robot love.

i just love this robot template. you may remember i've used it before to applique a shirt for sam. well, i decided to use it again for the little's valentine shirts for this year, i love it so much. the template is from Lil Blue Boo.



i used the "poor-man's method" of screen-printing, otherwise known as freezer-paper stenciling. it is so fun, and i love the results. i'm thinking of pairing katie's with a pink and silver tulle skirt that i saw at target last time i was there....watcha think?

side note: Ashley, the creator behind "Lil Blue Boo", is such an inspiration. i've been following her blog for years and she is one of the most talented and creative women i've seen. she was recently diagnosed with cancer, and she CONTINUES to be such an inspiration with her positive, joyful outlook as she follows her mantra, "choose joy". definitely check out her blog if you are so inclined.

thanks for looking!

sam goes skiing.

today we went to Crystal for the first time this season. it was one of those beautiful, perfect, clear, sunny, warm days that one usually only dares to dream about up here in western WA. it was also sammy's introduction to skiing. nathan spent the day down on the bunny hill with sam teaching him the basics, while katie and i ventured out on our own.


daddy getting sam ready in the parking lot.


all ready! (he reminds me of randy from "a christmas story" here)


first time riding the shuttle!


sam's first ski lesson (taught by daddy)




katie and i on the green valley lift


lunchtime. my pizza-monster worked up an appetite out there.


lookin' like a pro already :)


this mountain always makes me happy.

thanks for looking!

celebrating sammy.

sunday was my baby's 4th birthday. he is the sweetest, funniest, cutest boy ever. (i may be slightly biased, though.) we celebrated with family and a couple friends at what sam probably considers the "funnest place on earth", chuck e. cheese :)


big bro, little bro.


gabs and sam, lovin' the ride.


i thought this was *adorable*....austin leading preston around. preston grabbed his finger and wouldn't let go :)


feeding the ticket-muncher.


grammy/sammy.


sam opening a present and ignoring the giant mouse, while ella gives him a high-five.


sweet card from gabby (sophie helped her with it!)


modeling his new jacket.


gettin' some benji-lovin'.


cuppy-cake time!


lovely pic, i know, but somehow it was the only one i managed to get with katie and soph-ball in it.


the littlest party-goers, enjoying their cupcakes (or frosting, in benji's case).


sam and mommy ♥

thanks for looking!

halloween 2011.

sam's preschool class. they had a party and then paraded around the Y, stopping at the different departments to trick-or-treat!


a few of the *wonderful* preschool teachers: bozo, harry, and wonder woman :)


makin' the neighborhood rounds.


campfire girls.


this is a combo of being high on candy and deliriously tired.


happy birthday steve!! if i were going by the candles on your cake, you're 7 now? (P.S. loved the captain america steven!)


L to R:cheetah, dimi, texas longhorn, tigger, cow, austin, cowgirl.

hope everyone had a wonderfully frightening halloween!

thanks for looking!

homecoming 2011: a pictorial.

at the football game on friday, doin' the marching band thang.


halftime show!


the drummer's doing their stuff.


aus and his girlfriend meghan....i love this picture.


final score: olympic--26, klahowya--6. gooooo trojans!!


saturday, before the homecoming dance.


megs pinning on his boutonniere.


tying on meg's corsage.


are they not the cutest thing?!


meg's mom, melissa, served 10 kids appetizers, salad, baked ziti, and chocolate mousse for dessert. oh, and sparkling cider in fancy wine glasses!


me and my handsome baby.

as always, thanks for looking!

B.A.D. is good.

today we headed over to the Brownsville Marina for "Brownsville Appreciation Days". katie was performing a program with her music class. i was quite proud that she actually got up on stage and sang (or at least lip-synced.)



her good buddy sophie came to watch her, and when she was done i took the girls on a little sailboat ride in the harbor right there while nathan and steve went to the "daddy playpen" (otherwise known as the beer garden.)



after that we all went to grab some burgers and dogs for lunch, and then we walked out on the pier. as we were walking, one of the crew from the sailboat "lavengro" asked us if we'd like to go on a 1-hour sailboat ride for FREE. being the thrifty person that i am, i jumped at the opportunity. the boat was leaving in 10 minutes so i high-tailed it back onto shore to hunt down austin. when i found him he was with britt and cici, so they all came on the sailboat with us.


the lavengro.


katie and austin, ready to set sail.


cici and britt.


steve and soph-ball.


the crew wasted no time putting everyone to work. here's nathan and austin helping to hoist the sail.


watching the sail hoist.


captain sophia, bringing the boat into shore.


nathan.


me.

thanks for looking!