Some Christmas Fun

Some of the girls' creations

This is why I don't worry about my girls struggling with their identity as girls.  Notice the lego guys.

because every once in a while there has to be proof that Mom was there

Eck advent party

advent

Christmas and Grandma Bunky's

Ella and I off to the the church party

The super awesome snow fort made from Grandpa Mike's great snow pile

looking lovely

Unfortunately, as per tradition, we only got pictures from one of the grandparents' houses.  Bummer.

Ode to the hot glue gun

Taking candy from strangers is exhausting!

The rest of summer

We had lots of time with both Grandmas this summer, much to our delight.

Ella turned 8, right on schedule.

A sample of the projects the girls have been working on this summer.   These are made by "needle felting."

Lily's dinosaur

Ella's blue jay

Here are a few pictures of our camping trip on Salmon Lake in Montana.  We were so fortunate to go with BOTH sets of grandparents!

AND Uncle Mike

Dessa would only swim right next to Uncle Mike.  So Mike figured he'd share some of the splash with Grandma.

Grandma got her share

A casting lesson with Grandpa

We spread our arms around the largest tamarack in the Northwest then unwrapped to see the circumference.

Summer stuff

This is the product of Ella's very own recipe.  Kind of a chewy shortbread.

Lily's volcano cake

Birthday party! 

Lily's new blanket and shelf

I got a few shots of Dessa enjoying her ice cream today.  Actually, I got a lot of shots of Dessa enjoying her ice cream.

Great Grandma's old nursing uniforms.

Oh, I have a bonus quote for you today.  Dessa saw some hair defrizzer on my counter and asked, "Is that to make me fabulous?"

It's been MONTHS!  Now Dessa is five.  FIVE!  Here are a few pictures of birthday stuff and other Montana fun.

Just a few reasons we want to get back to Montana!  

Kendra and Ethan share a birthday week with Dess, so they were able to celebrate together.

Ella was very impressed by Aunt Linnea's artistic ability.

Another reason we want to move back.

Dessa "rocks" her new dress.

Dessa wanted a green chicken cake.  Wish I'd thought to wipe the excess frosting off the board.