Proud Auntie

When I was in AZ visiting my mom in the hospital I got to meet my 3 month old nephew, Kyle Scott. He is so cute and snugly. Lucky for Jeff, Kyle got my baby bug juices flowing ;)Baby Kyle with his sweet Mama and Dada
Kyle, I am proud to be your Auntie!

ParTay!

Sharon (aka Mom, Nun, Nana)'s fifth day in the hospital was not ordinary.

We threw a ParTay!(Angie & Brian hugging Mom)

Just prior to Sharon being confined to her tiny room she was able to step outside the hospital doors and spend some precious time with those who are closest to her heart.

(Nana and her grandson: Kyle Scott)(Nana and Patty doting over Kyle)

(Angie, Melanie, Lorna, Patty, Sharon)

(Angela and baby Kyle, aka smiley guy)

(Angie and her Mom)

(the Nun with her son Brian)

A ParTay to remember!

Duck Pond

Today we spent part of our day visiting a local duck pond.
Don't think that the partially frozen pond kept us from feeding the brood. Why, the duckies were so happy to see us they flocked towards our car barely giving an inch to open up the doors.Stale bread and cheerios.
An equally delightful experience for our littles and the waddlers.

Muffin Man Song

Nana made these wholesome muffins with Caleb and Carissa yesterday.Muffins must have still been on the brain because when Carissa got up from her nap today she insisted on putting on her chef's hat and apron and making me some cookies while singing the 'Muffin Man' song.


Don't you love the key change midway through the song?

But seriously, listening to her sing made my grrrr day all better.

Catching Up

I'm planning to catch up on Dec. events so you can expect some new posts coming soon!

It was a festive month of parties, hanging out, and celebrating the season with friends and family.

Also, prior to Dec. I missed announcing my new nephew born to my brother Brian and his wife Angela. They are proud parents (as they should be!)and are adjusting well to a new baby.

Introducing...

*************Kyle Scott Koontz**************
born Nov. 7, 2009a first smile at DaddyAnd a proud Nana!

Birthday Eve

On the Eve of the kids third birthday we celebrated as a family of four.
Both kids received Harley Davidson scooters that light up and rev like a motorcycles.
It was fun and thrilling.

Happy Birthday sweet ones.

Helmet & Tutu

Meet Caleb, lover of all things boy.

Recently Caleb was given this red bicycle helmet by an older friend. It's as good as new and he is infatuated with it. He wanted me to take his picture wearing it. He's so proud!Meet Carissa, lover of all things girly.

Carissa doesn't have a bicycle helmet (yet) but she does have a Tutu! And when Caleb wanted his picture taken with his helmet she insisted that I click her in her fluffy Tutu.

This pic (completely unprompted) is so them.
Boy and Girl.
Helmet and Tutu.

Lake Pueblo

Recently we escaped for 24 hours to Lake Pueblo State Park . The tots adore going to the 'beach' and had a blast with their buckets and shovels. Hopefully next summer they will get to experience a real beach! The tots were convinced that they could 'fill up the lake' by pouring their hefty buckets of sand in to the lake.

Caleb lugged around this piece of drift wood wherever he went. He threw it time and again enjoying the large splashes of water.

Uh oh! Carissa got stuck in the sand and she couldn't get out! No worries, Daddy to the rescue!And moments before leaving the state park we got to experience very large hairy spider, aka Tarantula.

Good times.

Kelli-O

Hello Everyone,

Meet Kelli.

Lover of:
life
learning
books

writing
hiking
people

good times
and muffins (little people)

She has come and gone and we miss her already!

Kelli was a part of our family this Summer. She lived with us, ate with us, worked alongside Jeff as an Intern at our church and shared life with our small family on Old Farm Circle.

Kelli and I have a wee history.

Back in the day when I was the Vocal Music Director at a High School in WA, Kelli participated in choir for a year. I also worked closely with her as the vocal coach in the musical productions. And, I knew Kelli through her mom Christy, one of my good friends and colleagues whom took me under her wing as a young teacher. Her mom was one of the people who interviewed me, a fresh graduate ready to take on the world of Choral music. I was pretty gung-ho then but that's another post.

It has been wonderful getting acquainted with who Kelli is now. I have so enjoyed our many adult conversations about life, love, theology and food.

In addition to Kelli doing an internship at our church, hanging out with friends, hiking (go 14ers!)etc... she also spent time regularly with Caleb and Carissa. This was a huge blessing to our family. In addition to scheduled outings on my own, Jeff and I savored weekly date nights which gave us an opportunity to connect on deeper levels without the interruptions of little people. (not that our little people are interruptions!)

In these moments I experienced a sense of 'space' that I had been longing for since becoming a mother of two. I experienced God working within that space and in every square inch of me.

It was a wonderful and a strong reminder that in these hectic times slowing down and creating 'space' cultivates a deeper relationship with God and with others. When I slow down I find that I am a healthier and happier wife, mommy, friend and servant of God.

Refreshing.

Here are a few pics of Kelli with the Muffin Heads.
One of the things that Kelli made-up is the 'Muffin March' - a fun way to get the Muffins to march up the stairs to bed, out the door, in the car, wherever. The 'Muffin March' is definitely here to stay!

Kelli is awesome. (one of her favorite words!)

We love her and are thankful for slice of time that she was able to spend with our family and our church community in Colorado.

Thank you Kelli-O!

Best Friends

Caleb Jackson &

Carissa Joy

are like two giggly peas in a podthey love each other more than anything else in the world

brother. sister. twins. best friends.It makes my heart glad