Weekend Away

Dave and I haven't been away for a night since before Sierra was born.  And maybe even for awhile before that.  So when some friends volunteered to watch the kids, we jumped at the chance to get away for a few days.  We didn't go far, just about 30 minutes away, but it was such a relaxing and refreshing time.

We hiked,

went out to eat,

and stayed at a beautiful, historical, bed and breakfast.

Caleb is Nine!

Caleb turned nine a few weeks ago.  Only one more year until double digits!  He opened a few presents first thing in the morning.

His sisters watched.

Even Sierra got in on the action.

He wanted a Lego cake, so I bought some lego-shaped candy and let him decorate his cake himself.

We had some friends over for dinner that night.

And he opened more presents.

We had a great day celebrating our smart, handsome, funny, sweet boy!

Alexa's Birthday Part I

We started Alexa's 7th birthday with donuts and bacon...

...and presents...

...including this Frozen hair bow.

 

Then she went on a camping trip with some friends from church.

She even got to open some presents on the trip.

The whole gang

Alexa's Birthday Part II

The next week after Alexa's birthday, we had a Frozen birthday party with two of her friends from school.

The food was all Frozen-themed

Cupcakes!

Opening presents - a Frozen CD

Caleb's reaction to the Frozen CD

 

Do you want to build a snowman?

And, finally, watching Frozen.

Beach 2014

Last month, we had a great week at the beach with Dave's parents.  The weather was great, and we all had a good time.  Even Sierra liked the beach this year.

Dave and Sierra enjoying the beach.

"Surfer" Caleb

Sierra playing in the sand

Taking a walk with Oma

Putting together a puzzle

So windy I could barely keep my hat on

A friend from college came to visit us and spend a day at the beach with us.   Here are all of our kids.

Our family

Wearing matching beach shirts and ready to head home

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Dave getting some Sierra snuggles.

Sierra wearing a pillowcase dress made by Grammy.

Opening Mother's Day presents.

The girls with our pastor.

Thirty Months

 My sweet Sierra is 2 1/2 years old!  Here's what she is up to at 30 months -

 -Weighs 27 lbs and is about 35.5 inches tall.

- Wears a mix of mostly 3T clothes. 

-Wears a size 4 diaper.  Still needs help pooping.

-Drinks water, juice, and milk.  Loves oatmeal, bagels, pizza, spaghetti, and mac and cheese.

-Naps once a day around 1:00.  Sleeps about 2 hours.  Goes to bed around 8 and sleeps until about 7:00.  She was getting up at 6 something every day and then napping for only an hour.  Fortunately it was a short lived phase.
-Walks everywhere - our house, other's houses, the store, the park, the pool, church.  I do still carry her a good bit, but only because I can't always convince her to walk the direction we need to go.
-Jumps and dances on command.  Both are hilarious.
-Is doing well in speech therapy.  She says "Hi" to everyone while waving.  Repeats "Mama" and "Dada" on command.  She used to say "Toes", but she won't anymore.  Tries to imitate lots of sounds during therapy.
-Will do all the motions if I sing "If You're Happy and You Know it, Clap Your Hands".
-Started occupational therapy to work on her sensory issues.
-Is still happily rear facing in her carseat and will be for a long time.  While her head growth has slowed down, it is still very large in comparison to her body.  It is much safer for her to be rearfacing.
-Likes going to the pool.
-Loves her Mommy.  Daddy is a close second.  This switches periodically.
-Loves hugs and tickles and kisses. Nuzzles in and makes kissy noises.  Loves having raspberries blown on her tummy.  Also loves to make Dave kiss me.
-Is my sweet Sierra, and I love her lots.  Even when she's rotten.