A Busy, Full Month: June

It's been a very full month of June here at the Russell house. We celebrated two birthdays (Maya turned six and Sam turned three) plus Maya finished up her kindergarten year and we spent time with many friends and family members. Here, below, are some shots from the past several weeks.

Bedtime smiles from Sam and Maya.

Maya's 6th birthday cake: it's a parade!

Kaitlin and baby Mara came for Maya's birthday.

Our favorite cousin, Parker, 16 months.

Just before Maya opened her presents.

Maya's "kid" birthday party on June 12th. Aunt Amy came to help.

The birthday crew eating their cake, pirate's booty and watermelon.

Maya and Ms. Teague, her kindergarten teacher.

The night before Sam turned 3.

Sam's cake: a rollercoaster

Happy 3rd Birthday, Samuel Nathan.

Maya's last day of school, June 24.

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.