Weekend At The Cabin

Tone' and I have just made a pact this year that we are going to start taking advantage of the generosity of my dad. He has had a cabin in the woods on a lake up in White Salmon, Washington for the last eight? or more years now and we haven't really used it much. Now that we have two boys who love to throw sticks and rocks in the water we realized that the cabin is the perfect place for a mini vacation. We have committed to going once a month now and so far we're two for two and planning our June trip.

Truly, it is such a peaceful retreat from this fast paced world we live in. There is no phone, which means no internet. I know! Can you imagine?! Our cell phones don't even work there. We go up there and have no idea what is going on the world. It's really quite funny.

The moment we arrived the boys started collecting rocks and sticks. Who needs toys?!

The best part, of course, is throwing them in the lake to hear "bloop, bloop".

Next up Nikolas took the little red dingy out for a row. We were a little worried about him tipping and falling in, but decided the experience would be memorable, even if it ended in a soggy mess. You could say that's my parenting style: as long as they won't be seriously maimed or worse, then let them explore and get dirty...or wet.

While Nik was rowing in circles Lukas was pouting on the dock. Poor kid, it's tough to be three.

He's not quite big enough to be out by himself on a little boat, yet is old enough to know he's missing out on an adventure.

Just before dinner time our friends, Ed, Emily and their two kids Elly and Evan arrived. They are outdoor enthusiasts as well, so we knew they would enjoy the cabin with us. Elly jumped right into the action and started helping Lukas row the dock. They just may have thought they were going somewhere. You never know with three year olds.

Lukas is only 6 months older than Elly and they are in the same class for Sunday School, but it took this weekend to realize they are both the "same age". I think it's because a six month old is so much further ahead then a newborn and it continues like that for a few months so I had forgotten how close they are in age. This weekend was a hilarious eye opener. They were so cute together and have the same tiny little voices and thought processes. Plus, Elly is the same height as Lukas, which is unusual for his little buddies.

A bonus feature to Ed and Emily coming was that they brought Emily's parents new kayaks!

Combined with Tone's kayak we have at the cabin it made for some fun outings on the lake together.

The guys were generous enough to let us ladies take the first trip out. AAAhhhhh, it was so quiet and peaceful......

Elly having some little Estie time

Lukas had to get in on the cuddling as well

The next morning Ed and Emily took the kayaks out. It was a beautiful, quiet morning and from the smiles on their faces I think they had fun:)

Then Tone', Ed and I took the big kids in our kayaks while Emily stayed with the sleeping babies. It was really fun to be able to go out as an almost complete family as we've never done that having only one kayak. It almost makes me want Tone' to build another one, except that I would not see him for 8 months while he's holed up in the garage.

Last on our list of weekend fun was a hike to the point overlooking the dam.

Three out of five looking isn't too bad!

Now Here's A New One

The moment I was born I began aquiring freckles. I'm pretty sure my face was covered by the time I was eight, so whenever someone points them out to me I am always taken off guard since I don't notice I have them unless I'm really examing my face in the mirror. Those who know me well know that I don't often examine my face in the mirror (I'm a brush my teeth, comb my hair and fly out the door kind of gal), so I really don't think about my skin color(s) too much. Leave it to a three year old, however, to remind me.


Lukas: "Mama, why you have giraffes on your face?"

Mama: "Giraffes?.....OHHHH, you mean freckles!"

Well, it does make sense really. Especially to a three year old.

Three Months Old!

Estella is three months old now!

Her little personality is beginning to emerge and I am loving getting to know this new little person. She loves to be talked to and will begin to coo and make sweet little noises as long as your attention is on her. Look away and she's done "talking" to you. Her eyes are still bright blue, which would be fun and different from the rest of us. She sure is growing tons and is ready for 3-6 months clothse now, but, somehow, I don't have any clothes in that size. (I need to come see you Chelsea!)

Just for comparison, here she is at two months.

The classic "0" mouth.

So cute!


Big brother Nikolas with his little sister.

Nikolas adores his little sis. He will stop whatever he is doing when she starts to cry and sing to her. I love listening to him sing to her. It's the sweetest thing and even if she is screaming and it isn't helping he won't give up or leave her until I come. He is already practicing protecting her.

"I'm THIS BIG"

Girl Clothes!

Let's just get this out in the open. I'm not into clothes. In case you haven't noticed. Which, I'm sure you have as my wardrobe hasn't had a makeover since over five years ago. Before then my clothing was split into two categories: professional bank attire and rock climbing. The former consisted of multiple expensive suits from Petite Sophisticate while the latter was a mixture of Prana, North Face and Nike in the form of tank tops, shorts and puffy jackets. My "mom" wardrobe doesn't exactly fit in with my former shopping style, and so I have pretty much been reduced to wearing hand me downs and the occasional Old Navy special as I now don't have the disposable income to go shopping, but more importantly I don't have the excess time it takes for me to pick out clothes.
So it is quite amazing to me that my little girl seems to have quite an extensive wardrobe, and a fashionable one at that! Of course, most of her clothes are hand me downs from my generous and stylish cousin, Chelsea. Thanks Chelsea! (And also a thanks to Chelsea's mom, Debbie, who did a lot of the shopping for her granddaughters as well:)) ((By the way, Debbie is my first cousin once removed, making Chelsea my second cousin...and our children third cousins...just in case anyone was interested in my geneology:)) Hand me downs from children retain their style much better than adults, as children are in them for such a short amount of time. I have also found that little girls have a much wider and cuter array of choices than boys do. But enough words, just see for yourself:

Estie's Easter outfit

Estie's second Easter outfit after pooping all over her entire first Easter outfit...and Grandma.

Sorry Sue!

(And Chels, I got all the stains out!)

Happy Baby:)

As Kellie once pointed out, there is a lot of pink on my daughter.

I own exactly ONE pink item,

while Estella owns exactly one NON-pink item.

As all of her clothes have come from others generosity, I don't have much say in the matter,

but I must admit, I actually like all the pink! Maybe because it would be hard to know if she was a girl otherwise. I know it's not because I'm becoming more girly. Ha! Perish the thought.

I wouldn't know the first thing about being girly, but if I keep dressing her in pink and putting bows in her hair then eventually my little girl might be teaching me a thing or two about clothes and hair and style. That might be the thing for the hopeless state of fashion affairs I am in.

I'm so blessed to be the Mama of this little girl.

Thank you Lord!

And Baby Makes 7

Pa Graham holding his seventh little grandchild. She is so little and sweet and comfortable in his arms, and my dad didn't mind a bit having an excuse to sit back and take a nap.

Beautiful Bathing Baby

Just had to post some pictures of our beautiful baby:)

Lukas loves to help give a bath to his little sister, and she seems to love the attention as well. He is in charge of scrubbing her toes and her belly:)
Lukey is such a devoted big brother. He is always giving her kisses, rubbing her head and trying to get her to play with his horsies. If you ask him what her name is he will say,
"Baby sister". Then ask: "Is her name Estella?" Lukas then responds, "No, just baby sister."
Okay then. Baby sister it is.

Lately, Lukas has been banned from kissing or touching Estie's face. He is very upset about the new arrangements, but that is what happens when one nearly suffocates their sibling.
Oh yes, little Lukey nearly suffocated Estie. I had sat her next to him one day last week and then sat down on the floor next to them and was reading something. The next thing I heard was Estie screaming at the top of her lungs, and boy was she MAD! I picked her up and noticed that the skin around her lips was BLUE!!! He must have either been kissing her a really long time or was actually holding his hand over her mouth and nose (which I have caught him doing). Poor little girl:( Now, when he gets too near her face she starts protesting.
Smart little 3 month old!