Snoqualmie Falls

Thursday we went on a family adveture to Snoqualmie Falls for a day of fun and a picnic. The falls were the biggest we've seen in a while from all the snow melting.

The kids were amazed at how loud the waterfall was and how big.

Afterwards, we had a picnic at the park near the falls. As we sat eating, the girls suddenly turned around and started shouting, "Squirrel! Squirrel!" This well-fed squirrel began circling our table.

How cute, we thought. Until he kept coming closer, and closer, and closer. Suddenly he was only about a foot from the kids side of the table - staring up at us from the ground waiting for his share of the picnic.

Now, I like a good squirrel here and there, but when I have shorts on and those little claws are close enough to reach out and get aquianted with me, I don't like squirrels anymore. The girls were getting a litte nervous, too, so I decided it was time to be the tough father and scare away the big, fat, scarry squirrel.

I stood and walked around the table to shoo it away, thinking it would scamper off like all squirrels do. I was wrong. As I came within two feet of that beast, instead of fleeing to higher ground, he took a step towards me, as if to taunt me and say, "Wha'cha gonna do now?"

Now I have to admit, for a second my heart started beating double-time as I pictured that rabbid monster nibbling away at my legs like they were ears of corn. But I quickly regained my compusure and, determined not to mar my reputation as the protective daddy, held my ground.

With arms flailing (and other park-goers laughing, I'm sure) I put that squirrel in it's place and sent it retreating for safety. That's right, I stared danger in the eyes and lived to tell about it! With our comfort zone re-established, we finished our picnic in peace.

Picnic completed, we headed to the old logging town of Snoqualmie and walked along the old train tracks. It was balance beam skill testing time for some...

And just adventure time for others...

We had a great day!

Too cute to keep to ourselves...

Here is a sneak peek of the girls trying on their Easter dresses. You will see more soon!

Music to my ears...

There's always time for music

Notice anything different?

School days...

Last Friday I got the chance to help out with Jadyn's class at school. It was fun to see her so proud to have Mommy with her- making sure everyone knew that I was there just for her.





Here she is with some friends outside. Notice that most of them are boys--her favorite to hang out with "because they are not afraid to be loud and try things they aren't supposed to."









Here she is posing for me.












Swinging is always easier when your tongue helps you get going faster!

Here is the whole class giving one of her teachers a "get well soon, we miss you" banner. She had surgery and has been out for a few weeks. She just happened to stop by to visit that day!

Just checking in on you...

At night, we have this silly parental habbit of "checking in" on our little girls before we turn out the last lights and head to bed ourselves. One of us (or sometimes both) will crack open the doors to their rooms and peek in to make sure they're covered and sleeping soundly. I know... it's silly, and I'm sure we're the only parents in the world who would do such a thing.

Well... one night last week I went in to Jadyn's room and pulled the covers up to tuck her in again. Only this time she woke up. Rubbing her eyes, she asked in a groggy voice, "Daddy - why are you in here?" I replied, "I was just checking in on you and tucking you in." Her sleepy curiosity satisfied, she said, "Oh," closed her eyes, and went back to sleep.

The next morning, I headed off to work. As Julie and the girls sat at the table eating breakfast, Jadyn asked, "Mommy... why do you come in my room while I'm sleeping?" Julie replied, "becuase we love you and we like looking at you and seeing that you're safe and sound asleep." Again, that answer satisfied Jadyn's question.

Later that night, Julie put the girls to bed. As usual, she checked in on the girls, and then turned out the lights and climbed in to bed.

Now, any parent knows that you develop a sixth sense about your kids as time goes on. As Julie dozed off, she suddenly had that feeling that someone was in the room. No noise. No words. Just a feeling. She looked over, and sure enough the door was open a crack - about the width of a four-year-old. As she scanned the room, her eyes still fighting to adjust in the darkness, she picked up the silloutte of our Jadyn standing motionless at the foot of the bed.

"Jadyn," Julie asked, "Do you need to go potty?" This, of course, is the usual reason for a midnight visitor.

"No," came her reply.

"Is something wrong, Honey? Why are you up?" Julie asked, a bit puzzled.

"Nothing's wrong," Jadyn smiled. "I just wanted to check in on you."

With that, Julie had to get up and give her another goodnight hug. "I love you, too." she said, and sent Jadyn back to bed.

Precious moments~