Trip Day Three - Happy Anniversary to us!

Today we enjoyed and celebrated our 6 year Anniversary with more lavender fun! Hard to believe that 6 years has already gone by!!!

It was very hot today and we got lots of sun....actually a little too much!! We started the day with stopping at a little Cafe in Port Townsend and enjoyed some yummy pastries and coffee...the girls of course were hoping we were getting some of the yummy looking cakes they saw! Then we were off to the first farm of the day, Cedarbrook Lavender & Herb Farm. I loved their gift shops and we perused their vendors. This farm didn't have as much lavender....but they have a delicious smelling and famous restaurant which was very busy and made me very hungry just watching the plates being served. They had a tent set up with blankets to sit on for the kids and a lady had a story hour where she read about flower fairies especially the lavender ones....and the kids got sprinkled with fairy dust (which Angel LOVED and sprinkled the flowers for a long time after that) and they were given fairies to color etc. Pretty cute.
Next was the Lost Mountain Lavender Farm. The girls loved watching the water wheel they have here and there was a lady doing lavender pottery and they had lots of art and craft tables set up. They also have a beautiful orchard area with lots of vendors. The girls got lavender wants and enjoyed playing with them...as long as they stay away from each other's faces!! We took a nice break and got some more lavender lemonade and some trail mix and a fruit skewer...well Jason and I were hoping to have some fresh fruit but Emma attacked the strawberries and Angel took everything else!! We listened to the live music and enjoyed the shade!!

Then we headed off to the Olympic Lavender Farm, another fun spot. This farm always has llamas there to pet and look at. Angelica LOVED them. She was staring at them forever, especially one that kept doing a funny chewing thing with its mouth. All of a sudden, she said "Mama...I think the llama is chewing gum!" Well that just made everyone around her start laughing and the llama lady was there and said that was the best description she has ever heard....so then she started telling everyone that and people were talking about it non-stop. Angelica wasn't quite sure what she had said and why it was so amusing!! In the video below you can hear the people talking about it! The girls found a vendor that makes and sells all kinds of knit kid's hats....they love hats and wanted to try them all on. Too bad they were so expensive or I would have bought several!! We sat down and listened to some more music and Angel again showed off her dance moves and the girls chowed down on a Lavender Hot Dog!! Yes, and it was quite good! We went through the lavender fields...Angel is not scared of the bees anymore so that is good...and then we were off to the last farm.

href="http://www.jardindusoleil.com/">Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm was AMAZING. I could not believe the huge amounts of lavender plots they had in every direction, had to be a couple acres worth....so beautiful!!! We tried to get someone to take at least one family picture, but it didn't turn out that great....oh well. The girls got balloons and were amazed how they were staying on their wrists.....so funny to watch. After some walking around and again perusing the vendors and farm....we decided to say goodbye to the farms and go hit the street fair!! We were all getting quite warm as well!!

We actually found a free place to park at the street fair so that was exciting and we loaded the girls into the stroller for the first time all weekend!! So many incredible vendors...always makes me with I had a lot of extra cash and a yard and house to buy things for. I did buy some gifts for certain events I needed so that always feels good. I also found an INCREDIBLE kids booth....and got the girls a book that they LOVE and we have added to our bedtime routine (So cute that I will have to video them using it one day) and got Albert a gift too....cant' wait to give it to him and can't wait to see Megs reaction....hehe. We of course had to pick up some kettle corn and cotton candy and then we were on our way. We made one more stop by one of the farm's gift stores so I could pick up a couple more items I "needed" and then headed to out hotel....we changed to one in Sequim, the Quality Inn & Suites and it was fantastic...we already booked there for next year!!!

They had a great pool so we spent a good couple of hours in there. We got the girls those swimsuits that have the floats in them....worked a bit better at least for Emma. Angel is still a bit scared but they sure enjoyed it. Emma loved the hot tub!! I LOVED being able to swim and I felt so LIGHT that when I started climbing out of the pool I realized really fast how pregnant I am....all the weight hit hard!! We were exhausted after a fun but long day and ate in that night and went to bed!!!

Trip Day Two

Today was the first day at the Lavender Festival in Sequim. It is always special to go because I had a lavender themed wedding (inspired by going to the festival the year before my wedding) and it always reminds me of our special day...and it is always the weekend of our anniversary! We decided we wanted to make it to all the farms on tour this year (although the Angel Farm wasn't listed on our map so we didn't go there). So we first stopped at the Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm. Note: If you are coming from Highway 101, get past this farm BEFORE it opens in the morning or you will sit in traffic caused by people going to the farm. Lesson learned, although next year we hope to stay in Sequim the whole time. Anyways...this farm is known for its Lavender Ice Cream (one of the fun things about the festival is trying the many different lavender food and drinks)...but the line was way too long for us!! They had old cars on display and tractors which the girls likes and then some neat vendors. I found some neat kitchen scrubbies again this year so bought a few of those. They also had a beautiful children's playhouse that they are giving away in September.....so we bought a ticket (keep our fingers crossed!) and the girls had a blast playing in it. We took pictures so maybe we can have one like it someday. It had a dutch door, a loft, a drop down school desk etc. So neat! We sampled some fudge, browsed the gift store and headed to the next farm. Angel is not sure about all the bees in the lavender plants yet!!

The next farm we stopped at is one of our favorites, Purple Haze Lavender Farm. This farm has a beautiful landscape and so many lavender areas and a beautiful orchard with vendors set up under the trees. They also have a HUGE live music tent and food vendors....which is ALWAYS packed and smells so good!! It was very windy and the aroma of the lavender was all around us!! Also deceiving to notice how much sun we were getting! We had lots of fun walking through the lavender gardens....Angel loved the fact that they were taller than her!! Then we got some DELICIOUS White Chocolate Lavender Ice Cream and Lavender Lemonade. They had so many beautiful products from the vendors....if only we had money to spend!! Then we decided to do the U-Pick Lavender which Angel loved last year. Once again, we got our basket and she went to town choosing just the right Lavender stems to cut...we ended up with a beautiful bundle and she can't wait to bring them to Mamasan's grave. Emma helped a bit too!! Love this farm!

Our next stop was the Port Williams Lavender Farm. This farm is amazing with its huge open land with thousands of lavender plants!!! So beautiful and expansive. We mostly enjoyed walking around the gift shops and all the beautiful landscaping at this farm. They had live music as well and Angel did some dancing!! We were starving and since the vendors food was so pricey we decided to head into town to find a bite to eat.

We had dinner at a fun place on the main part of Sequim, called Pacific Islander or something....had some delicious pizza and ate it fast to get to the 5:00 mass across the street at St. Joseph's. After church we got stuck in some major traffic due to accidents again on 101...then we went to Nifty Fifty's little diner in Port Townsend for some delicious ice cream. Angel fell in love with the jukebox and was making everyone in the diner laugh with her dance moves! Then it was to the hotel and to bed!!!

Trip Day One

For our 6 year anniversary this past weekend, we planned a fun little getaway trip to Port Townsend and Sequim with the kids....have not really been on a vacation....well...can't remember when. So Jason was able to get off work early on Friday which was huge because I hadn't packed yet and after we sat through traffic getting over the Hood Canal Bridge we were on our way! It was a little late when we arrived at our destination, The Harborside Inn, and we were not that trilled with the quality of the room, linens etc....at least for the price. But you live and learn....the tiny pool was outside and again not great quality but we had been promising the girls to go swimming so despite the cool weather and strong winds from the water....we went for a swim. This was the first time that the girls have been able to get in a big pool and they were a little timid but loved it at the same time. Angel's puddle jumper float worked well while Emma's arm floaties not so well. Not sure how I will ever be able to take them by myself if one doesn't start swimming soon....because they both want to hold on and need help! They were cold but didn't want to leave. Emma cracked us up the next morning because before she even said "Good Morning" she opened her eyes and said "swimming in the pool, please?" ! So cute.

Albert - Get Ready

The girls are getting very excited about their cousin Albert (7 months)...who they still call "baby Albert" although I think he is almost as big as Emma now....coming next week and staying with us for my sister's wedding. They have been planning what they will play with him, but most importantly what they want to sing to him....ENJOY.

Pretty in Pink

....and red. Finally, got Angel into JCPenney (we have a membership and pictures end up SO CHEAP) for her three year birthday pics. We got some adorable shots....always hard to pick which ones I want...only so much room for all of our pictures!! Nothing like bribing with some tic-tacs and the promise of a pretzel and smoothie at the mall afterwards to bring out the smiles and patience! Thanks to my sister Caitlin for coming and helping with Emma and the girls while I made all the decisions!!! Here is the link to view all: (the first ones are all the enhanced pics), customer name is ERIN HARTSELL, enjoy! I am posting some of our favs!!

CONGRATS

Congratulations to my sister Caitlin who got hired on as the new PE Teacher for Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School....work them hard sis!!!

Also congrats to my sister Alli who will be playing the role of Beth in the CSTOCK Production of Little Women....so excited for you!!

BOYS

My pregnancy prayer list keeps growing (seen on sidebar) and the news of more BABY BOYS keeps growing too....at least my little girl will have a lot of potential wonderful husbands to choose from!!!

Small Successes (vol. 3)

1) Found hubby and myself a swimsuit (both on SALE) so that we are ready to swim at the hotel pool this weekend on our little getaway with the girls. Headed to Port Townsend and then to the Lavender Festival in Sequim and hope to get to the Olympic Game Farm as well. I ended up not doing a maternity suit (NO maternity clothes at all seem to fit me this time at all) but went with a skirted bigger size suit so the belly has room to grow!

2) Called I think every Motherhood Maternity or Destination Motherhood store in WA, VA, FL and NYC (all places where I had people that could pick it up if needed) desperately trying to find these brown gauchos for my sisters wedding to go with the top we found!! Online they did not have my size....but I found one in a warehouse in Lakewood and one at a store in NYC...both sizes on sale for $14 and FREE shipping. SO hoping they arrive this week and we shall see if one fits!! Keep your fingers crossed...then all I have to is find shoes!!!

3) We got our pre-qualification construction loan approval DONE!! Now all the decisions and number crunching etc to make an offer on the property and get our loan approval and start hopefully making a home for ourselves.....PRAY hard for us and that all goes well! We will keep you posted. Exciting but terrifying at the same time...going to rely on my dad for a lot of help and advice!! Will just have to remember that we might just have to build the basics to stay in budget and over time change things to how we would really like them...just like any other house!

Bubble Bath Beauties

Yummy Salad Recipes

This one is a huge hit with the men in our family:

Seven Layer Salad

I made this for the first time the other day and it was DELICIOUS!!!

Black Bean Avocado Salad

Celebration

We had fun celebrating Angel's Baptism Day last week, of course she was very excited about getting cake and some presents and having it be her special day. But it is so fun to see her understand a little more about being baptized and enjoy looking and talking about her pictures and video from her special day. So glad we have decided to celebrate this day each year! She has enjoyed her new Boz books and video and even though The Princess and the Kiss is a little hard to understand the meaning, she loves the story about the Princess and the castle.

Happy Birthday....of sorts...

Today is the birthday or anniversary date of when Angelica Rose entered the Church. Hard to believe it has been THREE years since she was baptized. We are slowly figuring out special ways to celebrate these days in our home. We will spend today watching her Baptism video, looking at her special Baptism Book, talking about it, saying a rosary offered up for her, have a special dinner while we light her Baptismal Candle and then a special Mmmmmint Chip Coldstone Ice Cream cake and sing "Happy Baptism Day" and have her blow out her candle until next year! I have ordered some faith focused or religious gifts and will always invite the godparents over...unfortunately one of them lives in VA so Grandpa we will miss you!!! Tonight she might get an extra special treat of going to watch her Aunt (alli verhofstadt) in another CSTOCK show, Seussical, the Musical. Saint Rose of Lima, Pray for her.

22 Week Update

Today I had my OB appointment...everything looks good and I love hearing the heart beat. I was joking with my doctor that because we were not able to see my baby's little face (she was facing my back during the ultrasound and we couldn't get her to move) that I will just say I am having nightmares about her having one eye or something so that we can get another ultrasound. She laughed and said, "well, I am ordering another ultrasound!" Then I at first got worried that something was wrong. But she explained that baby's at this age tend to go in 90 minute sleep cycles and we might have just had the ultrasound during one of them, but that she likes to see a visual of the face and front of the head so she wants to have another one done at my next appointment. So in 4 weeks we get to see this little one again....so excited as she will be bigger, we hopefully will see her little face and check again to confirm it is a girl....and my grandparents will be here so that might want to come too!!!! I also have to do the yucky glucola testing that day so at least the ultrasound will give me something to look forward to!!

Small Successes, vol.3

1) Yesterday spent a day at Tacoma Mall with family and friends and FOUND a top for my sister's wedding....and in the SAME Color as the bridesmaid dresses. So at least I won't look REALLY ODD and out of the mix (minus the fact that I wont be in the same dress, wearing the same shoes, and will be sporting a big belly!). The best part is I like it, it fits and was on sale for $14!!!! It is quite roomy so I still have room to grow in the next month!

2) Managed to get gifts ordered and they arrived all in time for Angelica's baptism celebration today. Also made life easy and picked up a Mmmmmmmint Chip Coldstone Ice Cream Cake to enjoy tonight!

3) Finally made a decision to NOT have the garage sale we wanted this weekend because we just aren't quite ready (might just wait until after my sister's wedding) and now hubby will be installing a new radiator in our van....luckily he found one at the junkyard for only $75 instead of the $250 we were quoted! Also made plans for our little family / anniversary getaway next weekend to enjoy the Lavender Festival and some down time in Port Townsend!!

Patience and Prayer

The other night Angel had a meltdown at bedtime...I am learning that she is a bit of a perfectionist (have NO idea where she gets that from!) and also very scrupulous (which I am trying to be very aware of). I had forgotten to do part of our bedtime routine and without just vocalizing her concern and being upset that I forgot....she started to fuss and cry. We have this rule we are working on that if she doesn't listen and obey the first time for something then I just continue on with whatever it is and she can choose to join or not. Well, this happened to be right at prayer time. So I continued with our bedtime prayers while I thought she was just pulling an overtired fit. Finally she was able to tell me why she was upset and I apologized that I had forgotten something and talked about how she just needs to talk about it instead of crying. So once that was settled she asked to say her prayers again....so I obliged (how can you say no to that?) and then we finished and I tucked her in. Only to have her start fussing all over again!!! I said, "Angelica Rose, what is the matter this time?". To which she replied: "Mama, I didn't tell Jesus that I was sorry for being disobedient!" So she knelt down and told Jesus she was sorry, blew him a kiss and into bed and sleep she went! I was proud of her connecting the dots and realizing her actions.....now if I can just get her to do that BEFORE the tantrums!!!