Jessie is 5!

On Monday, Jessie turned 5! I can't believe she is getting so grown up already! She is my independent thinker, picky eater, and my little grocery shopping buddy - I will miss her company when she starts Kindergarten next year :-( But, I am so excited for her and I know she will LOVE school!

Today, she had a check up and her Kindergarten shots. The CMA said she didn't think she has ever had a patient who helped hold up their own sleeve while getting shots. Not a single tear or even a flinch - I'm so proud! :-)

She is 40 lbs (53rd %tile) and 43.75 inches tall (75th %tile).

The kids always get to pick what type of cake they want (I do my best to oblige them!).

This year Jessie asked for a strawberry butterfly cake with Grammie's berries on it - she wanted to go outside to pick the berries herself. After I told her they wouldn't be ready to pick for a few months, we settled on Grammie's frozen berries. I found a great strawberry and cream cheese frosting on Pinterest - now a family favorite. It was a success and the birthday girl was thrilled.

Presents and cheese pizza finished the day off.

Spring Break

Last week Gracie and Emmett had spring break, so we did what no one else probably did - headed north into the cold, rainy northwest, of course!  My Mom, flew down a little early, then rode with the kids and I while we headed to my parents house up north. The drive was good and we truly enjoyed our wet adventures for the week. My Mom had a few "chores" assigned to us for the week (rolling the coins in the change jar - the kids got to keep it so they didn't mind :-), cutting matting for photos, and a few other fun ones). 

We were also getting ready for Weber Family sausage making so excitement was in the air! On Friday, Jason arrived at noon, then we had an early birthday dinner for Jessie (Pa made her bbq salmon, as requested). The Weber family began arriving Saturday morning and 500lbs of pork was cut, seasoned, ground, stuffed, and smoked before dinner - soooo much fun!! We headed out early Sunday morning and drove all the way back to Fairfield, getting in just before midnight. The kids are already asking when we'll be going back!

Much to Jason's dismay, Emmett and his cousin Cal, thought it would be funny to tramp around the house in clothes from the dress-up bin.....they were pretty cute! :-)

We also had to give my cousin Kate's new fiancee, Jon, a proper welcome to the family, so of course we had a bridal shower complete with lingerie! (There were other practical items too, but Jon didn't appreciate them as much! :-)

And last, but not least, a Hunter Family picture with our newest member, Emerson Mae.

Basketball

A little behind on the blogging - again. But, better late than never! ;-)

Emmett was in a basketball ball league back in February - he loved it! He learned new skills and has loved using our backyard hoop to practice his shooting. On the last day, the kids did a few fun relays and even  had a parent out to play too - guess who was the lucky parent in our house? :-) That's right, for the first time in....a long time...I was running up and down the court, shooting in a three-point competition (not my strongest spot on the court), and scrimmaging (I did not that was part of the deal when I signed up!).  It was pretty fun to be back in the action and I hope to to see him play again.

Change of Plans

When the first MAJOR rain event in California decided to arrive the same weekend we were planning to go camping, a woodland cottage seemed like the smart alternative. Our little cottage was nestled in the redwood forest near Mendocino, CA (northern coast). With electronic devices banned for the weekend (except the camera :), we learned some new board games, played a few old favorites, and brought the most waterproof clothing we could find.  The kids were more than happy to tromp around outside (with all their gear on - good thing the cottage had a dryer because everything was WET!). We also headed to one of the beaches, explored the local campgrounds (for future reference :-), and discovered Gray Whales.

VanDamme Beach in search of abalone shells. Gracie found a few "pieces", but we were all excited to see a few sea lions watching us.

Break in the rain on the Mendocino Headlands

Point Cabrillo Light Station
It was a 1/2 mile walk down to the Lighthouse, but Emmett WAS NOT happy about the adventure, so he protested by turning around before we got there and moaning/whining the entire way (that was the only rough spot of the weekend :)

No. That's not her bed.

Looking for Gray Whale spouts with our docent, Fran. And  sure enough, thanks to Jason's eagle eyes, we saw one spout! It was amazing! We also saw lots of resident Harbor Seals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adolescent Gray Whale Skeleton at MacKerricher State Park

Preparing for elk hunting: Jason served us hunting camp food one night - the kids have to show that they will eat what is served in hunting camp, before they will be invited to go. This is Mountain House Beef Stew - it was pretty good and Gracie and Emmett both passed the test!

"Inside Smores": thank you microwave!

Emmett insisted I take a picture of this statue in the cottage - it reminded him of the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland

House Divided

Four of us were sporting blue and green and one was orange and blue.....at bedtime, four were elated and one was saying, "Well, maybe they'll win next year?". It was just the five of us together for the game, but I made LOTS of yummy snacks and I'm sure all the 49ers fans in our neighborhood (all rooting for the Broncos in this game) could hear us cheering!  What a fun game to watch - wish we could celebrate with our friends and family in Seattle!

GO HAWKS!