Basketball Trophy!

Taylor's basketball season is quickly coming to an end. She will play in her last game tomorrow morning. We are thrilled that Taylor has enjoyed playing and our main goal for her was to have fun and I think she's accomplished that! She had her best game last Saturday- she scored 3 baskets and best of all her teacher was at the game to see them! She thought that was pretty terrific! I'm hoping that she'll want to play again next year! At the end of their last practice they had a little party in the hallway at Boston Harbor Elementary.

Cupcakes and drinks were on the menu! Taylor was most excited that they got to eat off basketball plates....

Coach Darwin presented Taylor with her first trophy! She was quite proud to have earned it.
(Next year, we are going to push cute basketball outfits that match on her! :) )

Taylor and Daddy!
Dave's been a trooper this season- going to every practice to help out and helping Taylor get over some of her fears about playing.

And the prized trophy. On the way home, Taylor asked me if we could please display in on the mantel with all our other pretty things. How could I resist? So, here it sits.

The Sun!

Oh, how the Myers family loves the SUN! It makes all of us just that more perky and it's weird how when the sun is shining through the bedroom windows in the morning how we are all much more eager to get up to go to work and school! We've been taking full advantage of it's presence and we will certainly be sad to see it leave!

We've begun our daily walks (or should I say carries) to the marina. We've missed our home away from home over the winter!

And although this place is still VERY cold it always amazes me how beautiful it is!

And yes, the bikes have been found as well! I think this was Maddie's last ride on this bike as she can hardly fit on it anymore. She'll take Taylor's bike which is too small for her and then she'll get a new one (I'm thinking Birthday gift!) for the spring and summer.

We made a quick trip to Everett this weekend to be with family and couldn't resist going to the park. Although the sun was out, it was so cold outside with the wind that we didn't last long!

And I know these aren't taken outside, but they tie in with our visit to Everett. Taylor and Grandma played hangman on my cell phone (a sight I didn't think I'd ever see!) for a very long time. They were too cute for words with one another.

And who could resist this picture? Love them all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The week leading up to Valentine's Day is probably my least favorite. I know, I know, it's supposed to be all about love and happiness but anyone who has kids can relate when I say that having to make and write your name 24 times is one big pain in the rear end! However, when it's all said and done and the day actually arrives there isn't anything better! Seeing my own kids come home excited to pour over the Valentine's they received from friends and eating as much candy as possible is truly priceless! And being able to witness 24 first graders open Valentine's (and actually be able to read them!) is also an amazing thing. The shouts begin instantly: "THANK YOU!", "THANK YOU!".

Here's what I was up against for a little over a week....Taylor made her own cards again this year and I was really touched by her thoughtfulness to each of her classmates.



This was the first year that Maddie got to exchange Valentine's with her friends at her pre-school and I had thought it would be hard for her to get them done but she knocked out her name, added a tattoo to each card in a little under 3 days!



I surprised Dave with a quick trip to the ocean over the Valentine weekend. It was spur of the moment and completely fun! We ate, read our books, went to the movies and simply hung out with one another. I'm so glad that I have such a great Valentine of my own!

Happy Birthday Maddie! Part 3....

You have to enjoy a kid birthday party right? I can remember planning my parties with my mom and how elaborate, yet simple they would be. I can still remember my kermit the frog party, my barbie party and my first sleepover birthday party! I loved them and want my kids to remember their parties as well. Last year, Maddie wanted to go to Chuck-E-Cheeses for her party and this year, she wanted to go to the Painted Plate. I didn't argue with her about it because I want her to be happy. I have to admit, although the party was extremley quick, it was convenient and easy for me. We literally had to show up 15 minutes before the party and as soon as it was over we packed up our new treasures and left. Maddie had a great time and left happy- so that's all that matters. I got in the car and said to Dave that I was happy our birthday extravaganza's were over! :)
The birthday girl!

Sweet Cousins! Drew, Taylor, Maddie and Emilie!

Dave's dad, Lynette, Matt, Amy and the boys and my sister, Emilie and Trey all came over after the party and we visited and dinner while the kids played together. My sister and her kids ended up staying the night. The 3 girls decided that they wanted to all sleep in the same room- it went better then expected! Emilie was the last one to fall asleep at 9:45! Dave, Darci and I enjoyed cocktails and a movie together after all were asleep! It was a fun day!

Happy Birthday Maddie Part 2!

On Maddie's birthday, I took the day off and we had some serious girl fun together! So much fun that Taylor really thinks that we need to do the same on her birthday :) Our day started out with breakfast at a funky and fun shop in down town Olympia- The Bread Peddler. The morning was perfect....a little bacon and some very yummy homemade bread!

Next stop? A treat at a favorite downtown store....Wind Up Here. It melted my heart to see that, even at age 5, she still went for the baby. I am thinking that this might be the last year for babies and it makes me a tiny bit sad.

After our adventures downtown we were ready for a little pampering. If you haven't had your winter pedicure yet, I highly recommend it. It put a new step into my day!

After our pedicures we decided that we wanted to head home, eat lunch and then see where our day would go. We were welcomed by this guy! He had a meeting in our neck of the woods and ended up taking the rest of the day off. Maddie's b-day gift from Dave? A shaved Go-Tee! She's been begging him to get rid of it and so she was quite surprised (and happy) to see it gone.

We ended up staying inside and playing board games for the rest of the day. One of Maddie's new favorite games is Topple (thanks to the Bjella's, Smiths and Brent). We also played a little bit of Apples to Apples and Connect 4.

When Taylor got home from school she desperately wanted to give Maddie the birthday present she had bought for her.

A unicorn pillow pet was high on the list this year and as you can tell by Maddie's face she was happy to receive it!
These two are extremely tight these days (mind you, they have there moments!)and it just makes me SO happy! They are playing together, reading together, making up games together- its hard to describe- but it's great!

Happy 5th Birthday Maddie Girl! We love you!

Happy Birthday Maddie! Part 1.....

Did you know that when you turn 5 you get to have 3, yes, I said it, 3 birthday celebrations? Maddie's first celebration was curtesy of my mom. Maddie's birthday fell on a Tuesday this year and since my mom is always here on Monday's she wanted to throw Maddie an early birthday party. While we were at Ballet, she and Taylor decorated our kitchen and Maddie's bedroom and made Maddie's (one of them) meal- chicken wings, fettucine noodles and green beans with bacon. When they saw the two of us arriving home from Ballet, they turned off all the lights and when Maddie walked in the door they yelled surprise! It was the cutest thing! Cute because Taylor was so excited about what she had done for her sister and cute because Maddie could hardly contain her excitement! It was a special evening. Thanks Grandma Kathy and Taylor!

Here is the banner that Taylor and my mom made for Maddie. I know it's hard to see. If you click on the picture it will enlarge for you :)

Taylor worked really hard to decorate the kitchen for Maddie's big day!

The very happy birthday girl!

The party guests (minus the photographer!)

Taylor insisted on decorating the door to Maddie's bedroom as well! Her friend Molly's family does this and she really wanted to do it as well. I think we've got a new tradition started.

My Birthday!

This was a tough birthday....35? Wow! It hit me hard- as Dave would say, I'm half way to 70 :) I think what made it even worse was the fact that my baby turned 5 only a few short days after my birthday. It made me sad to think that I don't have any more little one's behind her. It made me feel old quite frankly. Not old enough to consider having another one though!

My birthday was actually celebrated a bit late this year- on my big day, Dave had school board and Taylor had been home for 3 days with a high temperature. So, that weekend, we went to Anthony's with my mom, Dave's mom and Jerry. I absolutely LOVE Anthony's and it was a special treat to be dining with the whole family! My favorite part about the night was when Maddie ordered a steak- the life this girl lives, I tell you!

Before we went to dinner though I got to go on a shopping spree at World Market thanks to my mom, Roger and Lynette, my Grandma and Grandpa and Connie and Richard. I've been thinking a lot about getting an entry way bench and they all gave me gift cards to get it! Not only did I have enough gift cards to get the bench, I was able to get four baskets to go under the bench and a matching mirror to go above it. My super husband came right home and assemble everything and hung the mirror that same night! I am in love with my entry way!! Thank you, thank you family!!

It was a nice evening and as usual, I feel so blessed; an amazing husband, 2 wonderful little girls, and a supportive and loving family. I'm a lucky girl!

70th Birthday Party!

We kicked off our birthday week with a 70th birthday party for Dave's mom! It was a fun filled day full of family, friends, laughter and good memories! Happy Birthday Carolyn! We love you!

The party people! Minus the group that arrived late :)

Birthday loves from Maddie girl to her Gram!


We had a strange visitor during the party....Really, Taylor? We love you!

Centerpiece for the food table!

Flowers galore! Fitting for our flower loving Grandma!

And I had to show off my new dessert tower that my mom got me for Christmas! Love it!