35/35

What did that say?? I am 35 weeks and there are only 35 days left of this pregnancy, and I will have ANOTHER child to take care of?!?! Holy Cow... that is a little scary!

Luckily, as I type this, the girls are playing their little hearts out at the beach house with Grandma and Papa, and I get 2 days to get ready... and boy did I need that. It amazes me how much one can accomplish when there are no little ones to get in the way, and how QUIET the house is. I spent half of yesterday tip-toeing around thinking that the girls were asleep, and then would realize that I could yell and scream, blast music - MY MUSIC, or have the TV on ALL day to whatever I wanted to watch and I wouldn't wake anyone.

I managed to get ALL the girls clothes organized, all the baby boy clothes washed, folded, and put away. The baby carseat is cleaned and ready to be installed. Colin and I went to look at paint samples for the boy's room and we went out for dinner. When we came home, we just flopped ourselves on the couch and thought how nice it was to just come home and not have to wrangle 2 kids into the bath and bed. Now I am getting ready to clean up the house, pack some of the hospital bag and run a couple errands before I pick up the kiddo's from the ferry tonight.

Thanks Mom and Dad - I feel much more ready for this baby to come now!

Big Night Out!

Saturday night we went out on the town with Susie and Josh. We have been planning our big night out for months.. and since we only really get to do it once a year, we make the most out of it. The girls spent the night at Grandma and Papa's house so we could even sleep in the next morning. We all had a lot of fun - and laughed a lot. Perfect!


First stop - A bar in Kirkland that serves Absinthe, the cocktail that Colin and Josh have been talking about for months. Now we are looking forward to Josh's "turn on the century" party that he was planning all night!!



Us getting ready for the Hangover in the comfy recliners with a blanket and pillow. Half way thru the movie, the waiters brought us our dessert we ordered.

Redmond Derby Days!

Last weekend we entered the Kids Parade at Redmond Derby Days again. The kids had a lot of fun, and good thing Grandma and Papa came with because Claire and Regen took off on their bike and scooter and mom could NOT keep up!

Ready, Set, GO!



My last view of the girls.. and away they went


The Doehne Family


The Arnold Family


Regen and Trent playing on the haystacks during the parade


Watching the parade


Claire and her firehat


Regen going down the slide


Checking out the fire-trucks

Our trip to Chelan

Just a couple days after Regen's birthday Regen took her first extended 'vacation' without mom and dad. She headed with Omi and Grandpa to their home in Lake Chelan. I am pretty sure I worried about how she was doing more than her... I am not sure she even noticed that we weren't there. I think the constant and undivided attention from her grandparents probably helped.

Meanwhile, Claire and I had some time to ourselves. We went to parks and the zoo and just had some time to play together. Colin was out of town that week as well.. and I could not believe how quiet the house was with just me and Claire there. Claire had a lot of fun just playing with toys without her big sister telling her NO all the time!

Later that week Colin, Claire and I headed to Chelan to meet up with Regen and to celebrate the 4th of July. We had a fun time despite the heat (101 degrees and 9mo pregnant.. NOT a good combo). We played in the pool, lake and headed to the water slides again this year. After a little 'gentle pushing' we got Regen go attempt the water slides again and once she started, it was hard to get her off. Claire spent most of the time in the kiddie pool, but that was OK with me. I just sat on the side with my feet in the water and watched.

Yeah, she is pretty cool - I see this picture being shown at her wedding!



Me and the girls in the pool... ahhhh!



Feeding the big horse at Banjo Creek Farm


Me and the girls


Having fun


Family shot at the winery


Colin taking Claire down the 'big slide'


Unstoppable Regen


Me and Claire hanging at the kiddie pool


Claire riding the moose


and sliding down the frog


Regen and Claire feeding the birds


Regen and Claire shooting off their fireworks


Me showing the girls how to throw pop-its



Me and Regen at the Chelan fireworks show... Regen ready, with her fingers in her ears.


Picking Blueberries - I lasted long enough for this picture, then sat in the air-conditioned car the rest of the time...it was HOT!!


Claire eating her way thru the fields... AGAIN!




Playing in the Lake


Colin and Claire playing in the lake

Welcome Josie!!

Congratulations Arnold Family...we can't wait to grow up with Josie! She is adorable and I want to publicly thank Stacey for the wonderful timing of her birth. ;-)

Josephine Sun Arnold
July 2, 2009

Happy Birthday Regen!

Regen turned 5 and for the last 6 months all we have heard about is the princess party she wanted.. so princess is what she got. I am still in a little shock that I have a 5 year old - almost a kindergartner (not to mention a 2 year old and an almost newborn - yikes!!) The weather turned out great.. perfect for an outdoor princess party. Regen had the time of her life and I managed to hold back the tears for the day.

All dressed up and ready to go



The coveted Aurora Cake


Lunch Time



Eating the coveted Aurora Cake



Regen trying to pin Cinderella in her window


Trent attempting to pin Cinderella in her window


The royal Great-Grandparents


Pinata time


Present Time



And the fun didn't stop there, later she got to open presents from mom and dad and go to Ruby's for dinner - her favorite restaurant in the whole wide world. Unfortunately mom couldn't hold back the tears when the Ruby's staff sang to her - dang pregnancy hormones!


Regen's new Wii game


Checking out all the goods



Me and Regen at Ruby's



Colin and Claire with their sundae's