Still here.....

We are alive...We are well...We, or should I say, I spend too much time checking out everyone else's blog that I leave little time to do an entry for myself! Has anyone given up on me yet? I hope not, because I am going to do my best to get back on track here and re-enter the wonderful world of blogging!! SO stay tuned....and hopefully....there will be something of substance posted here shortly! Hope everyone is doing well! Ta Ta for now!


I'll leave you with this crazy girl...who by the way is ALMOST 3!

Papa from Tennessee!!!

We had the blessing of having Papa from Tennessee a.k.a Brian's dad here for a visit last weekend. We enjoyed our time with him, it's never long enough but we take what we can get. It was a busy time around the house with everything going on, so that was probably the biggest bummer of all, but Brian was able to take Sunday off and we were able to spend time with Papa as a family. It was so nice to have him be able to stay at our house with us, rather than, like before, traveling to and from a hotel in Bellingham. He was able to watch Jake and Madison play basketball, which is so fun for the kids to have him there and for him to be able to see them in action. After Jake's game Papa treated the kids to a trip to Target, which is always a highlight for them as he spoils them with "toys". At the end of his time here, before he left, the kids sat down to do their traditional "pick papa's pockets". Papa puts money in his pockets and the kids take turn picking a pocket and then receiving whatever comes out of it....they have a ball doing this, it was especially fun watching Daisy as she is just the age to get it.
We love you papa! We enjoyed spending time with you and look forward to seeing you this summer...thanks for coming for a visit!!

Daisy found a favorite place to sit while watching her movie!

The kids getting ready to pick the pocket...

Ba da bing...Daisy gets her first loot!


"That pocket Papa!!"

Saying goodbye....


Papa with his kids....

WE LOVE YOU and MISS YOU!!

Oh puppy love!!

What a predicament!!! O.K. if you know me, you may know that this is NOT my thing! However, I find myself considering getting this adorable little puppy, which would be an indoor dog, for the kids. They are BEGGING me!! I know that I ultimately have to decide whether or not I am willing to take this on as I am sure I will be the one to take care of him. Now, growing up for me I had the opportunity to have many different animals as pets. We always lived on mini farms and even though I was supposed to be the one responsible for taking care of the animal, my dad ultimately was the one that kept them alive! So I know how this works....even though I tell the kids they have to take care of the puppy I know I will be the one. I really want the kids to have the same memories of childhood pets that I had(maybe not to the same degree)and so far they have none and I really think this is a great age to have a pet and learn a little responsibility with it. Brian and I seem to collectively be allergic to most animals except dogs. This little guy comes from my babysitters new dog and we have been told we have first dibs on him. I know my family in Tennessee are shocked right now that I am even considering this...am I right?!! Anyways here's pictures of the cute munchkin who is only 2 weeks old.....we wouldn't get him for 6 weeks so I do have some time to mull this over....any advice??! Oh yeah,he is a yorkie mix, I believe...his mom is only 23 lbs.
This is mama and baby...

Madi's Great Number Eight!

Well I feel bad that it's been almost a week since we celebrated Madison's 8th birthday and I am just now getting around to blogging it. I can honestly say though that I can't quite find the right words to describe the chaos we have felt over the last week with opening this restaurant. This I do know it feels good to be sitting here right now, with the kids in bed and my husband laying on the couch, relaxing and catching up on the news.
Now on to what this post is really about....our sweet, dear, little miss Madi. Yes, she did turn eight and I referred to her as little. No matter what, she will always be "little Madi" to me. Friday after school I picked up her and 3 of her friends(along with Kelsey and Daisy). We headed to the bowling alley for a quick game, with bumpers up, the girls bowled and screamed and had a good time! Oh wait....I had to take off running in the middle of typing, so I need a moment to figure out where I was. Good feeling...GONE is what I am thinking right now as we had to sprint to Madi's bedroom because she was vomiting for the second time in an hour! GREAT! So where was I....oh yes, recalling her fun birthday party. So after bowling, the girls had their choice of McDonalds or Jake's and they all wanted to go to Jake's! So the six girls and I went and had dinner, then returned to our house for some playtime, dessert, and presents. Madison is such a sweet girl, she is so sensitive and watching her grow and seeing the gifts God has given her is such a joy! She has the biggest servant heart and is so affectionate....what a special little girl God has given us to raise! Enjoy the recap in pictures of her special day!

The girls! P.S. It was Seahawks spirit day at school, hence all the "gear"!

Lets Bowl girls!

The "ball keeper"

Go Madi GO!!

GOOD BOWL MADI!!

The final bowling scores...

Singing to a little High School Musical on the Wii...


Make your wish and blow!

"Just what I wanted!!"

It's OPEN!!

WOW! What a feeling...all the preparation the last six months has finally ended with today as we opened the doors to the public at Jake's Western Grill!! We had a great first day, aside from loosing power for ten minutes during our dinner rush!! Dining room was full and the power went out due to overheating the circuit breaker and then waiting for it to cool down to flip it. Other than that business was good, of course we will continue to work out some minor kinks but we feel so blessed to be embarking on this adventure! We are so thankful for the start of a great staff and look forward to the journey of this endeavor! We are so thankful to everyone who has made this possible(you know who you are) we appreciate the prayers and ask for continue support in this area as we all adjust to this undertaking. Also want to express gratitude to those have helped me with my kiddos as I have had to spend some time outside of home....but I'll tell ya, it's been fun and I look forward to balancing a little work outside of being a mommy and wife! I hope all that come into Jake's has a good experience and we are blessed by your support! So without further a due I snapped some pictures after I worked this afternoon and have posted them to share with you!


It's finally OPEN!!!

Future hostess in the making..too bad she can barely see over the top!

And another diva hostess to come...she needs to grow a little too!

The waiting area with our custom made bench!!

Us...minus the one with the name behind the whole thing!

The bar! Any ideas are welcome for what to do on those top shelves...they are high and it looks so "unfinished" with them empty....

I love this picture...just thought I'd share!

Cutie pa tooties posing with the dining area behind them...

One of our many awesome servers finishing up her first shift at Jake's!

The "kitchen master" in his domain!!

SURPRISE!!!

So what did you do on New Year's Eve? I bet you didn't have ten 9 & 10 year olds over for a slumber party!!! Well we did! It was Kelsey's 10th birthday on Monday and I pulled off a surprise birthday party for her with ten of her friends! And boy...was she ever surprised, she had no idea! It was a lot of fun. I was worried I didn't know what I was doing as I really did not know or remember for that matter what would entertain 10 girls from 3 in the afternoon until 10 the next morning! I think I hit the nail on the head! A little singing and dancing, some pizza and ice cream and a good movie seemed to fit the age just right! We played a little capture the flag outside to release some energy as we were all going to stay up until midnight to welcome in the New Year! We all made it! I can hardly believe that my baby is ten already...she is such an amazing girl, I tell you God has blessed me with such a wonderful, caring, sensitive, smart, loving, affectionate, and beautiful young lady!! I couldn't be more proud of her and I love her with all my heart! So here's a recap of the night....I took way too many pictures....this isn't even 3/4 's of them...well anyways...ENJOY!!



SURPRISE!!!!!



I think that smile says it all!

The "GANG"...

Our Ten year old! Boo Hoo...

Friends.

Too cool!

Opening of gifts...

The drama of a loose tooth that finally fell out just before midnight!

Auntie Trina heading up a game....she was so much help!!

Singing to High School Musical on the Wii...


DANCING!!! (Yes..we did that in Lynden)


My ice cream invention....

Making her wish...

Settling in to watch High School Musical before ringing in The New Year!