Rough Weekend

Laurelea caught a stomach bug right before the weekend. After 24 hours of not being able to keep anything in we called the doctor and she referred us to the hospital emergency room. Cory had to work yesterday so L and I trekked over and waited were finally seen and sent home. Our pediatrician had requested that we have some labs done, and her diaper sampled, but the doctor on duty opted to not to that. So we left with an anti nausea medication. Today she is still pretty sick but does appear to be doing better. Cory caught it too, so for right now I'm the only well one in our house (knock on wood, I really hope it stays that way).

eating crackers in the ER

her little tag

attempting to keep her entertained

 We were up early this morning and headed to Target to get more Pedialite and other necessities.  These sparkle shoes caught our eye and we had to get them. Nothing fights a sickness better than sparkle shoes!

Snow!

We had our first real snow of the season. Laurelea and I got out there to check this cold stuff out. She was not impressed by how cold it was both outside and the snow itself.

checking out the snow

"Mom, I'm cold"

Inaugural Brunch

We hosted a brunch today for the inauguration. Laurelea wore one of my dresses that we found when we were at my parents. It was one that I wore on my second birthday, it went so nicely with the patriotic theme. It was cold out today and we enjoyed the great company of friends while watching the inauguration.

L and I made the decorations

Lucy and L having a muffin in the princess tower

Korey and Avery watching 

the whole gang

how sweet is this one! L is wearing Grandpa Robert's Marine hat

Cory and Jackie playing

dress up came next... Jackie with George

L and Avery 

Lucy

Naomi even got into it.

McCamy's Tea Party

On Saturday we went to McCamy's 3rd birthday party. They had such a cute theme and did a little tea party for the kids. They also did a photo booth and the kids were able to get dressed up and take pictures. The loved it!

Lucy and McCamy

they loved the photo booth

silly faces

L wasn't into the photo booth, but did love the boa

and the tea....

Cake time

Hopefully this is not her only claim to fame!

http://www.gazette.net/article/20130116/NEWS/130119414/1025/sharing-a-secret-message-at-art-works-studio&template=gazette

A foggy ride

Sunday was all the rage.. it was forecasted to get up to over 70 degrees. We were so excited to get outside and get active. We took off on our bikes on the trail behind our house that ends up at Lake Artimesia. Once out at the lake the fog really set in. We rode back in the mist and to be honest it was pretty miserable. We were thankful that we got out and were thrilled to get home after 9 plus miles.

we stopped half way around the lake for a snack

snack time

L and I stretched our legs

First Art Class

L and I went to her first art class on Saturday morning. We went to Art Works studio just down the street over the boarder in DC. This was the second Saturday drop in class for toddlers. We spent a lot of time on the main activity which was mystery painting. We colored with white crayons and then L did water color over the top! It's a great way to spend a Saturday morning and we will definitely be making a return trip. 

L is really into large arm movements when painting

 In addition to the main art activity they also had cars and toys for the kiddos to play with.

Friday Night Fun

Most Friday nights we get together with some close friends in the hood. We rotate houses and celebrate the end of the week and the beginning of the weekend. For Christmas I got Cory a sausage making class, we bought the Kitchen Aid attachment and did a little sausage making demo last night for the crew. Even though I'm a tad bias I think our dinner turned out well. We had homemade biscuits with our breakfast sausage, eggs, cheese, jam and yummy fruit salad. 

our own butcher

Esther and Avery looking on 

George and L 

George and Clay

So y'all did have to go about a whole week without blog updates while Misty was in Washington, but there is at least one piece of video evidence that Laurelea still existed during that time!

We were out grilling some steak and broccoli and, well, Laurelea took matters into her own hands....

Big girl grammar: Prepositions! Present Participles!

Given the diminutive nature of the words themselves, this is not that big a deal. But Laurelea has started appropriately using prepositions to describe her world, and it is really pretty cool to hear her getting it! "On" and "at" are the ones we've heard so far. And, Laurelea has been present participling around for a few weeks now, most notably at Neen's on Christmas with dear cousin Caroline narrating, "I'm running, I'm running!" She has been experimenting with her -ing words, and has really begun to catch on, telling us she is eating, walking, and playing. It really is fascinating to listen to her little brain begin to process these little niceties of language!

My trip out West

Last week I headed out to Bellingham for some quality family time. Here are some pictures from my trip.

While we were in the Ham we went through some of our old baby clothes. While Karli was upstairs getting ready, I might have put a certain outfit on Talan that she did not want on. It was from a friend of my parents in Germany and she sent it to us when we were babies.

T-Man sporting the most amazing outfit

Happy Boy!

Kisses from Mom are the best

snoozing with Papa

cuddles with Nana

 Karli and I went on a quite a few walks. Here are some of my favorite shots.

The view right above my parents house

walking Lake Padden

 And a trip home is not complete without a stop off at Cruising Coffee for a Mocha Milkshake. I've been dreaming of this since I got home :)