Wanted: one vacation from vacation

He is the cutest thing ever- I am saying so

"Oh Canada...... You're above the United States"... Or so goes the song from my childhood memory ;) Oh and there was nice weather. Other than that ( I will try to keep it brief):

• We were NOT staying in Vancouver, but 20 minutes outside.
• In a very "business-y" hotel
• On a main road with no sidewalks, and nothing to walk to should one decide to brave the stroller in the street technique
• David was working and had to be at his show every afternoon to late in the evening

• No Wi-fi meant no words with friends AAaak!
• Two kids sleeping in one hotel room = a lot of sitting in the dark for mommy
• Samuel had a terrible stomach flu the whole time
• My cell phone was on "international roaming" so I was basically cut off from life!

And we learned some invaluable lessons about trying to make a business trip a family vacation! Don't. The End. New story- We stopped on our way..err.. somewhere..(see above) in Mt.Vernon, WA for the Skagit Valley Tulip festival! Now, tulips happen to be my favorite flower. I am not obsessive about my favorites but. this stop at least reminded me why I have a favorite. It was a beautiful day. We stopped to pick up lunch at a great Co-op with tons of fresh food, healthy, organic, local ingredients. Ate in the park- here it was pretty cold- and played on the playground, then headed for the fields. It was a crowded Saturday. But we loved taking pictures of the beautiful scenery, and Samuel, he loved the puddles!

I took a Sewing 101 class last night through a great company a friend started calledARMOMMY. If I am being honest, I think I really am more of a sewing 102 level. But, it's always good to get back to basics. I ended the night of laughing and pinning and sewing with fun women, with a gorgeous new pillow and lots of revitalized creativity. I think I may need some new curtains and other pillows and then I might move on to clothes. At least I have great intentions.

Brennan boy- playing with his mouth sounds

Brennan and #28

I realized that i didn't include any pictures or really mention Brennan in my last post. Maybe I have been subconsciously trying to block him from my mind because he has been teething and waking me up all night long and fussing all day long. Thankfully one big nasty tooth broke through on Easter and another a few days later. We'll see if there are more to come. Anyway, he is doing great and getting so big.

Today is #28. I went to open a cute card with a pretty flower on it with much excitement.

The last two days I have opened a 'spring OPI nail polish kit' (!) and a box of Giada Di Laurentis' pasta and bamboo spoon- from he new line, she is one of my favorite chefs. So today I opened two cards, neither one from Anna. They were from two of my dearest friends whom I mess tons (Kala&Lindy Lou!)! Their cards touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes (and flowing down my cheeks). It reminded me of how special my friends are, and how blessed I have been to walk the last few years with these amazing women. Oooh! I miss them so. Just a gentle reminder. Then I thought, "maybe this whole gift is a sneaky ploy to get me to move back to California, by showing me what I am missing!" That would be sneaky. So on the third day I have cried over my gift (Which was a handmade tea towel courtesy of miss Lindy). I am afraid this gift may turn out to be a lot more than what I expected-

30 days....

Thirty days left. In thirty days I will be thirty. Thirty. T H I R T Y. weird word. anywho, my lovely sister Anna was just here for a visit for her birthday ( I will not say her age) :) and while she was here a big box arrived addressed to me from her! Oh my! We get boxes often here. Gifts for the boys from far away family who cannot control themselves. But for me? Not unless I ordered it myself. Well this was even better than something I ordered. Inside the box was a sweet card and 30 little gifts all wrapped and numbered! One to open each day until I turn ... thirty. I love this game! I am super in to opening a gift everyday- especially one from Anna who has great taste, thus gives great gifts! I love surprised and gifts and spreading them out for a month! I am not super excited about turning 30. I sort of already feel like I am there. Most of my friends are 30+ and David turned 30 last year, so thanks for making the transition easier for me everyone who is older than me! :)

But back to Anna's visit: She and I went out to a fun and fancy dinner in the "city". We are not afraid of trying much of anything especially at a clean, fabulous restaurant- not off of a truck. So, our delicious dinner consisted of: the confit lamb heart horseradish cream, miners lettuce, preserved meyer lemon; fresh ricotta gnudi artichoke relish, lemon oil, sweet salt; thundering hooves beef tongue black lentils, cherry-mustard compote, spring onions and a special steamed mussel dish with lots of garlic, butter and fennel. Yummmy! Actually, the lamb heart was my least favorite as it was the last one we ate, was served cold and I was pretty full, plus is has a game-y taste and spongey texture. But it was not anywhere near bad. My favorite was the tongue for sure! So good! The cherry mustard compote was sweet and the tongue had a nice crisp outside and tender inside. I realize I am totally grossing some of you out by this- :) It really was great- It's not like there were tastebuds on it or anything, it was just like a piece of beef. We had fun and were so full we couldn't eat dessert. Poo! We did scarf down the tiny chocolate cookie they bring you anyway.

The Tongue

It was unfortunate weather during most of Anna's visit, including Easter, but we had fun anyway. We shopped, and bowled and got pedicures! I am a lucky girl to have had her here on her birthday. ( I am no fool, I know Samuel and Brennan had a little something to do with why she came)

~

It was also Easter this week- which is always one of my favorite holidays. There is nothing I would rather celebrate than the resurrection! Jesus' death fills me full of emotion like nothing else. But He rose again that we may live! Thank you Jesus for Resurrection day! I love going to church and celebrating with others who are thankful like me, and praise Him from their toes. I love the Easter egg hunt in the yard; the sunny weather, the See's suckers that the adults always run around the yard plucking out of the flower beds; and I always love being with family. So, this Easter was a little different. Sadly, it was lacking in most of these areas. It still held all of the meaning, hope, emotion and joy but it just wasn't the same. I missed my church, my family, and the sun!

Time keeps 'March'ing on

This is about the time of year where the world around you is supposed to shout "spring!" as the season unfolds before you. I think maybe the world around me is whispering "spring". I do see a few flowers, and new leaves growing. Frogs are croaking. And there are bathing suits for sale at Target. But other than that, it is still the season we call- "gray". Rain, clouds and still cold. I've been made promises of a summer that will have you jumping for joy, so I will try to wait patiently, for now.

Brennan rolls and rolls and rolls

Gramma and Grampa (Double treat) came to visit this month and I must admit we did have some glorious weather- for the NW. They kept reminding me it was "80 degrees at home today". Yeah, yeah. We took full advantage of the weather and armed with hats, gloves and jackets set out on an adventure to the zoo.

 Grampa and Samuel watching the sharks

Feeding the goats- and interesting experience

Throw rocks!

Mini golf

not a great put for Mommy and Brennan

Running through the tunnel!

On the Saturday it was sooo warm here you didn't even need a jacket! We strolled the arboretum and saw lots of beautiful flowers. I think (hope) we worked off the pound of See's candy Gramma MADE us buy- and eat!

We made plans for what I thought would be a nice spring getaway to Roslyn at the end of March. It was a nice getaway; we played at the park, and strolled through town, BBQ'd and played some more. Roslyn, however, is hearing no call of spring. There were still patches of snow in shady spots, and the grass was shall we say, yellow. It was different but still a fun time was had by all! We were joined by the Swisher family of four, who were a great blend with our family. The four kids 2 and under provided plenty of exercise and entertainment for the adults!

Today, Samuel and I made pudding. A friend and fellow blogger recently raved about trader joe's pudding mix. I, being one in favor of more natural, less artificial food decided to try it out. Making it was easy, but the eating it was pure joy! who knew pudding + a two year old would be so delightful.. and not at all messy ;)

Happy happy boy!

What? All gone? "Oh no Mommy. Need finger."

Brennan is teething and therefore not sleeping so much. Which means, Mommy and Daddy are not sleeping much either! Poor boy he has had two teeth break through last week and is working on at least 3 more. Hoping they come soon. For now we are sleepwalking through the days and nights.

Notice the theme of Brennan chewing things

And a mud puddle- oh joy!

We are living happy and healthy, thank the Lord. And missing our friends and family everyday! Come see us real soon now. Ya' here!