May day.

Happy May Day!

As some of you know, I'm trapped at home because my 3 year old drew on our car with rocks last week - (don't be jealous).  It's currently being repainted & hubs has the other car for work...  So, I'm forced to stay home from work and play with my kids in our yard in this gorgeous weather for the next few days... I digress...

May Day - Okay, this post is dedicated to both Gram & Grandma from my kids.  We didn't make it to your houses this year to drop off flowers on the porch, ring the door bell, and run....  But, we were thinking about you!

Love Lai & A

Stripes.

I have always been a sucker for stripes.  But these days, they are
E-V-E-R-Ywhere & needless to say - it's hard to resist.

Linens (& my 300th post!)

I have this thing about linens.  Post college I started collecting linens every trip I took.  It was an easy, small, useful souvenir to pack.   This has morphed into keeping the focus solely on dishtowels.  Word got out & I started receiving them as gifts.  I love using a towel and thinking:  "Vera gave me that one when I house-sat"; "I remember buying that in Nice & I couldn't decide on the color"; "we bought that at a great kitchen shop in Whistler"; "Melis gave that to me for my birthday"; "my aunt Livy brought that back from Sweden for me"; "this was my grandma Olsson's that she never used & it made it's way into my drawer"; "this was the first dishtowel I bought in Portugal"; "We had 10 Euros left in the Amsterdam airport & used it to buy this one". You get the idea...

Before kids I would iron my dishtowels.  However, that ended 4 years ago & the only time I add to my dishtowel collection now is if they are gifted to me or if I buy them on a "trip" to Anthro... (Both are equally exciting!)  I don't have 2 towels that are a like & they all have a story.

I'm now reinstating this ironing chore.  I love ironed dishtowels & you just don't see the cuteness of these towels if they're all wrinkled.  All is well in my kitchen when my towels are pressed (& there is Tillamook in the fridge).

Family day.

This was the first day in a long time that we've all been home together.

We went & picked-up some donuts (thank you Bazan's!), we played at our favorite park, per L's request we went to watch the sunset, & before evening baths - we did a freezing family walk.  It was a great day.

*** Please note: I've now updated posts in October, November & December - knock yourself out. ***

My reader.

Laila finished her first book today!

It's a really interesting book about politians.  ;) 

Sweeties with sweet peas.

Gram showered us with bunches of these fragrant flowers again this year... As you can see, this continues to be some of L's favorite flowers.  Thanks Gram!

July giveaway.

Check out this sweet gift set by Jones Design Company that could be yours next month!

Mini's.

Jason's station gifted these amazing costumes to Jeff's kids.  Since N wasn't here, L tried hers on for size.

In memory of Jeff.

I'm the first to say that I've really never been a fan of rhododendrons... until NOW!  There is a gal within the SFD that plants a plant in memory of every Seattle firefighter that has a job related death.  She was out shopping for a plant for Jeff and came across THIS!  The "fireman Jeff" rhody was discovered!  Can you believe it!?!  She then bought the nursery out of them & is giving one to us!  I can't wait to get this special rhody planted in our yard!  Thanks Kim (& Sheila for transporting!)

Matchy matchy.

This morning was the first walk around the lake in quite awhile.  Upon arriving to J&M's we realized all 3 blondies had their Converse on, all had matching strollers & all had matching blankets made by a dear distant relative.

Speaking of triplets... Can you imagine having to get one of THESE???  Personally, I think their should be a non-profit set-up to bless any parents of triplets with one... $1,000 for a jogger!?!?  Yikes!

A special day together - Thanks Melis!!!

On a whim L & I met Melis & the boys at Alderwood Mall.  I cannot get over the deep connection between L & her cousins.  It's nothing less than beautiful, hysterical & completely touching.  May the good Lord always keep them close...

Purse shopping:

 They wanted in on the fun... Lord bless the kind, patient workers at this store!   

 Taken by D...

 ...another D photo...

 ... and another "Derek Lui" masterpiece.

Never a dull moment with these toddlers keeping us entertained...

Axel Benj is ONE!

This has been an incredibly heavy week for our family.  I must admit... I had high hopes of creating the perfect first birthday cake(s), having a special theme, colors & fun goodie bags to send home with each child.  None of this happened.  But in true Birt fashion, we made the most of it & celebrated this little boy as best we knew how.

Happy birthday to the boy that has exceeded our expectations in every way.  We are madly in love with you & have been honored to be your parents.

 Birthday morning donuts & hot cocoa courtesy of M!

 First donut!  (For the record, he put the older kids to shame - he gobbled it up in record time!)

 Bake me a cake as fast as you can...

 Nils & auntie

 The gang

 Carrot cakes

 For Lai's first, we topped her cupcake with her favorite food, a blueberry.  

We did the same for Axel, a piece of stake.  

Taken at 6:45pm - the exact time he entered the world, one year ago.  

Thanks to everyone that came to celebrate our son.  

We look forward to having uncle Jeff at Axey's party next year!  

Christmas memories (100th post!)

~ Christmas Eve ~

~ Christmas Day ~

 our very own Christmas rolls & buns!  

Lai finished off her day with a walk around the block to look at Christmas lights with Gram (carrying her new umbrella, of course) while I cuddled with Ax before putting him down.

When L came home, we had an hour to play in her kitchen with many new goodies to bake & then we cuddled & read one of our favorite books.