Sunny zoo trip in March!

Early this month we lucked out with some fabulous warm and sunny weather. Of course being the NW people we are, we jumped on the chance to get out and enjoy it and the zoo! Justin took an afternoon off and away we went.

Catching a birdseye view on daddy's shoulders

Watching the ducks

We lucked out and the Cougars were REALLY close!

Jack really liked the penguins...here he is waiting for it to come swim by.

Checking each other out.

He just looks so soft and cuddly!

We also lucked out with the lions being right at the window as well but that picture is on my phone. I think because we went in the afternoon it was almost feeding time by the time we saw them and they were ready to eat, Jack was just about the size for an appetizer!

Kale chips sprinkled with thankfulness!

I'm thankful for Kale chips...delicious, wholesome, healthy chips! They are another lovely thing that I found on Pinterest, my new favorite place to hangout online.

image via [Whole Living Eat Well]

These things are super easy to make and a yummy, healthy alternative to potato chips, which are my nemesis! If it sounds crazy, don't know it till you've tried it! This recipe called for sesame seeds but I left those out, otherwise its the same. I just made some and I guiltily ate one whole pan myself, much to Justin's dismay as he likes them too! Well maybe not so guilty as that whole pan has about as many calories as a handful of potato chips. If you do decide to try them out, I would double or triple the recipe, cuz once you've had 'em its hard to stop eating them!


Okay, okay...enough about my Kale chips....nom, nom, nom! I also have started reading the most wonderful book called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. It was recommended to my by a friend and I also saw some amazing things about it on Pinterest...told you I loved that site! Its very poetic in its style, a different read for sure, but the message is so beautiful. It has really challenged me to examine more closely all the that I have to be thankful for! As I've started to do that, my eyes have been opened to all the small amazing ways that God puts things into my life for my joy. In some ways its learning to be a kid again as you discover each new thing you are thankful for. I'm this and I'm only 3 chapters in! I can't wait to see my perspective on life when I'm through.

Image via [Christianbook.com]

So those are my are my thoughts for today. Kale chips and thankfulness. I hope you try the chips! And can you think of one thousand gifts you have to be thankful for? I hope so, and that your heart is filled with JOY as you start naming them.

Me and my singer!

I love to craft. Crocheting, scrapbooking, paper crafts and more recently sewing! Justin got me my very own Singer for Christmas and boy have I been having fun. Its amazing what having a brand new sewing machine can mean in terms of productivity. Before my new machine I used an ancient one that came with the house. I spent most of my time untangling thread or hand winding my bobbin. But those days are gone and I'm enjoying trying more complicated sewing projects other than sewing ribbon onto burp cloths! :)

Last year I got onto a website called Pinterest...if you've never checked it out, DO! Its amazing. I found most of my ideas for Jacks bday party on there, not to mention lots of yummy recipes...the list could go on. Most recently I was inspired by some DIY folks who were making their own pillows and since I have a fabulous new sewing machine...well I'm sure you can put two and two together. :) Here is a photo journal of the process (which only took about an hour, if you don't count Jack breaks) I hope you feel inspired!

Stencil, fabric, brushes & paint!

I've been obsessed with canvas and burlap fabrics of late.

I cut a 19.5"x18" piece and sewed it with a 5/8 seam

Just a little opening for all the stuffing that will be added later! Which I back-stitched on either side of where I took out the stitches and ironed so it would lay flat.

I taped the stencil on the fabric at the corners to ensure it wouldn't move then painted away!

Now they just have to dry for 24 hours then I can stuff em and sew them up!

Valentine

via (Eighteen25)

Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful day of LOVE! Justin and I kept it simple this year with a quiet dinner at our new favorite Italian restaurant in Battle Ground called Galeotti's. It has great food, its 10 minutes from our house, and its a local business which supports other local businesses!

Meanwhile Jack got to have a movie night with Grammy & Grampa

Sporting his V-day gift, an Angry Birds blanket...surprise, surprise!

No movie night is complete without popcorn! Isn't that bag adorable?!

I LOVE my DUCKS!

We have been able to see a number of Duck sports lately. Jack and I have been to a few volleyball games and we all went to see a women's basketball game over New Years. Although I suspect that Jack likes them more for the popcorn he gets...hmmm!

Then of course there was the Rose Bowl that the Ducks played in and WON!
Our friends came over to watch it with us and the boys had a great time playing.

And then there was Christmas and more Birthdays!

Well I finally got around to uploading my pictures from Christmas. I'm always amazed at how quickly the time goes these days. Which I think I say a lot, but it is oh so true! Jack is now two and his vocabulary and knowledge are growing daily. Today I overheard him saying the sweetest thing, "Good job Raymond, good job!" to his buddy who was playing golf in our living room, I couldn't believe what I had heard. Precious! His other fun phrases are "What you doing? ", "How bout it" and "No daddy, NO". Which changes to "Yes daddy, yes" when Justin mentions popcorn, he is just like his father on that one, every evening without fail they make a bowl of popcorn together. I have some cute pictures of that but will save those for another post.

Anyhoo...back to Christmas and the continuation of Jack's month long birthday. And I think you will see just how spoiled this kid was this holiday season!

Cheesy grin by the Christmas tree!

Justin and his fun new popcorn machine!

Wanting to do what daddy does

Oh fun! ABC's and 123's

Jack practicing for American Idol...watch out Beiber!

I can't believe you are making me take this picture!

These were the only two pictures I got of our big family Christmas with Justin's side of the family. Somehow being hostess didn't include picture taking. But we had a wonderful time, Justin's first roast was amazing, and we stuffed ourselves with lots of homemade goodies!


Then it was down to Eugene over New Years weekend to celebrate with my family! Like I said spoiled little man and we haven't even gotten to his last birthday celebration.

Jack and his Angry birds set and couch from Nana and Papa B!

Learning from Nana all the things his new couch can do!

Jack loves his Uncle Ian

Poor Gigi got some rowdy love from Jack!

Later is was on to his birthday presents, looks like he is starting to go on a presents overload!