Lucky girl

Have I mentioned on here before how blessed I am? How much I cherish my family? How often they make me laugh and smile and just plain feel happy? Well, I am, I do and they do!

The last two weekends have been full of wonderfully low-key family days, and I couldn't enjoy anything more. We've done crafts together, attempted puzzles, read books, played Wii and returned to our weekly tradition of Pizza-Movie nights.

I love that the girls are enjoying games so much now. (Brian - awesome dad that he is - will sometimes pretend to like games too.) Sophie and Maddie got some really fun games this year like Hi Ho Cherry-O, Zingo Bingo & Sequence for Kids, that we have played almost every day. The puzzles have also been a hit. Some - like the cool sea life floor puzzle - were a success.

Others - like the 1000 piece puzzle of beer bottles from around the world - are going to require some serious dedication. (Those pieces are really small, and apparently all beers are either brown, green or gold! Uff!)

Anyway, it's been fun to spend time playing with the girls and listen to the ways that they play. They have a few favorite pretend games now that just crack me up:

* Mean brothers: No idea where this one came from, but Maddie loves to play mean brothers where... you guessed it, there are a couple of mean brothers that the girls have to stand up to or shoo away. The other day, Maddie scared them away with the pretend fire that was on her feet but didn't burn her.

* Pretend friends: Sophia now has her first official pretend friend. Her name is Emily and she lives in the tree behind our house. She is a person, but she has fur to keep her warm in the snow. She is one year and one day older than Sophia, so she just turned six. She seems quite nice, and I think we'll keep her around for awhile.

* Not to be outdone, Madelyn now has two pretend friends: Bow-a and Heart-y. (Because she has one Polly Pocket with a bow on her shirt and another Polly Pocket with a heart on her shirt.) Bow-a and Heart-y seem to do pretty much whatever Emily does.

* Lifeguarder: In the bath, Sophie likes to say that she is the "lifeguarder" keeping people safe in the pool.

* Besides these games, Sophie & Maddie spend every other waking moment doing art projects of some kind or another. Sophie practically lives at the easel she got from Grandma Mary & Grandpa Hans for Christmas. They paint, color, draw with markers and chalk, tape (they tape everything), and Sophie has even learned how to make snowflakes out of paper.

Last weekend we painted these pots and watering can and then planted little grass seeds. We're anxious for spring!!

Happy Birthday Sophia!

Yesterday Sophia turned 5, and boy did that make Brian and I feel old. It cannot truly have been 1826 days since she was born. Now she is a smart, confident, kind, funny and caring little girl. (Although not so little - her legs just keep growing!)

We spent the day celebrating Sophia, and it was wonderful. We started with a '5' candle in her birthday breakfast request - coffee cake. Then to church where I relished the fact that she sits and colors or plays so quietly now. Then we went off to Sioux Falls to have her 5-year pictures taken and it was the fastest session we've ever had because, you know, Sophie's done this once or 15 times.

Then out for a birthday lunch at IHOP (awesome), and to Target where she got to pick out her birthday present from us. Not just any present though - one that shows she has truly moved from toddler-hood into her big girl days... a BOOSTER SEAT.

She couldn't have been more excited, and even said it was her high of the whole day. Of course, we actually have to wait until her checkup on Thursday to see if she's big enough. Most kids get to move into their booster seats at 4 years and 40 pounds, but Sophie's such a lightweight we're hoping she's finally hit that 40 pound mark at 5.

It was a wonderful day, and Brian and I again counted our blessings, as we have so many times over these last five years, for such a beautiful daughter, both inside and out! (And you too Madelyn! :)

Oh, and since I haven't posted since November - Hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings, Christmas's and New Year's!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Here are some shots of our Snow Angel and Puppy. They had a fantastic time carving pumpkins (although Sophia does not like touching that smushy stuff inside of the pumpkin!) and trick or treating. For the first time ever, both girls said "Trick or Treat" at every door and didn't hesitate a bit. It was a beautifully sunny day and we had a blast!

Brian and I even dressed up for my Mom & Randy's annual Halloween Party. In case you need some explanation, I'm a bag of Jelly Belly's, and Brian is Facebook. Get it... Face - Book. :)













And here's a quick catch up of the last two months since I've been so bad about posting lately... sorry!

August 27 - we began moving into our new home! Fifty-eight feet of semi-trailer was unloaded in just a few days by some hard-working folks! Thank you to all who helped!!












Sept 2 - Sophia began preschool at Orchard Drive. She loves it there and is growing and learning so much every day!
















Sept. 7 - Our "little" Madelyn Grace turned 3!











Sept. 19 - Grandpa Hans comes to visit for the weekend! We had a great time hosting him in our new house, and the girls loved to put on Sophie & Maddie Shows for him at every opportunity!














Sept. 26 - Starting the fun painting in Sophie & Maddie's rooms. Sophie painted in all of her flowers and butterflies (I did the outlines), and she did the clouds and flower stems all by herself. Aunt Heidi helped write "Madelyn Grace" on Maddie's walls again, and the girls rooms are really starting to feel like home!












Oct. 9 - Looking for Oktoberfest in the Midwest (since that was an annual tradition in Leavenworth WA for us), we headed to New Ulm, MN for the weekend. We all knew Brian would love the beer, but who knew the girls would love the polka bands so much!











October 25 - Anja Arlene is confirmed! It was great to get to be here to help her celebrate!


















October 28 - The girls get their first taste of "babysitting" when Evie Marie gets to come stay with us for a couple of hours. They both love it, but especially Sophie who at the end of the night said, "Who knew babysitting could be such hard work?" (We really just had to watch Evie be cute the whole time!)












So life just continues to plug along whether or not I update the blog. I'll try to be better about it from now!

We're starting to get very excited for our Thanksgiving trip to Washington! Let the packing begin!!

Almost there...

We are soooo close. So close!

The house was a bustle today! Randy and his crew were finishing up the siding, soffet and fascia (that's the trim stuff along the roof line - no idea how to spell either word!) The carpet installers were there and got carpet laid throughout the house.

The duct work guy (does he have a title?) was there hooking up the furnace and A/C. The cement guys were there pouring the driveway and starting on the sidewalks. Apparently the plumber tried to come and get some work done but it was just too crowded!

It's amazing how things have come together in these last couple of weeks. And at this rate, we plan to be sleeping in our new home a week from today!! Woo hoo! (P.S. Don't forget the moving party on Saturday... :)

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Welcome Baby Evie!

We are so very excited to welcome Evie Marie Flittie as the girls' newest cousin. She arrived on August 10 to Laci and Brett, and she is so beautiful. Seriously - just beautiful. So petite and perfect. We've been to visit her and her parents (who act like old parenting pros, by the way) twice now, and it's so much fun to hold such a tiny baby. Both Sophie and Maddie are absolutely in love with Evie, and were so excited to hold her for the first time. Sophie just beamed with pride as she snuggled her. Maddie held as still as possible, and looked so grown up next to 7 pound Evie.

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Baby Evie makes me realize how big our baby is getting ... we're starting to plan her 3rd birthday party already which is unbelievable to me. But she is not quite all the way grown up yet. She still says the cutest things in the cutest ways. My favorite from the weekend: while playing "I Spy" in the car, Maddie said, "I pie some frees!" Which of course translates to "I spy some trees!" Gotta love the "f"s that continue to fill her vocabulary. I wouldn't change them for the world.

And our oldest - nearing 5 now (insert sentimental pause) - is excited for the back to school shopping we'll do this week. She is creative, smart and so articulate. We honestly couldn't ask for two better little girls.

Summer is flying!

Even though it doesn't feel much like summer here - temps have rarely topped 80 degrees, while our friends and family in Washington are melting away in 100 degree temps without air conditioning - summer is definitely flying by. We haven't gotten to the pool and fun things like that as much as we'd hoped, but we have been busy.

In early July we made the journey back to Washington, our first trip back since we moved in January! It was a fantastic trip! We stayed with Brian's parents Hans and Mary, and the girls couldn't wait to see Grandma and Grandpa! They remembered right where all of their favorite things were in the house, and made themselves right to home.

Grandma Mary had set up a room for them in Grandpa Hans's den, complete with matching twin air mattresses. This was the first time the girls slept together in the same room, and they loved it.

The first night was a little tough at bedtime, when Sophie said that Maddie kept waking her up. And one morning we woke to Maddie crying, apparently because Sophie didn't want to wake up yet and was refusing to come with Maddie to find us. Other than that small issue, they did great... snuggling up with all of Grandma Mary's fuzzy blankets and cuddly stuffed animals.

We of course had a wonderful time hanging out at Hans & Mary's house and in their nearby park, and we also got to spend some time with Erika & Evan, eating mostly because that's one of our favorite things to do!

We also were able to see most of our friends once each. We headed over to our old neighbors the Stribling's house for a 4th of July BBQ, keeping up an annual tradition. Our good friends Melissa and Brandon were able to meet us for a leisurely breakfast and stroll around downtown Snohomish. Brian got to throw back a couple of cold ones with golfing buddy Steve. Hans and Mary babysat the girls one night while Brian and I headed down to Seattle to catch up with college friends Dave & Cory who were in town from Nashville and Arizona. And our old playgroup got together for a BBQ, where Sophie and Maddie reunited with all of their first friends. With everyone it seemed as though no time had passed, although all of the kids have grown up so much!

We love all of our friends and family in Washington so much. We thank you all for a fantastic trip, we miss you, and we can't wait to see you all again in November!!

Once we returned from Washington, we've moved full-gear into house building. The house went up so quickly, with walls emerging just a week or so after the foundation was poured. It was shingled before we knew it, and soon the house was overrun with plumbers, electricians and duct work guys (surely they have a name?). Things seemed to slow a little in the last couple of weeks, as our contractor (my stepdad Randy) is finding himself very busy. (A good place for a contractor to be in this recession!)

But now things are picking back up. The sheet rock is up, and the walls are being taped and textured as we speak. We've ordered our flooring and cabinetry. Next week will be our big painting week! If anyone is around and wants to do some painting, you are more than welcome to join us! Bri and I plan to be here every night next week starting Tuesday, while the girls are in VBS. There are 11 colors to choose from, so everyone can find something they like! :)

Randy expects us to be in the house by late August, which is perfect timing, because Brian's dad Hans will be coming out for a visit in mid-September. He's combining the trip with his 50-year High School Reunion in Minneapolis. Wow! We can't wait to have our very first house guest here!

In July we also celebrated my Grandparents' 60th anniversary, although their anniversary was actually in June. We gathered all of the Hammond's together for family pictures and a dinner out one night, and the next day we all went to the annual family picnic out at my great uncle Roger's farm. It was a great time, and I am so thankful for Grandma Bev and Grandpa Mick, and all that they have done to make our family what it is!

Finally, last weekend Brian and I took a 3-day trip out camping in the Black Hills - Custer State Park. It was a fantastic weekend, complete with golfing, hiking (Harney Peak, at 7,200 feet is the highest point east of the Rockies until you get to France. And it's in SoDak! Who knew?), campfires and smores. We paired up with my cousin Lane and his girlfriend Megan for the hike, and it was a great time. We could see four states from the top!

Cute things

A few quick cute stories:

Sophie has been taking gymnastic classes for the last eight weeks, and has done such a great job. In a class where many of the kids, understandably, are more interested in playing and running around, Sophie listens carefully to her teachers and we'll often see her in front of the mirror practicing her jumps or her landings. It's so cute! So when the session was ending, we asked Sophie if she would like to continue gymnastics in the fall. Surprisingly she said no. When we asked why, she said, "I just get too hot and sweaty." So we told her to think about it and we'd ask again. That night at bed time I asked her again if she would like to continue or try something else. Without a hesitation, she said, "I think I'd like to take golf lessons instead." So Bri is planning a few one-on-one trips to the driving range and the course with Sophie in the coming weeks. Like father, like daughter!

While Sophie never really went through the typical "Why?" stage, Madelyn seems to be entering it at full force. Of course, being Maddie, she can't follow exactly the typical toddler routine, so hers is the "What?" stage. Here's a conversation from the other night:

Maddie: Does Sophie have a bear like mine?

Me: Yes, she does.
Maddie: Where?

Me: In her room.

Maddie. In her room where?

Me: Along the wall.

Maddie: What wall?

Me: The wall with all of her animals.

Maddie: What wall with all of her animals?
Me: The wall by her nightlight.

Maddie: What wall with all of her animals by her nightlight?

You get the idea.

Maddie has also taken to singing, and at bedtime will sing goodnight songs to anything she sees. I have the cutest video tape of a couple that I will try to upload in the coming days, but the lyrics go something like:

"Go to sleep. Fishy cup. Because it's nighttime. And you need to close your eyes. Fishy cup."

May-June

The house:

It's definitely time for a house update, don't you think? About a month and a half ago we made an offer on a lot on the southeast side of Brookings, with a view (about a block away) of the municipal golf course.

Since then things have moved quickly. The basement was dug (Sophie & Maddie helped with their little shovels) and the concrete poured. The girls saved little pieces of concrete, and we even were able to put their handprints in the foundation so although no one will ever see them we'll always know that this was our house!

Already the basement walls are up and windows are framed. We can tell where the girls' bedrooms are, and that is very exciting to all of us! We walk to our lot on a daily basis to check the progress, make sure Papa Randy is on task, and let the girls "help" where they can!

We've been busy picking out cabinets, flooring, windows, shingles... even door hinges. It's a lot of decisions, but so far it's still a lot of fun!

The girls:

Sophie has finished up with preschool for the year. On her last day we had a family potluck/picnic that was a lot of fun. We thought she'd really miss going to school over the summer, but so far she hasn't minded. She even told Brian one day, "I'm glad I'm not going to school right now. I like to stay home with my family!" That sure makes us feel good about Brian being home with them right now!

To keep Sophs busy during the summer we have her signed up for swimming lessons and gymnastics. She hopped right into gymnastics (literally) and loves showing us all of her tricks. We had been worried about how she would handle swimming lessons - her first without Brian or I in the water with her - but our anxieties were groundless. Although she is the only girl (besides the instructor) in a class full of boys about twice her size, she loves swimming! She trusts the teacher and is trying everything. She even dunked her head under water last week. On purpose! That's a first, and she was so proud. She has a hard time listening to the teacher, only because she is so focused on watching Bri and I watch her - making sure we aren't missing anything that we should be proud of!

Unfortunately for Maddie, she's just a bit too young for the classes we've signed Sophie up for. We're trying to take her to the public pool ourselves, to the park, out riding bikes, etc. to keep her busy. She's been very patient, letting her sister have all of the (organized) fun, although she does ask at least once a week when it will be her turn.

Madelyn knows that her birthday is coming (in September, but still!) and she's very excited to be three!

Visitors and trips:

It's been a month ago already, but Brian's sister Erika and her husband Evan came out in mid-May to visit us and run in the Brookings Marathon. We had a fantastic time catching up with them, and showing them around the metropolis of Brookings/Volga.
The girls made shirts to wear for the race, and cheered them on despite the 40 degree weather (at least it was sunny!) Poor Brian became terribly sick while there were here, so was pretty much a lump for the last part of their trip. But we had fun nonetheless (or at least everyone except Bri had fun... sorry honey!)

A couple weeks later the four of us went to Minneapolis for the weekend. We stayed at a hotel that the girls and I loved, and Brian really liked... or would have liked if we had been on the ground floor. Instead we were on the 5th floor, which doesn't sound too high, unless you are Brian... terribly afraid of heights... and the hotel has glass elevators and an open atrium that seems an endless, bottomless pit, that one of our girls will surely dive into at any minute. Or there may be an earthquake (it happens in Minnesota every, oh 400 years or so you know) and the floor will crumble beneath us. Poor guy. He had a lot of fun on that trip except for the journeys to and from our room.

Anyway, besides the hotel, we went to the St. Paul Children's Museum and played hard at Nickelodeon Universe in the Mall of America (an indoor amusement park). Sophie was just tall enough to go on her first rides, and she's quite a dare devil. She even went on the log ride twice. (For some reason apparently log rides aren't as scary to Brian as Embassy Suites elevators...) It was a great family weekend!

Today we went to the Volga Old Timers' Day parade. (Brian loves the names of festivals here... there's this one and then SDSU's homecoming weekend is called Hobo Days, in "honor" of the, well, hobos who used to come to Brookings via the railroad that goes through town. Come on, it's classy!) Anyway, this was the girls' first parade where they throw candy from the floats. They each brought along little purses to hold their candy and stood ready and waiting. I told them that if they waved, people would throw candy. Sophie took that advice to heart. Poor girl waved non-stop for an hour. She waved at the floats, at the tractors, at the horses, at the space in between the floats! I guess she did get a fair bit of candy though, so maybe it was worth the effort.

Now we are planning for our first trip back to Washington since the move!! We'll be back July 1-8, and we can't wait! The girls are already drawing pictures to take back to Grandma Mary and Grandpa Hans, and can't wait to show them all that they've learned in these last few months. We are so excited to get back to see all of our family and friends! I know the trip will go too quick, but we will try hard to squeeze every drop of fun, quality time out of that week!!

Photo update

Since I can never seem to get online these days to write, I thought I'd better at least post some pictures.

We've had a pretty fun spring: Easter, trips to the zoo, a petting farm field trip (where Sophie was the only kid from the preschool able to hold the lamb!), swimming (both girls can swim on their own now with floaties!), and just fun playing together!

Of course the girls have come up with dozens of darling sayings and thoughts, but I can't remember many at the moment....

However, today after playing with Daddy & Madelyn at the park, Sophie said, "All that playing and running in the sun really worst me out!"

And one of Maddie's new isms' is "That is dooper-dooper big!"

In other news... Many of you have asked about my new job. Although I miss the girls terribly, I really love my new job. It's been three months already and I have already trained about 60 people, created and edited two entirely different newsletters, held a couple dozen webinars, and I'm in the process of helping to organize their safety program. I talk daily with people from all over the United States, Canada and Central America... sometimes even Geneva, Switzerland. I really enjoy my boss and all of my co-workers, and I don't know that I've ever worked at a job with such great employee morale. Everyone seems pretty happy to be there every day! Oh, and it's pretty cool to watch how they grow and test all of these different seeds... DNA extraction... GMOs... all sorts of things I know nothing about.

Brian is also really thriving in his new job of stay-at-home dad. He and the girls keep each other very busy and entertained. Of course now that the weather is getting nicer, that helps a lot too.

Oh, and one more thing to keep us a little busy... we are in the process of purchasing a lot on which to build a house! We close on Friday and they are scheduled to break ground on Monday! Only about 4,382 more decisions left to make before we move in, hopefully in September! Yay!

Oh, and one final note: Brian and I got to travel (without kiddos) to Omaha in early May for the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting - the Woodstock for Capitalists. It was so much fun and a life-long dream come true for Brian. Now, you'd think his favorite part would have been getting to see Warren Buffet playing bridge 10 feet away, but no... it was meeting his favorite CNBC reporter Becky Quick. He was so giddy after I took this picture, it was a little ridiculous. His hands wouldn't stop shaking as he tried to call his sister to tell her!

And speaking of Erika, we can't wait to see Erika & Evan who are coming to the happening town of Brookings this weekend to run the Brookings Marathon! We're so excited to see them, catch up in person, and cheer them on with the girls. While talking to herself in bed tonight Maddie started singing, "Yay, Erika and Evan coming. Yay, Erika and Evan coming..."