No photos first!

yes - this post is, I think, the FIRST on this blog WITHOUT photos!!

But since 50% of our household has Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease, I think it can be excused!

Jude came done with it while we were in Canada and the trip home was the WORST 8 hours I have ever experienced!  Seeing my little boy in so much pain is sheer torture!

Then I woke up to the itchiest, scratchiest rash I can remember. 

After a day of fussy, cranky kids we decided to have a low key movie night.  But about half way through Jude fell off the couch and ended up with a bloody nose.

SO . . . .

The lesson to be learned is:  When you decide to have kids you should be made to sign a full disclosure agreement so you understand you will spend some Saturday nights scratching your legs off and covered in blood. 

**Sigh**

Cherished

There are a few things that I truly look forward to . . . countdown the days for . . . anticipate . . .

Date nights with Drew, family get togethers, mini-breaks

AND

girls night!

Every 2nd Thursday my girlfriends and I get together for dinner at a different restaurant around Seattle. 

We've been doing this regularly now for over FOUR years and I don't think we'll ever run out of things to talk about

Here we are back in March 2009 out to dinner at Cafe Bizarro - one our favorites

Last month at Bizarro again. (I have to say -  I think we're all getting better with age!!)

Karen (left) - is the mom of 5 year old Alister and 1.5 year old Gus.  She is a cancer care nurse.

Sarah - is the mom of 3 year old Dylan and a critical care nurse

Darcy (right) - is the mom of 4.5 year old Lucy and 10 month old Griffin.  She is a cancer care nurse but is taking time off to at stay home with the kiddos.

It's amazing to me that I met these ladies in nursing school 10 years ago before any of us had kids.

Within the span of 5 years we added 7 humans to the planet and clocked thousands of hours in the nursing profession.

I cherish our ladies nights out and hope we continue them for a few more decades!

Happy Sunny Days

The weather has been unbelievable the last few weeks.  Mostly sunny and one day even into the 80's!!  I have decided my mood is DIRECTLY related to the amount of sun and warmth and everyone knows - when mama ain't happy, nobody's happy!

So needless to say, we have been one happy family lately!

Of course, the camera has been MIA the last few weeks (hiding in plain sight on my dresser) but I have a few shots of our pre-summer action

 Our first family bike ride was a definite success.  Jude was in the i-bert (the front seat) on my bike and Ellie was on her tag-along attached to Drew's bike.  Pretty cool to have the whole family zooming down the trail.  Of course, our destination was the brew pub for dinner and beer!

 This little man would live outside.  Both kids have literally been spending ALL day outside, except for naps and Ellie's afternoon show (she is a slave to her routine!)

Our backyard is set - slides, water table, garden, slip-n-slide, sprinkler, sidewalk chalk, tent, sandbox - enough to keep them occupied for at least 20 minutes! 

Just had to throw this photo in there.  We went to check on Ellie one night and saw that she had put every clippy she owns into her hair for her bedtime do!!  So cute!

When daddy's away . . .

The girls will play (and Jude too!)

Drew has started the, well-deserved, tradition of First Thursday Beer Drinking night with his friends.

This means Ellie, Jude and I have an evening alone.

And mommy nights mean - DANCE PARTIES!

I rely heavily on Pandora radio tuned to the Disney Princess movie station. It provides endless entertainment for kitchen dancing!

 These are happy evenings!

Flower Pickin'

Happy Spring!

Top 4 reasons I love my family

A few weeks ago my Auntie Marilyn and cousins Theresa, Loreen & Quade came down for a visit.

I love love love family visits.

Here are a few reasons why:

#1: We're silly Just a simple happy hour turns in to a hysterical laugh attack when everyone tries to play Drew's pocket trumpet. Of course, Ellie and Quade were natural horn players.Even Jude gave it a try!

#2: We play games

Dad always seems to the instigator of said games but everyone is happy to join in.

Nothing beats of good round of 'slap the hand'

#3: The kids love family too!

Even though we don't see the Campbell River clan very much, the kids know how special they are!

Ellie and Auntie Smack.

No, Auntie Smack didn't get her nickname from beating children but from the big kisses she plants on your cheek.

#4: We love to eat!

This night was especially awesome because Theresa cooked an amazing dinner in my kitchen while I played Rummicub!! And I'm telling you - THE BEST potatoes I've EVER had in my life!

Campbell River doesn't seem too far away but a 6 hour journey including a border crossing and ferry ride is looooong when packing 2 kids!

So we especially love it when family comes to visit US!

3rd Annual Egg Hunt at the Nobles

Since moving into our house 3 years ago we have started a few very important traditions. Halloween and Easter are at our house.

But Easter brunch and egg hunt is my personal favorite. Especially, when we have beautiful weather like today.

Here are the stats:

24 adults

17 kids (from 9 months to 8 years)

26 DOZEN eggs

9 bottles of champagne

Dylan, happy with his loot These kids really believe bigger is better - even though they had the same stickers and jelly beans hidden inside.

Georgia and Ellie

Love this photo of MacGrudes taken by my friend Karen. He looks so serious - and I love his knee up pose.

Silly kids waiting in line for the rope swing.

Attempting a sibling Easter photo

Off to hunt for eggs

Buddies! Olin and Ellie

In her Easter bonnet

Why is Easter my favorite Noble house get together??

It's all the excitement of Christmas but none of the stress!