tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21495906403046898212012-02-10T17:06:00.895-08:00Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.comBlogger8091100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-31049126824686332332012-02-10T17:06:00.000-08:002012-02-10T17:06:00.918-08:00

Puddin' pop had her tonsils and adenoids out on the morning of Thursday the 2nd.   I thought two was too young to have this done, but the doctor reassured me that under two is a no-go and over two is fine.  Ilsa was two years and one month when she had surgery but that isn't important to anyone but me. On to the story. We checked in at 0615 (that's military time for you plebes) and

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-40613342740668572362012-02-09T15:59:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:00:47.163-08:00

Styx came to town last week and I was there.  Dennis DeYoung wasn't, but his replacement was good enough that I didn't notice until they decided not to play Mr. Roboto. No domo arigato, Styx. I just outed my musical nerdiness by identifying the previous lead singer and founding member who wrote and sang 90% of their hits.  I'm not bitter about it, but I think he is. Anyway, Tommy Shaw was

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-82708986791279190102012-02-08T14:37:00.000-08:002012-02-08T14:37:32.695-08:00

I really did try to get more than one post up per week, but I've come to realize that was an unrealistic expectation of myself.  I need to aim lower and be able to astound people when my posts aren't 10 or 12 days apart. There is a lot going on right now, and I do have five drafts in progress, but that's as far as they are getting.  Also, they are not in order and will probably confuse you if I

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-23980868205637567132012-01-30T16:30:00.000-08:002012-01-30T16:30:27.154-08:00

Two other friends have done this list as a blog post, so I borrowed the idea and did my own.  I know they don't mind, so I'm not going to apologize for stealing from them. Here are ten things you may or may not know about me: 1.  I shop for clothing online more than I do in store.  I'll talk myself out of a piece of clothing faster if I try it on first, so I just find things I like and buy them

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-47644586884687412122012-01-28T18:56:00.000-08:002012-01-28T18:56:16.122-08:00

We held Ilsa's birthday party on January 14, only a mere two and a half weeks after her actual birthday.  I can feel you judging me.  Stop it. She had a wonderful time, though she was fighting a somewhat nasty cold at the time and I wasn't quick enough to catch it and cancel the party so as not to infect the nice people who came.  I think everyone went home unscathed, unfortunately I

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-75122506971375033452012-01-26T12:15:00.000-08:002012-01-26T12:15:31.650-08:00

I'm introducing a new feature here in Dronenville where I will introduce you to some key players in our world. This may not be weekly, but it will at least be monthly (fingers crossed)! Introducing... FREYA I'm going to ask you some questions about yourself, okay? Sure! Alright.  Here we go! What is your name?  Freya Cecelia. When is your birthday?  It's 24 when my birthday

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-7518608331403634262012-01-25T16:58:00.000-08:002012-01-25T16:58:05.312-08:00

Speaker phone conversation between the four of us the other day: amy:  hey, I'm in town and wondered if anyone needed anything. mark:  (to the girls) does anyone need anything?  Freya says she needs something. amy:  what does she need? mark:  (what do you need?)  She says just get her something. amy:  that's vague. mark:  yeah.  how about lunch?  does anyone want a burger?  chicken nuggets?

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-77870818804049797222012-01-25T08:58:00.000-08:002012-01-25T08:58:00.191-08:00

Ilsa's birthday balloons still had air in them several days later, so to entice them to finish their dinner, I told them we could play balloons if they did. Freya was feeling very particular about which balloon she wanted to play with.  She had me untangle each of them, them spent a minute contemplating before choosing the purple one which, coincidentally, also had the most helium still

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-84722868121959970522012-01-24T16:02:00.000-08:002012-01-24T16:02:32.366-08:00

Here's more psychedelic glo-stick dancing.  I realized that I could turn the flash on for the camcorder on my phone, so I did at one point.  That made Ilsa mad, so she ran off.  Freya liked it for a little bit and then wanted it off too. It might be too dark to see anything, so I apologize for that.  Try to watch it anyway, just to humor me. Don't my kids have sweet dance moves?  Just

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-22898555448305168542012-01-24T13:14:00.000-08:002012-01-24T13:14:00.138-08:00

Behold, the Minnie Mouse cake pops. Let's not talk about how much effort went into each one. We shall also not mention how I went through a lot of trouble for a two year-old who was more excited about the plates than the actual dessert. We'll just call it a success and then you can slap me around the next time I plan something so intricate for someone who eats crayons.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-37500578578379275392012-01-23T20:32:00.000-08:002012-01-23T20:32:34.974-08:00

Daddy took the girls up sledding with Adam, Teagan and Oliver on Saturday afternoon while Mom stayed home to recuperate from the awesome head cold her children had bestowed upon her earlier in the week.  Yay!  Notice Ilsa's face in every picture.  She is not impressed.  With any of it.  She does not care for the snowsuit.  She doesn't like the snow.  The sled?  Eh, it's alright.  No

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-92078560933151295932012-01-21T13:09:00.000-08:002012-01-21T13:09:47.155-08:00

We got a package in the mail yesterday.  My parents sent me slippers because my Dad noticed I didn't have any when they were here last weekend.  So thoughtful! Those packages are never without something for the girls, and this one included some glo-bracelets.  Mark had to go plow around 7:00 which meant that we girls could turn all the lights off and have a neon dance party!   I guess those are

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-62477016030123547892012-01-19T21:23:00.000-08:002012-01-19T21:23:51.932-08:00

I found an app for my phone called Retro Camera.  It gives you the option of using six different old school cameras, all weird in one way or another.  I took these pictures last night after dinner when the girls decided that they wanted to dance in the living room with their tutus on. These were taken with the Xoloroid 2000.  Weirdo name, but it was fun to use.  I wish these were more clear but

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-42285764041522495242012-01-19T12:21:00.000-08:002012-01-19T12:21:00.435-08:00

I took my little pudding pop to the dentist and doctor earlier in the month.  Kudos to me for talking the dentist's office into scheduling an appointment on the day I wanted instead of the following week when they had a real opening.  It helps if you take the 8:00 AM slot. Ilsa ran right over to the toy section.  This is where she differs from her sister - Freya I have to prod to go over and

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-4315511493713042382012-01-18T08:30:00.000-08:002012-01-18T08:30:01.691-08:00

I guess Santa loves puppies too!

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-13686726729356783422012-01-17T19:36:00.000-08:002012-01-17T19:36:00.150-08:00

I'm a wee bit behind in updating, but this sweet little thing got to go home on January 12th.  I think the smile says it all! Every three hours her feeding tube is hooked up to a bag of milk so she is getting all of the nourishment she needs to become stronger.  She will have the NG tube for awhile, but is nursing at times and slowly getting back into the swing of being 4 months old. This

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-51719395819082437122012-01-17T16:25:00.000-08:002012-01-17T16:25:34.238-08:00

Sooooo...Christmas was last month.  I'm going to write about it now because I finally have the time and am at home due to the head cold that my children have given me. The girls slept in until a little after 7:00, so we had to go in and get them up since we were expected at the Dronen Compound (my in-laws house) somewhere around 9:30. First they noticed the toys that Santa brought them -

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-76253886339248213872012-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:002012-01-12T14:28:42.772-08:00

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post.  But just look at my babies, sound asleep, sprawled in their sleeping bags at my parent's house.  Adorable. Anyway, on to the good stuff. I'm not one for New Year's resolutions.  I never have been and never will be because I can't stick to them and they seem pointless anyway you realize you should have been working toward those

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-2284153939384024822012-01-11T15:05:00.000-08:002012-01-11T15:11:50.881-08:00

After the Christmas Eve jammie photo shoot we got our Santa place mat and place setting out for the Big Guy.  Ilsa wanted to help put the goodies out for Santa this year, but mostly she wanted to climb on the chairs and put her fingers into the middle of the cookies. I did a ton of baking this year for Christmas presents and in the midst of it forgot to make any cookies for Santa.  Auntie

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-5929088818476255942012-01-10T15:45:00.000-08:002012-01-10T15:46:44.172-08:00

 We've got a smiley baby again, folks! She is doing so well that her breathing tube was removed last week and now she is down on the medical floor for the remainder of her stay at Children's. The news as of today is that they are trying to wean her off of the morphine and get her "systems" flowing as she has been a bit clogged up as of late.  The medical team is hoping to have

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-32039885686818458672012-01-10T10:30:00.000-08:002012-01-10T10:30:00.751-08:00

Christmas Eve the girls got their annual Pajamas!  This year, I saved the second set I got them and put them under the tree, wrapped, saying they were from Santa. Ilsa is now in the "don't ever take my picture" stage and getting her to cooperate is impossible. You can't bribe her with anything because then she wants whatever you are bribing her with and can't focus on smiling at the camera

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-67069344076476706022012-01-09T11:00:00.000-08:002012-01-09T11:57:38.927-08:00

We have great neighbors.  They offered us their sturdy bunk beds for our girls for free since all of their children are grown and need more than twin beds when they come home to visit.  They did let us know they'd like to get them out of their house before Christmas, so I planned for the first weekend of December to do the old switcharoo on the guest room and girls room and had to do a lot of

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-83618702553582026522012-01-06T10:32:00.000-08:002012-01-06T10:32:40.389-08:00

This is funny to me today. I'm pretty sure I'll still find it funny tomorrow. I had an Irish Cream K-Cup this morning instead of doling out $4 for an iced latte.  I like that. I took down and put away Christmas last night.  Freya cried when I disassembled the tree (it's fake) and said, "Why would you do that?  It was PERFECT!" Turbo Tax emailed me the reminder to start my taxes.  I

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-79021737919498598732012-01-04T14:37:00.000-08:002012-01-04T14:37:26.973-08:00

Sometimes, I have these ideas for posts and when I open blogger to start on one, my mind goes blank. This is one of those posts and I apologize now for how scrambled this will read. Remember how I said I was going to start crafting more in 2012?  Did I say that on this blog or was it just in my head?  Does it really matter? I'm going to start crafting more. I have half a closet full of

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-16447654309652380792012-01-02T15:40:00.000-08:002012-01-02T15:40:59.355-08:00

Here's a little run down of what 2011 was like in Dronenville. I love reliving all of the moments and am astonished by how much the girls grew and changed in 12 months. I'm sure I will say the same thing every year! JANUARY Ilsa was baptized and had her first birthday party, even though her birthday is on December 28th.  Don't judge me. FEBRUARY We did some baking and Freya did

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-91444662815255925082011-12-29T09:10:00.000-08:002011-12-29T09:10:00.203-08:00

I took the day off on Tuesday to drive over to Seattle to visit Harper and Stacey at Children's Hospital.  If I get started on how it felt walking past the open doorways, seeing all of those tiny bodies engulfed in tubes and wiring, I'll never stop crying.  So I won't start.  I'll focus on the positive instead. Harper is a champ. The minute I got near her bed, she raised her right fist in

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-92066937807175235942011-12-28T13:44:00.000-08:002011-12-28T15:44:17.745-08:00

My baby is two today.  How crazy is that? Oh, and, she is not a baby, she is a big girl.  Ask her yourself and she'll say "I no baby." Darn straight, sister. Unfortunately, she is not excited by the prospect of turning another year older.  She says she is two (while holding up 5 fingers) if you ask her, but questioning her about whether or not it is her birthday gets a solid "NO." She did

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-15872245033703887302011-12-26T16:02:00.000-08:002011-12-26T16:02:45.632-08:00

1. Can you pick out your clothes while I get your cereal ready? 2.  You need to keep eating your dinner.  What did you take a bite of? 3.  Please stop picking your nose. 4.  Here is your half of the banana, Ilsa.  Take small bites.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-81991318642171689242011-12-23T15:24:00.000-08:002011-12-23T15:24:24.385-08:00

The girls like some bubbles in their baths. They are so crazy about the bubbles, they always make me think of that fish in Finding Nemo that loved the bubbles that came out of the treasure chest. I think his actual name was Bubbles. Don't mind the giant red mark on Freya's cheek.  She had a run in with her bedroom door in the dark.  We have a lot of talks about not running in the house and

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-37031054060653092102011-12-22T12:55:00.000-08:002011-12-22T12:55:53.464-08:00

Our friends, the Kerns, are in need of lots of prayers this holiday season. Sweet baby Harper (3 months) is very sick and was diagnosed with Type A Infant Botulism yesterday. Her mama, being the attentive mama she is to all three of her littles, noticed some very marked changes in Harper's behavior late Monday and Tuesday morning and got her in to the pediatrician. They were sent to Children's

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-71167914758637387712011-12-21T12:48:00.000-08:002011-12-21T12:48:27.073-08:00

CHRISTMAS QUIZ  1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? I really haven't had both yet this year...egg nog lattes are great and hot chocolate for the kiddos.2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? both! the BIG present from Santa is   unwrapped and set up to be played with right away.  Santa (wink, wink) used to do this at our house and it was the best surprise to see new Barbies or

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-50799215661044746792011-12-12T13:52:00.000-08:002011-12-12T13:52:40.061-08:00

Ilsa is at such a funny age - new words are springing up every day.  This is by far my favorite.  Her face is so funny!  I also enjoy how she can't sit still through the whole thing.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-36834771729465138072011-12-11T13:59:00.001-08:002011-12-11T14:19:33.229-08:00

Santa visited downtown Cashmere last night, so we bundled the girls in their winter gear and headed down to the big tree where he was holding court. Freya was beyond excited.  She patiently waited her turn and then promptly threw herself into Santa's arms when he called her over.  She did this three different times, and always when there weren't any other children in line.  The girl has mad love

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-56346386903916817712011-12-08T15:27:00.001-08:002011-12-08T15:43:41.772-08:00

Mark got a sweet deal on some new Android phones, so he upgraded me to the phone that he has.  I don't really know what I'm doing so far, but I do know I can take super cool pictures in "vintage" mode. Basically, I got a new camera! Here are some other things I have learned about my new phone: 1.  everything is touch.  this means my clumsy fingers are constantly fake dialing people and

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-32396239423084058532011-11-29T16:08:00.001-08:002011-11-30T16:31:50.363-08:00

And yes, I do mean the people I spent Thanksgiving with. The four of us headed east to Spokane on Wednesday afternoon and arrived 30 minutes before my sister and her family.  My grandparents had flown up from California the day before, so it was a totally packed house by 4:00 pm that night! This year, Keith's daughter, Alicia, was able to join us.  She is a freshman at Western (Western

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-24871469955333142772011-11-19T16:49:00.001-08:002011-11-19T17:02:02.675-08:00

We finally have a real decoration to put up for Thanksgiving.  Apparently the kid stays in the lines with colored pencils, but not crayons.  Who knew?  Gobble gobble!

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-33609970375198407352011-11-17T14:45:00.001-08:002011-11-17T15:11:00.377-08:00

Today was six-month cleaning time at the dentist! Freya was completely excited to go and kept telling me, as we walked out of daycare, that "Ilsa can't go with us." As I was getting into the driver seat, I saw that Ilsa was standing at the window looking forlorn.  Then she suddenly ran off in another direction.  I later found out she was crying for me and then Pat asked her if she was ready

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-68324221989391525362011-11-14T13:26:00.001-08:002011-11-14T13:38:58.148-08:00

Do you see my sweet little baby here?  She became a big girl over the weekend when she decided she wanted to sit on the potty.  And by sit on the potty, I mean use the potty. She's done this before several times with no outcome, but this time she meant it. Saturday morning she told me "pee out, Mama" and led me into their bathroom to sit on the toilet.  The pee didn't come out, but

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-16093908786037013952011-11-11T11:24:00.001-08:002011-11-11T11:31:56.477-08:00

There is a lot of pretend play going on at our house as of late.  I showed the girls how their pop-up-tent could also be a drive-thru restaurant. Ilsa was the cook the other day.  She makes a mean triple-decker-bologna-bun-bread-cheeseburger. She even tested it to be sure it tasted okay.  Yes, she put it in her mouth but you (mostly I) have to get over the germ factor and focus on the

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-40848201203343233902011-11-10T11:14:00.001-08:002011-11-10T11:17:12.517-08:00

It was super nacho night.  We got a little crazy with the condiments. No part of these pictures were staged...I couldn't get them to do this if I tried!

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-57406189664215033152011-11-09T16:01:00.000-08:002011-11-09T16:02:48.508-08:00

Freya "spells" her name on the fridge every night. This is what she came up with recently: Now I feel silly that I posted about how she could almost spell her name. Who was it that said something about learning, unlearning, and relearning?  It was someone smart.  Or a poet.  Or a religious leader.  Or maybe I made it up. I told her that I was going to start calling her whatever name she

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-53519005760081394622011-11-08T15:54:00.000-08:002011-11-08T15:54:31.066-08:00

We're going through a weird phase in our house. It's called "camera shyness" and it's affecting my ability to blog consistently. I think most of my readers visit just to see cute pictures and updates on the girls, and when those girls don't give their mama anything to work with, it gets a little hard. Freya either turns her head at the last second, or gives me the teen aged

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-82788254866433871152011-11-07T16:16:00.000-08:002011-11-07T16:16:36.638-08:00

We had to stop at the Conoco this morning after dropping the girls off at daycare. Mark was down to 11 miles until empty in the Mercury. He couldn't believe he'd let it get that low. I couldn't believe that he couldn't remember that he took my car one morning and left me with his and it was 8 miles to empty. Men. Anyway, he hopped out into the 25 degree weather and while I was glancing

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-62180429743669646772011-11-04T13:00:00.000-07:002011-11-04T13:00:01.036-07:00

Dear Freya, A two weeks ago you turned forty-two months old which means that I have gotten behind in my letters to you by three months and in that three months you've practically learned how to drive a car.  Okay, maybe it was a Lego car that you built yourself, but shoot, that is progress! I've learned a lot about what you don't like lately.  How did I learn these things, you ask?  Well,

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-89991250900459077702011-11-03T14:02:00.000-07:002011-11-03T14:03:04.168-07:00

Any time I leave the house for more than an hour, I get a picture message from Mark regarding one of the girls. Without fail. Every time. Last night, while I was playing volleyball, I got this picture with no explanation: I added the text specifically for this post, in case you were also wondering what exactly was going on there. Ilsa found an ink pen that Mark left on a shelf of the

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-58778009244936476862011-11-02T13:35:00.000-07:002011-11-03T10:44:01.739-07:00

We had a very busy night in Dronenville on Monday! Halloween was a big hit - mostly with Freya who loved her ice cream cone costume. Ilsa liked the idea of new clothes and dressing up, but then didn't like having the hat or the top on but wouldn't take off the fuzzy fleece pants. We went across the street to two of our neighbors houses and Freya wouldn't go any closer than

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-90133935704809175322011-10-28T16:27:00.000-07:002011-10-28T16:27:00.893-07:00

Dearest little Ilsa, You're not so little anymore.  I wanted to write about "my baby" and all of the wonderful and weird things you do, but then I looked at the pictures I'd uploaded for this post and there isn't a baby there anymore but a sweet, sassy little girl.  Now I'm sad. These past two months have brought about a deeper sense of independence and confusion for you.  You like to do

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-90890251167103839262011-10-25T12:03:00.000-07:002011-10-25T12:03:53.009-07:00

Last year I took part in the Shutterfly Holiday promotion for bloggers that garnered me 50 free cards and amazingly enough they are offering a deal again this year! The rules are a bit different this year - Shutterfly will choose eligible participants and if chosen, those people will receive 25 free cards. I have no idea what I need to do to qualify, but I signed up anyway and thought I'd post

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-79006837344992295122011-10-24T15:08:00.000-07:002011-10-24T15:08:54.557-07:00

I got stuck in the middle seat between two cute babies while out with my friends last Saturday.  It was horrible because they are so precious! Andie was on my left, giving me the eyeball and squeaking until I started gently running my thumb across her forehead and she fell right to sleep. Harper was on my right and was in such a milk coma that she didn't care who was sitting next to her as

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-67963505838936054902011-10-20T09:04:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:04:00.507-07:00

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-71351798938877555592011-10-19T12:00:00.000-07:002011-10-19T12:00:02.154-07:00

Ilsa had a bronchial infection for one week, and then followed it up with some sort of gastrointestinal bug for another week. I took this picture during the head cold phase when she was grumpy and wanted to watch Elmo, then didn't, and then wanted Yo Gabba Gabba (a-dab-a-dab, Mom) and then didn't.  I finally chose Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for her and headed down the hall to switch out the

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-91243115489436122262011-10-19T08:46:00.000-07:002011-10-19T08:46:46.412-07:00

It seemed like such a good idea at the time... This happens almost every time I go to get my hair professionally cut - I come out with considerably less hair than I went in with or it's a different color. What's funny is that my hairdresser is not the one that talks me into the change, I decide on it myself.  I think the mirrors in her shop are warped because I somehow hate my hair when I

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-83976547739276864832011-10-18T10:38:00.000-07:002011-10-18T10:38:41.359-07:00

It's nights like last night that make me a happy Mama. The girls cleaned up their toys when I asked, then happily hopped into the tub for a quick bath, grabbed their jammies and blankies, and let me comb their tangled hair while they sat and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I didn't even have to ask them to huddle together and hold hands for a picture - they just sat that way! Although,

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-28274932767493134502011-10-18T10:00:00.000-07:002011-10-18T10:19:29.144-07:00

Does anyone else remember these candies? My mom used to get these for me and my sister when we were especially good at the grocery store.  I used the same ammo on the girls during one of our trips to the grocery store, only because we were in the Asian foods aisle and the brightly colored box caught my eye and triggered my memory. It wasn't really the candy itself that was exciting as

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-81763831309728070332011-10-17T13:06:00.000-07:002011-10-18T08:27:57.920-07:00

We tried to plan another pumpkin carving party, after last year's was such a success, unfortunately this year the party date coincided with the Oktoberfest Half-Marathon date (much earlier in the day) and it just didn't work out like I'd hoped. SIDE NOTE: I did not run the half-marathon, but my in-laws, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law did and they were very tired by the time we sat down to

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-60428368727089928782011-10-15T08:41:00.000-07:002011-10-15T08:41:00.656-07:00

It's happened.  Ilsa has finally transitioned out of watch-from-the-sidelines-baby to get-in-and-play-with-everybody-toddler.  Sigh. This means we need two of everything.  EVERYTHING.  Like baby strollers and babies and baby bottles and anything related or my little playmates come to blows.  Luckily, we had an extra stroller - one that Freya received for her first birthday that was a bit too

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-60641201204098491092011-10-11T16:22:00.000-07:002011-10-11T16:22:36.822-07:00

I play volleyball on Wednesday nights with a bunch of "old people" which really means "21 and over" not that it matters.  Anyway, one of the guys owns a few orchards in the areas and brought in a big box of Gala apples for us to split up and take home. I think I grabbed a little over a dozen and then stuck them in the back of the fridge thinking that I'd do something with them later. If you

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-46735572292739939132011-10-09T15:28:00.000-07:002011-10-10T10:31:39.555-07:00

We had spirit, yes we did.  We had spirit when we weren't focused on organizing flashcards, that is...

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-42281272129911720852011-10-07T11:53:00.000-07:002011-10-07T11:53:00.632-07:00

There are times when a parent needs some outside help to keep their kids in line. Our go-to is the Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack. It's like a magical instant muzzle. I took this video with my phone one night when we were driving home from dinner in Leavenworth and the girls were all hopped up on who knows what. You have to watch this somewhere that you can

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-33795486676340241682011-10-06T10:27:00.000-07:002011-10-06T10:27:27.358-07:00

I got out of the house a few weekends ago. I'll wait for you to pick your jaw up off the floor before I continue. A couple of friends convinced me, awhile back, to join them at the Zac Brown Band concert at The Gorge.  I haven't been to the Gorge in at least 5 years and I didn't know The Zac Brown Band...at all.  But it was a chance to do something fun with some seriously fun people so I

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-41006961670620822882011-10-02T13:09:00.000-07:002011-10-02T13:09:00.671-07:00

This kid likes to do things herself. Case in point: putting on her pajamas. She can't seem to get them to cooperate with her, but instead of becoming increasingly frustrated she just makes the style work to her advantage.  Apparently this night she was going for Naboo chic.  Sorry for the Star Wars reference, it just popped out.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-16097357052698192012011-10-01T08:50:00.000-07:002011-10-01T08:50:00.867-07:00

I have a love/hate relationship with NFL football. I love the excitement, having a local team to cheer for, and getting together with friends/family and having yummy "tailgating" treats during the games. I hate it when the Seahawks lose and what kind of mood it sets in the house. Is there really any more to hate than that? I didn't think so either.  Back to the love. We made some great food

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-39929317276519334042011-09-30T18:01:00.000-07:002011-09-30T18:01:10.392-07:00

We took a chance and let our friends set us up together in early 2000.  Then we spent President's Day weekend learning more about each other.  Three solid days and I was hooked. So we dated, long distance (280 miles) and then short distance (60 miles) and then he proposed we were married 7 months later and started our family We've been together for almost 12 years...

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-11978938112036248452011-09-30T11:15:00.000-07:002011-09-30T11:15:00.210-07:00

Thought I'd post this one now that fall is here. Just as a simple reminder of how lovely the view from our house is and how lucky we are to live in such a quaint little town and pretty little valley. It's probably going to snow now that I've put this out in print. Shoot.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-71098389511721700652011-09-30T09:30:00.000-07:002011-09-30T09:30:00.195-07:00

I've started watching the Cooking Channel and Food Network again.  This could be bad for the waistline.  Really bad. I get really caught up in Everyday Italian episodes, whether they are new or old.  Giada somehow makes cooking look fun and easy and calorie free.  Have you seen her?  She either has crazy quick metabolism or only eats the spoonfuls of things she cooks in a day.  I like her

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-58183936057946133112011-09-29T14:55:00.000-07:002011-09-29T14:55:00.411-07:00

The new grandstands were finally finished before (or after?) school started at the end of August.  They are glorious and metal and somehow have given us more of a view of the field than we had before. This was the first game (non-league) for the Bulldogs vs. Royal City.  I didn't take a ton of pictures of the game itself, but the view is fantastic like always. The Bulldogs ended the

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-65651283954261602982011-09-29T10:30:00.000-07:002011-09-29T10:30:01.795-07:00

Football season has officially arrived in our home. Mark is part of the video crew (NERD ALERT NERD ALERT) for the high school team and is either filming in the press box during the home games or on the road to film the away games. This leaves the three Dronen ladies to their own vices on Friday nights, which could be fun or could mean trouble... Don't worry, we had lots of fun and only a

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-41933534479439458192011-09-28T09:37:00.000-07:002011-09-28T09:37:37.965-07:00

The Sunday before Labor Day we decided to clear out of the house and take advantage of the nice weather. It had been steadily hot here. As Freya commonly says, "Mom, it's hot degrees outside." Amen to that. So to cool off we packed a picnic lunch and drove to Orondo to the neat little park they have on the river. It's actually a campground too, but wasn't too packed for the holiday weekend.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-36352591370647603702011-09-26T18:32:00.000-07:002011-09-26T18:32:32.685-07:00

Every Labor Day weekend, the Kittitas County Fair & Rodeo rolls into Ellensburg and practically every Labor Day weekend since I moved to the Wenatchee Valley, I've had something else going on. Not this year! I made a point of setting Saturday aside so that I could take the girls to the parade and fair for the day, not only to show them what fun it all is, but to meet up with friends and their

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-71453550497113419072011-09-21T16:25:00.000-07:002011-09-21T16:25:53.358-07:00

Mark and I took the morning off yesterday to visit our friends Stacey and Adam and their newest little addition! Harper Jane7 lbs. 9 oz. 18 inches 9/19/2011 This little girl already has a ton of hair and looks quite a bit like her super cute older brother, Oliver.  She's definitely a member of their family - no doubt about that!  This is the third child for Adam and Stace and she

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-59901246856522334532011-09-16T15:01:00.000-07:002011-09-16T15:01:28.347-07:00

This one of my best friends, Lisa. She was VERY pregnant with baby #2 in that picture, taken almost three weeks ago. As of last night, there is a new baby in the family! Andie Joyborn 9/15/119:05 PM 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 21 inches long joining big brother Tyson (who is totally indifferent to his new sister at this point)   Daddy and baby girl I visited them at the hospital this

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-16981202202892269432011-09-16T10:00:00.000-07:002011-09-16T14:31:43.603-07:00

Liam and Freya. Cute little three year-olds. Born six weeks apart and made to be buddies from the get-go. They spent a lot of their free time running in the grassy area in our campsite, eating cookies from Great Grandma, and chasing each other until they were out of breath. They thought because they couldn't see me when they were behind the trees, then I couldn't see them either.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-23858688271328442462011-09-13T08:30:00.000-07:002011-09-13T08:30:02.340-07:00

Grandpa and Grandma have a big hammock in their back yard and somehow the girls only noticed it when we were up at their house for dinner one night.  Ilsa was too short to climb up herself, so I picked her up and laid her on it right next to her sister, who quickly hopped off to do other things. Poor Ilsa barely moved an inch and looked totally uncomfortable laying there by herself but

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-23940420303003325192011-09-12T18:00:00.000-07:002011-09-12T18:00:02.676-07:00

Freya likes to play with the Leap Frog fridge magnets. There are three different units, but she loves the simple alphabet speak and say the best. If I'm in the kitchen while she is playing with the letters, she'll tell me that she is going to spell her name for me. This usually means that she'll put a weird string of letters together and none of them will be any that are actually in her name.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-80502369114446674382011-09-12T14:44:00.000-07:002011-09-12T14:44:49.873-07:00

I'm sure I mentioned before how between three of us there were at least 300 pictures taken of our Oregon beach trip this year. That is a LOT of sorting to do and though the trip is a month behind us, I'm still finding little gems here and there to share. This is the handy chalk-work Freya and I (okay, mostly me) did to get Skip, Erika, and the kids' camp site ready for their arrival: To

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-56079333699019280782011-09-11T17:58:00.000-07:002011-09-16T21:18:40.681-07:00

I know exactly where I was 10 years ago today.  I remember feeling lost, shocked and confused.  I remember calling my parents.  I remember finding out that one of my mom's cousin's who worked in one of the towers was okay.  I remember being glued to the news at work, watching the rest of the day unfold.  I remember going home, crying, watching the day replay on every news channel. My girls

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-82940620973218776412011-09-09T21:45:00.000-07:002011-09-09T21:46:18.002-07:00

I like this little midget. Why is it so fun to shape your children's hair when it's shampooed? Good thing she found it funny too. I have a lot of nail polish. A lot of the same color, or slight variations of the same color. I even cleaned out my stash and there are still approximately 8 reds.  If you look closely at the picture, you'll notice I have a thing for Pure Ice. It's $2 a bottle

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-18647871706089291902011-08-31T14:32:00.000-07:002011-09-12T14:36:12.394-07:00

Dear Ilsa, Do you remember that day that I took you to the dentist and pediatrician all in the span of 2 hours? Not really? Well it was a whole three months ago, so I don't blame you. This is what happens when you are a working mom and need to fit several appointments into one day to save from driving 20 minutes between the doctors office and dentist office - you call and beg for the prime

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-32889380146249594372011-08-27T09:05:00.000-07:002011-08-27T09:05:01.007-07:00

Isn't the age of digital photography amazing? Remember when your parents would take pictures of you and they had no idea if they got a good shot? Once the roll was finished it would be taken to a store for processing and you would sit around for weeks (sometimes) wondering if any of the pictures were good ones? Now we have the option of deleting what we don't like, fixing imperfections, and

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-22408451638105955382011-08-26T09:47:00.001-07:002011-08-26T14:43:44.606-07:00

I went to get a coffee this morning and while waiting I looked across the parking lot to the Chevron station and noticed that the four cars filling up were all Subaru's. Do you own a Subaru? Well, you apparently need to move to Cashmere. Last night Freya told me that her dad plays on a football team. I think her dad might wear his Seahawk jerseys too much. There are some mommy joggers that

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-18516404815533621052011-08-25T15:40:00.000-07:002011-08-25T16:21:49.753-07:00

It took this child less than a few hours to learn the workings of the bike. Getting her to look where she's going instead of at her feet is another story. I think we've skipped tricycle and are going straight to bicycle!

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-49397844157347039362011-08-16T14:36:00.000-07:002011-08-18T11:34:40.087-07:00

Mark thought it would be great to stock up on glow sticks at the Dollar Tree (along with other goodies) after they were a big hit at Beth's house with all three girls a few weeks back. He was right! We were careful to choose one of each type so that no one could get their wand confused with anyone else's but there were still a few skirmishes nonetheless. Reagan chose first and she went

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-50065088011340628152011-08-12T15:10:00.000-07:002011-08-12T15:45:41.154-07:00

Remember the bag of tricks? Well, there were tons of bubble toys in that bag and EVERYONE went nuts over the bubbles together. Ilsa had a little 'bubble monkey' that was perfect for a beginner. She had no idea how to blow properly and ended up mostly spitting into the wand. Sometimes she spit hard enough for a bubble to form and she was quite proud of herself. Bill and Skip? Not phased by

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-43205072070489091472011-08-10T11:09:00.000-07:002011-08-10T12:57:28.382-07:00

We went camping last week. Monday through Sunday. 7 long days. I took 3 pictures on my phone and maybe 10 on my camera. This is all you get until my mother-in-law downloads the 900 pictures she has on her beautiful Canon camera. I'm sorry. I took these pictures when we arrived at our site and Mark was doing all the work (he wanted no help) and the girls were stir-crazy. Out came Mommy's

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-85878384030811576692011-08-05T09:07:00.000-07:002011-08-23T12:10:58.359-07:00

We've almost reached triple digits here in Cashmere, folks. That means it's time to pull out the crazy sprinkler! The girls love it, except if I try to turn the water on any higher than pictured - they lose their marbles and scream and refuse to go near the sprinkler. crazy kids.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-29697664227325224832011-08-04T12:44:00.000-07:002011-08-04T12:44:00.255-07:00

Freya likes cherries.She is very particular about how she eats them - each cherry takes a few minutes to eat when she is working on it.She has to wipe her fingers after each cherry is in her mouth.This is the face of a girl who has had too many cherries. Cherry drunk.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-83542132054898646312011-08-02T10:24:00.000-07:002011-08-02T10:24:00.213-07:00

Great Grandma Dronen has set the standard for Rice Krispie treats. She always has an arsenal of them in various containers in her kitchen and Mark is constantly stealing over there to grab a few and satisfy his cravings.I thought maybe it was time to make some myself, so I enlisted Freya to help me.We decided on Cocoa Krispies because you can't go wrong mixing a chocolatey cereal with gooey

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-17707481725246183102011-08-01T09:34:00.000-07:002011-08-01T09:34:01.008-07:00

Did I ever mention that Auntie Tresha has chickens? She does and Ilsa made friends with them one weekend.The dark one is named Delilah, and the light one didn't really have a name. Freya really had no interest in being near them, but she did decide that nameless would be called "Sally".Tresha got Ilsa a little jar of chicken feed and the girls followed her around waiting for some of it to be

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-82669377196038878472011-07-27T08:23:00.000-07:002011-07-27T08:23:00.829-07:00

Dear Freya,I wonder if you're going to look back on these letters and think I'm crazy for documenting every month of your life during your first years. I am crazy, but for many more reasons than obsessive letter writing.This particular letter is going to cover a quarter of this year because I just can't keep up with how fast time goes by anymore.You are incredibly verbal and quite articulate for

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-56598439531853916632011-07-26T14:14:00.000-07:002011-07-26T14:14:01.000-07:00

It's funny to see the girls in two different stages of learning how to swing. Ilsa listens to everything that is told to Freya and then copies it to the best of her ability. I like how her abilities are so entertaining to us, if not frustrating for her! Poor little girl.Here is Ilsa who doesn't really get how to pump her legs, but will try as hard as she can to do it...for 10 seconds. Here is

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-79715149996804578112011-07-23T10:00:00.000-07:002011-07-23T10:00:01.303-07:00

Both girls are very specific about their bedtime routines. Certain blankies, certain babies (stuffed animals), and being kissed and tucked in a certain way. This changed last Friday when Mark was gone and I was putting them to bed. Usually Ilsa goes down first at 7:45 and Freya heads in at 8:00. It's not really and older child/younger child thing, but moreso that Ilsa needs some time to

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-39099748105984582932011-07-22T22:03:00.000-07:002011-07-22T22:10:27.702-07:00

Freya found Mark's hat from the Warrior Dash last weekend and wanted to know what it was. I told her it was a viking hat and so she put it on and told Ilsa that she was "a hiking!" I think it looks like Fred Flintstone's lodge hat and Ilsa seems skeptical as well...

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-4918127630961940212011-07-20T16:25:00.000-07:002011-07-20T16:33:31.925-07:00

**note: Freya picked out both outfits. She loves it when they wear the same thing. It's very Beth and Amy circa 1985. Freya is Beth.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-70065134434566867112011-07-19T11:07:00.000-07:002011-07-19T11:07:00.599-07:00

Guess what! We went to another park!The park just happened to be in Ephrata, where I took the girls on Saturday to visit my friend Katie and to see her house (and husband and dog)!Katie and Bobby have a lovely, custom built house on a bluff overlooking the town and the girls had a great time chasing each other through the open kitchen/living room with only one instance of screaming. This is a

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-12935403619272700312011-07-18T13:47:00.000-07:002011-07-18T14:06:14.867-07:00

We like parks. A lot.Any park, big or small, we are going to end up going to it.This park is the front side of the elementary school, so it's quite a bit smaller than the large jungle gym in the back. But like every park in our small city, it has something different to offer - even if it is just one small thing.It was a weird and muggy day and by the time we had gotten to the park, I was ready to

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-46863368894079500982011-07-15T11:21:00.000-07:002011-07-15T13:48:51.731-07:00

I like watching these two play. Ilsa always ends up being the dominant one - is it because she is little and trying to assert herself or because she thinks she is the older sister? Could be both.I kind of like that my iced coffee this morning was somehow not a split-shot (half-caff) like I normally order. Anyone who knows me knows that full-on caffeine makes me cuckoo-crazy and that I end up with

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-30525883008967593732011-07-12T14:44:00.000-07:002011-07-12T15:13:52.993-07:00

Every year during the last week of June, the Upper Valley Connection 'Icicle Players' have theater camp which results in the production of a well-known play on Friday and Saturday nights following camp. Mark's younger sister, Allie, participates with UVC and had two parts in this year's production of 'The Jungle Book'. Tresha was able to come up for the week to be a volunteer at the camp. As a

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-6574088907539323402011-07-06T11:28:00.000-07:002011-07-06T12:05:57.175-07:00

There are a lot of great things about my birthday (June 25th): it's in the summer, it's exactly six months away from Christmas, and, well, it's my birthday.There are a lot of lame things about my birthday too: it's in the summer (friends on vacation during my party), my astrological sign is Cancer (I'm a crab), and it falls on Founder's Day weekend in Cashmere. Yay.This year I turned 33 and

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-76544758874652056702011-07-04T19:45:00.000-07:002011-07-04T19:48:52.199-07:00

Happy 4th of July! Let Freedom Ring!

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2149590640304689821.post-23128786821957432702011-07-01T16:44:00.001-07:002011-07-01T16:54:38.015-07:00

I like taking my kids to their appointments and hearing how we are doing a good job with them. Nothing like some reassurance from some medical professionals!I like that Ilsa dug through the entire basket of sparkly princess stickers to pull two Toy Story ones from the very bottom. That's my girl!I love that she shared the Woody sticker with Freya because she knows her sister is a big fan.I love

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03884427495590344805noreply@blogger.com1