long weekend

Ben took a few days off this past week to spend at home with us. Mostly we just spent family time at home, but on friday, we decided to go to the NW Trek. We haven't been there since this spring, so we thought the girls would like to go. It was a nice, cool day, but not rainy, so that was ideal. tall trees

There are huge banana slugs all over at this time of year. We accidentally squashed this one with the stroller, but didn't tell Kara it was dying as she admired it.

Family picture, though you can't really see Evie.The girls were so excited that the otters and beavers were out swimming around, and not just sleeping in their dens.

The wolverines are always running around and hyper.

Kiersten enjoyed gathering leaves as we walked around.

Evie woke up toward the end of the day, while we were in the discovery center.

I was getting the girls ready this morning, and when I was fixing their breakfast, Kara said she would "babysit" Evie. So I put her in the swing to make it easier for Kara to watch her. (and to protect her). She is a very sweet girl, and always wants to help. Lately she is really into "chore lists". and asks me to write her a list nearly every day. Then she checks off all the chores as she gets them done. occasionally, Kiersten will ask for a chore list too, but she loses interest in actually doing the chores pretty quickly.

Kara's preschool class has a field trip to the mall today to ride elevators and escalators, in honor of it being "E" week. She is pretty excited, and we had to get a picture of her in the field trip uniform. Her teacher had asked me if she needed a bigger shirt, but her shirt from last year is still a little too big on her. I hope they have fun. She's pretty excited that they will be riding the city bus to get to the mall. I would have volunteered to chaperone, but i don't think they need me with my double stroller and 2 extra kids slowing them down.

Papa and Grams

Ben's dad, Kerry, and step-mom, Lana came out on saturday for a visit. Ben took Kara with him to pick them up from the airport. She was so excited to go, and even more excited when they all arrived home together. She loved showing off by spelling words and reciting the pledge of allegiance for them. Here is a picture of the girls "helping" me make a cheesecake. Ben made a blueberry glaze for it that turned out really good. Especially since he didn't really know what he was doing, he just threw it together.We let Lana take a nap, since she was up since 1AM getting ready to leave. While she slept, we watched Tropic Thunder. It was pretty funny. We took them to dinner at Ben's favorite mexican restaurant, La Palma. Then we came home and watched Kara's new movie, UP, and had the cheesecake.

Sunday we decided to go to the NW trek, since everyone usually likes going there when they visit us. It was raining the whole time, but not too cold. We didn't mind the rain too much, except I forgot to change my shoes I had thrown on to run to the store. I meant to change into boots, but forgot, so I was walking through puddles and rain with slip-on ballet flats and no socks. Here we are watching a beaver show off.

Ben got a picture of the mountain lions since they are not always out on exhibit, so we don't see them as often as the other animals. Kerry and Lana said one of them looked like she had recently given birth. I can't tell those things, but if anyone would know, it'd be those two.

After NW trek, we went home and had the roast Ben started the previous night. He made up a really good recipe that everyone seems to love. It was tasty as usual. Kiersten, Lana, and I took naps while the guys watched football. Then we watched Transformers 2. It was an okay movie. That evening, we all watched old movies of the girls when they were babies. They were pretty fun to watch and remember all the silly and adorable things they did, and how cute and little they were.

Monday morning, Papa helped the girls ride their bikes around the block several times. He is always such a great sport about playing with them and letting them do whatever they want. Lana made us all a delicious breakfast, and of course we had to have her make some baked beans. Ben made sure I took note of all the ingredients for the beans, and I was supposed to watch her make them, but she had them already done and cooking in the crock pot by the time we woke up. They are much earlier risers than we are. Lana took Kara and me shopping for clothes, and she is just too generous. I kept trying to tell her I was just letting her get me one thing, but she kept taking everything I so much as looked at, and handing it to the cashier. She took the receipt and ripped all the tags off everything on the drive home so I wouldn't know the amount to reimburse her. She also insisted on getting Kara anything she wanted, and got a stuffed toy for Kiersten too. It was fun shopping with her, even though I now have to think of a good way to pay her back.

Kerry and Ben stayed home from shopping. They played in the backyard with Kiersten. It is so cute to hear her say, "papa! where are you?"

After we got back from shopping, Ben grilled some steaks for all of us, and we had Lana's baked beans. It was a tasty dinner. All of us girls took naps again while the guys watched more football. the girls played with Papa and Grams the rest of the evening and got just spoiled with love and attention. Here is Kiersten perusing a toy catalog waiting for us to come home from the store. I asked Kara to look through the toys r us book, and circle the things she would like to ask santa for. She circled all but 6 items, which she crossed out, so I will have to go through it with her again to find out what things she would most like to ask santa for.

They flew out early tuesday morning, and we all miss them already. Kara has a list of things planned out that she wants to do with them the next time we go to Idaho for a visit.

love the weekend!

I was just leaving costco friday afternoon around 1, when Ben called to say he was done with his test early and on his way home. That was exciting, so we hurried home and got there just a few minutes after he did. It was such a great afternoon, and I kept getting confused and thinking it was saturday. We decided to take the girls to the drive-in to see Ice age 3 and Night at the museum 2. It was fun, but I wish we had remembered bug spray! Ben and I both have a few mosquito bites. Luckily, I don't think the girls got any. we took a couple pictures, but they're on Ben's phone, and he's at work, sorry.
Here is a cute picture of Kiersten, showing off her little tuft of hair. I just like this picture, how Kara snuck in the back and looks crazy! We woke up early saturday to go to NW trek with a friend of Ben's and his son. I like this picture of Kara looking up at Ben. This was while we were waiting for the tram.

Kiersten and mommy waiting for the tram. Above Kiersten's hand, is John and Zack.

Kiersten checking out a mountain goat. I guess I was already done looking at him.

They came back to our house for lunch, and the kids played. They were so cute and happy. It was lots of fun. Ben grilled some hotdogs, which I usually don't like, but these ones were good. I actually would have eaten a second one if we'd had any left.

That evening we decided to go to dinner with the girls. We ended up going to outback. I love the Sydney's sinful sundae dessert, but since they ran out of the toasted coconut that goes on it, we got it on the house. Always a good thing. Here they are playing ring around the rosie while we were waiting for daddy to finish his nap, so we could go.

Kiersten is so cute singing the little song. I love when she says, "all fall down!" of course it sounds more jibberish-y, but I couldn't think of how to write it like she says it.

Sunday, Ben finally mowed the back lawn. (he hasn't done it since we came back from idaho!) I dug up some dandelions and broke down cardboard to go in the recycling bin. we planned on going to the nursery to get the trees we still need for the yard, but Ben decided he wants to change plans back there. so now we need to wait for estimates before we decide on anything. Our neighbor was having their carpets cleaned, which we really needed to get done too, so Ben went and asked if they could do ours. He said he would come do ours when he was finished there, so we cleared the furniture out of our bedroom, Karalee's room, the familyroom, the playroom, and the livingroom. I love having nice, clean carpets again. While he was working, we put Kiersten down for a nap, and sent Kara to the guestroom to watch a movie. I headed out back to work on my never-ending project, the fence. I finally finished all but 2 sections. I did the front side and the gate right before Kiersten was born. Then, by the time I felt recovered from having her, and we were done travelling to show her off, it was in the rainy season, so I couldn't get it finished. I started working on it again in may, but I have to do it on the weekends, so the girls can stay inside with Ben, and usually on nice weather weekends we like to take the kids somewhere fun. So I have been out there staining 4 different times, and still not quite done. the part of our fence that the neighbor built really soaks up the stain, and is hard to cover. It's just not very good wood. Hopefully I'll be able to finish up the next time I get a chance to go out. Maybe this week I can get both the girls to nap at the same time, and just take out a baby monitor with me.

Both girls have been coughing yesterday and today. Kara was up all night, coughing and crying. I've had a really sore throat all weekend, so I think we may have a bug. I figure I'd better not take them to the gym this morning. I am going to call the pediatrician today and see if I should bring them in. It doesn't seem like the right time of year for this to be starting!

busy week! 5/28/09

I am a sucker for these kinds of pictures. I love it! Kara bought roller skates with her easter money. Here we are getting her all safe to practice in the kitchen.

She did okay for a first-time skater, but all it took was 2 falls for her to decide she was done practicing that day. Ben took her outside to try the next day, and he said she wouldn't even let go of his hand. I didn't get to watch her because I was busy staining the fence in the backyard. My sister Jackie called the same day to let us know that she is expecting another baby! Exciting!

Here are the 2 cutest little chefs!

We went to NW trek on sunday. We knew it would be busy for the holiday weekend, but it was crazy! I've never seen a line to get in, and that day, the line was clear out past the parking lot. Luckily for us, the members line was only about 10 people long. So that was nice for us! It was a good day for seeing some of the animals that aren't always out and about. Here are a couple of lazy wolves.

Ben and Karalee at the trek.

Me and Kiersten baby.

We had pizza for dinner, and this silly girl kept putting it on her head. She thought it was hilarious for us to call it a hat when she did it.

Kara's ballet class had a visitors day on tuesday. Here she is with Kiersten getting ready to go. She was excited for Kiersten to get to watch her dance. Kiersten didn't really care about watching the dance. she was just upset that I wouldn't put her down to join the girls.

Here they are pouting because I wouldn't let them in the backyard before class. Kara kept promising not to get dirty, but I was mean and made them stay inside. I got some cute video of Kara's dance class. I will probably post some of it in the next few days.

Wednesday I took the girls up the hill for a play date with Kara's friend Jonas. Kiersten liked trying to play with his 4 month old sister, Hazel. I was pretty busy keeping her out of that poor baby's face. Kara was pretty good, but did fight a little with Jonas over toys, but they worked it out well for their ages.

Today I got up and went to the gym early so I could get home and shower and feed the girls lunch before my visiting teachers showed up. (They said 12 was the latest they could come.) anyway, they didn't show up or call until an hour later. So that was a bit of wasted time, which always annoys me. But o well, I guess I'll just have to get over it. they did ask if they could still come over, and I said no. I felt a little bad about it, but I have other things to do, ya know? Okay, now I'm just gonna let it go, and not be mad.

3/31/09

Kara and I made rice krispie treats for Ben the other day. When he went down to check them out, he found this mysterious bite taken from a large peice. Kara was quick to own up to it.


I went in to check on Kara watching a movie in the guest room. I found her like this, all cozy with Kiersten's newest blanky.


Our neighbor ordered some meat from a local vendor, but forgot to cancel their order. When they refused to buy the meat upon delivery, the meat guy came over to see if I would buy it. I told him I didn't think so, but he offered it to me at half price since a lot of it is stuff they don't normally get orders for and it would just be sitting around in their freezer waiting to be ordered. (it had been special ordered from thier supplier for my neighbor.) He showed me their bill for almost $800, and said I coudl get it for $400. I said that I would pay $300. So he said okay to that, but didn't give me the shrimp, since it will probably sell immediately anyway. I looked on the order, and it was just $18 for the shrimp, so I was fine with that. Now we have 2 freezers full of different cuts of steak, hamburger patties, and a bunch of different marinated chicken breasts. It will last us at least 6 months, probably longer! Here is Kiersten eating some of the chicken that Ben grilled for her. she grabbed the sweet and sour sauce out of the fridge and handed it to him, so he decided to give it a try. It actually turned out pretty tasty. Good call Kiersten.

sleepy baby after a long day at the Northwest trek.

We had to buy Kara a sweater at NW trek since Ben told her not to worry about a coat. It was rainy and cold, but they only had adult sizes. I got this one thinking I would just use it after, but she wont let me put it in my closet. It is hers, it'll just take about 10 years to grow into it. Notice the chicken nugget in her hand. I thought that was funny. All she got was one bite before she fell asleep.