Celebrating Life

Doug's Aunt Dede put together a big "Celebrating Life" party for his grandparents. We drove up to Coeur d'Alene with the girls for the weekend to share this special time with them. We were lucky to be in Spokane for 2 years and live so close to them. However we moved before Katelyn was born so they got to meet her. It was so special. I got to meet Doug's cousin Mica and his family as well. Happy birthday to you both! Love you.

Pend Oreille Shores

We spent our last weekend before moving at a beautiful lake front condo with Doug's grandparents and parents. It was so nice to spend that time together before we left. The weather was beautiful. The birds were fun to watch. The sandbox and pool were a hit. Thank you so much for the wonderful little vacation! We are going to miss you so much!

Four Generations

Allie finally went into the pool. She had a major death grip on Doug. The next day her Nan and Pa went in with her and she had a blast with them!

The sandbox. She could have spent all day in there. But she was still very careful not to get dirty.

Walking on the dock with mom and dad (I refuse to be in pictures right now...I'm too pregnant)

Doug's sunset picture. Just gorgeous!

Come What May

In the next 2 months we will have 3 life changing events happen:

*May: Move to Boise, Idaho (and pay rent in a HOUSE...that's right, no more apartment for us)

*June: Doug graduates with his Master's in Urban and Regional Planning (and hopefully gets a real life job)

*Hopefully June: Have a baby

I am one who loves change. It's a time to re-evaluate, start over, organize, have excitement, etc. But there is so much anxiety that comes with it. It may just be that I'm pregnant but I'm freaking out about every little thing. I cannot wait to move and I know I will regret that someday because I'm not enjoying the here and now.

I. am. going. crazy. Waiting is not my strong point. Maybe we'll move this weekend instead, that will help.

And I can't make a post without a picture...she has no idea what will be happening and look how much fun she's having! I think she might help me relax and enjoy.

1st Visitors

We are SO lucky. The month of April is packed with fun visitors!

First to come...My Mom and Dad.
The weather was perfect so we went out walking and throwing rocks.
We ate some great grub.
We played some mean Rook games.
Allie made them read books to her over and over again.
We made the best chocolate walnut cookies.
They gave us loads of advice and listened to us talk about everything.
To sum it up...we had a blast!
The next time we see them we'll have a new baby and be in a new place!

Allie couldn't get enough of Nan's fun green high heels

Like I said...books, books, books

Throwing rocks into Lake Coeur d'Alene

I just couldn't resist this one!

2nd Year Photos

I know the most talented people.

My wonderful friend Krista took Allie's 2nd year pictures. Click here to see her 1st year pictures. {She has grown up so much in one year.} Krista is amazing and very patient with our feisty little toddler. It was a pretty chilly day and the wind was blowing, but she managed to get some wonderful shots, because she's wonderful! Plus we have such an adorable girl, so that helps! :)

Here are some of our favorites!

This "BIG" girl is:
23 pounds...7% of kids her age are smaller
31 inches...2% of kids her age are smaller
SOOO...she is a little munchkin and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Favorite things:
BUNNIES
Making piles
Bubbles
Drawing
Painting
Running
Being outside
Her Nan's and Pa's
Books
Helping mom cook (especially cookies), do laundry, and clean
Animals
Flowers
Singing
Dancing

She is very expressive...just like her daddy!

Some things she says that we just love:
Wallet for WATER (don't ask me where she came up with this one)
Zeeny for Magazine
Bessick for Breakfast
Thankyouwelcome for Thank you
She leaves off the S at the beginning of words

Allie loves to dance and work out with mom and dad. She has some great moves. She must get it from her Great Grandmas.

She is very creative, imaginative and has her own mind {both a good and a bad thing}!

Most of all she is just a silly, playful, 2 year old. What a goober! :)

Easter Weekend

We fooled a few of you...

I LOVE DR. PEPPER but I would never drive around in that van!! We'll focus on getting a job before any big purchases. :)

Do we have to take this picture!?

We loved the fact that General Conference was this weekend. It was the perfect way to spend Easter, all cuddled up together inside our house. We feel more determined to be better people and most of all better parents, to teach our girls and love them in righteousness. We walked around the temple today and Allie was just fascinated with the Angel Moroni. She just couldn't stop pointing at him and saying over and over (because that's what she does at this age) "Angel." Children are so pure and precious and learn so much...I'm constantly amazed by her.


Yesterday we did the Easter basket thing. Here are a few pictures. She loved it. Who doesn't!?

Waiting patiently for Dad to hide the eggs

Easter basket equipped with microphone, books, and a jacket (Thanks Nan and Pa)

Oh the joy of finding eggs!

Spring is wonderful...

BECAUSE OF...

rainstorms

surprise blossoms

Easter Egg hunts with friends

She found every egg by herself and knew just what to do!

Unexpected Find

One of the best things about living in Spokane is being close to Coeur d' Alene.
1. Doug's grandma and grandpa live there
2. Gorgeous lake
3. Beautiful beach
4. Fun hiking
5. Great restaurants
6. Resort town makes us feel like we can get away from life for a bit

On our hike yesterday we stumbled upon this jewel. The morning fog lifted and the sun started peeking through. We found a perfect pebble beach and Allie threw rocks in the lake for about an hour. It was much needed especially before FINALS WEEK!


Having a blast. About 20 dogs (with their owners) found the same beach and Allie couldn't keep her eyes off them.

Check out that throw! You can see her handful of rocks flying through the air!

Such an awesome morning! It's pretty gorgeous here.

In other news...
We have started the "real" job search. SO, if you know of any GIS, Cartography, or Planning jobs, please let us know. It's all about who you know right??

Allie turns 2 this month.

I'm almost 25 weeks along. I feel great and it's so fun to feel the little munchkin kicking and moving in there.

Top 9

First of all: BOOK YOUR VACATION TO SPOKANE NOW. You only have 6 months left!

Now for our Top 9 from 2009
(in no particular order)

9: Found out that Green Bean #2 is joining our family.

8:Allie turned ONE in March and we had our parents and Doug's grandparents here to celebrate.


7: We went to Idaho for the beginning of Spring Break to see Doug's family. Then Lyndsay and Tyler visited us for the end of Spring Break.


6: Seattle trip with Shad and Krista and met up with Courtney and Jay. We also did a lot of hiking during the summer with Allie's new backpack. She's just a little princess isn't she!?


5: Dan and Lisa visited us in Spokane.


4: We celebrated our 5 year anniversary. (I love when other people take such good pictures of us)


3: Saw Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge!


2: Saw our families WAY MORE than we thought we would when we moved so far away. We had many visits from them and got to go and visit a lot.
(Too many pictures to post)

1: Went to Florida.


We are ready for two thousand ten OR twenty ten, whichever you prefer.

Doug graduates from Graduate School.
Doug finds a job (hopefully).
We move.
We have a baby.
Allie turns 2.
And so much more I'm sure.