took our stuff far far away to Oregon.

Goodbye Sacramento It's been a crazy, tired, great year!