Happy 2nd Birthday Emma!

Dear Emma Bear,

A very happy 2nd birthday to my sweet second born! It is hard for me to believe my baby is already two. You are a bundle of fun and make your Daddy and I giggle every single day. You are talking in the most adorable, enthusiastic two-year-old way and I love hearing you put sentences together. My favorite lately is when we tell you something and you respond with the most adorable "oh!" You like to narrate what you are doing and I just love it. 

You get very excited about things that are hiding ("high-ing" as you like to pronounce it), airplanes overhead, counting, frequenting "Tarbucks" (Starbucks) for a breakfast bagel ("bag-gull") treat, your new helmet and bike and going on walks out to the trash and mailbox. I love how these little things thrill you and it's hard not to feel passionate about them too when I'm around you - it's contagious!

This morning we took a family walk to Starbucks for your birthday breakfast. You got to ride your new bike (your choice). We traveled at a snail's pace but you savored every minute of it. Afterward we went to the zoo because you wanted to "see monkeys." We saw so many different types and you had a heyday. We even saw one going potty which you thought was pretty neat. I kept asking if you wanted to walk or ride in the stroller to which you responded: "RUN!" And off you went. That about sums up your sweet energy in a nutshell. Why walk when you can run? 

You are beginning to show your caring side. Today at the zoo, you'd run ahead but then you'd turn around and check to see if I was coming. You'd say an exuberant "Come Mommy!" and beckon me with your fingers. I could hardly stand it!

You've developed a bit of a sweet tooth and when I asked you what you wanted to do on your birthday, without hesitation you exclaimed "ice cream!" Grandma Crozier made you, your sister and your second cousins a monkey cake for an extended family birthday party and you just couldn't get enough. In fact, we left the party with you screaming "monkey take!" in hopes of getting a second helping. 

For a couple weeks there, we were nervous you'd had a slight personality change. You gave us a real scare with some epic two-year-old-style tantrums that left us speechless. As it turns out, I think you were a few hundred naps and a couple good nights of sleep behind and once we got you rested again, your mood switched. But we certainly are getting some glimpses of the fact that you have an opinion and you're not afraid to make it known!

I think I pair your name with the adjective "sweet" more than any other word because it really is true and there is no better way to say it - you are a sweetheart! You are the sweetest, most endearing little two-year-old and you capture the hearts of those around you in seconds. Your personality remains incredibly unique and I can't wait to see the ways that God will use you. You are a beautiful mystery at times and I'm still trying to figure you out but I think you are going to be a people-person and have a knack for drawing others in. You don't like being the complete center of attention but you sure do love making everyone laugh (which you do so well). You make people comfortable and you make them feel loved - such an incredible gift.

I can't say enough good things about you - you are so special and a perfect complement to our family. Your Daddy and I love you more than you could ever know and we pray that you would continue to live vibrantly and that you would grow up to love Jesus with all your heart. Happy Birthday Sweet Thing!

Love, 

Mom

Happy 4th Birthday Isla!

Dear Isla,

Today you turned 4 years old! I know I will probably say this every year but how it is even possible that 4 years have already passed is beyond me. You have changed our lives for the better and I can't imagine a day without you!

It rained today on your birthday (totally not fair especially when you are born in August!) but you were unfazed. You embrace each moment of every day to the fullest. You love life and you remind me to find joy even in the little things.

You cracked me up this morning when you woke up and told me with a great degree of disappointment "I still feel 3." I couldn't help but giggle a little because I can totally relate. The last 4 years have whizzed by and I don't feel my age either.

You are incredibly sweet and caring and I especially love the way you say your goodbyes. You have become a hugger and today in particular it filled my heart to near bursting to watch you embrace your friend Scout and exclaim "It was good to see you!" as we headed out for your birthday picnic. You are extremely thoughtful and are growing into little Miss Hostess. I love how you like to send our guests off with a beverage and a snack (usually a zip lock of chocolate chips) when they leave our home. Sometimes your hostessing puts me to shame.

You are full of energy and only on the rare occasion do you slow down. You try new things with a confidence I envy. You are a strong girl and I am so proud of you. This month you learned to ride your bike WITHOUT training wheels. People often stop me on the trail, totally amazed.

If I had to guess, I'd peg you as an extrovert as you really enjoy being around and talking to others. You love spending time with me and shadowing whatever I do. The other day you were so excited to wake up and find me sewing a diaper bag for our baby. All you wanted to do was sit right next to me and watch and at the end of the day you reported that as the very best part of your day.

You are ever so curious and even after asking me a million questions, you still have an endless stockpile awaiting answers. I love this about you and I hope no one ever squelches your thirst for knowledge.

You are our little artist and our walls are constantly covered with a never-ending display of your skills. Lately you are also really into writing your ABCs (which you seem to have picked up overnight) and you enjoy writing and then mailing letters to various friends and family. You are always asking how to spell different words and I'm always impressed when I later find the words written out in some form or other.

You adore your little sister Emma and have been doing a great job of engaging her in play. You are very helpful in making sure she has a toy to play with and you do a good job of teaching her how to do things.

Other hobbies of yours include dancing, going to coffee shops, taking care of your babies, playing pretend, running around the room towing your sister on the end of a string and reading books.

You have a heart for others and I love the way you absorb the Bible stories and memory verses you learn in Sunday School. My prayer for you is that that big heart of yours would remain open and vulnerable to God's nudging and that you would follow Him always. I've said it time and time again but you are going to go places, this much is true!! I pray that you will always know how very much God loves you. That you would know and truly believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are beautiful both inside and out and your Daddy and I love you to pieces!

Happy 4th Birthday Isla Girl!

Love,
Mom

Utah in Real Photos

I cannot say enough how wonderful it was to spend nearly a week with Glendon and Kaytee and Lucy. Leading up to the trip, whenever we talked it, the question we were always asked was "WHY Utah?" Allow me to clear the air and say for one, Utah is a gorgeous state with lots of to offer. Secondly, when you mesh as well with a family like we do with the Butes, it's pretty hard to stay away (as shown by the fact that this was our 3rd trip in 4 years!) Seriously, what we would give to live closer to these friends!

It just so happened that we pulled into town just 45 minutes before the clock struck my birthday. The Butes treated me to an extra special day, beginning with delicious oatmeal pancakes with chocolate chips and granola (made to mimic the ones I adore at Julia's here in Seattle). I got to lay low the entire day after church before I was told it was time to dress up and go out. 

I had a slight suspicion I might have an idea where we were going (mostly because I only know two restaurants in Utah) and I was so excited to realize I was right! The Butes booked us a babysitter so we could all go out to La Caille for dinner. The setting was incredible (as was the magnitude of the tantrum Emma decided to throw as we were trying to leave but we won't talk about that part...)

Glendon and his ladies (when in Utah...)

Seriously, this place was amazing! They even brought me a baked alaska dessert complete with a literal firework spouting out the top!

The sunset as we made our way back home was gorgeous!

I didn't take a lot of photos with our "real" camera but I did manage to document a bit more of our morning walking historic 25th Street in Ogden. The street was lined with painted ponies that the girls loved. Isla wanted a picture with each one and Kaytee suggested we make a calendar entitled "Isla and her horses." I literally think we have enough shots to have a different horse for each month!

Graham took full advantage of the random upright pianos placed along the street and treated the rest of us to some free entertainment.

The girls were mesmerized. 

Back at the house, the girls enjoying cooling off on a couple of occasions in the Bute's splash pad and sprinkler. 

I love this series of Emma and Graham. There might have been a bit of "forced" fun initially but then she really warmed up to the sprinkler and was asking to do it again.

One afternoon we also took a trip to a local splash park and the kids had a blast swimming and sliding. Both Isla and Emma even went of the big waterslide (accompanied of course). Of course we didn't take any pictures that day...

Our last night there, we bravely took the kids out to dinner at a yummy pizza place. There was live music and the kids had a chance to break out their dance moves at the end. Kaytee did Emma's hair that night in this sweet braid and I haven't been able to replicate it since! She gave us a lot of hair advice for curlies that I've done my best to put into practice since we arrived home. We need all the help we can get over here!!

Our lovely hosts

Many thanks again to the Butes for having us! We miss you already!

Utah via Instagram

Last week we did the crazy and drove ourselves to Utah in one day WITH two kiddos and a pregnant Mrs. I don't really care to speak much of the trip down there but once we arrived, we had an absolute blast relaxing with our good friends the Butes. Man how we miss them! Lucy and Emma are 10 days apart and all 3 girls really took a shining to one another and had an absolute ball. I love how my phone (though poorer quality) captured the highlights of the trip:

Rest stop in the-middle-of-no-where, Oregon

Lounging on the porch because it's my birthday

French dinner at La Caille, a Thomas Kinkade-like paradise

Street musicians on 25th St in downtown Ogden

Good conversations and time spent lounging with this guy

Almost daily pickleball for the boys across the street

Walks to a local neighborhood coffee shop (x3 to be exact) 

Splash park fun followed by frozen custard

Crazy Utah hair over dominos and ice cream in the evenings

New running routes for me

Sweet girls becoming good friends

Did I mention I enjoyed spending a low-key week with this guy?

Baker City, Oregon lunch break enroute home

And finally, finally, the end of a long day together

Jelly Sticks and Stuff

I think it's safe to say that the pregnancy hormones are raging. Maybe I'm also suffering from a slight case of post-16-hour-road-trip-coming-home-to-a-dead-car-and-two-straight-days-of-work-followed-by-a-Sunday-night-meeting-that-I-was-partially-in-charge-of exhaustion. It probably didn't help that we kept the kids out too late this afternoon which resulted in a rapid toy store exit with two screaming and thrashing little ladies who proceeded to yell at the top of their lungs the entire 20 minute drive home. At some point during the process, I got a couple of clocks to the head by the youngest and there is something so belittling about being hit by your children. Ugg.

Needless to say, I came home and crawled into bed and had a refreshingly good cry and word vomit session before Graham came and banished me to a coffee shop alone. I love that man. There is nothing quite like having someone validate you by saying "What we are doing right now is really hard." I feel a bit like I'm drowning, constantly overwhelmed and feeling incredibly under-prepared for this 3rd baby. At least I can now say I've ordered the car seat!! 

We are in a stage of waiting and it sort of feels like our life is on pause. Except that nothing is really pausing. Graham finally heard some long-awaited news about a couple of job opportunities so now it's time to return to square one and start again. There are a lot of decisions hanging on the future location of said job and so until we know where he will be working, we're trying to wait patiently. We have played a lot this summer (mostly in the form of travel) and now that we are home, I'm hoping we can slow down and re-prioritize and hammer some things out.

As Graham reminded me today, Isla won't care whether her new room is Pinterest-approved. She probably doesn't even know to ask for new curtains or a bed spread at this age. She also won't care if our birthday gift to her comes primarily in the form of some good, focused, you-are-special attention. I mean really, all she tells us she really wants is a jelly stick anyway (what the heck is that!!?)    

Sigh. I'm feeling better already, not to mention a lot more realistic. As much as I'd love for everything to be ready, decided, figured out, finished, I know that the process is just as (if not more) important than the final product. I'm really excited to see what's coming down the pipe and the last thing I want is to be closed off to an opportunity for growth. Prayers for wisdom appreciated!

Day at the Museum

We had grand hopes of kicking off our Wilson family camping trip with a little pre-cation in sunny Seattle. Graham had visions of beaching and stand up paddle boarding and such but alas the weather did not agree. But since it was the first Thursday of the month, all the museums in Seattle were free! So we finally made it to the Museum of History and Industry down in South Lake Union. I am normally not one for museums but this one was really cool and worth a stop. I found myself wanting to return 1) not pregnant 2) not hungry and 3) kidless so I could stop and read all the exhibits. I was, however, able to educate myself of the prohibition period in WA which proved helpful in correctly answering a trivia question in our rousing round of Wits and Wagers later on the the evening (the one and only question I knew...) The girls had a blast at the museum and even got to make some little boats to sail outside in the pond afterwards. We closed the evening with "some of the best sandwiches you'll ever eat" (Graham's promise to my parents) from Paseo, picnic-style at the Seattle Civic Rose Garden. Thankfully only Ben thought he may have had a sandwich that was just as good (but he didn't claim it was better!) Enjoy the pictures!