Katie turns 4!

We celebrated Katelyn's birthday this week. She was so excited for her birthday, she could hardly wait. Katelyn's favorite color is pink, so we went with a pink unicorn theme. Grandma Carol didn't know this, but the gift bag and dress she chose for Katelyn happened to match our decor, too. 

I took a video to send to my parents since they sent a gift but cannot be here to watch her open it. I often do this with all the kids. Sometimes I just get a video of them after they've opened a gift so that they have a chance to say, "Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma!"

Everyone watched intently as she had the fun of opening presents. Robbie is being silly with his birthday hat--the kids enjoy celebrating a sibling's special day. What a sweet smile Katelyn has!

 Katelyn modeling some clothes she got from Grandma Carol.

Tess and Katelyn playing with new Playmobil toys. 

Here they are a couple of days later after they'd made crafts from a craft set Grandma and Grandpa Anderson gave to her. She also received a coloring book and sunglasses from the siblings.

It was so fun celebrating Katelyn's birthday. She is such a delight! She brightens everyone's day. We are so happy to share each day with our now four-year-old girl!

Father's Day Post

Father's Day 2019 we celebrated Adam and the wonderful father he is. We also sent a card to my dad, with a nice message, and I contributed money toward a gift that Marta put together for him with chocolate and mint-scented soaps, cookies, and other goodies. Below is the watercolor Emily painted for him. I encouraged her to paint something that reflected his life in the Northwest (he worked in the logging industry and enjoys hiking), and I really like what she created.  She also made a nice watercolor for Grandpa Anderson--I'll find a photo (from Adam's phone) and add it later.

Father's Day and Mother's Day are some of my favorite days of the year.  Adam and I so enjoy having the time with our family and the way the kids spoil us with thoughtful, usually homemade gifts, cards, and even cute coupons.  Adam is the best dad, and our family is blessed to have him!

Family Trip to San Clemente Part 2

The Airbnb we stayed at had surf boards and boogie boards for us to use.  Adam and Emily tried the surf boards, and just about all the older kids had fun boogie boarding.  I think the photos show just how much fun it was!

 Tessa heading out to boogie board with Dad

Tessa

 Robbie

 Emily

Here are just a few more random photos from our trip.  We really enjoyed our Airbnb, eating out at a local pizza place, and walking along the pier in the evening.  We also had a doughnut shop across the street from our house called Surfin Donuts Coffee House.  Most mornings Adam and a couple kids walked across the street to buy a few yummy doughnuts for the day.

Family Trip to San Clemente Part 1

Having grown up near the coast in Washington State, day trips to the beach have long been a part of my life.  I love trips to the ocean where the vastness of the ocean brings to mind the grandeur of God, and looking in shallow water and tide pools becomes a treasure hunt for seashells.  I want my kids to experience that as well, though it won't happen nearly as frequently for them.  With that in mind, Adam and I decided to rent an Airbnb in Southern California for our family's 2019 Spring Break.

The closest beach to our house was part of San Celemente State Beach.  Most mornings, we loaded up our van with beach chairs, umbrella, boogie boards, blanket, etc. to spend the morning and early afternoon at the beach.  A lot of other families visiting the beach stayed longer, but we usually got their a little earlier and left earlier for a late lunch and a nap for 18-month-old Natalie.  It really isn't easy to picnic at the beach with kids--sand ends up in everything.  So we opted to eat at the house.  It worked out really well as by then the kids were tired from the sun and ready to relax at the house while Nat napped.

Adam walking the beach with Natalie 

    

Natalie and Kari

                                         

James getting ready to race the wave to shore

  

Tessa building a sandcastle

Our spot at the beach

Running from the wave!

Michael finding treasures along the shore

 

                   
                                         
                                            

                                

"Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them." Psalm 89: 9

March Dance and Musicals

Dancing and singing! Emily’s dance class recently performed at the high school Drill Review.  They did well dancing in sync to “This is Me”.  Robbie performed in his elementary school’s musical, 101 Dalmatians. Robbie did great playing the understudy for Horace alongside his classmates and helping out as stage crew.  Both Emi and Robbie came to me asking to be involved in these activities.  That’s great because then I know they have a genuine interest, and I am happy to see them discovering their interests and talents!