this weekend

last friday night was the jr ski to sea parade. some friends came over for a fun and casual backyard happy hour for the moms and hot dogs for the kids. we decorated bikes and strollers and then walked to the start of the parade. we actually marched in the parade, which initially felt kind of silly, but proved to be a very fun experience. the parade ended just blocks from a friends house where we ended the night with a bbq. very, very fun evening. i am so proud of riley too. she rode her skuut/glider bike for over a mile. that was the longest she'd gone. then on sunday we went on another bike ride but this time she rode for 3 miles. we were all so excited. we are getting closer and closer to her riding an actual bike!

saturday morning was picture day at riley's ballet studio. they got to put on their outfits for their upcoming show. it was really difficult to get a cute picture with my phone, but i think you get the idea. cuteness all around.

saturday evening my littlest sister sarah went to her senior prom. she graduates in less than 1 month and is headed to the university of denver in the fall. i am so proud of her!

most of you already know this, but my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in april. one week ago today she had a mastectomy. she was very brave and the surgery was a success. she is at home recovering and resting for a few weeks before she goes back to work to finish up the rest of the school year. a friend picked her up on saturday evening so she could partake in sarah's prom picture night with the other parents. my mom's friend took all these photos for my mom. doesn't my mom look amazing? please keep her in your thoughts - that she will heal and move forward into a cancer-free life. my mom is a very brave and amazing woman.

may 17, our wedding anniversary

on tuesday, may 17 tyler and i celebrated 8 years of marriage. what a joy to be married to someone for 8 years who is a great husband and father and loves me through all the ups and downs. we laugh (rather than cry) about all the adventures/trials we have endured over the past 8 years. i'm so thankful our marriage and love have grown deeper and stronger because of it.

this year we celebrated by sending riley to seattle for the weekend so she could spend time with nana and we could have a quiet, low key weekend at home in bellingham with just sonja. we spent the weekend eating out, doing a little shopping, haircuts for both of us, naps, movies and playing with sonja. it was very relaxing and we are so thankful my family took riley in for the weekend. she had a blast with nana and the crew. in fact, she scowled when i walked in the door to pick her up. i'm so grateful she feels at home at my mom's house. it truly is a second home for her. her weekend was spent picking out a new princess polly pocket and barney movie, friday night pizza and movie night and lots of playing and hanging around.

last friday when i took riley to seattle i met martha and henry at the zoo in the morning. after the zoo we stopped at the park and the kids had fun running around. sonja took a ride on the slide with riley as well as a ride in the swing. riley is a very helpful big sister. sometimes a little too helpful, but we are working on that.

on tuesday, our actual anniversary, we went for a quick spin on our tandem/bike trailer combo. riley had been begging to get the trailer out and go for a ride, so when the sun was out on tuesday i thought it'd be the perfect way to remember tyler's dad (who passed away on our anniversary, 5 years ago). we loaded the kids up and took a quick ride around the neighborhood. it was sonja's first ride in the trailer and she seemed to really like it. i got pretty sentimental as i watched riley in the trailer - i have so many good memories of carting her all around town from the time she was about 6 months old. she has always loved riding in the trailer and now her long legs and tall body can barely fit! i'm hoping she is able to fit all summer long, as it's such a fun and easy way to get around town with the kids.

after we put the kids to bed i made this awesome dinner for tyler and i. it was in last month's sunset magazine and kari made it and said it was really good, so i had to try it. i loved it. i definitely will make it again this summer. we had dinner on the patio in the crisp evening air. it was a great end to a fun celebration.

my two beauty queens

sonja's first...

ride in the swing

tulips

food!

easter

we have been busy around here. mostly just busy with caring for the needs and demands of two small children who are constantly growing and changing and keeping me on my toes (like, literally, i never sit down!). i really can't figure out how to get everything done all the time, so things like blogging and general communication with the outside world tend to be neglected. but we are well and next week riley will be 3 1/2 years and sonja will be 8 months old...it leaves me speechless thinking about it. i am enjoying our fairly non-scheduled life right now, so as to enjoy the most of the simple moments. happy may!