Typical Godsiff days

Don't break the ice... but if you must, please wear proper eye protection.

Extreme children's games!

As I mentioned in the last post our car is in the shop. It got bad enough that we were advised strongly to get it towed.






The kids enjoyed watching the tow men. It's not everyday that a giant truck comes and takes your car away.
















One of the reasons I've been so long in getting to the blog is because I was commissioned to paint one of Logan's buddy's bike helmets. The original request was for a pin up girl version of Jesse Ventura from the movie Predator. It was a little bit tough since I haven't done a whole lot of artwork lately but I think she came out okay. After that he thought a girl on the other side would look awesome. I cheated a bit with her copying the pose from a picture I found online but I came up with the gold shorts :)







So now you know at least some of why I was so slow getting to the "part 2" I had promised.

One morning, inspired by some unexpected sunshine and feeling artistic I snapped some "fancy" pictures in the backyard.

"Oh Mom! Please stop taking pictures and come inside!"

"Unless they're of me of course!" ;)
(The odd colors and lights are reflections, no editing done!)

I just love those toddler proportions! So stinkin cute!

On a weekend trip to Portland Rowan shows off his awesome big brother-ness hugging his sister on the porch swing.

More Projects

I had decided before Katie's birthday that I would make both she and Rowan quilts for their beds. Of course I put it off and put it off but once the helmet painting was finished I decided I was on a roll with projects and finally got the quilting supplies out and set to work.

Here's Katie sitting under her quilt on top of Rowan's. I made hers from snuggle blankies my Mom had sewn for her when she was tiny and a bit of new fabric that was the same as one blankie (which I think I lost in a parking lot)

Rowan's was made to match the colors of his room.
Katie is wearing one blue sock and a book on her head...

more silliness

Rowan came in while I was taking pictures and suggested we do some timer pictures.

Since it is officially spring now and Katie is able to actually get around in boots outside I've been trying to get the kids playing outside at least once a day provided it's not actively raining.

Katie thinks the trike is really cool. She often tries to push it along, which is what she was doing right before Rowan jumped on it here. So I made him stop and perched her up on the handle bars. I kept a hand on her for a while and she seemed pretty stable so I sternly told Rowan not to let go and backed up a few steps for a shot.

He really is a great big brother.

End of Winter: Part 2

Finally! Sorry about the delay, I didn't think it was going to be that hard to find time to sit and blog. But I have now so here we go! :)

Goodbye Lil' Blue, Hello Bruce Goose!

A few days before Katie's birthday Logan arranged a test drive for us to check out a new car. He liked it a lot and I thought it was pretty cool and seemed to be a good fit for us right now. It fits up to 7 people (a couple of them need to be small but that's what we've got!), cruise control, and a DVD player!

Anyway, long story short we got it and we liked it.

(Even longer story short it's now in the shop needing a new engine, apparently a refurbished low-mileage one is on the way. Cars can be super annoying...)


In happier news...

Katie turned one!

On her birthday she woke up and had pancakes and bananas for breakfast. I got a couple pictures of her making faces and/or not looking when my camera battery almost died. I charged it until her party at lunch time so that's when the good pictures start :)

cheese pizza and fruit salad

The gang

Godmom Amy lends a hand keeping Katie's hands from the flame while we sing happy birthday ;)

A little help from Rowan (and Claire) it was blown out

Carrot cake muffin, mmmmmm :)

They did eventually let Katie play with her singing picnic basket and play food, I promise! ;)

Later for dinner Katie enjoyed her pasta and red sauce a little too much...

So into the bath she went! Along with cousin Henry and a lot of bubbles.

Not too happy to stop playing.

Dinosaur jammied kids!
(you might have to look close but Katie's are dinos riding bikes and skating while Henry is rockin some construction dinos)


Little wiggle worms. After watching this I wonder how we ever get pictures of them looking at the camera!

All the fun really tuckered Rowan out.

On the "official" first day of spring (the 20th) we got together with the Leritzs for our last trip to Norma's burgers. A bittersweet time for sure. They recently moved to Alabama as Sam has a new job just across the state line in Georgia. The good news is for as long as he has it he will not deploy! :D So even though we miss them like crazy it's not all bad.

On your mark.... get set....

Go!

This was the only "group" shot I got that day. Maddy was already in the car so I didn't push for a real group shot of everyone. In hindsight I kinda wish I had.

Well there you go. The end of winter... or at least it was supposed to be. The weather hasn't gotten the memo yet here in NW Washington. We've seen a little sun but for the most part it's still chilly, wet, and gray *sigh* ah well, soon enough I'm sure. (Unless you're Sam and Amy and then you can just move away to sunshine and springtime ;) haha)

End of Winter: Part 1

The first day of spring is fast approaching, my daffodils are almost blooming, and I can't wait for the sun to come back! We've been up to quite a bit these last few weeks of winter. We visited our family in Oregon and celebrated Katie's first birthday. Just a couple days ago she had her 1 year well child check up. She's 20lbs and 28in. Which is about 30th percentile, my favorite part is that she was able to stand on the scale for her weight check and stand against the wall for height :)


I've got so many pictures from vacation and such I'm going to have to do a two-part post.


Picking up where we left off last month, Goddy visited on his way back home from a visit to little cousin Piper. It wasn't a long stop, just long enough for a story :)


Not long after that we got some snow! We bought Katie a little snowsuit when we were on the coast. It was perfect timing.

Katie wasn't exactly mobile in her little suit but she was warm!

Rowan and I made a snowman with a crazy face and hair.

Later Logan came home, made a snow ramp, and taught Ro how to ride a snowskate. Katie just watched.

He was getting really good by the time it started getting dark. I had to go in and get dinner started so I left. This was the best video I got of him.




A little happier inside, Katie had some fun in the new playroom (our spare room that we recently cleaned out and moved most of the kids' toys into). I saw these bunny ears at Target and just had to get them. She likes wearing them, especially when I sing, "Oh you're so cute, ooooh Katie's so cute" ;)


On the 25th we started our vacation, shortly after that we headed to Portland. Poor Logan didn't feel well. Kindhearted Max generously volunteered to keep him company.

Meanwhile Uncle Hayden treated Rowan to a video game, something we've cut way back on at home. It's a little hard to see but Katie is holding an unplugged controller. We may be starting a bit young with that one ;)

While in Portland Katie got her very first MAX (lightrail train) ride! We headed downtown to see....

THE MOVERS!!!!

I saw an ad online for this concert a couple months ago and got four tickets right away. We've watched the show since it aired on the Disney channel and Rowan loves them. His favorite is Rich.

waiting for the show...

It was an awesome show. Mover Rich even came up to the balcony where Rowan got to give him a big hug!!

Outside the venue after the show. Rowan was still pretty jazzed :)


After another night in Portland we headed to Sisters to spend some time on the ranch.

Rowan was a little bummed there wasn't more snow but he and Logan were still able to "ambush" Goddy with a couple snowballs.

Rowie is such a sweet big brother!


Goddy and Gremmy were pretty much stuck at the ranch due to a couple of calves just born so we had an early birthday celebration one of the nights we were there. Katie was diggin opening her present from Goddy and Gremmy!

"Dad! Dad! Can you open it?!"

"Dad! Dad! Is it open? . . .
It is open now? Can I
see it? Please? Please? Please?"

"Oooooooooooooh"

I was under the weather for a couple days but I sent the camera along with the gang as they went on a little explore. Logan was carrying Katie in the front pack.

The next night Grandma Becky and Grandpa Rob joined us bearing (of course) gifts! This was the last shot I got. Once Rowan opened up his remote control police car, already cleverly supplied with batteries (Thank you Grandma Becky!) things were just far too exciting to pick up the camera.

Katie got a glowworm which is now in her crib and which she really likes! Even though that night the shiny wrapping paper was apparently much cooler ;)

The day after that Grandma Becky, Gremmy, Logan, and Rowan headed up to the snow for some fun. Rowan got sweet new goggles and was lookin like an extreme snow boy!

I think it's safe to say he's a fan of the snow ;)

All too soon it was time to leave so we packed the kids up for the long drive north.

I think next time we'll have to give him his pillow too.

Tune in next time for part 2 including Katie's birthday!