I must admit Iwas terrified to have the kids go out by themselves. Evan was kind enough to jump on the tube with them. Anna didn't even cry. Evan said she had a grip of steel.

happy 2nd birthday to Anna

Anna has always been our little monkey girl. Her favorite food is bananas and her favorite animal is a monkey. Thus our theme.

Note to self: next time I make monkey masks, makes them smile. THey are a little bit creepy.
Heather strikes a pose.
We played pin the tail on the monkey.
Just what Anna wanted!
Having a tea party with Grandma.

THank you Aunt Heather and Family for the tutu. She wore it most of the day today and I found her dancing and singing to herself several times.

It was such a fun day. Thanks to everyone for your help and patience. I can't believe that Anna is already 2 years old. She said her first sentence on her birthday (oh no, Daddy get hurt) and I got my first silent grocery shopping trip in 5 years thanks to Fred Meyers 'playland' who watches your children while you shop starting at the age of 2. Sigh

Thanks Grandma White

We received a package in the mail on Anna's official birthday from Grandma White. Now that Anna was a pro at opening presents and understood that wrapping paper means an toy is inside, she jumped up and down and yelled yeah! The rest is in the video.
Maren my dear, we found the adorable hair clips in the purse a few moments later. I love them and Anna could not wait to get them in her hair. She knew just what they were for. THank you Grandma!

P.S. Happy Memorial Day everybody

Flashback Fridays

This picture was from 2004. Eric and I made Liam a Garden Gnome costume for halloween that year and Eric had built this set for a video game. It was too perfect so I suggested a few pics of Liam would cute. Wash he really that little once?

Mothers Day

Of course our battery died during this video because it dies at every single important event we film. Anyway, listen to my tired morning voice and see my cute family. Eric let me sleep in (woot) and I awoke to a pancake breakfast, complete with flowers that Liam picked and a digital frame.
Liam had a Mothers Day tea party at his preschool the friday before. The children sang in thier softest sweetest voices as the mothers paraded into their room and sat behind their child. THe children introduced themselves and their mothers and the teacher read a special mothers day book to us all. The teacher asked eachof the children earlier that day what their favorite thing to do with their mother was. She then asked the mothers what our favorite thing to do with our children was and we got to see if our answers matched. The children took our hands after that and led us over to the tea party where they served us fruit and muffins and chocolate, sang us songs and gave us a handmade card. It was so fun to see Liam with his friends and in an element that I don't usually get to see.
Eric and Liam went on a father/son campout that night and I got to spend alone time with Anna. At church, the men taught the women's classes which meant I got to leave primary and listen to an actual adult lesson and discussion.
It was a perfect Mothers Day weekend and I feel so lucky to be the mother of Liam and Anna.

Flashback Fridays

This was taken on a trip to Florida with good friends Jon and Merrilee. I don't why, but this picture makes me laugh.

Beautiful Day

I took these pics the other day. The lighting was pretty harsh but she was too cute. By the way, did ya'll know she can talk now? Allow me to demonstrate some of her favorite phrases.
THis one is called, "A Cheeee" Please end this word in extremely high pitched tone.
"Oh....Nice" probably my favorite of all her phrases. Said in a positive tone. I may offer her beverage and instead of saying " thankyou she says "oh....nice".
Anna is really animated. She growls like monsters and quacks and makes monkey sounds and pulls faces across the table with Eric at dinner time.
When Anna is tired and ready for bed we tick her in and she takes out her binky and says "Bzuuuuuu, Daddy". again, end these with high pitched tone. she did this for 2 months and we couldn't figure out what she was saying. Last night it dawned on Eric that when he layed the blankets on her he makes a plane sound. He felt so flattered that she would think of him each night.
One of her favorite things to do is ask me "da sing?" and push the frog on her leapfrog fridge toy. We get down to old macDonald and then she does it all over again. about 30 times over agin to be precise.

The spring fair

We celebrated Springs comeback by going to the Spring Puyallup fair as is tradition the last few years. Grandma Chelle, braved the animal pens with all kids in tow.
Anna and Orion enjoyed a lazy ride through native territory it appears.
Liam , Anna and Eric went for a ride in the fire truck ride. This was Anna's first real grown up ride and she loved it. She kept asking to go again.

Lot's and lot's of food. Orion attempts a giant hotdog. There was also, BBQ, Macho nachos, Elephant ears, Biscuits and jam, ice cream and cotton candy. Whew!
Connor, Orion and Liam may looked utterly bored but they are really watching an exciting pig race.

And there they go? Will it be Britney Spareribs or Sara Jessica Porker? Aaahhh the Fair.
I would say this might be our proudest moment as parents ever. A break'n crew brought out this floor and did a little show for the crowd. They asked the kids to come out and show their stuff. Liam headed out first and just stood there awkardly for a moment. After great speculative thought he put his head down and flipped his legs over landing in an awesome pose. HIs cousins all joined him and they totally copied the moves they had just watched. THe crowed cheered them on. We were laughing so hard. One of the dancers ran up to this wall and did a backflip off of it. I saw the wheels turning in Liams head and before I could even panic he was heading towards the wall and everone was yelling " no, no!" I'll just leave you in suspense.......................Okay, he didn't do a flip but I got this awesome shot and we sure are glad he knows his limits.

Dress up

This is an example of Anna's ensembles each day. Headbands, underwear, anything she can get her hands on. If Liam's good friend Machayla is knocking at the door, Anna gasps and throws on whatever she can find, grabs her purse and races to meet her at the door. To her chagrin, she watches them bolt out the door to explore the world without her. She clings to me and sobs "Kayla? Kayla?" Seriously, it's the saddest thing ever watching your child get left behind. She gets over it quickly though and is soon cooking up something yummy for me in her kitchen set.

Flashback Friday

I thought I would join the Flash back Friday crew because I have loved seeing the old photos on their blogs. This was taken in Leavenworth when Aunt Becky and Uncle Jake came to visit. I don't remember how old Anna is, but doesn't she look like a gnome?

Happy Easter

Anna woke up with a chick in her arms and Liam came running into our room to announce the Easter bunny had come. This is a little snippet of Easter morning.

conference weekend

We went for a family walk between sessions. It was a gorgeous day outside and the kids burned off some energy.

Liam is currently figuring out humor. talking in funny voices and funny faces are "Hilarious".
Anna carried her Hello Kitty purse on the walk and filled it to the brim with dirt and rocks. We love that she is girly and not so girly at the same time.
Say "oooooo". totally random, but they are so cute!

rain, rain go away

okay, not really. We love the rain at our house. really, we do. I love going on walks with the kids and they love splashing in the puddles.

Anna's " i'm stressed out. Can you help me?" face.
Liams" smile for the camera" face.
There are trails through the woods all around our neighborhood with really pretty views. The rain makes all the colors pop and I love it. I love these two little kiddos too.

Brella

cute kiddos.

The Jungle Beat

It appears that Liam was born with "the jungle beat" in his veins. Since he could first dance he would lose himself in the music and he continues to shake his tail feathers with great enthusiasm.

4 generations

The cast outs, thanks to our maiden names, as Great Grandma Elton put it.
The Elton blood line flourishes. We love you Great Grandparent's Elton! It was so good to see you.

Thanks to Aunt Becky for the adorable leg warmers that she knitted for Anna. She knew they were hers right and away and she has not been without them on her arms or legs daily since their arrival.