Winter fun in Washington

We decided to take advantage of some unseasonably clear, warm (low 40s) weather and go up to Mt. Baker Ski area for a little winter fun. The older kids had a blast on their sleds on the hills and frozen lake (a little scary) and Mallory enjoyed watching them zoom by and the occasional ride with Doug or myself. It was such a fun weekend especially since we've had so much cloudy, cold and foggy weather lately. This was a much needed break from that. We were actually getting sweaty up on the mountain in all our many layers. It felt so nice to have that crisp, bright mountain sunshine on our faces. We'd really like to go back this weekend but I think the weather is going to start deteriorating soon, unfortunately. We're trying to soak up as much of Washington's splendor as we can before we PCS next year because wherever we move next, it just won't measure up to this awesome place.

The Nooksack River

Mt. Shuksan

What a busy few months!

I haven't posted much since my parents were in town (for 5 weeks) and we were just too busy having fun and carrying on with everyday life. Since I last blogged, Doug got promoted to Major, Griffin turned 3, I turned 33, Jillian turned 6 and we've kicked off the holidays. I'm pooped already :) Last weekend we got our Christmas tree at a cute little local tree farm, and then later in the day took our family picture for our Christmas card. It actually turned our pretty nice and wasn't all that stressful (unlike other years). I'm about 1/2 done wrapping gifts, so it feels nice to get somethings accomplished since there will be A LOT of prep work involved in our trip to AZ. Yes, we've officially gone insane and decided to DRIVE to Arizona. It's gonna be crazy but a lot of fun too. We haven't been home for Christmas since 2003 so it's time. And next Christmas, Doug will be deployed so we figured this was the year to do it. My parents are beyond excited to have us home and we can't wait to catch up with our friends. We're really looking forward to being there, but not the drive ;)

I wish I had the time/energy to post pictures but I just don't, maybe next blog!

I've been tagged.....

I've been tagged by Jaime ... here we go!

10 Years Ago (1998):

1. Married Doug (12.19.98)

2. Was in my last year of college at Grand Canyon University

3. Was 22 years young!

5. Living in Phoenix, AZ but planning our move to Pensacola, FL

5 Things on Tomorrow's "To Do" List:

1. Get house ready for my parent's visit

2. Finalize menu for Doug's promotion party

3. Prep new baby meal for the Lunsford's

4. Take kids to the park

5. Go to the gym (ha ha)

5 Things that I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Take care of extended family

2. Buy an awesome house

3. TRAVEL!

4. go clothes shopping like a maniac

5. Save, Save, Save

5 Places I have lived:

1. Harrisburg, PA

2. Phoenix, AZ

3. Pensacola, FL

4. Rapid City, SD

5. Oak Harbor, WA

5 Jobs I have had:

1. The MOST important - MOMMY to my 3 sweeties
2. school teacher

3. Collections agent at a construction company

4. Asst. Director of a daycare

5. "Teacher" (I use that term loosely for daycare) at a daycare

5 people I'm tagging are:

1. Susan

2. Heather

3. Kelley

Sadly, I don't have 5 blogger friends! :(

A day at the pumpkin patch...

Fall is definitely in the air here in Oak Harbor (when isn't it?). It's been cool and breezy with much shorter days, unlike the summer where it's light at 10pm. The local farms are burgeoning with corn and pumpkins and we knew a trip to the pumpkin patch would soon be on the horizon. So last week we bundled up the kids and headed out to Dugwalla Bay Farm. The kids had a great time on the hayride (pulled by a bright orange tractor), although it was quite bumpy. Mallory kept looking up at me with a puzzled expression :) Jillian and Griffin combed the fields quite thoroughly and each found a pumpkin to their liking, which have found a home on our front porch, making it look very cheery and autumnal. We just adore Washington for its never-ending supply of family-friendly, outdoorsy, memory-making possibilities.

Happy 1st Birthday, Mallory!!!

Well, it happened. Our baby girl turned 1 on the 25th. We had a small, family party, just the 5 of us. It was fun, happy, exciting, peaceful and unreal. I found myself thinking the whole time, "One already? Wasn't I just in the hospital having her?" I know I say it all the time, but this last year has flown by in the blink of an eye.

We had so much fun preparing for her party. Jillian, Griffin and I made and iced the cupcakes the night before and Doug did most of the decorating on party day. She really enjoyed opening her presents and trying to blow out the candle. Well, mostly she just kept trying to grab the flame. I thought it best that she didn't receive any burns on her special day, so I blew it out for her :) She loved her gifts, especially her Laugh and Learn purse and pull-along pelican. Poor thing barely gets a moment to herself with them though, the older kids are always playing with them. You know, anything new and they're enthralled!

All in all it was a wonderful day that we'd been looking forward to with much happiness and a touch of nostalgia. That first birthday is always bittersweet, but we loved every minute of it!!

First day of Kindergarten!!

Well, it finally happened. My baby girl is now officially in school. She had such a fun day and even made a new friend, Olivia. While it was a little sad to see her walk down the hall, Doug and I were filled with pride and hope, knowing she is well-equipped to learn, succeed and be happy. She's such a remarkable little girl and an enormous blessing in our lives.

She's walking!!!

Our sweet little Mallory started walking two days ago. It's so cute because she looks like a walking infant (she's in the 3rd percentile for weight). She just made up her mind to do it and never looked back. Jilly loves how she always walks to her first, and Griffin is annoyed that she can now get into his stuff faster ;) I can't believe her first birthday is right around the corner (9/25). Her first year has flown by waaaaaaaay too fast. But I guess the quote from Barbara Kingsolver is true. "It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't."