The Great Outdoors

We spent this weekend with my parents at their cabin in the Cascade Mountains near Leavenworth, Wash. The weather was perfect, and the kids LOVED spending every waking minute in the fresh air.

My brown-eyed girl.

Small legs walk farther when hands grasp a stick!

My blue-eyed boy!

We are three generations of hikers. Maya and Sam with my mom.

An outdoor family shot.

That is a REAL backdrop behind us.

Silly Sammy.

The kids played at the community park after our hike.

Happy Easter

Spring is in full bloom around here and we have been keeping busy enjoying all the season holds. Yesterday we took a trip to the Skagit Valley to enjoy the annual tulip festival held there. Today is Easter Sunday, and we've filled our days with family and Easter activities. An egg hunt, church, delicious brunch, and Easter dinner made it a wonderful Sunday of celebration.

It's a busy season parenting young kids, but the joy and enthusiasm that both Maya and Sam exude for whatever activity is before them blesses both Aaron and me and reminds us of what is important in life. We are truly blessed.

The four of us posing in front of one of the hundreds of tulip fields. Lovely!

Aaron and his kiddos. Just look at those long rows of yellow tulips.

Easter morning on the front porch.

My two adorable kiddos. I love those smiles.

Spring is here!

It's been a busy few months around the Russell house, mostly as we go about our regular activities. Maya is loving kindergarten and can't wait for first grade when she can go to school ALL DAY. Sam loves playing with his cousin Parker on Friday mornings, and he has inherited his sister's verbal skills as well. (I'm pretty sure Maya got that trait from her parents!!)

Here are some pictures of our adventures, starting with a visit to see my grandma, who turns 92 in August. Life is full and rich for us!

"Gonna" and three of her grandchildren (all grown up!).

Sam and Parker in the wagon one Friday morning.

My sweet boy, almost 3 years old!

Walking in circles at the park.

Maya and my first run/bike ride together. I hope there's many more to come.

Aaron and I in the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas--Aaron went to a conference and I got to go along too!

The flower seeds I'm sowing in our back bedroom.

Sam's Baptismal Birthday

Today, February 15, is the 2nd anniversary of Sam's baptism. We got out his baptismal candle and lit it, then talked about the day he was baptized. Our good friend and pastor Amy McNelly was the one who did the ceremony and poured the water over Sam's head. Joel and Nina Shoop are his godparents and they joined us in Pullman for the service.

I like celebrating our kids' baptismal birthdays. Their baptisms were important to me (and hopefully to them), and I think it's wonderful to celebrate their affirmation of God's love for them.

Here's my sweet boy the day BEFORE his baptism in 2009

And here he is today with his baptismal candle lit

Valentine's Day

Here are just a few snapshots of Valentine's Day at our house. It's amazing how much we celebrate things these days, especially with two little excited people at our house.

Cookies decorated by chefs Samuel and Maya

Pretty pink frosting and M&Ms

Roses from Aaron . . . so pretty!

Red jell-o jigglers to go with our homemade pizza

Festive napkins add that final touch!

Parker turns ONE!

February 7 was Parker's first birthday. It's hard to believe it's been a whole year since he was born. We celebrated his special day with a birthday party on Saturday, February 5. Both sets of his grandparents were in attendance plus our family.

Focused

Parker chose the spool for "long life" when given the choice.

Cute family.

Cousins.

Sweet boy.

Time for cake.

Playing at our house the next day.

Laughing.

Adorable.

Inside and Outside

In the beautiful Pacific Northwest, we enjoy being outdoors ALL year long. A few weeks ago, Aaron took Maya and Sam on a lovely hike up toward the mountains. Maya walked 5 miles on her own.

Later they came home and enjoyed hot cocoa with their mama. What a cozy February day!

Stopping for a rest while hiking.

Lunchtime!

Cocoa mix is in--now for the hot water!

Hooray for a fun NW day.

Adventures in Colorado

Sam and I spent a few fun days in Colorado in January. One of the highlights of our trip was spending some time with the Dolenc family. If you read our blog regularly, you've seen their faces during our trip to the Oregon coast a year and a half ago. Sam and Marin were just babies then . . . now they are both busy 2-year olds (closing in on 3). 

We had a great time together.

Marin was Sam's special buddy.

All three kids played together well. Who's missing? Maya.

Lucie missed her buddy Maya. Next time!

The happy mamas.

Ice skating on the pond in the Dolencs' backyard.

Holiday Happenings

I am sorry to report that I was not the best photographer during this holiday season. It was a busy couple of weeks, filled with the joys of celebration and family. But here are a few snapshots of the first half of our holiday with the Eklund family in Everett. Pictures from the Idaho Russells will follow shortly.

Sam, Maya and Parker show off their matching snowman pajamas on Christmas Eve.

Marmie and Bapa surrounded by their three grandchildren.

Nathan and Annemarie. 35 and 32 years of age (and 9 months of CD recording), and we still like each other.

And here is our family on Christmas day in front of the tree at my parents' house.

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope your house was as energetic and celebratory as ours.

Simple things

We have had a very wonderful end to November and start to December here at our house. In the midst of a busy season, we've dug in and tried to make simple, sweet memories together. Wearing a newly sewn nightgown, having a snowball fight, going to a tree farm to hunt for a Christmas tree, and decorating the house together have filled our quieter moments. In this season of Advent, of waiting for Christmas to come, we are finding joy together doing simple things.

Maya wearing her new nightgown made by Marmie. Notice that Baba has a matching nightgown too!

A Thanksgiving snowball fight. From left: Aaron, Sam, Grandpa Russell, Maya, Annemarie and Aunt Chrisy.

Maya sledding down the hill in our front yard.

Maya and Sam's Thanksgiving "snow turkey."

Picking out our Christmas tree.

The kids at the Christmas tree farm with Bapa and Marmie.

Posing in front of our decorated tree. Maya and Sam hold their favorite ornaments.

Reading in Bed

A week or so ago, I woke up to the sound of cute little voices down the hall. When I finally dragged myself out of bed to go investigate, I found both my children snuggled in Maya's bed reading a book. Maya was reading as many words as she could and Sam was pointing out interesting things in the pictures.

I always love my children, but at that moment there was so much mama goodness bubbling up from inside of me that I thought I would burst.

Maya reading Richard Scarry to Sam.

Two fantastically wonderful kids. What mama would ask for more?