We are finally almost out of boxes and ready to play. Who is in?? Unfortunately the weather forecast said rain indefinitely, so Pump it Up was pretty much our only option today. The girls and I had a great time.
Kendra's first time walking and pushing something. She loved this car!
Fun memories.
My little shopper. I told Alexa we were going shopping, and this is how she accessorized herself to go...(her "black bag" like mine, hiking style and her shopping bag full of toys and her blanket and a few stuffed animals I'm sure). She really is the perfect shopping buddy!
Alexa and Nicole Bochsler Harding at Dave and Larissa's wedding reception. Nicole is always so cute with the kids!
Gotta love it, kids will be kids!
Proof that you should NEVER leave your kids unattended. I was upstairs organizing something, and I came down and Alexa said "I made dinner for me and you and daddy and Kendra. It's in the fridge. Wanna see?". "What's in it?" I ask. She replies with..."pretzels, flour, sugar, brown sugar, Halloween candy bars, salt, beans, rice and all the water bottles in the fridge". I just count my blessings that she didn't spill it all while carefully putting it in the fridge!
One STICKY, adorable mess.
So the girls usually take a bath together. I was explaining to Alexa (3) why she shouldn't drink the bath water...finally after saying "Kendra (11 months) might pee in it, and you wouldn't want to drink that would you??" she quit, and just sat there staring at Kendra, until finally she said, "Mom, I want to get out". I think the days of the two bathing together might be over.
Our ward has the hook up and has their annual Halloween party at the Sifuentes' Christmas tree farm. We always get our tree there too. It is so much fun. They have lots of good food and games, tractor rides, trunk or treat, and this year a "photo booth". Great idea!
The tractor ride at the farm.
Alexa, Anna (Alexa's best friend), Leah, and Kendra.
My friend Mary Rudd and her adorable daughter/chicken Adelle.
We went to Quantum to trick or treat at Matt's work. Matt was the only one that took part in the pumpkin carving this year. his work had a contest at their lunch hour. The girls, especially Kendra had a great time! Kendra would get so excited every time she looked in her bag and saw candy. Matt said he was glad we went because he thought we were one of two families that took part.
Matt and his girls!
My camera was for some reason malfunctioning...not only later did I realize it was possessed by something spooky. Perfect timing though!!
Kendra Octopus and Grandma Marilyn.
Grandma and Grandpa Uffens were so generous this year! I think they got hit 3x just by us...not only that, but we ended up with all their left over candy too. I'm so glad we made it here first while the kids were still warm and in good moods. Kendra had a good time showing off her new found wiggles, and Alexa was just interested on getting her trick or treat on! (Alexa's face is so funny in this picture. I occasionally have people ask if the kids are part Asian. I can completely see it here.) 
Alexa (pixie fairy) and Kendra (Octopus). Alexa reminded us that "When we go trick or treating we need to remember to say our trick or treats, and our thank yous". She also said, "Halloween is the funnest day ever!"
This year, found on the door steps of a house we it up, this was my favorite pumpkin. I love the way the eyes are squinting while it is puking...totally reminds me of pregnancy...YUCK.
Kendra was nice and toasty under her warm quilt.
I bet you've never seen a fairy roll her tounge like that!!
Although I loved Alexa's costume this year, I really need to come up with a more "car friendly" one. I sewed her wings to her dress.
Someday, this is an example of what Matt would love to do on Halloween. You put a few scary masks inside a garbage can and then you get in one yourself with a mask on. When people walk by to check each individual one out thinking they are all fake you jump out and scare the daylights out of them. Boy does it work!! We fell victim last year.
Kistine and Alexa. I have to give my mom, Grandma Gail, credit for Alexa's dress. She made it. Alexa's wings I found at a consignment store. Notice the rain boots...it stopped raining just in time! Yeah! :)
Matt and Alexa making their rounds. There were these older kids out trick-or-treating and they came across this house that had their Christmas lights out. The kids said, "Hey, let's say Merry Christmas instead of trick or treat!" I thought that was a very relevant and funny comment...seriously, why do people have their lights out on Halloween? It's like the stores displaying Christmas decorations before Halloween...slow down people! :)
And there you have it. Another successful trick or treating night for the kids. Little Kendra was tuckered out. 
Fall City Farm.
On our way back to the car, Alexa insisted on looking at the donkey and horse one last time. We both said OK, but hurry. Next thing we know, Alexa was screaming and running from the CENTER of the stable (aka...one single rope defining their space). I assume she got too close to the horse and it moved scaring her. I never thought she would actually go under the rope. She definitely knows better, especially now.
Kendra had a heck of a time trying to get her little pumpkin out. I eventually had to help.
The view from inside the store there on the farm....beautiful.
The grass was super slippery. I even slipped trying to get this picture!
All over this area are some of the flower fields that make up Pike's Place Market. They are so fun and colorful!
Made it!!
Matt and Alexa in a fun little hay fight.
Look how contemplative Kendra is. I now know why she has skipped a ton of the baby stage...She studies Alexa this had all the time!
Kendra.
Kendra.
Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the kids that I forget the two of us might want a picture or two together sometime. Even though we are both obviously aging, I still believe I got the most handsome man. Love you Matt!
Nothing replaces a daddy/daughter relationship. Matt does a great job creating just that with our girls. They are two lucky little kids!
I think I might have mentioned this before, but it KILLS me every time Matt is right about something I think I know. (I am embarrassed to say that it happens quite frequently). I was set on going to Leavenworth, or Remlinger's Farm (preferably both) but he thought the drive was too much. He researched this place out. I was quite impressed. It was awesome. I loved all the giant sunflowers throughout the pumpkin patch. Everything set out was so artistic too! Once again, nice job honey! One day I'll learn my lesson.
Matt and Kendra. 
Alexa trying to follow her daddy's advice, "When you find the one you want, hurry and sit on it!" Luckily, we were one of only two families there...so there was no rush.
Wouldn't it be awesome to have a shower head as big as this sunflower??
Inside the pumpkin house.
Kendra, my 4-toothed baby.
Some people are so creative! I love this pumpkin house...so festive! 
I'm so glad I got this picture! We went into a barn that had a couple of steers. They approached us and started mooing. Kendra was terrified! Ya...won't be taking her to the haunted house!
While we were here at Fall City Farm, there were pictures of the farm when it had been it by the flood here in January of 09. Everything you see us at was underwater.
Another great and successful pumpkin find!
Absolutely my favorite part of Seattle. I LOVE fresh flowers, and the arrangements these ladies make are beautiful, and affordable. I love all the bright colors. Maybe I should work in a floral shop??
Alexa liked the orange fish. We were walking by the fish counter at Costco the other day and she just couldn't understand why the fish's head was cut off. She asked, "Who cut it off mom?" I pointed to the guy inside the counter and blamed it all on him. He was totally listening to the conversation too....Hope he didn't mind taking the fall!
Pike's Place Fish Market...aka the flying fish market. One of my favorite Seattle attractions. The guys working are always so energetic and friendly. 
So Dave just asked if I had ever eaten Monk fish...(that CREEPY looking thing on the far left hand of the picture). Can I just say GROSS! No way! Alexa obviously didn't even want near it. He says that people call it "poor man's lobster". I guess it tastes just like it....I'll just stick to Spaghetti. To the far right is a sign of whole octopus sold by the pound. This place is just crazy.
This place was very educational, fun and free! It's located next to Benaroya Hall. On Fridays they have musical story telling. Great find!
So I'm thinking I would love to get the girls a xylophone. Kendra loved it...that and the plastic headed mallet...teething...gotta love it.
I was thinking a violin would be more her size...We practiced on nice even long strokes. Not too bad for her first time!
Sound Bridge was a lot fun.
So with Alexa, I can honestly say that she never really had sweets till her 1st birthday...obviously, this is not the case with Kendra. Between Grandma Marilyn, and Alexa, Kendra has been broken in well (hence the Hershey's chocolate bar all over her face).
I got almost all the way home before Alexa said, "Hey! This is not the way to the park!" I felt a little guilty being that I told her we could go, but decided to fill the afternoon shopping instead. I turned around and away to the park we went.
Mommy and Kendra time. Oh how my girls and I love the park! I love Kendra's giggle as I swing her way too high for a 10 month old.
And there you have it. I finally let her out of her stroller. My baby is growing up. She loved every minute of her time on the play structure. She has yet to fall off anything, but I have a hunch that time is over.
Love my girls!
I would have to say the best toy I purchased was Alexa's art desk when she was about 18 months old. It has gotten a lot of use. On this particular day, Alexa and I headed outside to paint with her "messy paints." I painted my butterfly, and she copied what I did. I thought she did a great job.
A very typical picture of Alexa...there is always some sort of food sitting out that she is snacking on, or will snack on (even if it is 9:00 p.m.), her new rain boots, and of course the stroller and puppy.
It was nice to have a night with the family, and great weather too. We love Kirkland, especially at sunset. Happy birthday Matt!
Both the girls had to get a ride on the giant cow they have in the middle of downtown Kirkland. Come to think about it, why did they choose a cow here??
My brother Kyle's birthday card for Matt. We both thought it was funny.
I asked Matt if he had a preference on his birthday cake, so apple crisp it was. 
The lava river caves. This place was pretty amazing. It was a mile long, and pretty chilly. Everyone had to stick together with flashlights and lanterns.
Alexa was so funny, she didn't complain at all, and a lot of the time, lead the group...in the dark! Kendra liked to hear her voice echo.
Lins found this great deal on a 4 bedroom house right across from the Maverick. I thought it was awesome, and nice not to have to camp in the dirt with the babies.
Cousins are great, aren't they?
Matt and Kendra in the lava river cave. 
This picture depicts Alexa's admiration for Ellie perfectly! Nothing left to be said here!
Lava river cave.
I wish I could've gotten a picture of Addy doing this, but she is AMAZING. She would hang from the kitchen table and do a pull up to the point of her chin reaching above the table. I think Todd and Lins should enter a video in funniest home videos or something. I know she would win!
The chocolate dipped cones rolled in sprinkles were a hit! Yeah!
Kendra even approved.
The pony rides were fun, and affordable. Gotta love the combination!
Awe...sweet...kisses.
The outdoor pools were great too!
Yummy!
Nothing better than a hot tub. This got more use than you could believe. Couldn't keep the kids out of it!
Sweet Ellie.
The climbing wall at the Maverick.
Alexa getting in on the action. Todd said she had perfect form. :)
Happy Birthday Matt and Lins! Marilyn was so great to make them a nice cake.
Nothing cuter than a cute baby having fun at the pool! In my fantasy world, I would love to have a zero entry pool at my house so the babies could crawl around all they wanted to. This was awesome. It was cute to watch Kendra playing with the bubbles. 
Todd on the wave runner at the Maverick.
Matt and Todd boggy boarding.
So Matt looks like he is doing pretty good, but in all reality he was only up for about 2 seconds total! Afterwards he said it felt like he had been in a washing machine all day. It was a 90 minute session, and basically just he and Todd and one other little kid had the wave runner all to themselves. 
I always love to see how excited Matt gets to go to things like these. It is truly entertaining for me. We have found a new hobby with the Huskie's new coach Steve Sarkisian's new policy of "open practice". Matt would point out every radio personality, and past or present coach and player with enthusiasm. He's kinda like a kid on Christmas day at things like this, minus the gittiness. Kendra made me laugh too. As those huge linebackers would get close to us I could feel her grip on my leg and arms getting tighter and tighter. Can you imagine their size to her?? We made it back to the car just in time to get SOAKING wet....just one of those perks of living in the pacific northwest! :) Love it. 
That's right! All that chocolate, and no cavities! Yeah! Alexa's first appointment went very well. She was so intrigued by all the fun gadgits that the assistant let her play with. The highlight...you know it, the sunglasses! 
We had a fun little family night fishing in in the Snoqualamie river in Fall City and making tin foil dinners. It was fun being together, making Alexa's make shift fishing pole (who needs a store boughten one anyways?) Matt made an awesome one for her with a stick, fishing line, and a bobber (no hook). At least she could visually see it right? We didn't catch any fish, and we couldn't get a fire started, so dinner failed too. We just put everything in the oven when we got home, and Matt and I ate around 10:30. I think Alexa had Oreo's for dinner. Oops! 
Mom and her Granddaughters
Kendra being a sport and trying to be happy with her bladder infection.
Yep...still friends!
What an amazing garden...inspiring! I told mom with everything she was moving to ID, she should put her garden in 5 gallon buckets and take it too! :)
It was great to get some time this time with Kathryn too. All 5 of us girls have so much fun together.
We decided Kathryn needs to work on her flexibility. Even I can eat my toe!Although the trip there was so incredibly long, and a bit disappointing, being home one last time was great. A little background on my trip home...So the girls and I left Steamboat early hoping to get some time in Vail since I had never been there before. I sure am glad we stopped in Winter Park because as soon as I pulled off in Vail at the gas station, Kendra threw up ALL over me and her. I had that little car packed to the MAX, so to get to things while I was dripping, and had no place to put my mess of a baby was less than a piece of cake. Things were so disgusting that I really just threw off what I was wearing right there in the parking lot and put on a new shirt and pants, while trying to be a little discreet, but seriously, Kendra was screaming, and it was definitely "a scene". So the pass through Vail was pretty, definitely somewhere to go someday. We did end up taking Kendra to the doctor in CO and she had a bladder infection. She hadn't stopped crying and throwing up all over me for 3 days, 6 times a day. Poor baby! I got initiated to the "suppository club". I bet everyone would want to join that one..NOT! Matt said, "So you have to push those pills up WHERE on Kendra?" Ya...I bet those dads are thankful at that point they are working and not caring for the kids!
All in all, it was good to be home. I'll miss my house, but seasons do change.
Alexa and Kendra at The Village at Winter Park, CO.
My silly girls and a glimpse of the beautiful flowers everywhere. My dream is to have a flower garden someday. Doesn't take much to make me happy!
Alexa and her favorite part of the miniature golfing...the house.
We made it to the top! Wow...you could see forever!
Documenting my not so bright moment. Yes, the girls and I are on a chair lift.
We had a great time playing on these 3 (not pictured) Daddy bear, Momma bear, and baby bear wood chairs. The city has story time here in the summer I hear. Beautiful setting. 
The rodeo was so much fun minus that 10 minutes that Alexa was MIA. Yes, that is right. I lost her, and only recently did I tell Matt about it. I did learn my lesson though. NEVER take your eyes off your kids EVER. (I literally did for 1.5 minutes, and took 3 steps away to watch her cousins chase the calf). Never again.
Not the best picture, but had to include it anyways. Alexa is the one in the middle of the pack in the turquoise jacket and Ellie and Natalie are right ahead of her in the white skirt and blue top and the pink and jeans. Thanks to Ali for taking Alexa down there to participate. FYI: Alexa is NOT competitive, so to see her actually run after the goat was impressive to me. For example, at Easter egg hunts, the whistle blows and she just stands there. The people overseeing the event have to take eggs out of other kid's baskets to let Alexa have just a couple. We need to fix that problem! :) 
Kendra living it up with Aunt Linsey. Kendra will always give you a good giggle.
Linsey and her darling and sweet girls Taylor and Ellie.
Alexa
Checking out the horses getting ready to perform. 
Natalie, Olivia and Taylor.
At the rodeo, there was a fun little play ground for the kids. Alexa insisted she could keep up with her cousins 2 years older. It was a stretch!
My girls with Grandma and Grandpa. 
The rodeo was definitely a hit. I had a great time dressing the girls accordingly, and just doing something that we definitely don't do in Seattle.
Ali and Alexa at the rodeo.
Grandma Marilyn is really good at introducing Kendra to all of life's sweet treasures. I thought Kendra and I could share. Nope. I needed to get my own.
When there is a business call you just have to take it, no matter if you are the target of ALL the cousin's marshmallow guns or not.
Addy and Todd, doing their part to hold up the finish line.
Getting ready for the army drill of the family Olympics (Todd and Linsey's part).
Grandma, Grandpa, and the grand kids getting a little crazy.
Uncle Doug sure does love those babies! I think it's sweet. He's such a good "hands on" dad.
Here we go. Everyone minus Owen, (and Adam, Tracie, Annie, and Paige). Nice job Aunt Tonia with the tye-die!
The kids all loved the pool! Wow! So many cousins, and not even all are pictured!
Lins, Addison, me and Kendra.
Owen...I was so amazed at how well he got around! Love those curls!
Natalie, Alexa, and Ellie. Linsey had the great idea of marshmallow guns. They were truly a hit! The most memorable moment...when Jacob got hit in the ear with the marshmallow, and it stuck! It was hilarious!
This one is classic of our little Alexa in the summer. Sunglasses, sundress, and sparkly sandals. She is truly so much fun to travel and shop with! I just had to add this funny story about her while we were on this trip. We were in our condo, and Alexa was going potty. I asked her if she was done. She said, "Yes, but it's OK mom. I don't have to wipe. I can just shake it off." I can guarantee that it was NOT me that taught her that!
I just love that bald little baby.
Alexa takes such good care of her baby sister!
Alexa just loves those sunglasses. I know that most people think I dress her and accessorize her this way. Nope. She does it all herself! We love it.
Doug and Andrea, Dallin and Nathan. What a fun family!
The gondola was on my list of activities that I was most excited for. We rode it up and down a few times, and then joined Grandpa and Grandma at the bottom for smoothies. Alexa had a blast in the jumping gym, while Kendra got her nap in the stroller.
I think Alexa is too young to be kissing her frog prince already! Luckily for me, this one was a statue, and did not turn into her prince. :)
The girls and I spent a fun afternoon downtown Steamboat with Steve, Tonia, Olivia, Natalie, and Jacob. The kids enjoyed an ice cream cone, and I'm always up for window shopping! Steamboat had so many fun figures along their sidewalk. 
Josie and Alexa
Bella, Kendra, Josie, Alexa
