a few firsts

William and Gracie woke up to chocolate orange french toast. This is a first. Chocolate in the morning? This never happens in our house. To my credit, I used whole wheat bread, topped it with plain yogurt, and used dark chocolate so the kids were definitely getting their antioxidants for the day!

Since my baby is not yet able to partake in such delicacies he chose to lounge with his Nana.

To continue with firsts, baby Graham took his first ride in the BOB stroller on the pipeline trail. It was a typical walk of "non-firsts".....the kids complaining with one another as to who gets to ride in the "jumpseat", running through mud puddles, and picking up horse dung while saying "uh oh" (William). Lovely.

We closed out the afternoon with the biggest "first" of them all-Grace and William snuggled together under a blanket reading "Curious George". Oh, how I love these moments. These are the ones that are so rare but seem to get you through until the next picture worthy moment. Why, oh why is there such a long span of time between the two????

rolling with laughter

Graham is growing like a weed. I don't see him as being "big" or "rather large" but when I look at photos I think, "where did this kid come from?". The rolls just make me laugh. My first 2 were desperately trying to stay in the double digits when it came to the percentiles but not this guy-he's in the 90's. I love ALL of him!

All this growing must be making him so tired.

winner winner chicken dinner

Approximately twice a month I make a roasted chicken dinner with all the fixin's-carrots, potatoes, and shallots.  We've termed this "winner winner chicken dinner".  The kids love it and I love the following days of chicken soup and homemade chicken broth.  The house smells just like Martha Stewart's when the broth is simmering all day.  Yes it does, believe me.  I freeze the stock in quarts and use it in risotto, soups, and so forth.   Koby always gets in on the action with some broth on his dinner as well.

A certain someone just started reaching for toys. I love how he so seriously stares down an object and tries with all his might to grasp it with those teeny, wrinkled fingers. His hands actually quiver from his concentration.

Just a day

Kid #1 had swim lessons today-the first of this session. She is an incredible swimmer.  I began these swim lessons with her when she was just 18 months old (approx) and had to get in the pool with her.  Now, she's become so independent that I'm the parent sitting on the pool deck watching and cheering her on.  How did she become this old so quickly?  Why didn't I see this happening before my very own eyes. 

All the while, I'm starting lessons with kid #2.  I get to get in the pool with him and I savor every ,moment of our alone time.  Being the second child, he definetely gets the shorter end of the stick.  We had an uninterrupted talk on the way to lessons, I became fully immersed (no pun intended) in his concentration and smiles while in the pool, and laughed as he savored his very first shower-alone.  I really think that was my favorite part. 

In this new year, I vow to make time with these precious kids of mine.  To sit and color, put puzzles together, choo choo around the living room with Thomas, and dance to our collection of tunes on our Ipod.  The laundry and clean-up will always be here but this time won't.  Just like my time in the pool with my kids.

Who we are

The '47 red Ford was here long before our family.  I married well-my husband came with this truck.  It's a beauty and the namesake of our small farm in Woodinville.  Just as I didn't plan my love of this vintage truck, I also didn't plan this life.  But, it's the exact life I wanted.  Handy husband and I met 6 years ago, married 4 years ago, and have 3 kids.  They are our pack of raccoons-really.  Our tiny farm on a hill is also home to 2 horses, a miniature pig, miniature donkey, sheep, chickens, and the original family member of the non human kind....Koby, our perfect chocolate lab. 

 Penelope

 Cowgirl

 A few of the 11 chickens

 Brownie

 Peanut Butter & Nellie

Koby

It's a new year.  This is one of my new undertakings-this blog.  In between the loads of laundry, dinners and breakfasts, diaper changes, and feeding of animals, there is a story to be told.  The story of our life.  As far as I can tell, the grass is never greener than when I look out my window or when I'm outside looking in.