Arizona!

A couple weeks ago we flew down to Arizona so Gma & Gpa D. could meet Isabelle Kate. We could not have timed it better, with weather and vacations. It was nice to get away & enjoy some warm sunshine for 5 days! AND we flew from Bellingham which made the trip so much more convenient!

We had a picnic at a really neat train park in Scottsdale.

Having our picnic before the train that takes you around the park.


Her dress says it all!! :)


Kinda dark but Danielle riding the train with Daddy & Grandpa.


The train tour!


Danielle & I riding the carousel

We did a lot of swimming even though the pool was kinda chilly.



A little critter we found swimming with us.


Playing with dad!


Gpa even got in the pool to play!


Izzy cat having fun watching us splash around!


...and Izzy cat about 20 minutes later! :)

Grandma and Grandpa live in Fountain Hills and theres a really neat park downtown. It went off while we were down there playing on the toys.

The Fountain makes RAINBOWS


TOYS...


...are fun, RIGHT Daddy?!

The highlight of our trip was going to the Natural History Museum in Mesa. Simply because Danielle is really into dinosaurs right now and she was in HEAVEN seeing all the fossils and learning about the different dinosaurs.


Danielle & one of the many dinos we saw... this was before going inside.


This creature was in the lobby!


Checking out the dinos. This picture makes me smile watching her check out the exhibit, it was so rewarding for her.


Standing in front of her favorite Dino- T-REX.


Even Izzy liked the museum.


She loved this one too because it ROARED really loud. :)


The gift shop was filled with TONS of Dinos. Danielle was in heaven and it was hard to get her out of there. She was playing with everything. These were the two lucky ones that came home with us!

That evening Scott,(Ilona's son)and his family came over for dinner. It was nice see them again and the kids had a great time playing.

Frosting halloween cookies Grandma got for the kiddos. Eden, Danielle & Kahlo.


Even the babies had a good time. Isabelle & Leo (born 9 days before Izzy), just chillin'


Grandpa with his favorite kiddos. :)


Grandpa teaching Punky how to play Sudoku! She's all about numbers now.


On our last day we went out to Peoria to visit Aunt Jeanie. Their clubhouse has an amazing (heated) pool. Danielle was like a fish in the water...


Sisterly LOVE!!


Danielle & Daddy in front of the first cactus she saw in Arizona (at the airport) It was BIG!!!


Sunrise while waiting to board the plane, yes we had an early flight home.


Boarded the plane: check, two tired kiddos: check, landing in B'ham before NOON: PRICELESS!!
Our fall family vacation was wonderful and it was so nice to Grandma & Grandpa DeRemer. We can't wait to visit you again soon! Thanks for everything, we love you!!

Picking Apples

We try to go out to a local Apple Orchard every year in October to pick apples. This year there was a late crop so we didn't pick as many as we liked but had fun running around and enjoying the beautiful weather.


Daddy with Izzy.


"Is that a ripe apple mommy?!"


The good ones are really high up and daddy had his hands full and mommy felt strong. ha ha!


"got the perfect one!!"


Daddy & his pretty ladies.


Danielle had fun chasing the free roaming turkeys around the orchard. Looks like he's in tip top shape for Thanksgiving. :)


Happy family of FOUR!

Baths

Isabelle LOVES her baths. I give her one everyday because she enjoys them so much. She has figured out how to splash and gets excited when water is poured over her head. On special occasions I let both girls bathe together. Danielle loves to play with her and hold her in the bath. It's pretty darn cute. I'll try and get a video of her splashing around soon.


Danielle getting set to hold Izzy


Happy girls!

Amanda's Visit

My cousin, Amanda, from the UK came to visit us for 10 days!! We had a very nice time hanging out doing every day things. We did manage to do some sight seeing as well. We have been so lucky to have her come visit us 3 out of the last 4 years!! She left us to visit my aunt Wendy & cousins, then she's settling in Australia for a while (lucky girl!) I miss her so much already but wish her nothing but the best! Love ya Amanda.

We had a dinner for my dad's birthday and to welcome Amanda.

Izzy & Amanda


Bubba and his girls!!

One afternoon we drove up to Mt. Baker! The weather wasn't perfect but we had fun anyways!


The mountain.


Danielle And Amanda checking things out through the telescope.

We ventured on out to Snoqualmie Falls with my dad. The falls were beautiful like always, but they are doing major construction so you couldn't do much hiking.

The Falls


Checking out the view!


My Pops.


A little misty.


Sweetness!


Danielle, Amanda, my Dad racing down the ramp. It was quite a push coming the other way. :)


Cheers to 4 pretty girls!

We spent the night at Kimmy's and had a great time catching up.

Hurray for Cousins!!

On our way home, we decided to drive to Deception pass. It was the perfect day for it!!

The view from above.


On our way down to the beach.


Beauty


Had to stop for one of these shots. :)


From the beach looking at the bridge.


Skipping rocks OR at least trying to!


Our way up, we had to stop for a breather! I was really proud of Danielle for walking up the steap trail without whining or asking to be carried.

The grand fanale of her trip was to go whale watching. It was a soggy start but the weather got better as the day went on... it was a nice boat ride but unfortunately we didn't see any Orcas but we did see another kind of whale.


The way whale watching started. :)


Looking for whales


Cheap entertainment.


Looking for more whales, that's Orcas Island!


Glad to be home...


... and cozy, cuddling with Daddy is the BEST!