Fort Clatsop

Last month we embarked on our first road trip with the little man to the coast.  Our destination: Fort Clatsop. After reading a book on the Oregon Trail and discussing the Lewis and Clark expedition, it was pretty cool to see the tangible evidence of their exploration and where they spent the first winter. McKinley and Piper were able to connect the information from the book with the displays in the visitor's center, such as recalling the name of Lewis and Clarks Newfoundland dog: Seaman.  They also completed an activity book which promoted them to Junior Ranger. On a side note: The girls have been playing the original Oregon Trail game on the computer and love it as much as Ben & I did when we were kids!

Dressing up in garments that Lewis and Clark wore.

Throw Back Thursday: We visited the fort ten tears ago when Nana, Ahmma & Cassie came to visit us.

TBT: Benji looks exactly the same, just tanner.

On the way home we ate at this amazing, little Mexican restaurant in Seadise. 

FOUR

What a little stinker!  I remember her birth so vividly, and I can't believe that was four years ago.  She  has blossomed into this sweet, sometimes sneaky, little girl, who is no longer a toddler but an equal share-owner of the girls' bedroom.  And when she puts on her Cubbies vest and recites her bible verse, she appears even older to me.  Her birthday fell on a Sunday, so Dadda woke her up early to have breakfast at Black Bear Diner before church. When they came home, she opened her present from Landon & her sisters and then we decorated the Christmas tree.  After church I made grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup and then surprised her with a mommy-daddy date to Mudpuddles while her sisters were at choir practice. Her dinner request was "mini" ribs and velveeta mac & cheese, with her favorite green bean salad.  She Facetimed with both set of grandparents, while opening their presents, and capped off the night with brownie sundaes.  The following day we went to Safari Sam's, which she chose for her birthday activity.  And she impressed us all by completing the "black diamond" route in the jungle gym all by herself, including climbing up to the start.

Modeling another one of Momma's childhood dresses.

First Four Weeks

***WARNING: Picture overload***

Our family truly does feel complete! And since Landon has been born, he has brought our family such joy.  A more detailed update is in the works, including his birth story, but for now.....pictures!!!

My good friend, Lindsay, was his first visitor at the hospital.  Unfortunately I don't have any hospital pictures with them together because I was nursing.

I returned to cross country practice a week after he was born.  The girls were so excited to meet him!

These four!  My heart just melts!

1 week old.

2 weeks old.

3 weeks old.

Such a strong neck!

4 weeks old

SIX

Last week, my Veteran's Day baby turned SIX!  Dadda surprised her with a breakfast date to Black Bear Diner, and when they came home another surprise awaited her in the garage: tumbling mats. This was the perfect gift for her as she is constantly doing headstands inside the house, on the couches, atop the chairs & against the walls. In the afternoon we took her to McDonalds for lunch and then to Sherwood Ice Arena for some ice skating.  She was elated to run into Elise & Caroline from cross country, and they skated with her and her sisters until they departed.  After the skating Piper told me this was her best birthday ever! We had spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner, as per her request and Frozen-themed cupcakes for dessert. She enjoyed playing with her new lego set and recorder. Overall, it was a special day for my special girl!

This pretty, pale blue dress was from a wedding where I was a flower girl many years ago.