If only summer could last forever!

 We have had a wonderful summer at the lake.  Summer has absolutely flown by- I cant believe it's nearly over!  We have gotten into our routine of driving out to the cabin on Fridays, and then coming back Sunday evenings. The weekends always fly by with lots of company, and we feel very fortunate that all of the cousins play so well together. Sophie will be very sad to not see them every weekend.

 Sophie and Elly became quite the team this summer and watched a movie (usually Barbie) every night while we got dinner ready.  They were very good about taking turns picking out the movie, and would even remember from week to week whose turn it was.

 Sophie and Elly played a lot with rocks.  Rocks at the lake have never been so clean.

 Sophie became quite brave in the water this summer.  She had no fear, and couldn't care less about how cold it was. She would simply jump in, and stay in, for several hours at a time.  I usually had to drag her out of the lake for juice and snack breaks.

Sophie also was quite the tuber this summer.  She now likes to tube several times a day.  We have tried hard to get her interested in skiing on the trainers, but she keeps telling us that she,"will ski when it snows," or "When I am five."  We'll see if this happens.  

  Cade loves the lake as well.  He is our little water baby.   Unlike Sophie, who didn't put a toe into the water till she was three, Cade jumps in without any worry.  The cold seems to have no effect on him, and I usually take him out when his little lips turn blue.

  

Some of Cade's favorite lake activites- splashing in the water (and eating rocks).

Cade likes to swim in the lake as well, he kicks his little legs in a frog kick and will doggy paddle his little arms.  He loves to be in the water- he's a natural.  I cant wait to see what next summer at the lake brings!

Hawaii

 We had a wonderful time in Hawaii!  Once we got there, we began to forget about the horrors of the plane ride with Cade, and were instantly able to relax.  (It wasn't that Cade was outright naughty, but he would not sleep in my lap, got overtired from missing 2 naps, and is loud to begin with.) The kids did shockingly well with the 4 hour time change, and everyone slept great a nights!  Sophie was so excited to be in the warm weather and by a pool that she wanted to swim all day everyday.  We usually persuaded her to wait to get in the water till after breakfast.

 Sophie got braver each time she got in the water, until she was doing running leaps into the pool.

 In Maui, we took a ride on the Sugar Cane Train.

 Sophie Loves Thomas the Train, so she was excited! The first half was a lot of fun!  She watched from her window the entire time and was thrilled to be on a real train.  The second half was hot, the kids were hungry and tired- so not so fun. We were excited to get off.

 Sophie had been to the Oregon coast before, but never in a warm ocean.  She loved it!

Cade loved the water too!  He didnt however like the salt water and would spit it out.  He also loved putting sand and rocks in his mouth, which is why he had to have his passie in at all times.

Aunt Jen helps Cade swim!  We loved having extra hands around!

 Sophie learned the time honored tradition of jumping waves.

 It was hard to tell who enjoyed making sand castles more- Carl or Sophie?

 All of us together again!  When everyone lives in different states it is rare that we all get together.

 Sophie loved swimming with Bekah.  Swimming with Bekah helped Sophie learn to use her goggles and dive underwater.

 We took a glass bottom boat ride in Kona.  This was a great way for the kids to get a "snorkling" experience.

 Sophie followed Bekah everywhere and did everything she did.  We are at the open air market in Kona where we got the best produce I have ever tasted!  It was amazing!!

Nana and all her grandkids. Even though it was hard for all of us to get to Hawaii, I am grateful that we did it and now have the great memories!  We would love to go back, but maybe when the kids are a little older and can experience all that Hawaii has to offer.

Catching Up

The month of May flew by, and it's time to catch up! Cade is quickly becoming a toddler and has taken his first steps.  His current record is 7 steps- and it might have been the shortest distance ever covered by 7 steps, but we are counting it.  He still prefers to crawl, but I think he will be up and walking within the month of June.  He now seems like a really big boy!

Sophie has quickly changed from a tomboy into a girly-girl.  She now loves princesses, Barbie, wearing dresses, and putting multiple bows in her hair.  I must admit, I love this stage!  I have long waited to play Barbie and ponies. However, she still loves to play soccer in the backyard and play in the dirt- she just now gets her dress dirty.

Cade's favorite hangout spot is in the fridge.  Whenever he hears me making lunch or dinner he comes crawling into the kitchen and clings to my leg crying for samples. (much like a dog begging) It is hard to make anything with him attached to my leg, so the only way to distract him is to let him play in the fridge.  I'm sure our electric bill has gone up the past couple of months.

 We took a quick trip to Missoula and went on the carousel.  Sophie, of course, picked the highest and fastest horse possible- while I tried hard not to get sick going round and round.  Not my favorite activity.

 Sophie had her last day of preschool and celebrated with a pizza party.  I was shocked when she ate 1.5 pieces of cheese pizza. (She has never before even touched pizza.)  It was sad to say goodbye to her teachers, but I will be happier to have her at a closer preschool next year.

 We spent memorial day at the cabin and enjoyed the nice weather. Cade seems to be following the little boy  book and loves cars and trucks.

 All the kids taking golf cart rides. Fun, Fun!

Swim Lessons

 Sophie has been enjoying going to swim lessons lately.  She has a great deal of enthusiasm and has a hard time waiting for her turn.  Instead of just sitting and waiting patiently for her tun she comes up with all kinds of games and activities to do.  These games are such fun, that often the other kids in the class decide to join her.  In other words, we have the trouble maker. But, swimming is a great activity for her and it gets out a lot of energy.  At least once a week, Cade and I will join Sophie in the water after her lesson.  Cade loves the water and happily splashes and crawls around.  unfortunately, Cade thinks that he can breathe under water and will continue to crawl into deeper and deeper water.  He needs constant supervision.  I am thankful that Sophie can now touch throughout the entire pool so she can be independent.  Swim lessons have been very good for her, and I hope to continue having her in them.

Sophie's 4!

Sophie is 4!  She has changed a lot this year-she still has her sassy moments, but is mainly my happy, silly little girl.  Sophie wanted a pink kitty cat cake, which seemed fitting since she spends most of her time as a cat.  I have had to patch several pairs of pants, as she has ripped holes in the knees from crawling around on the floor.  Her favorite color is pink, and she is usually in multiple shades of pink daily. Here are some quick facts about our Sophie:
Height: 43 inches (3'7) this is the 97%.  Sophie is always the tallest kid in every class that I enroll her in, does not matter if other children are 1 or 2 years older.  She is a tall girl.
Weight: 43lbs. Since she is so tall, she is quite slender.  She pretty much lives in leggings, as pants that fit her in length never fit her waist.
Favorite Foods:  Still cheese and fruit. Sigh.  But she is starting to eat bread now and a couple bites of cheeseburger every now and then.  I have my fingers crossed that one day she will eat normal kid foods like mac and cheese and pizza.  This would make life much easier when we travel.  Not everyone has cheese sticks and cottage cheese on their menu.
Favorite Activities:  Sophie is still very physical and does not sit still for long. She loves being outside and going to the pool.  Sophie lives in her imagination right now and often has invisible friends, and animals playing with her.  She loves reading books and playing with her stuffed animals and Barbie dolls. Life with Sophie is never quiet or calm, but it's always an adventure!

 Pink kitty cake.  Sophs was thrilled!

 Very excited to get a Barbie with a car.  Barbie has been driving all around our house.  She is a reckless driver.

 Blowing party blowers with Elly.  Sophs was super excited to be able to blow it herself.

 Celebrating with the cousins. They were super kind to drive all the way up to spend the day with Sophie.

We brought kitty cookies to preschool, so she could celebrate with her school friends. All the kids were acting like cats when I picked her up- a sign of a good kitty party!

Easter

 We had a wonderful Easter!  It was a full day affair with church at an early 8:30, then an Easter Egg hunt after, then back to the cabin for Easter baskets, another egg hunt and Easter dinner.  Phew!  By the time we got home, we had been gone for a full 12 hours.  Everyone was exhausted.

 Cade, looking dashing in his Easter outfit.  He literally stopped traffic at church.  Not just because he is the only baby, but he is darn cute in his little hat.

 Sophie before church.  She was very excited to wear a big girl headband and have a matching purse.  She is really into purses and carries them everywhere.  I feed this addiction by giving her new ones all the time.  I cant help it, she's too cute.

 Easter Egg hunt at church.

 Sophie feels no rush or any need to hurry to collect all the eggs she can.  She will walk by 20 just to pick up a single one she has her eye on.  Then she will open it, be excited about the candy, and resume her search for the right egg.

 Opening baskets.

 Cade enjoys his egg during the hunt.

 Sophie emptying her eggs.

The little ladies watching Barbie after a long day.

Birthday Boy

 It's official- Cade is a year old! I am not sure how it happened, time seems to have literally flown by this past year. Here are his current stats:
Height: 30 inches (50 %) on the 9 month stats he is at the 90%
Weight: 22 lbs (70%) on the 9 month stats he is 95%
Teeth:3- He seems to be a very slow teether, he will have buds for weeks before the teeth finally emerge.
Naps: 2- he is a very good sleeper- he usually takes an hour nap in the morning, and 2 hours in the afternoon, and sleeps from 7:30 to 7:00 ( except when he is teething, and then he is miserable)
Favorite foods: Anything he can cram into his mouth.  He loves it all!
Disliked foods: Nothing.  He wants to eat everything we have and will lunge for food on our plates.
Mobility: Cade crawls everywhere and is very fast.  He is pulling up on everything and cruising on our furniture. His favorite activity right now is crawling up stairs.
Favorite toys: Anything his sister has, his activity table, and anything that makes loud noises.
Favorite activites: Eating and bath time are favorites!
Disliked activities: Getting his diaper changed, changing his clothes
Personality: Cade is a very happy, very mellow fellow.  He is easy going and very content in life.  We feel very blessed to have him in our family!

Sophie helping Cade open presents

                                                           Snuggling with Daddy

All the kids loved the noisy fire truck

Cade and Daddy before the big cake eating moment

Cade had a giraffe theme party

                                                          licking the plate clean

                                   Cade loved the cake and shoved it into his mouth at record speed!

                                               I love cake and ice cream!  Is there more?