A Pullman Wheatfield

I just love these photos that I took of the kids and Aaron in a wheat field in Pullman when we were there to celebrate the graduation of my dear college friend Emily from veterinary school.

The wheat is such a brilliant green, and the kids never had more fun running around.

May Day

Those of you who know my family at all know we have a tradition on May 1 of filling little cones with flowers and depositing them on the porches of our neighbors.

Maya and Sam were very excited to help out with the May Day plans this year. Maya created a new style of holder for the flowers, one that was from bright colored construction paper. She even wrote on some of them.

It was a special day, surprising people we know with some springtime cheer!

Getting Ready for Matthew

We are doing a lot of family nesting around here, preparing our hearts and our house for our new boy.

We took the sofa out of Sam's room and set up Matthew's crib and changing table. We have white letters with "Matthew" written on them to hang above his crib--just haven't gotten around to it yet. Maya and Sam are enjoying sitting in the red chair reading books. I imagine feeding my boy and snuggling with him in the red chair, the same one I sat in with Maya and Sam.

And then on Sunday, April 29 my friend Jessica hosted a baby shower to welcome Matthew. I wasn't a good photographer at that event, but I did capture Maya and her friend Angelina (Jessica's daughter) posing next to the food table. It was a lovely event and really helped us think about bringing Matthew home to our family.

Maya and Sam read in the red chair

Cute albeit a bit strange faces

Sam's bed and Matthew's crib

The boys' room

Maya and Angelina before the shower has begun

Skipping Rocks

In late April, on a Saturday afternoon, the weather was so lovely that we just had to get outdoors. So we packed a picnic and headed to a state park that is located right next to one of our beautiful Pacific Northwest rivers.

The kids loved throwing rocks into the river, and Aaron taught them a little bit about rock skipping.

What a glorious Saturday.

Easter

Grandma and Grandpa Russell (Paula and Dave) made the trip over from Sandpoint to join us for Easter this year. We had a lovely day--we joined my family at my parents' house for Easter Dinner and an easter egg hunt. Our friends Seongheon, Yunhui and Danbi joined us too. Danbi is in preschool with Sam, and it was her first Easter egg hunt ever!

It was the perfect day: beautiful weather, wonderful family, and a deep and meaningful reminder of grace and hope in our lives.

Easter photos on the front porch

Sam with his hands in Maya's hair

Kids with Grandma and Grandpa

While we are still four . . . a family photo

Just before the Easter egg hunt

Sam checks out his loot (with help from Aaron)

April at the Cabin

In early April, for Spring Break, we spent several days at our family cabin in the Cascade Mountains near Leavenworth. The weather was lovely. My parents joined us for a few days up there too. Maya and Sam did a hike with them one day while Aaron and I got our own little "date hike." What a relaxing way to spend Spring Break.

A hike to the bench above the river.

My blue-eyed boy

The hikers pause for a shot.

On the bridge in Leavenworth

Family photo by the river in Leavenworth

Silly Russells!

Sam trudges back to the car

Me and my girl.

Sam reads with Marmie at the cabin

Bath Night

What a blessed human being I am to see these faces first thing in the morning and just before I tuck them into bed at night. Normally my kids want to take a shower or bath on their own in the evening, but for some reason tonight, they decided to do a shared bath (like they did when they were little). They had such a wonderful time. I hope that one day when they're older, they'll still like each other as much as they do right now.

Playing Legos with Parker

We had a fun afternoon playing with Parker . . . The kids built an entire Lego town in Sam's bedroom while Parker was here. They all had a great time.

Fun Celebrations

Parker turned two in early February, and we had a fun birthday party for him, complete with cake, presents and play time. Then, on Valentine's Day, Parker spent the evening at our house while his parents had a date. We made heart cookies and had a wonderful evening.

And at the very end of February, we put together a box of special things for Matthew in China. How special to be able to finally send some things to him.

Parker had an Elmo party for his 2nd birthday.

Sam and Maya tried out Parker's new wagon during his party.

Just before making cookies on Valentine's Day.

Our box of special things for Matthew--sent all the way to China!