our farewell

Adam's dear friend Amy and her family hosted a touching farewell party to us this weekend. It was a potluck style party with all the food centering on MN cuisine. We had tator tot hotdish, wild rice soup, wild rice salad, jello salad and all kinds of other hotdishes. It was so much fun. Thank you to all our dear friends and to our hosts. We will truly, truly miss you all so much. Group photo.

Before the party, Adam's best man Justin stopped in for a visit with their 2 kids and his wife Beth. They were in town visiting family and we had a lot of fun with them. Jasmine and Isabel hit it off even though they had never met. We hope to see them again soon.

Claudia and Isabel got all dressed up for an Easter picture with their friends and some baby chicks, ducks and rabbits. Unfortunately, it appears my girls are scared of baby animals. Maybe they will get around animals more out in the great midwest. Group Easter pic will be coming soon.

The weather here has been beautiful and we got out with friends Jen, Hannah and Taylor for a bike ride the other day.

Claudia rode in the wagon with Taylor eating fun snacks.

Both girls featured BamBam pony tails on their heads.

Hannah and Isabel on their bikes.

Here is a video of the girls biking. We hope to post again when we hit our new state. We really are filled with sadness in leaving CA. Hope all our friends here continue to blog away (AMY!!!) so we can watch your kiddos grow. Also want to mention our thoughts are with our extended family in ND/MN who are fleeing the floods. Hope you can return to your homes soon.

Kaylee dog weekend

We had our last dogsitting this weekend with our beloved Kaylee dog. Zinni will surely miss her bff when we leave. Claudia was the one who was really bonding with Kaylee this weekend. Claudia loved to give Kaylee dog hugs and gentle pats. Last weekend we headed up to the city to go hiking on one of the island's. It was a beautiful day, the girls enjoyed the outdoors and we have a beautiful picnic site.

Family picnic.

The views.

Adam and his girls.

Driving home.

Isabel and Claudia out to walk the dog.

We will truely miss our special neighbors. They were out walking past our house the other morning at 8:00am, went to the bagel store and came back with a box for us. It doesn't get much better than that.

Random pics

This is one of my new favorite pictures of the girls. It was taken at the park with some of their friends. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and warm, and we were at the base of some of the mountains. The girls looked carefree as they swung together. I can't believe we are leaving this beautiful state in 2 weeks! Claudia had a playdate last week with her friend Emily. She had enough hair that she was able to wear a barrette for the first time!

Putting barrettes in Claudia and Emily's hair. Purty girls!

Smile.

Videos

Claudia and Isabel spend lots of time together coloring and making pictures. It is one of their favorite pasttimes together. This latest trick of Claudia's is all the fault of her bff Taylor. Taylor showed her how she can sit in the play stroller and be pushed around. Now Claudia demands to be pushed on a daily basis. Thankfully Isabel enjoys being the driver. But i have had my share of going around and around and around the house pushing Claudia.



Claudia practice her jumping moves.

One more park pic

Max, Emily, Isabel and Claudia heading to the park in their "wheels".