Little Moments

 

This winter has been so odd. It has been sunny and cool. Not freezing at all. I love it but I know we need some rain for when summer comes. Hopefully we will see some more here soon.  We took the kids to the park the other day after school. It was such a simple and normal thing we do, but it felt like such a perfect moment. We have so much going on and can get so caught up the whirlwind throughout the week...it is so important to just be sometimes. I just love my little family.

 

Meli had a rough week, so it was great seeing her happy and energetic.

A Sunday Hike

Pictures from our family hike today. Such a beautiful day. We are definitely in need of rain though. 

Adieu 2014. Greetings 2015!

Our schedule has not slowed down since the beginning of December - I cannot believe it is the middle of January and I am just now composing my "goodbye 2014" entry.

We rang in the new year as a duo. We headed out for drinks, but after seeing the crowds decided against it. I was more than happy drinking champagne, just the two of us, in front of our fire playing a board game. It was very low-key and fun...so much so that we totally missed midnight! We should have had one of the countdown shows on. I cannot believe we missed the 10 second countdown. Oh well, it was a great night nonetheless.

We are saying adieu to 2014 with a warm, happy fondness. It was a good year with a lot of new adventures, happy moments, and explorations into ourselves (as parents, a couple, and individuals). The kids have both taught us more about our patience, kindness, sternness, and love...As kids usually do. Each year seems to be full of new attitudes, discipline methods, games, play style, etc. Children are here to keep us on our toes...and as much as it can be trying at times, I love them for it.

Of course, our year was not all "sunshine and roses", but overall I rate it a good one. Will and I have met some really good friends in our little area. It is great finding your path cross those of others that you feel were truly placed there for a real purpose. I have met some amazing women this past year that I am so glad to call my friends. Ladies, that I think will be such an inspiration and stronghold in my life that I know we were meant to come here. Will and I have also stuck true to the general ideas of our 2014 goals. We lived a healthier life, found new hobbies, rekindled old ones, and nurtured ourselves as a couple and individuals. I did not do the dancing classes yet, but I now have friends who know how to do ballroom, salsa and several others...and they can teach it! So maybe 2015?!

Our intention for this new year is to focus on the same concepts; strive to be healthier, be open to new adventures, improve on our artistic/creative outlets, cultivate our hobbies, explore our inner selves and make goals for our future.

The below pictures represent some of my favorite moments and things we did this past year:

 This is from the snowstorm at the beginning of the year. Such a beautiful day and time spent walking with my family.

 

 I love watching Colin and Meli interact with each other. Their friendship has blossomed so much this year.

 

 

 Colin's personality is so quirky and adorable. I just love my boy! I love seeing all of these new facets of his persona that are developing.

 It has been great being able to see my family anytime I want to (for the most part).

 Our family adventures: my favorite thing.

 Colin's first day of school. I love being able to volunteer in his class.

 Relaxing Sundays with my family. Watching football, movies or playing games.

Our outdoor adventures. I love hiking and exploring! Their faces are just ADORABLE!

 

 This is from Easter. A rare picture of the four of us.

Family visits! My favorite! Miss you Liz!

 Trying new things as a family. Strawberry picking!

 Building a garden. I am so glad I did this. My year of stop talking about things and do it!

 This is one of my favorite pictures of Meli. I love the sequence of her reaction to being caught.

 

 My walks with Meli. So peaceful and fun.

 

I love watching the kids interact with their surroundings and just explore!

Going to Seattle!
 

Date nights...need I say more?!

So, hello 2015! I am anxious to see what the year will bring our way.

More with Grandma Liz

 

Here are some more pictures from Grandma's trip to the west coast. We really did have such a good time with her. The kids were not happy that she had to leave us so soon. The picture above is Grandma and Meli during our B family dance party.

 

Liz definitely gets Colin and his cute, quirky personality. She brought him the owl hat and crocheted a cool scarf. He still wears both to school in the mornings. I love that Liz crochets. She does such beautiful things. She made me, Will and Meli a few things as well.

 

The two of them have such a sweet connection. I adore watching Colin interact with Liz.

Meli enjoyed her snuggle time with Grandma. She saw a lady today that kind of looked like her. She started getting so excited. It broke my heart trying to explain that Grandma is far away.

One of our outings was to Oregon Electric Station. Seriously delicious food, wine and desserts. The restaurant uses old train parts for the building. So neat. You can eat in the boxcars. I just love it!

                                   Miss you, Liz!

WildLife Safari with Grandma B



My favorite picture

Will had to go back to work on Monday. It was so nice having him off for 2 weeks. I just love that his work closes for the holiday break. The kids and I decided to show Grandma Liz Wildlife Safari. We wanted to take advantage of this bizarre winter weather we are having.

 

We got there right when they were opening, so for the first hour we practically had the place to ourselves. The animals were active, which was a nice change. When it is too hot they tend to just lay around. We did not do the driving part of the park. The kids and I enjoy just doing the walk-thru portion (Bonus: it is free!). 

I loved this little guy

The goats were very excited to be fed.  Colin was pretty sure they were biting him. I tried to assure him they were not. He still tossed them the food pellets. Silly kid. I loved the goat below that looks like he is smiling. He would not move from his stump. He just watched us. Staring and smiling. It was so incredibly weird looking. Creepy but cute. I would love to know what he was thinking!

The petting area

Feeding the goats



This guy looks like he is smiling

Meli on a rock, barely reaching

Meli really only cares about the playground portion. She has fun running around to the different animals, but her main goal is to make it to the slides. We were able to tire the kids out before heading to Red Robin for lunch. I also showed Liz the cookie shop that was my first job out of high school.



Playground time!



Cute siblings

I wonder what their conversation would sound like!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

King Estate

Tasting

We had plans to take Liz to a new winery this trip, but due to poor planning on my part we got to the vineyard an hour before it opened for tastings. Several nearby opened at the same time. Such a bummer. Luckily, King Estate opened earlier and was close by. Even though Liz had been there before it is such a great winery that multiple trips are a must. A bonus was that their tasting list had changed. I enjoyed all of the wines they had this time. I really liked the Paradox, Croft and Signature Pinot Noir. We did not eat this time, because we had a big breakfast at Buster's Main Street Café (after dropping the kids off at my dad's) in the Grove. I love that restaurant! Their Eggs Benedict (Florentine) is seriously delicious. We tend to be in the Eugene area a lot since a set of our babysitters are in that area. It is a great place to explore!

My sweet mom (in-law) and I

The weather was very nice for her visit. It was a little chilly, but not too bad for January. The sun was out most of her trip. I am glad she got to see the prettier face of the NW. Not the gray, dismal part that it can be in the winter.

Billy & his mom

My sweet husband