Birthday Birthday!

Last Friday we celebrated Elise and Charlotte's one year birthday! At 9:44 and 9:45 pm the girls were sound asleep, but Stephanie and I were fondly recalling all the events of one year ago. What a change a year has made! Charlotte is crawling all over, and Elise is close behind. It is a little bittersweet as they grow up and leave "baby" behind. We both took Friday off to get ready for the big party on Saturday. Over 20 friends and family came over to celebrate a successful and wonderful first year. Charlotte and Elise both enthusiastically ate their little cakes and received many fun toys and cute clothes. Thanks to everyone for your support, encouragement, and love over the past year.

Spring Break Video Short

Spring Break 2010

We had a wonderful Spring Break this year. Although we stayed close to home, each day was filled with fun, laughter, and adventure with Elise and Charlotte.

On Easter Sunday we went to church at New Life in Silverdale. The worship and message were powerful and right on target for Easter. It would be awesome if every Sunday was the celebration that Easter Sunday is! Elise and Charlotte stayed with us during the service and were very well behaved, even when the fire alarm went off! A ceiling tile had fallen somewhere and caused the alarm to trigger, but it was soon off, and the Easter celebration continued. After church we gave the girls their Easter baskets which they enthusiastically emptied. Later that afternoon we headed over to my parent's house in Kirkland for a get together and Easter dinner. The girls had a great time playing with Jacob & Madelyn and all the little girls ended up in the bathtub together after some delicious carrot cake.

Monday was chores and a Costco trip. Check out the cart - it has two baby seats!

On Tuesday the girls had their first dentist appointment! They basically just looked in their mouths and counted teeth. I wish my dentist appointments were like that.

After that we headed back over to Kirkland for a surprise visit to Nana Darragh at preschool! Everyone was so happy to see the girls - it really made her day. On the way home we stopped at Denny's Pet World, the best pet store I know of. I bought two blue angelfish, and we quickly headed home to put them in the fish tank. Unfortunately, one of them did not survive the stress of moving and died that night.

On Wednesday we spent the day at home doing chores and playing with the little ladies. We had to clean up the house because we had a baby sitter for Wednesday evening. We went to dinner at the Hub in Tacoma, it was alright, but a little underwhelming. Then we went to Tacoma Mall for a little walking, talking, and shopping. We don't get a sitter very often, and it was great to just spend time together without worrying about naps, bottle, diapers, etc...

Thursday was an at home day, doing a few chores. We did run out to a party store to buy stuff for the girls' first birthday party! We can hardly believe it has been a whole year. They have changed so much!

On Friday I went back over to Kirkland to deliver a birthday cake pan to my mom who is going to make the cake for the big bash, and also to return the dead angelfish and get a replacement (cause they aren't cheap!). I brought the new angelfish home, along with two black angelfish. They have acclimated to the tank wonderfully and are just beautiful to watch. While I was on the Eastside, Stephanie took Elise and Charlotte to Gig Harbor for a play date with Joy and her son Cooper. They met at Play-a-Latte and had a wonderful time. The girls entertained everyone with their "fish-flopping" on the floor.

On Saturday I went and bought some new plants for the front and mowed, but I had to fit in in between watching the Master's Tournament. I love watching it every year. I am horrible at golf, but when I see the amazing golf course at Augusta National, I can dream that I am at least decent. I am happy that Phil Mickelson won. It was beautiful when he met his wife after he finished the 18th hole.

On Sunday we returned to New Life church. The focus for the next few weeks is "Help Heal This World." I really like to focus so far, and think it will be very powerful. “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Matthew 25:40 (NLT) After church we came home and I watched the final round of the Master's, then mowed the back lawn.

We both agreed that we had a wonderful Spring Break, made even sweeter by our little girls. We can't wait until summer!