Favorite Moments

This post is just about a few favorite moments we've had in the past few months I want to remember:

1.  Biggest Loser Challenge

In October/November I participated in my first Biggest Loser Challenge (thank you Ev!).  I needed a change in my physique and diet and this was the perfect opportunity.  The gym hosting it is called A Personal Fit.  It is a boot camp style gym and wow did I see results.  I lost weight (11 pounds, 10 1/2 inches), built lean muscle,  and started feeling much better about myself.  On top of that, I got the added bonus of the spa, Planet Beach.  They have slim pots (sweat pots where you just sweat, I LOVE them), hydration pods, massage chairs, and even tanning (which has helped with my adult acne, yes still struggling with acne!).  It was so fun!  Jared and I even got a date out of it for their finale, which was red carpet event.  It was very "Spokane" red carpet at that.  Let's just say we were VERY dressed up:).  We still had fun.  Didn't win any prizes but I got an evening out with my man which is always a bonus!

2.  Sibling Love

I can't tell you how much joy these two bring to our lives!  They are truly two peas in a pod.  They love to be together.  One of them is always looking for the other one.  They have started to play, snuggle, and yes even watch a show together.  Well, Hannah lasts a good 2 minutes:).  I didn't even pose these two!  Hannah cuddled up next to "brother" and pulled up her blanky to boot.  Love them!

3.  Books

They are both starting to share a love of books, especially with daddy:).

4.  Dr. Seuss Day

I'm a teacher through and through so on Dr. Seuss Day we dressed up.  Nana helped me make Hudson and Hannah's shirts, just some iron on decals, sounds easy but nothing is easy with us:).  It was fun to take them to my school for breakfast:).  Hannah was so good!  She sat on the bench, used her fork, and ate away.  She's always happy when food is involved!

5.  Gymnastics

Gymnastics continues to be a weekly highlight.  Hudson has really grown in his athleticism.  He is now doing the the balance beam very successfully, one foot in front of the other!  I just loved how this picture captured both my kids.  Hannah was cheering her brother on!  

Sometimes it's not the big moments in life but the little ones.  I'm so thankful to be with my children during this time in life, cherishing these days together whole heartily:).

A Reading We Will Go!

It's neat to see how all the sudden a child just "clicks" and gets things academically, physically, emotionally and so on.  Hudson has known his abc's and sounds since 2, which seems to be a bragging point amount mammas out there:).  I'm truly amazed he knew them so early!  The last year I worked with him at home and he was sort of into school but not showing much interest.  Well recently, he's clicked and he's reading!  Of course I have a whole kindergarten classroom just lying around here so I whipped out some Bob books for my mom to read with him.  She told me he read the first book, Mat.  Honestly, I didn't believe her.  But he can:

Then we progressed to some harder ones.  He can read them, sounding out words slowly, but that's how you learn!  We often re-read the same books for fluency but it's a delight to hear him read and laugh at the funny parts.   I love the connections he makes as well! 

Can you see his little personality shining through?  His lucky kindergarten teacher:).

Colton Turns 3!!!

One of the biggest blessings in my life, is this gal:

This is Ariane Stumbaugh.  If you haven't met her, you're missing out.  She is truly a God send.  She is an amazing wife, mother, former teacher, and friend.  I have never been in a friendship this positive, encouraging, loving…I could go on:).  Ariane was a teacher.  She met one of Jared's and my best friends, Wesley Stumbaugh, on an Christian dating website.  They fell in love and the first moment I met her, so did I!  They lived in Vegas, had two babies, and moved back to the Northwest to be near family.  Now Ariane was a teacher, in Vegas, but her heart was leading her to stay at home with her children, near family.  So when they moved, Ariane didn't look for teaching positions.  Wes was previously selling furniture in Vegas and is now back to that in Spokane.  It has not been an easy road to lose the majority income and trust the Lord to provide, but she does.  She has sacrificed much but is able to raise her children which is by far the biggest blessing.  

Die hard racers!

So my goal for Colton's party was to be as frugal as possible.  We rented the library room for FREE!  Their place isn't the biggest:).  Colton had a Cars, racing themed party.  She made these adorable racing box cars.  

On your mark, get set, Go!!!!

The kids loved the race track, most of the time:).

So Jared joined in on the fun:).

Hannah didn't know quote what to think about this.

Then it was present time!

This smile is the cutest!  Dimples, grins, cheesier, I can't help but eat it up!

And this one of course:).

The boys decided more racing was going to happen!

Before they all ran off, we did get one group shot!

Mommy and birthday boy

And a family pic.  I.LOVE.THIS.FAMILY.

What an amazing little boy you are Colton Dean!  We're so glad you're in Spokane so we can watch you grow up:).  We love your energy for life, your sensitive and caring heart, and the joy you bring.  What a blessing you are!

Book Signing

One of my best friend's sister, Geri, wrote her first book.  Now Gina is a nonfiction reader like me but she wrote a short Christian fiction book called Splendor From Brokenness filled with suspense, mystery full of love.  I was honored to be invited to her book signing down at Auntie's, a local book store in Spokane.  It was interesting to hear her process and how she came about writing the book.  It was very inspiring actually!

I was lucky enough to get a picture with the author:).

And of course my book signed.

The best part was being there with my Grandma and mother.  Three generations at a book signing of someone we love:).  

Congrats Gina!  

You've inspired me:).

Sibling Wednesday

Football

Well it's a been a PHENOMENAL football season for the Seattle Seahawks!  When they made it to the semi-finals, playing the 49ers, Pops got a bit exited!  He text me asking us to tell him when we were by the church.  Now you know why:

Yes this is how we were greeted, car side:).  He was a bit excited!  This was Joe's football costume when he was 4 or 5.  I was a Seahawks cheerleader with him:).  He was dancing, cheering, and doing some "moves".  LOL.

We even got Hudson in it for good luck!

So of course we ALL had to have shirts when they beat the 49ers.  A friend posted this link showing how to make Hannah a shirt.  SO I actually made something, ALL.BY.MYSELF.  I'm just as shocked as you are!  Here is the fabric cut out for the shirt

The final product!  Go Hawks!

The boys and their shirts and Jared's jersey.  

Hudson's favorite part was the cupcakes with the football ring:).

My family celebrated Jared's birthday today as well.  It was a fun celebration and I think we will make Jared's birthday and Super Bowl the same day because we love him that much it's a holiday!  Jared enjoyed eating, watching football, and eating:).  

Congrats Hawks on your win!  It was truly an amazing, and boring, game.

Next time, give Denver a chance:).

Another Year Older

With so much going on in life, I forgot to write about our special daddy turning another year older!  

We celebrated with Jared's parents coming into town and one of the few restaurants our kids do well at, Red Robin.  Jared's a good sport, nothing fancy this year!  It was a very nice evening and both children were angels:).  

We left dinner and my present to him was a 12th man jersey for the Seahawks since they made it to the super bowl this year.  Our friend kindly told us, true fans buy their gear at the beginning of the season lol.  Well, I meant too but…

The next morning we played with Grandma and Grandpa one of Hudson's favorite games, Uno Moo.  Hannah of course had to join in:).

We sure enjoyed celebrating Jared together with his parents.  Nothing like Grandma and Grandpa when you wake up, a hot breakfast, pjs, and games!  Thank you for bringing the most wonderful man into this world Grandma and Grandpa.  

Happy 33rd birthday Hubs!  We love you more than anything!