Another month of fun! 
- Date nights
- friends over for meals and playing
- Nancy's birthday party
- brunch and good discussions with some friends we haven't seen in a very long time
- meetings for my new role as treasurer of our neighborhood citizens involvement group (such a random story)
- a wonderful and much needed five day trip to San Juan Island with Jonathan to celebrate our upcoming TENTH anniversary. Sea kayaking, hiking, running, reading, eating, massages, perfect! My parents wore the kids out every day with baseball, volleyball, bike riding, ice skating, basketball, and all sort of other craziness.
- lots of time outside enjoying the sun. 

Today was a very significant day for Quinn. Five weeks ago, she wanted to quit swimming. She didn't like getting water in her nose and would cry leading up to class and be full of dread. We tried our best to encourage her and we had her practice all that she was learning in the bath tub over and over. Her skills improved and her confidence grew. Today was her last class of the session and she graduated from level 1 and was bumped up to level 3!! Her hard work and courage paid off and she was so excited about it. It was truly amazing to watch her conquer a fear and improve in such a short amount of time.

Another two month update. I need to get back into my blogging groove. I guess I'm a little busy...

Some highlights of the past months:
- gymnastics, ballet, and swimming lessons
- continued Bible study and growth group
- getting involved in our neighborhood and city through neighborhood meetings and attending events
- attending park playdates for the homeschool community we'll be joining in the fall
- sharing meals with different families from growth group and church
- hosted an Easter egg hunt for five families in the little forest by our house with over 100 eggs
- date nights
- playdates with past neighbors
- spent time with the Changs visiting from Amsterdam
- Jonathan went to the church men's retreat
- I went to the coast with my mom and sister, so nice!!
- there's a robin's nest outside our family room window that we've been spying on, there are five chicks and they are getting so big! We are hoping we'll get to see the flying lessons.
- the kids are obsessed with Legos, rocks, and squirrels lately. Quinn requested a way to keep track of all the squirrels in our yard so I made her a Squirrel Journal. Naturally Archer wanted one too and they've been recording their discoveries.
- lots of time outside, the kids wear super hero capes to meet Jonathan when he gets off the bus
- we sold our broken hot tub, reconfigured the 20+ year old deck boards to fill the hole it left behind, got a new picnic table, planted strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, hauled tons of bricks, pavers, and other weird stuff out of our yard, built a little fire pit patio, and reseeded and planted grass. Our backyard is really close to being just how we want it.
- Jonathan and Dennis pulled down some unnecessary cabinets in our kitchen and there is so much beautiful natural light now! I'm so overdue for a house project post with before and afters, but I will definitely be doing that soon.
- last night Quinn and I went to our church mother daughter pajama party

A "lowlight" of the past month happened during a work trip for Jonathan. I went to Eugene with the kids for a short visit and a haircut. While we were at a trampoline gym, Archer stepped down wrong and hurt his ankle. After an xray he was put in the tiniest walking boot for a fractured fibula and I extended my stay for some extra help. He was such a tough little dude through it all. When we got home he had some follow up appointments. There was concern that a growth plate was involved. Well, it turns out it was just the most xrayed sprained ankle in history. Goodness. We are just glad he's ok. 

We are in such a sweet season of life right now. Both kids make us laugh so much and they are playing so well together. We are healthy and thankful.

 Smores made with a stroopwafel from the Netherlands, thanks Amber! 

 

Our sweet Archer Man is two years old now. I can't even process that. Jonathan and I are completely smitten and wrapped around his finger. This guy melts us into syrup puddles, we just end up being sweeter from being around him. The way that he says yes and no, his action noises, the songs he makes up, his fat cheeks and rumpled hair, and roly poly bear cub self. We call him the Jolliest Bubsen, or Jolly B. for short and it just seems to suit him. He's a curious combination of tough and strong as well as tender and gentle.

He's really into tools and fine motor activities. He'll happily play just about anything though. He also loves bikes and climbing. The report we get from children's ministry workers is that he creates a happy vibe in class and the other kids like to follow him around. He's developed a pretty sweet basketball shot. He's getting really into pointing out letters. He has been a pro at colors for a while and as his communication was blossoming would make us play I Spy to figure out what he was wanting. For example, he'd want a particular book and say, "yellow yellow" because the cover is yellow and we would just guess what yellow thing he was wanting until we found it. He also describes anything chewy as "mango" so raisins, pepperoni, etc. are called mango. He's an adjective guy I guess. He has a pretty good music sense, he will sing the tunes of songs and I can pick up what he's singing. I thought it was pretty sweet, when Jonathan and Quinn ran an errand the other day, I told Archer we could do anything he wanted. He picked to sit on the couch together and have me read/sing the Away in a Manger book ten times in a row. I feel like he has a real soft spot for Jesus at whatever level he can understand. 

We went to Eugene for Abraham's party and had a little family lunch to celebrate Archer's birthday. On his actual birthday, Quinn was very excited to wake him up with balloons and presents and cinnamon rolls. We also had growth group that night so made it a fellowship time with pizza and cake. He had a doctor check up that day and is in the 80th percentile for everything and doing great. The day after we went to Pip's donuts with friends and went on a fun nature walk. 

He graduated from his crib a couple weeks ago and we made him a little tent over his mattress on the floor. He is loving it and how much room he has for all the things he wants to cuddle when he sleeps. I've started keeping a list of all his cuddle choices because they are just too funny. 

We love you Archer! You add so much joy and life to our days and warmth to our hearts! 

 

We've been so busy since I last wrote. All good things, just a very fast pace. 

The kids are both in gymnastics class. They are loving it! Archer's class requires parent participation and it's fun getting to share that with him. Quinn has gained so much confidence through it as well.

Jonathan took Quinn to our church's Father Daughter dance. Second year that she's come back talking in a really loud voice, with wide eyes, and rosy cheeks. They have a blast dancing together.

We had our old neighbors over for a brunch. It was so great to catch up with them. And our new house hosts bigger groups pretty well. Our growth group is continuing too and the house is working out well for that.

My parents and sister's family came up for a Winterhawks hockey game. Archer's favorite part was running full speed through the stadium. 

We got out for our church's date night and have kept the monthly date night swaps with the Iras going. 

We had the Case family over for a Valentine's Day brunch. Quinn asked me if we could have a Valentine's party this year so that worked out. We made lots of decorations, had some crafts, and some food was on the festive side. My mom also came up and watched the kids while Jonathan and I spent eight hours working on the backyard. We have found lots of, um, treasures, back there and yardwork keeps us laughing. 

I went on the church women's retreat at Cannon Beach. Sooo good! I roomed with three other friends and enjoyed the teaching, socializing, and break from cooking. It was a real blessing.

Jonathan had his birthday last week. His parents came up for a visit. Quinn and Archer helped me bake a cake. He took the day off from work, all in all a pretty good birthday. 

Last weekend my parents came up to give us another yardwork day. With my dad's help we spent three more hours getting the backyard in order. I'll have to do a big house post because it's crazy how many projects we've completed already.

I'm hoping to regain my blogging mojo. So much is happening with the kids and I'm just trying to savor it. Quinn requested to learn how to "really read" a month or so ago. What she was getting at is something more than memorizing, which she does really well. I picked up the book, "Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" and it's working out well. She's also doing her own laundry every Monday and getting very helpful with things around the house. There is so much new with Archer too, but I'll save that for a birthday post. I can't believe he'll be two in just a couple weeks!

Christmas was very memorable this year. Outside of the added stress of moving during Christmastime, it was pretty nice. Nothing like stockings and a Christmas tree to make a place feel like home. From the day we moved in, Quinn kept asking about a Christmas tree. Knowing we wouldn't be able to easily make it to a Christmas tree farm this year, we picked one up at Home Depot while we were getting other project necessities. It was actually a decent tree too. We did our Jesse Tree activities again this year. I took Quinn to Grand Central for our annual gingerbread girl cookies and we went to the church Christmas musical. Quinn went to an indoor Christmas doll display with Jonathan's parents. Quinn requested to celebrate St. Luica day so she delivered cinnamon rolls to us all. Jonathan traveled for work, but we made it fun with an old neighborhood friend coming over to decorate gingerbread houses, Charlie Brown Christmas with popcorn,baking cookies for new neighbors, and painting our nails festive colors. We had a growth group Christmas party and went to Reagan's hot cocoa and cookie decorating birthday party. Archer sneakily ate his weight in frosting. 

Christmas Eve we went to our church service and had some cookie and storytime by the fire in new Christmas jammies. There was some last minute sewing after the kids went to bed because I made the kids bean bag chairs this year. I made the decision and bought the supplies before we decided to move - oops! 

Christmas morning, Quinn woke us up for some snuggles. Then Archer woke up and the present opening began. I was really excited to give Jonathan the surprise painting of our old house by Lindsay Gilmore. It turned out so beautifully sentimental and he loves it. 

I was also really excited to give Quinn my old Samantha doll. She was equally excited. 

Archer got a special lion stuffed animal that has received many kisses and hugs. He also got a tool set that he is obsessed with.

Jonathan got me the perfect mug. It has the phrase "I pledge to lead by example, to be true and brave." on it. I saw it on a soap dish and loved it, but I don't need an expensive soap dish. Luckily, my genius husband printed it on a mug for me to see each morning. 

There were many other fun treats from our generous relatives. Seriously, so generous. This was the year of Star Wars and Doc Mcstuffins for Quinn. The kids have also been enjoying their new musical instruments and Archer is often busy with his trains and key toys.

We went to Jonathan's parents' house after breakfast on Christmas for some celebrating. We went to my parents' that night for more celebrating the next morning. It was nice to take a break from house projects and hang out with family. We went to the new Star Wars movie which was a lot of fun. After we returned to Portland, my sister's family came up and we took the kids to the zoo. Jonathan had the rest of the week off so we just tried to keep a slow pace and enjoy some time as a family.