Easter Bunny Sam

I love to snap a few pictures as a new holiday approaches to get Sam excited.  He has been practicing his egg hunting skills...which usually amounts to finding an egg, shaking to see if there's a treat and if there isn't moving on to the next.  He could care less about how many he ends up with in his basket...he just wants the goodies.  Sam is especially proud to wear his Big Brother shirt and is anticipating the arrival of his sibling in September.  He is requesting a brother....we'll find out when he or she arrives.

Park Adventures

When the sun comes out we try to drop everything, sometimes change our plans, and take advantage of the beautiful weather.  With a wealth of parks and nature here, we are trying to see as much as we can.  These pictures are from Solo Point, Priest Point Park, and Nisqually Wildlife Refuge...all of which are within a 15 minute drive from our house.  Sam loves to get in the wide open and just run...we love it too because he sleeps so peacefully after!

Staying Occupied In the Rainy Climate

We are finally seeing some sunshine in Washington, but we were starting to go stir crazy with endless days of rain, rain, and rain.  Sam found some ways to keep himself entertained.  His personality is really coming out and his expressions change from moment to moment.  He looks forward to Fridays when gets to sit next to the front picture window and watch for the garbage, recycling, and yard waste trucks.  On other days he loves playing with his own garbage and recycling truck. 

Spring Is Close

You know Spring is coming and maybe here to stay when the yard work starts.  I have been waiting for the last few years to plant a garden and this year we have the space to do it.  Hans constructed the garden boxes for me and even gladly used his truck to pick up a load of fresh compost for me.  Sam loved using his garden tools, and the boy who doesn't like to get dirty actually had some dirt on his face by the end.  He is loving playing in the yard and checking out all the rocks and plants.  Crossing my fingers that my lack of a "green thumb" doesn't get in the way of successful gardening.  We'll follow up when the produce starts blooming and see how I do.

There's No Place Like Iowa

Sam and I went back to Iowa for a few weeks in February and March.  While we were there we got to see most of our family on both sides and some of our friends.  All my family (except for Hans) was there for Brittaney's confirmation and Sam and I were able to help celebrate Finley's 1st birthday and see most of the Breitbach clan. Hans thought three weeks was way too long to have a quiet house :)

Sam was excited to go to Iowa and see the snow, wouldn't you know that the second day we were there it would be 60 degrees and all the snow melted!!  So much for sledding.  The snow was one of the things I missed the most this winter...it just didn't feel right without it.  We got snow twice in Washington, but it practically melted before your eyes.