"Because I can!"

I started getting active again after taking most of last year off. It is so easy to get into a sedentary routine and make excuses for not exercising and eating right. Whenever I am feeling lazy or unmotivated to get moving I can't help but think of one of my co-workers who was paralyzed in a car accident this summer. He is fighting to gain feeling in his fingers and toes. I need to make better choices for many reasons, not only for myself, but for my girls and others who want me around far into the future. So I am now starting my day with exercise Monday through Friday. On the mornings I feel sore and unmotivated I think of how fortunate I am to be alive and get my butt out of bed and get moving, because I can!

Gabriella's First Day of School

Miss Gabriella... the first grader

Where did the time go?

At her locker...

Elementary school had a picnic lunch

It was SUPER hot!

Old buddy, Sydney

New buddy, Ella

Old buddy, Violet.

They are so happy they are in the same class!

Ms. Laura Rogers

Her first grade teacher... Isn't she adorable?

Olivia Walks!

New hair-do

Isabelle loves her sister!

Another new hair-do...

And she walks!!!

Happy girl learning her new skill...

It was a big day for Miss Livvy... two new hair-dos and now she's walking! She's 10 1/2 months old today...

Mt. Rainier Trip

We spent two days with the Zarling family since they are only back for a short time. Beth found a cute house that we rented out that had a hot tub and fire pit.  It was fun but holy crap, a lot of packing and unpacking. The highlight for Gabby and Isabelle was the cool park down the road that had a climbing wall. On the way home, we decided at the last minute to visit "Northwest Trek." It was pretty cool and we definitely go back again. :)

Cannon Beach Trip

Cousin Stuart-- he's such a great help with the baby!

Beach near the house we stayed...

Sisters!

Isabelle LOVED the water!

Uncle Toby found this little "pool," it was a 

a great depth for the kiddies. 

It was a lot warmer then it looks!

Jumping with Cousin Wesley

Silly kiddo!

Yummy Aunt Debbie Spaghetti dinner!

There she is!!! 

Baby Olivia is 9 months now

Cuddles!

Aunt Tahnee and Isabelle 

Cousin Langston and Gabby

Cousin Stuart and Isabelle

Getting ready to swim at the beach!

Cousins!

Play time

Uncle Travis and Langston

Picnic Lunch at Ecola View Point

What a view...

Sunset at Indian Beach

Mama's view of her baby girl

Grammy and Papa with their family

Travis and his parents

Tebo family... one of these days we'll get a good pic!

We spent three days down in Cannon Beach, Oregon and it was a blast. The kids played and the adults got a chance to catch-up. A highlight for me was getting some girl-time with Debbie and Tahnee. The kid's highlight was playing with their cousins on the beach and making sandcastles. The weather was awesome too! A nice tradition we started...

Gabriella's 6th Birthday

The Birthday Girl is 6!

Cousin Kandice w/ Baby Livvy

Isabelle went nuts with all the games. She loved it!

Cake and ice cream. 

They had a GF cupcake and pizza for Gabby.

I think that was the main reason we had the party there!

My front toothless wonder

Making a wish!

That blow-up crown has been a big hit with Livvy.

She loves sticking that in her mouth.

Chuck E. Cheese!

A Guitar Piñata!

Grab the tokens and tickets!

Opening-up pressies...

Target gift card, Friends Car Lego set, Spot-it game,

Operation Board Game, Sponge-Bob Lego set,

Cash register, and Barbie "Pink Shoes" DVD and figurine dolls.

Olivia (after she just fell on the floor, poor baby)

Gabby, Isabelle, and second cousin--Aidyn

Ticket Blaster-- she got the 1000 ticket voucher. Nice.

Gabby loves the unicorn dream lite 

HUGS! Gabby told Travis her baseball glove and ball 

was the "best gift ever."

I cannot believe my baby girl is 6... Watching her grow-up and become a little girl has been so much fun, but also challenging, as I fumble around learning how to be her parent.

A little update... She loves to read, especially Fancy Nancy. She's slightly tom boyish, as she gets down and dirty with the boys but she loves dresses, dancing, and being girly. I catch her singing songs by herself with so much feeling and joy-- it puts a huge smile on my face. One minute she wants all the attention and will perform for you, the next minute says she doesn't like big groups because she feels shy. She's my spunky girl and wants what she wants. She's impatient and emotional and doesn't deal well with disappointment. Her feelings get hurt easily. She loves to draw and color. In fact, she can do this for hours. What an imagination! She writes to the fairies about coming to visit her and makes-up stories about them. Did you know Queen Clarion visits Gabby in her dreams and takes her on adventures? Since I'm a grown-up, Queen Clarion says I'm not invited. She also gives wonderful hugs and kisses and boy does she love candy and chocolate! Hmmm... all of this sounds pretty familiar ; ).