Surprise Weekend!!

SURPRISED to say the least! My dear friend Jen teamed up with my husband to give me one of the greatest surprises! They managed to keep her long weekend visit from me for an entire month and a half!! How is that even possible?

Auntie Jen getting Miss Makenna ready for our day trip to West Seattle. I think it's safe to say after visit this portion of the city Jen is just that much closer to moving here!!


A tribute to Jen's first visit to Washington in 2008. Rosario Beach with Jen is by far one of my fondest memories.


I do believe Makenna is smitten with her Auntie and that the feeling is mutual. :) Such a beautiful blustery day.

Wake up sweet Auntie!! It's time to play, but first it's breakfast.

Beautiful girls. Beautiful souls.

As with all good times it came to an end all too soon. How did I ever get so lucky in this life? I am blessed to have some amazing people in my life. The timing of Jen's visit couldn't have come at a better time. I was desperately missing my friends and some quality girl time. Okay and Makenna was missing her Auntie so very much. Looking forward to the day when Makenna comes downstairs for breakfast and peeks her head around the corner looking for her Auntie, and there she will be! She so looked forward to her morning ritual of snuggle time in the dining room (a.k.a Jen's guest suite). THANK YOU so very much Jen for the GREAT surprise! Makenna's tears were well worth it! :) LOVE YOU sister!

Makenna's First Valentine's Day

Makenna knows all about this love business. After all she is one loved little girl. To her surprise and delight the greatest of emotions has one whole day set aside in its honor AND it is tradition to give those you love expressions of love. Her adorable red & pink heart embellished outfit is brought to you by none other than Grandma & Grandpa with loads of love and many kisses. :)

After a few minutes playing with the tissue paper and gnawing on the card her Valentine's sack was tipped upside down, revealing her offering of love from Momma & Daddy. Makenna loves slinkies and to my delight I found some small heart shaped ones at Target along with heart shaped bangles that I knew Makenna would have fun banging around with. I also found the perfect Valentine's book for Makenna called, " How do I love you?".

"How do I love you? It's impossible to say. For if I had a million days and time enough for all the praise, I couldn't tell you all the ways...I love you."

Girls Just Want to Have FUN!

Saturday Seattle Adventure

On a blustery Saturday morning we decided to have make it a Seattle adventure day. Parking at the market with a wide-eyed Makenna we walked through its vendors until we came upon a deli where we stopped for lunch. We strolled the city streets until we reached Pier 59 home of the Seattle Aquarium where we were meeting up with Matt & Miss Hayden.

Hayden the scuba diver caught herself a nearly 18 lb. Makenna fish!

Miss Hayden with her daddy (Matt).

Miss Makenna really loved the fishes.

And I love the Tufted Puffins! Can't you tell?

Still not taller than Ruffles dorsal fin, but Makenna is getting there. :)

After exploring the aquarium she crashed HARD! It was way past her nap time.

We managed to navigate through the market, pick up some clams for dinner, stopped by Starbucks for Evan's coffee fix and she finally woke just as we arrived at the car! The child has great timing.

A quick trip from downtown to Burien where the Hanson's live. We had such an amazing evening we some great friends. As incredible of a time that we had, Makenna sure had a wonderful time playing with Miss Hayden. Evan even commented on how special it was seeing his daughter playing with his best friends little girl! Truly special moments.

Hayden went in for a friendly hug, but Makenna had other plans. She LOVES giving kisses.

Hayden feeding the little lamb!

After much encouragement we were able to convince a walking Hayden to crawl in order to "teach" Makenna how to crawl. Needless to say Hayden was the only one moving! Makenna is SO close to crawling though. Any day now :)

Nature Hike

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Friday afternoon (2.11) Makenna and I set out for a nature hike at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge (12 miles from our home) to see what we could see. As Makenna gets older it becomes more and more apparent that she LOVES the outdoors, especially tree canopies. We first strolled on the boardwalk passing thickets and ponds full of various dabbling ducks, a couple of bald eagles perched high in conifers, various sign of beaver, and small song birds bounding from one hiding place to another. The wooden path lead us to a look out on the banks of the Nisqually River where a harbor seal cruised its current for fish. Makenna also spotted her first belted kingfisher! It was apparent she heard the mighty call of this sporadic shorebird, but then it became quite obvious that she saw it too!! Her gaze and head followed the blue darting bird as it quickly flew by us to a limb bowing over the river. Later in our adventure a bald eagle flew overhead and I pointed up and exclaimed "look Makenna a bald eagle", she took notice at what I was pointing at and kept her eyes fixed on the bird until it flew out of sight. I continue to be amazed and impressed by our little one. Thanks Grandpa for the suggestion of such an incredible place for us to explore. We will definitely make return trips to see what else we can see!

Grandpa's Birthday Celebration & Super Bowl

Timeout from watching football to play with Uncle Eric & Aunt Shandel.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!
Mmmm, cherry pie! Definitely a HAPPY birthday!

Opening presents.

Love for the little one! Happiest of birthdays Grandpa! love, Makenna