End of May

 This month has rushed on by and I can't believe we are almost done with the school year and it will be summer break. We have been loving the beautiful weather and spending as much time outside as we can mixed in with whatever else is going on. 

We have had a couple of rainy days throughout the past few weeks and one day it was pouring down so of course it led to some dancing and running in the downpour.

Paige and Baylor taking some laps with Pops in the cul-de-sac. They both were taking turns "driving". It was cute to watch. Pops is always willing to take the girls outside especially Baylor and I am extremely grateful for it. Baylor has become Pop's little buddy and she always goes to him to be picked up or get taken outside.

Paige had diversity day at school and learned about some different cultures. Each classroom that she went to she learned about a different one and did a craft. I love seeing the different things she does at school and see her creativity at work.

We had another pool day in the evening. They both love water and it was so cute to watch them play and have fun together. 

 I have two very different girls and these pictures are a perfect depiction of that. Paige has always been one that does well playing by herself and will entertain herself for hours. Baylor is constantly on the go and wants people interaction and is always being silly.

They LOVE to chase each other around. They do it in the house and outside. It is even more fun when water is involved and they get to spray each other. I loved watching them and seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter. It is moments like these that I am extremely grateful for and makes being a parent so rewarding.

Drying off together though Baylor didn't lay still for very long....

 Memorial day has become one of my favorite times of the year because every year since Paige was about Baylor's age we have gone to Tahoma National Cemetery to see all the flags in front of all the headstones. We usually go on Sunday since it isn't as busy. It is so peaceful there and it makes me want to know their stories. I am grateful for all their service and for being able to live in the land of the free and the brave.

 On Memorial Day we went with Dale and Margaret to Titlow Beach Park in Tacoma. They had never been and we were glad to go again. It is one of my favorite places to go in Tacoma.

We were there during high tide and there weren't very many people down by the Sound. It was a gorgeous day and I love exploring the beach and listening to the water. 

Since it was high tide there weren't quite as many areas to explore and find sea creatures. We saw some jellyfish in the water, found some crabs, sea anemone, and snails. We saw a couple different kinds of butterflies and Paige even got to hold one and it totally made her day.

My girls are so lucky to have such amazing relationships with their grandparents. 

 We went and played on the playground and put our feet in the water at the splash pad before heading home. It was a fun day and it makes me look forward to more fun summer adventures.

Outings in the Sun

 The last two weeks we have had the most gorgeous weather. We have loved being outside and soaking up all this sun. It makes me super excited for summer. I love being outside with my family exploring this beautiful world.

Last Saturday we went to Soos Creek Botanical Gardens. It is this hidden oasis and we love going there. It is only about a 5 minute drive from our house and it was so beautiful. So many spring flowers were out and it was so green. My eyes just wanted to take it all in and pictures really don't do it justice.

Paige wanted to stop and smell as many flowers as she could. She even lifted Baylor to smell a few. Baylor is the cutest when she smells flower because she blows air out of her nose instead of breathing in.

Paige is so much fun to take on little outdoor adventures. She is always up for a hike and notices all the little things. At the gardens she was pointing out different shapes of leaves and different flowers. She also loves it when we find bugs to see except bees which she is terrified of. She especially loves caterpillars, lady bugs, and slugs. 

I just love these two with all my heart!

Sisters and best friends (most of the time)

It was such a beautiful day and so relaxing!

How did I get so lucky?

Our last stop was the totem pole but of course Baylor was much more interested in the cows in the pasture.

Then Sunday evening we went to Flaming Geyser State Park. It was another beautiful evening. I love living here and how green it is and so many gems so close to where we live.

 This past week we have 80 degree weather all week. It has been so awesome and a couple of days were a little hot which I am grateful for an air conditioned house. We have spent almost every evening outside. One evening Baylor was being fussy since she was tired but it wasn't quite bedtime. I don't like putting her to bed too early in fear that she will wake up earlier the next morning. So I went and rocked her on the porch swing for a bit. I loved that she let me rock her as I talked to her about what we could hear and see. We saw lots of birds even a couple of hummingbirds. We heard some airplanes and some dogs barking. I love observing the world with this little girl who is taking everything in around her and I enjoyed the few minutes of snuggles since it is a rarity for Baylor.

 Both of my girls are outside girls and Baylor would be outside all day if I let her and if I wanted to be. When she hears the word outside she will immediately go get her shoes and your shoes for you. It is pretty cute.

 The first time I turned the air condition on, Baylor loved it. She thought it was the coolest thing to sit on the vent and let the cool air blow on her. Oh how I love that sweet smile and she looks so big in this picture!

 Thursday evening we brought out the sprinkler for the first time this year and it was a big hit. Baylor absolutely loved it. They both had fun splashing the water at each other and putting their feet on the sprinkler head. I didn't put a diaper on Baylor since she was just running around outside. I did have the thought before putting her swim suit on that she hadn't pooped in awhile so maybe I should put a diaper on her but decided against it. So of course at the end of the evening she pooped in her swim suit and some of it fell out and I hear from Paige "eww she pooped in her swimming suit." So the day ended with some showers and some laundry. :)

Then today (Saturday) we went to Saltwater State Park. It was the perfect day. When we first got there we went on a little hike which was very pretty and green. Then we hauled everything down and found the perfect spot on the beach. We enjoyed a picnic, playing in the sand, beach combing, putting our feet in the water (Paige liked jumping over the waves and Baylor liked splashing), and finding some sea life.

Definitely in his element!

What a perfect day with my favorite people!

I am excited for more outside adventures this year.

18 Months

 18 Months with our cute baby! Baylor is not so much a baby anymore and turning into the most adorable, curious toddler. She is growing up way too fast but I love this stage with Baylor. She is very busy and can be exhausting but she is so fun. She copies everything especially if Paige is doing it. She is very quick to smile and laugh. She is so observant of the world around her and whenever she hears a different noise she stops and tries to see what it is. She absolutely loves any animal. We see birds and squirrels quite often at the house that she gets to enjoy every day. She loves dogs and gets so excited when she sees one. She really and truly loves all animals and gets so excited and points to them. She has the most ticklish armpits and is quite ticklish and loves to be tickled and teased as she rolls on the ground laughing. She is a big daddy's girl and also loves Pops. She has both of them trained to pick her up and they both take her outside often and she loves them for it. If Nate and I are both around she always prefers to go to Nate unless she is hungry or tired then she is all about mom. She prefers drinking water over anything else. She doesn't really like juice unless Nate or I are drinking it then she will have a few sips. She loves water bottles and is really good about drinking throughout the entire day. She is not really a picky eater but has days where she liked something and then the next she decides not to like it. Typical toddler! Her favorite foods right now are cheese, pasta, avocado, eggs, bread, and anything sweet especially ice cream. She loves to climb stairs, stand on anything she is not supposed to, be outside, push around the toy shopping cart or stroller, ride bikes, her blanket, play in water, and not hold still. She has quite the little personality and is a constant tease. She loves to be chased and play hide and seek though she is usually always the seeker and has the cutest little voice. She say many words but she has sounds and jabbers that sound like Paige, Where are you?, Nona (she calls Nona and Pops the same thing), and she can say mama and dada but doesn't very often. She says puppy and baby pretty well. She is really good at saying hi and waves to lots of people, cars, and buses. She makes some animal noises- her best one is the chicken sound. She knows where her nose, belly button, teeth, and toes are. We are constantly working on getting her to point to her ears and eyes but she always points to her nose. She is so much fun to have in our family and brings us all so much joy.

 She loved holding the hose!

 We were all laughing so hard and there were lots of squeals from Paige as Baylor was spraying everyone and everywhere with the hose. 

Her first ice cream cone on her own was a success though a messy success.

Spaghetti and bread night=one of Baylor's favorite dinners.

 I love seeing Paige be a sister and she is one amazing big sister. She is so helpful and loves Baylor so much. Baylor lights up the most and laughs the most with Paige. She is constantly mimicking what Paige does and wants to be doing whatever Paige is doing.