Our American Tale

Grandma's Visit

Grandma didn't want to miss Lucas' birthday this year and since we wouldn't be flying home for a big shindig like we did for his first birthday, she came to us.

We loved having her here. She got in on Thursday and we spent most of the day just relaxing and enjoying each other. Lucas was on "spring break" so we didn't have school on Friday. We headed over to the Hands On Children's Museum for the day and mom loved getting to play with Lucas. She kept me company into the wee hours as I worked on Lucas' birthday cake and last minute touches for the party. Saturday was Lucas' big party and it was a huge help to have her there to keep my little birthday boy busy while I got food and everything else ready. We went to church for Palm Sunday and then Dan and I got a date night Sunday night while grandma babysat. On Monday, we went to Ikea for a few goodies for Dan's "man cave". (Have I mentioned that my husband is spoiled? He's just so much fun to buy things for!) Tuesday was Lucas' birthday, so after our Toddler Gym class, we took him to the zoo for the day. And on Wednesday the visit was over. As we were pulling away after dropping grandma off at the airport, Lucas said, "Grandma baaack! I sad!" and then started crying. He's getting to that age where he understands a big goodbye over an everyday goodbye. It broke my heart! It was a great week and it went by too fast!

Lucas and grandma checking out the 30 seconds of snow we had on Thursday. 

 Sharing some dried cherries.

Sweet boy and his girl.

Bed time stories with grandma.

March 2013

Eight Years

Dan and I celebrated eight years of marriage in March. It's so much fun to reflect on all that we've done together as husband and wife. It's been an amazing time of growth and adventure for us both and there's no one I'd rather be me with than that wonderful man of mine. As gushy and ridiculous as it sounds, I still get butterflies from time to time at the idea that he is my husband. Funny how special a simple title can be. 

Beautiful anniversary tulips from my dear Mr. Nelson!

We had a fantastic anniversary date at the Dockside Bistro. It was voted most romantic restaurant and it didn't disappoint. It had a beautiful view of West Bay and our reservation was a perfect time to enjoy the sunset. The food was amazing, the wine was amazing, the ambiance was amazing. It was simply a wonderful night with my love. 

March 19, 2013

What Do People Do All Day?

After daddy gets home from doing what he does all day, sometimes it's nice to use him as a book prop while you read. Daddy is so useful! He fixes people at work and holds books when he gets home!

Lucas reading What Do People Do All Day?

March 18, 2013

St. Patrick's Day

We had a pretty relaxed St. Patrick's Day. Though we went all out last year with corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, Irish beer, and Irish movies, this year we kept it American and grilled hamburgers and sweet corn. I remember Dan saying that he wanted to make corned beef a tradition for March 17, but perhaps his memory of it had waned because he curled his nose when I suggested it this time around. Maybe I'll do a potato soup next year.

We did wear green to church though, so at least there's that.

When we got home from church, Lucas decided to try one of my pumps on. He then proceeded to vacuum the house. He's obviously my child.

March 17, 2013

 

Lucky Spinach Chips

I love easy, festive snacks for holidays. What's not to love?

Easy. Festive. Snacks.

All good things.

I made these green tortilla chips last year, but went the ultra easy route and made triangles instead. It takes a few extra minutes to cut them into shapes with cookie cutters, but the end result is so cute!

All you need is a package of spinach flavored tortillas, cooking spray and salt (I prefer kosher salt). Use a pizza cutter to slice them into triangles or press with a cookie cutter for shapes, spray lightly with oil, salt to taste, pop in a 375 oven for 7-10 minutes, flip and repeat.

Voilà!

Easy. Festive. Snacks.

Last year, I made a cheese dip for a "pot-o-gold" but decided on a creamy spinach dip this year. Recipe for the dip is as follows:

Go to Costco. Buy dip.

I brought these to our Thursday ladies' night and everyone enjoyed them. I mean, what's not to like? They're easy, festive snacks!

March 14, 2013

 

Hello, Neighbor!

Lucas loves going out on the front porch to check out life on the other side of the fence. We're out back all the time and though we go in and out of the front door every day to go for walks, runs or trips to the park, we typically don't spend a lot of time just hanging out at the front of our home. 

Funny how everything is an adventure to these little pups!

We had good lighting with an overcast day and since I've been bad for taking any "real" photos lately, I decided to get a few snaps in.

Checking out what's left of mama's flowers after the winter. My poor dead pots!

I hate to tell you this, Lucas, but no amount of watering is going to bring those suckers back!

Sweet buddy.

I love how he smells flowers. He sniffs almost violently and it always makes me think of Thumper sniffing flowers in Bambi.

We have lots of small airplanes and helicopters that fly near our house, and he always stops what he's doing and looks for it in the sky.

The best smile in the world! He fills our home with such joy!

March 15, 2013

Just Chillin' with My Cheese

I love how he lounges with his ankles crossed.

March 11, 2013

Field Trip to Tumwater Falls

The week we were learning about water in our mommy and me preschool class, we took a field trip to Tumwater Falls to see some big water up close! I hadn't been to the Falls before and was pleasantly surprised by how easy a walk it was for little legs. Lucas was very impressed with the big waterfalls and the little ones.

Sweet boy pausing on the trail to watch the rushing waters flow by.

Some of our class with the 3-year old class.

Me and my sweet buddy by one of the big falls. He was a little surprised by the mist coming off of it, but thought it was pretty neat.

March 13, 2013

The Fast and the Furious

It's a pretty common sight around my house: Lucas with a car in each hand crouched down and racing around the house.

He has a need. A need for speed.

Though he's pretty happy to "race" his cars on his own, having a willing partner to race over and over and over again with you is much more thrilling. You never know who's going to win!

My happy little car dude.

March 7, 2013

Welcome Back, Daddy!

After a long two months without our favorite daddy/husband, it was so nice to finally have Dan home. Even better, he was on a two-month rotation in Olympia with much better hours than what he typically works at Madigan.

His first weekend on the service, he had to go in to do morning rounds but got done early enough to meet us for lunch at a restaurant I've been wanting to take him to for over a year.

While a weekend lunch out as a family might not seem like a big deal to some, I cherish these moments. Life as a surgical resident is crazy. Like 100 hours a week away from home, crazy. And then there's the reading and calls from nurses and research and checking on patients from home. It takes a big heart and a lot of dedication to be a surgeon, so you learn to be flexible as a family and savor every moment you get together.

March 2013