The sun was here.

And oh it was glorious.

Just wanting to post a compilation of pics from those scant sunny days...

When our house routine was put on complete halting stop

In order to celebrate the light and warmth,

We avoided the disaster that was our home.

and lived out of the car.

Which in turn spilled disaster with every open door.

Girl loves her ketchup.

 

It was worth every stubbed toe in the dark room for a goodnight kiss. 

 

Don't judge him,

He dreams on food.

Camping out and using all the blankets in the house,

Multiple loads of beach towels,

Watermelon, lots of watermelon.

 

All these things + a laundry room the size of a master bedroom,

Sure gave us space to spread out the disaster.

 

First trip in the kayak.

 

A seriously posed picture,

They were not having fun.

 

The laugh of the summer:

 

First time brother fell asleep in her arms.

 

Wanting sister to be able to wear earrings like big sis,

Lauren made Claire some stick-ons

I just love how her lip curls open on the side.

 

There is indeed life in this mess,

Love in this mess,

Little moments of snapshots that make this mess gloriously sticky.

This is my mess.

Come April

Come April,

We'll be getting some mud on our tires, and our toes.

First Chilli dog of the season,

Tell me I'm crazy for food-tography,

Who wouldn't want to remember this beauty???

A day for dress up and free play.

That's our April fool's kind of day. A day for noticing the ever darkening freckles. And taking the time to kiss each one, Even if it means pinning him down to do it.... Because I am only still stronger for a little while......

Sleeping in our hammok inside,

And dreaming of the day that we can build one outside....

And my all time favorite flowers in bloom!

Tulips!

The way to the country side of my heart.

I was never expecting to survive till the day when the sun showed its warm inviting face.

Then just like a great April Fooler,

It was gone.

Huckleberry hunt.

This weekend was a new experience for the Peeps.

All of us.

This year I learned how to identify 2 different plants:

Poison oak,

and

Huckleberries

Its a little ocean breeze hike,
And a photo shoot away.......

The roar of the waves was incredible.

the beach behind the tree

The harvest was few due to the years poor production.

Just enough to throw in some

crock pot apple sauce.

Better for the experience

Rather than the harvest

I suppose.

using up our new pics.

So far, were lovin' on summer, and summer's lovin' on us. So glad it just beginning. Here's what we've done:

This picture cracks me up.

Claire's eyes couldn't be any bigger,

and Lauren's roots.
Oh the curly roots.

Silas- affectionate as ever.

A little bit of rough house.

My newest recipe attempt.

Choc cupcakes with a peanut butter creme in the center.

They didn't taste as good as this one looks, because I never use my timer, and this time, It came back to haunt me. They were terribly dry. Even with frosting on top and the inside.

I thought I was better than that!

Poo!

Actually, I was using Skype for the first time EVER. The kids got to have a "face to face" conversation with my brother for the first time! Seriously, Silas will be five this summer, and has never met my big brother. I think that was worth drying out the cupcakes.

Lauren spent three days this week looking like this. On the third day, I took her in an found out her poor little body had an infection. After just three doses of antibiotics, she was back to herself again.



Just pitiful.

Look what Claire can do!

A picture I took on Fathers Day.

The kids got to shoot some pop cans with Dad on his special day.

Dads new Present, hard at work.

Claire's first time in the Hot tub!




Silas' friend. He met the man while he and I were walking through the down town art walk. This old man was playing "Joshua and the Battle of Jericho". Silas' favorite church song. How perfect is that? So, Silas sat down and ate the free art walk snack while they played a few songs. This old man's partner was keeping beat with two rocks. Like the kind from you garden! Classic.

Camping tomorrow! this is our first camping adventure since we have become a family of five. Actually, last time we went camping, Silas was 8 mo. old and I was a few weeks pregnant with Lauren. Needless to say, I am a bit nervous about the whole thing. Our last experience was a bad one. Bad enough to keep us from going again for four and a half years! I made lots of home-made goodies, to take along, and that made the entire trip worth it (a reason to experiment). Even if it goes horribly wrong, the food will be great! I will share pictures (if they are blog-worthy). Have a great weekend!

-Holly

New beach

We finally found the beach that is named (by the locals) 'secret beach. It is an amazing hike through forest, and large open grassy areas to an amazing beach. The rock formations are huge. There is a ton of fresh water flowing into the ocean by way of waterfalls and streams.

We were finally

able to take some much needed

family pictures taken

(Thanks Alicia!).

Check out this snail Silas found

wild mushrooms growing on a log

Lauren caught eating

everyones lunches.

rugged climb, but so much fun
for my man child.

He's like a spring chick, the first time its let out into the grass

Lauren ignoring the awesome view.

First Spring

The other night we went over to Rob and Ida's house and enjoyed some of the things first spring has to offer.

Rachel's mad skills on the trampoline

Silas tried the move too. He ended up with a springy roll.

They are letting the back pasture grow long in preparation for their horses to return home.

This bought a boys vs. girls hide and seek game.

The sun was in a perfect spot for a photo-op so I picked some wild flowers and begged the girls for pictures. They were pretty good sports about the whole thing.

Aren't they cute?

We got to see their twin goats that were born a couple weeks ago.

They're so stinking cute, especially when they're frolicking and kicking their feet.

Silas the cheese ball.

This dinner and hang time with the Rowes made me want warm weather and summer nights so badly! Can't wait!

Thank you Rowes for another great evening! Rob, thanks for making the buscuits! ;)

I love the concerned mama in the background looking for her kid.
That beard could put most grown men to shame.