A Washington Winter: Puddle Stomping

While our extended family battles a winter deep-freeze, 

our kids are enjoying a typical Washington winter.

The rubber boots I purchased before moving here have definitely treated us well!

Love, Us.

Mom is Lenient on Chore Start Time When...

She comes downstairs ready to get some "fire under their butts" in the area of chores,

but she instead finds her four smallest pleasantly playing a Princess Memory Game!

LOVE!

Love, Us.

The Result of Schooling on the Heating Vent

David is my little heater boy.

If he could, he would spend his entire life on a floor heating vent.

In truth, he does 95% of his school while sitting/squatting on one.

He had now learned that this may bring about unwanted consequences!

EV knows how to leverage a situation to her benefit.

Love, Us.

Two Matching Sisters - Then and Now

Thérèse had me grab the camera and snap a picture of her and EV in matching outfits the other day.

It reminded me of some of the first pictures taken of T and her little sister.

How they have grown!

Love, Us.

A Saturday Ice Cream Walk

We took advantage of a non-rainy Saturday last week.

Dad had to go in to work, so he dropped us off at Burger King.

We picked up an ice cream cone for each kiddo, and proceeded to walk home.

Along the way, the kids had fun climbing all over a couple PT set-ups near the path.

I think we may have found a fun tradition to repeat every now and then when weather permits!

Love, Us.

David's Recent Lego Endeavors

Our kiddos love to create with Legos.

David, however, has "gone back to the basics" over the past month, or so.

He has endeavored to put back together every Lego set the family owns.

I don't think he is quite done, but he is getting close.

With the high probability that these creations will soon be destroyed in an all-out Lego war,

I chose to snap some pictures while most of them were still put together.

Note that the house is the one thing that is a Librande creation: T is very proud of it.

Love, Us.

T's Backyard Fort

So...several months ago Thérèse had an idea to build a fort in the backyard.

She didn't just want a simple teepee or "sticks leaning against the fence" fort, though.

She was going to build a legitimate log cabin within the confines of our yard.

And, she was only going to use fallen wood from the woods and string!

On top of that, the only man-power she had at her disposal 

was the very unreliable muscles and wills of her little brothers.

Despite these obstacles, she was absolutely determined that this fort was going to be a reality.

Hours upon hours were spent in the yard: sawing, measuring, tying, untying, nagging brothers to help, crying because they wouldn't, bribing brothers, sawing some more, getting advice from dad.

Finally, after a couple months, a simple, but very impressive, 

frame was standing in the corner of our yard!

Yes...it included trusses!

But, at this point, T very bravely looked back on all of the blood, sweat, 

and tears that had gone into this wonderful frame.

Upon reflection, she decided to be thankful for how far she had come, 

but to also be content that it may remain a simple structure on which to place a few tarps.

The log cabin was a wonderful thought, but other priorities in her life 

(cross-stitches for new babies!) were more important to her at this juncture.

Maybe this summer the kids will be inspired to finish the fort, 

but for now we are so proud of her for all that she has learned while making the frame.

We were super impressed.

Don't get in this girl's way when she is determined!

Love, Us.

A REAL Look at Our Hector

The ultrasound tech totally spoiled me last week.

When she finished up her "job", she switched out wand and took some 3D pictures!

Isn't he super cute!?

Just a sleepy little guy sucking on his wrist.

Love, Us.

Some Christmas Break Escapades

The Escriva Catholic Academy (that's us!) took a break from Christmas Day to Epiphany.

Here is some of the fun that the kids got into during their time off.

EV got some good snuggle time with mom while waiting in line at a bag sale!

D and EV did some Nerf duels with dad!

While dad and T checked out a local gun show, the boys and EV 

discovered the small joys of a county fairgrounds in winter!

And, of course, they enjoyed some new fun that arrived for Christmas!

Love, Us.

Some More Bumpa/Grandma Visit Pics

Although only two of these pictures actually contain my mother and father,

they are all reminiscent of their visit over New Year's.

First off, there is the classic "Family Picture After Mass" that my mother, 

without fail, always requires.

This wasn't a Sunday Mass...thus the "everyday" clothing of the kiddos.

Next, Bumpa found out that he and my boys share something in common.

They dress for bed in the same way!

Also, a visit from them would be lacking if it did not include a trip to "The Golden Arches"!

T and D had their first ever Big Macs...and approved greatly.

Directly upon their departure, EV found Bumpa's hat hidden behind their bed.

She put it on promptly and started talking about him.

He is still brought up by her in conversation daily.

Finally, it is another small tradition that my mother likes to spoil the kids 

with pancakes, bread, and spaghetti throughout her time with us.

However, with the amount of left-overs present when they arrived, 

we were unable to use them during their visit.

So, the morning after they left, we kept their memory close with a pancake breakfast.

Love, Us.

Our New Year's Eve

We had my parents in town for a couple days around New Year's Eve.

This added a level of fun all by itself...morning snuggles and extra treats!

But, for New Year's Eve day, they spoiled us with a fun outing as a family.

I failed to take any pictures, and my mom only half-heartedly snapped a couple.

I guess that is a sign of a good time, I guess.

We were too busy bowling and eating to get out the cameras!

That night we played some very memorable rounds of Hearts.

Particularly closer to midnight, T and D (the two allowed to stay up for the event) 

were saying quite silly things.

For those of us who can remember and get belly laughs out of it:

David - "Guys, this game is so over!" (proceeds to lead a 4)

Thérèse - "Ugh! I need to get out of the lead!" (proceeds to lay an Ace)

Bumpa was enjoying himself so much that he made it until past 

Mountain Time's midnight, but didn't quite make it to our Pacific Time New Year's.

These guys made it, though!

Here's to a great 2019!

Love, Us.

This Year's Christmas Cards

Our main forms of entertainment this Christmas were card games.

Many hours of enjoyment and hearty laughs were had over Hearts and Pinochle.

Even the Littles joined the fun in their own ways.

Love, Us.

Christmas Legos

On several days of Christmas, friends and family gave to us...a Le-go-o set or two!

In fact, thanks to Aunt T, one of our Lego days extended into 2 days...

building an entire Saturn V rocket!

Love, Us.