Salmon Days

The arrival of this years Salmon Days brings to mind two thoughts: 1) Wow, we have been living in Issaquah SEVEN years already.  We have been coming to the festival most years, except for last year when Janie was new and Mommy was working at the Tea for Hope, and 2) How is my birthday here again?  In past years my side of the family has come up for a mini celebration.  This year we will be headed to Chehalis next weekend so it was just my parents who joined us.  With two kids in tow, that was perfect.  We always appreciate extra hands!

Right away, Clara spotter Sammy the Salmon and we were able to get a photo of them together!

Clara made a colorful salmon print at the Seattle Children's Hospital booth!  Her art skills have really improved since she has started school! 

 Grandma & Grandpa Stevens

Clara & Grandma making silly faces while waiting in line for the pony rides!  Clara's favorite!

Daddy & Grandma took both girls on the train ride - Choo Choo!

 Then we went to check out the fish.  This is always crazy and since Clara and Mommy had been to the hatchery the prior week for a school field trip and Grandpa has been on the river catching fish lately, we didn't spend all that much time here.  Poor Janie was melting down...

Janie's first Salmon Days!

Grandma & Clara were big fans of all the booths and fun prizes.  Clara won some great stickers!  What a fun-filled day and nice way to continue our silly little tradition.  Who knows, maybe next year we'll participate in the fun run too!?!

Happy 5th Birthday, Logan!

In the same weekend as the Royal Princess Ball, we attended our dear friend Logan's 5th Birthday Party that had an awesome TRON theme.  Christy outdid herself with a cool black glow in the dark room, amazing treats and awesome decoration!  I wasn't sure how our Princess Clara would take to the unfamiliar theme, but the kiddo had a blast.  Janie even did, too!

Checking in with Grandma Elaine

It had been way too long and since we were headed down past Auburn, we stopped by and visited Grandma Elaine.  Grandma is so delighted to see children and this time, we really only had to tell her once that they were her great-grandchildren and she seemed to know they were "hers" as other patients would come around, her mothering instincts are still very active.  One thing we can always count on from Grandma Elaine is making genuine comments since she makes the same ones over and over having not realized it.  Like every trip she commented on Clara's "big black eyes" and then this time that she was a "smart girl."  She thought Janie was big (although she wasn't consistent on gender) and liked petting her soft hair.

I have so many wonderful memories of my sweet Grandma Elaine and am so happy that even though they may be very different experiences than what I have shared with her, my girls are getting to make some of their own.  Now Grandma won't remember one thing from our visit, but for those minutes she is happy and joyful.  One thing that is clear to me... LOVE transcends the stinkin' Alzheimer's Disease!  Every trip is is a little bittersweet, but she always tells me she loves me and that she treasures her family and I know deep within she knows how much I love and adore her too!

Clara & the Royal Princess Ball

Princess Clara Natalie was recently invited to a Royal Princess Ball in honor of her friend Vivi who was turning three.  What an enchanted event the party was.  While Clara adores everything princessy and pink right now, she was in pure awe of the event.  The photo above shows her wonderment.

When we arrived, there was a place to get your make-up and hair done, a station to decorate a wand, and station to get accessorized.  Of course there were similar stations for the knights and princes in attendance as well. Then Scout headed over to the pink bouncy castle to get her jump on. 

Beautiful (and delicious) cake!

Before long "Cinderella" as Clara referred to her, arrived and gave a sweet little presentation to the kids.  Some of the photos are from my iphone and are pretty poor quality.

Can you believe our little Princess has had no formal dance training?  Tee hee hee! 

Photos with the lovely Cinderella

And then there was the tea party

Over 35 kiddos!

Clara enjoyed helping herself to the food, especially the big bowl of strawberries!

 And then it was time to sing sweet Vivi Happy Birthday.  What a fantastic Princess day!

Clara will not be forgetting this party any time soon! 

Enjoying the last days of Summer

Some of the last days of summer provided the weather we have been hoping for all summer.  Luckily we were able to spend a lot of that time outside getting our fill of sunshine and wearing the girls out!

Such a fun afternoon!  The girls had such a great time playing, both together and independently at the playground.  Swinging may just be their favorite part!  It brings this Mama so much joy to watch them enjoy one another this way! 

While Janie's Birthday Party was a very fun day, it was busy and with so many guests, it was hard for us to give our little sweetie, and her big sister our undivided attention.  Of course, with all the relatives and playmates, they were both in absolute heaven.  On September 20th, Janie's actual birthday, we did some fun things as a family to mark her special day and the amazing year that we have had as a family of four!  Mommy took a lot of photos!  Even some of Janie dressed in the outfit Clara wore on her first birthday.

When Daddy got home we celebrated with dinner out at Tutta Bella.  We were going to try and go back to the Cheesecake Factory where we went for Clara's first birthday, but opted to stay closer to home so that we could have some fun at home afterwards and still get the girls to bed at a decent hour.  With two, it is funny how the schedule is even more important!  Mommy & Daddy did enjoy a glass of champagne (like we did with Clara) to celebrate all our hard work over the past year. 

 

Family iphone shots at Tutta Bella

Daddy with his princesses!

Once we were back at home, we let Janie tear into another cupcake.  Mommy left the decorations up from the big birthday party so it still felt very festive!

Such an angel face! 

Big sister playing the birthday fairy in Janie's tu-tu and Mom's shoes!

Before bed, we let Janie open some gifts.  First was the plush Aurora doll Clara picked out especially for Janie.  Not long after it was opened, Clara decided that Janie really didn't need it as much as she did, just as we predicted, providing a tough but important little life lesson.  Good thing Janie is a great sharer and therefore Aurora has even made the trip to preschool as Clara's sharing item. 

 With all of Big Sister's help, Janie kind of got the idea behind gift opening.  She shared lots of "ooohs" "aaahs" and "wows" as the packages were opened.  I love the photo below of Janie opening her special book from Mommy & Daddy.  Instead of a card, each holiday or special occasion we get the girls a book that we write a message and sometimes put a photo in.  For her first birthday, Mommy selected If I Could Keep You Little...  It was the perfect book for me to read since on this occasion.  I needed the reminder that if we were able to keep our little ones small, we would be missing out on all of the wonderful milestones that happen at each stage of development. 

With our darling Janie Caroline, we have so many amazing adventures to look forward to!  And many more sweet celebrations as a family!

Gem's 1st Year in Picky Sticky Photos

A picture collage by Smilebox I am a little late on getting these posted, but it is just too sweet not to share.  I made a banner with the photos for her birhtday party and it was so neat to see her develop, month by month, into the kid she is today.  I love these Picky Stickies so much that when I bought a set for a gift, I bought Janie a set for her second year too!