Potatoes

I don't know how to really explain Ethan's love for potatoes but it is there and very real. Its not just that he loves to eat them in any way you present them, but its almost like they are nostalgic and have a special place in his heart.  The first time I ever had homemade deep fried french fries were in the Wing home and they were delicious. that still didn't alert me to this deep connection.
When we were first married, we decided to make hamburgers and fries. Ethan pulled out a plastic bag to catch the peels, washed the potatoes,  and carefully prepped everything. He sat on the floor (we had no chairs), asked me to take his picture,  and got to work. He literally peeled 15 potatoes for the two of us!! When he was finished I was APPALLED at the potatoes just sitting there ready to be made and all he said was " Its always good to have potatoes ready" He still lives by that theory now. He LOVES when we have leftover potatoes.
Anyway, Ethan has longed for the day when the girls could peel with him. He has tried to give Kelsey the peeler for years and it just hasn't ever worked.  Kelsey has finally reached the mobility where she can help without hurting herself. They didn't really talk, but you can just see the happiness in Ethan's face. I love this picture. And he loves potatoes.

Paint Night Date Night

We did one of those paint nights with a group of friends. The set up is kind of weird. The actual artist just walk around and pain while you try to follow along but since its in a bar you can't really hear what they are saying unless they are super close to you. Its amazing our paintings turned out to look somewhat the same!
I love going on dates that are more than just dinner. It just so much fun to do "fun" things with Ethan

Winter Blues

 The winter was so hard, so lets just post one more time about that and then lets never talk about it again. The sun is out and we are going to the park!

My beautiful independent reading loving girls

Madison's get up for sleeping: books, baby, ohohoh, dede. Comfy huh?

 Six days of non stop rain and then we got an evening like this! Tender mercies are real

Ethan and I are terrible with tools so it felt like a million bucks hanging this on the wall

Rearranged a few things and Kelsey claimed it before I could even touch it

 Valentines day Party with the besties

 

She got mad at me and was hiding

These girls love their dad!

 My favorite spot in the house!! Love my map! It's all the places we have lived or been.

She doesn't eat very much so I had to capture her downing a hamburger

She has to name all the Zootopia characters before its okay to fall asleep. Its her happy place.

 

 Cousins for the night!!! (Aaron and Carolyn were at a concert)

 The aftermath of cousins being at our house.... Someone did not sleep enough :)

 Who only eats their artichoke and edamame but doesn't touch their orange chicken!!

Vera comes over every Thursday after dance. It is our favorite day of the week

Sweet girl insists she doesn't need naps and that she wears her "Mimme (minne) shoes" at all times

 I found the tracings of a mouse in the garage. It was a rough day

Does it get cooler!

 I have never felt grown up until I walked into this meeting. I was terrified! What is going on and where the heck did time go!

 1 o'clock church is the absolute worst

Seattle Aquarium

My friend has a super awesome discount at the aquarium and let us tag along. Kelsey LOVED touching all the fish and Madison couldn't get enough of the basic fish tanks. We spent many hours there. It was heavenly.

 

Madison vs the Marker

This girl just won't stop.
We are working really hard with Kelsey to not tattle. She really wants to be Madison's mom but we are trying to help her remember that she is not. One morning after my shower, I got a very quiet knock on the door
"Mom. I really think you should come here."
"Kelsey, is someone hurt, breaking something, or hurting someone else?"
"Mom no! but I really think you should come."

Kelsey tried so hard not to tattle but she just knew that something had to be done. HAHAHA

The thing is, I stopped Madison and I kind of wish I would have let her finish. She truly would have done her whole face and THAT would have been epic.
Clearly I didn't discipline her because I burst out laughing. She knew she was in the clear.