Flat Stanley

 Flat Stanley came to visit us this week, courtesy of Wesley.  The girls were very excited to get a letter from their cousin and had a fun time hanging out with Flat Stanley.  Stanley is on his way home (he should be there in a few days Emily).  But here are some pictures of our week.

 Violet teaching Stanley the pledge of allegiance.

 Stanley flying in the wind at the bus stop

 At the Capitol building.

 overlooking downtown Olympia and The Puget Sound

 Pizza time at Grandma's house!

 Bed time story....Morris the Moose.

 Swimming

 At Tumwater Falls Park

picture dump

 I have been seriously slacking on my picture taking lately.  I don't think I really even took pictures at Christmas.  We have been home battling the flu this week.  We are almost recovered, but we have spent a lot of time laying around trying to be entertained on the internet and TV....both are exceptionally boring after a day or two.  I have wandered over to our blog a few times hoping for something new and realized that I haven't done any blogging since August! I think I will just blame, school and kids and life.  But along with this picture dump, I wanted to update a few things.  I guess this will be our little Christmas card.

 Peter is still working and applying for new jobs.  He has had a lot of interviews for some really great jobs, but nothing has worked out yet.  We are optimistic that he will find a good job soon.

I have been released from YW's and called into the church nursery.  Since being called into the nursery I've contracted Whooping cough (despite being vaccinated) and the flu....what a lovely calling this is.  In fact I actually really enjoy it.  I have a sweet group of kids and a lot of great parents that are really involved.  Plus I get to wear my running pants under my dress and that makes church so much more comfortable.

 Violet is in first grade and is doing really well.  She has developed a love for reading and impresses me everyday with her ability.  She is also getting to be quite good at math and will surpass my own mathematical ability any day now.

 Claire is in her second year of preschool.  Her favorite phrase is "Hey...Look what I can do...." followed by something kind of scary but awesome.  Claire is learning to write her letters and her name can be found on any surface in our house.

 Zelda and Irma are still with us and they are both really cute and fun to have.  Irma (the cat) has finally relented in letting the kids pet her.  She is not the most social cat, in fact she's kind of a jerk, but we love her.  She is also super fat, so if you ever see her in person it is totally acceptable to tease her and call her fatty mcfatty cat...I do all the time. Zelda is learning to be friends with my Mom's new dog louie, it is a work in progress :)

We did Christmas as usual.  It was so much fun to have a party with my family and a nice christmas morning with the Corier's.  It was a fun and relaxing day and Santa (despite many threats to the opposite) brought the girls many wonderful presents and they had a great day.  Now that Christmas is past they are counting down to their birthdays ( I tried to get them excited about V-day, St. Patricks or Easter, but they aren't fooled by Holidays that don't involve presents)

Well we are doing ok here.  Most everyone is taking a nap and recovering (I'm so glad we don't usually get the flu) I think next flu season I am going to move to Mexico so at least if we get it we will be somewhere warm and sunny.  

Peter and I have spent a lot of time thinking about Hawaii, it makes us feel better when we are sick and tired.  I vote the next time we all meet, it be on a beach in Hawaii.  Hope everyone is doing well.

"Hiking"

When you go Hiking with small children it is actually "hiking" .  Today we "hiked" the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge with my Dad.  The girls gave Dad a hike for fathers day and we finally got to go this afternoon.  We had a great time, even with the mosquito attack and subsequent drama.  Thankfully I had a backpack full of treats and drinks to calm everyone down.  We saw plenty of birds and ducks and a squirrel that was not afraid of Claire even a little bit.  Claire ran right up to the squirrel, and was about a foot away before she stopped.  The squirrel did not move!

 A group of ducks.  There were a few in the bushes quacking and Claire thought they were farting.  eww I can hear them farting!  ha ha ha ha.

 At the lookout

 Looking for pirates.  Ahoy!  Ahoy!!  they thought there should be some Pirates out there.

Having a laugh with Grandpa.  Happy Fathers Day Dad!! Thanks for going with us.  The girls had an awesome afternoon.

Grandma's funeral and Claire's B-day

I know that is an odd combination of photos, but it is what we did this weekend.  We celebrated Claire turning 4 and we celebrated the life of Grandma Corier.  The funeral was a wonderful experience, we heard a lot of stories about Grandma.  She was a funny lady.  I'm glad that I was able to know her and that my girls were able to meet her.  They are lucky to have so many wonderful women as examples in their lives.

 Kory, Sandi, Dan, Val and Timm

 Margie's parents are buried about 50 yards from Grandma Corier.

 Emily, Katie, Peter

 It was a really wonderful day, spent remembering Grandma, sharing stories and reconnecting with family.  We are lucky to be part of such a large, loving family.

 After the funeral we went back to Grandma's house to see it one last time before everything is organized and moved out.  I have only been to Grandma's house a couple of times and I really enjoyed hearing everyone's stories about their memories in that house and walking through the house and having Peter tell me stories of his visits at his grandparents home.

 We also got to celebrate Claire's 4th birthday this weekend.  Claire turned 4 on Friday.  I love my cute little Claire.  She is an adventure in a bottle.  We are lucky to have her.

 Violet loves to pick the vegetables in grandpa's garden.

  Birthday snuggles

 A cabbage patch kid!  This one even has crazy hair like Claire!

 Ninja Turtles

 Ninja turtles and baby having a ninja fight

 cake time at the Wright's!

 She always has funny faces for us.

 This picture cracks me up.  Claire unwrapped "the big one" and found a plain box.  Diana told her she just got her a box.  Claire was about to cry at this point, so Diana showed her how to open the box.

 Help!  I'm stuck!

 Getting crowned by Violet.  notice the curtsy.

ready to rule