Sing-a-long

Tonight we really missed having my mom with us at the annual Messiah sing-a-long. Caitlin, Brooke and I sat in the back of the church and tried to find our pitches... but we did not do too well. The volunteer orchestra was pretty small this year, but ended up getting through every piece with no major disasters. Kent and the band director from Chelan played their piccolo trumpets and sounded pretty good.

Brooke had a fun time playing with the pages of music. She was my official page turner, although we need to work on reading the music...

Brooke looks up at her Auntie Caitlin... she's probably thinking, "is this how the Messiah is supposed to sound?"

It's getting cold at night, so we tried out our warm snowsuit. When I bought it a couple months ago I was wondering if she'd ever be big enough to fit it. No problem here!

A Kettle Falls Thanksgiving

On Wednesday Kent wrapped up the craziness of school and we drove the four hours to Kettle Falls. Brooke was such a wonderful traveller this time, sleeping the entire way there and back at the end of the trip. We had time to reflect this weekend on what we are thankful for and family came out on top! Brooke is going to be so blessed with so many wonderful caring people in her life.

Bing, Britta, Uncle Bob, Brooke, Annie and Kent all ready to eat Thanksgiving dinner. The food was amazing (thanks to Britta)! Brooke enjoyed watching everyone eat and even stuck out her tongue at us a few times. Next year she'll be enjoying the meal along with us!

A four generation photo: Baby Brooke, Father Kent, Grandfather Bing and Great-Uncle Bus.

We got a chance to visit Kent's Uncle Pat and Aunt Polly in Chewelah (thanks again for having us!). We were also happy to get a chance to see Kent's cousin Kim from Hawaii and her two darling children. In the photo above, her daughter Olivia got a chance to hold Brooke. Being around lots of kids and family made me a bit homesick of my large family in Alaska. Although, since I've been in college all the "little" ones have entered high school and college, AUGH!



We had a great relaxing break from football games, concerts, phone calls, and email while we were in Kettle Falls. It's so great to have the time to lay on the floor and play with those you love!

Bing and his neighbor Bruce spent quite a few days in the last week logging his property. After the installation of solar panels on their roof and a windy summer, they realized the benefit of having a tree-free space around the house. Now from the guest bedroom and then porch there is a beautiful view of Lake Roosevelt. By the way, notice the snow!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Today we left the unfolded clothes on the couch, the dirty bathroom floor and the random papers scattered about to find snow. It felt so good to get away, even though it was only a few hours. We drove up Blewett Pass and found the road that we usualy xc ski on. Brooke *sort of* witnessed her first snow (although she didn't touch it or probably see it). This was a first for Maisy also, but she didn't really notice it because she was chasing and chewing on Cassy the entire time. Before we know it, we'll have a new chore of shoveling and snow blowing!

Cascade v.s. Cashmere

Number 2 ranked Cashmere played number 8 ranked Cascade in Wenatchee on Saturday. This was Brooke's first band trip! She traveled along with a few freshman boys in the school van with Kent and I. She was very flirty with the boy sitting next to her in the van... he almost blushed!

It never warmed up all day and the wind got going by the third quarter so we spent some of the game in the warm van. I thought Kent looked really sharp in his Norwegian sweater and hat from Scotland... but I'm partial to Scandinavians! :)

Above: the Cascade Kodiak crowd (lots of red).

Below: the Cashmere Bulldogs crowd (see the orange).

The rival bands came together at the end of the game to play for the crowd. I was so happy to see my past band students; and was a little embarrassed when they asked/forced me to conduct a song. I really don't want to step on the toes of the new band director; but I also miss seeing these students I spent four years with! I got so many hugs from my past students that I was almost in tears. It's too bad that you don't realize the effect you have on students' lives until you leave. This makes me realize that I want to teach middle school/high school again some day!

Cashmere ended up winning the game 31-7 so they are off to state semi-finals next weekend.

A Look Back...

We got our prints back from River Street Photography a few days ago. We are already enjoying having these photos in our house. She was two weeks old at the time and now it's hard to imagine that she was that small! She was six pounds that that point and now is probably close to twelve. A few days ago we went in for the first installment of the "baby plan" which captures a photo from 3, 6, 9, 12 months at the major milestones (holding up head, sitting, standing while holding on, and walking). It's hard to imagine that all that development happens in one year!

We Have Found Our Voice!

... and our hands!

Goofy Girl

Bath Time

Saturday Hike

Even though we didn't get out of the house until 1:30pm, we still had a chance to drive up to Mission Ridge Ski Area to go on a short hike. It wasn't too cold and the ground was not very muddy so it was a good short hike.

Cassy led the way in the woods. She is quite the explorer and is much smarter about the woods than when we first got her from the Humane Society. Maisy tries to follow Cassy around, although she can be a little more timid.

I look down and this is what I see! Socks are a great mitten for little hands! I was sure huffing and puffing up the trail with the 12 extra pounds! I felt pregnant all over again.


Maisy and her new look! Nice and trimmed.

Taking a little break with Maisy.

Out for a Jog

Caitlin and I went on a jog (very slow, sorry Caitlin!) today along the Wenatchee riverfront. We used the stroller and it worked pretty well. I'm trying to run a little more and so far I've run 2-3 miles with no problems. I'm going to try and work on my distance (and then my speed, or lack of!).

Who are you looking at!?!

Look at me hold up my head!

Chris Botti

Last night Caitlin, Kent and I went to see Chris Botti perform at the brand new Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee. Chris is an amazing trumpet player who can create such great moods with his music. Kent especially enjoyed the concert because it was full of great jazz music that was definetely on the same level as the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival that we attend every year. We came away amazed at the incredible musicians in his group. We were amazed at the speed of the drummer, musicianship of the piano player, and the amount of relaxed and fun atmosphere created by the guitar and bass player. Chris Botti was so great to the Wenatchee High School jazz band that had played in the lobby before the concert. On the last piece he had them come up to the front of the stage and watch from there. I'm sure that will be a moment they will always remember. It was a really amazing concert and we feel so lucky to have a new venue to see such great entertainment! Now we need to go see our local hockey team the Wenatchee Wild play there and maybe Disney on Ice.

Kent as a Marine!

Kent and I just received a scrapbook of our journey down to San Diego for the Marine's Educator Workshop (boot camp). We took a look at the back cover and guess who was there! Kent!

Veterans' Day means so much more to me now that I have a deeper understanding of the military and have friends who serve our country. I can't imagine what our friend Angela and her son go through when her husband is deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. We wouldn't have the freedoms that we have without you! Thank you!

Little Rock Star

Thanks to three of my students at Cascade High School we have a little rock star on our hands! Along with Keely's little guitar shoes that she gave her, we have quite the ensemble! Check out that that double-chin. Grandma Carol says that Caitlin and I looked just like this at three months. Chubby and bald... what a combination!

3 Months Old

Brooke is 3 months old today!

Mommy and Me!

Brooke has been a real trooper as Caitlin and I have spent a lot of time at JoAnn Fabrics and in her basement lately. It's been a wet mess outside, so we've enjoyed having the excuse to do a little sewing.

Brooke is holding up her weight really well. Caitlin was laughing at her because at 11 pounds she is only a little bigger than some newborns. Caitlin told me that the ladies in JoAnn Fabrics said that she was probably 2 months old... oh well! Yesterday we had another milestone: grabbing for a toy. We thought it was so cute how she grabs the toy and then goes cross-eyed staring at it. I'm getting better at the art of distraction and toys are a new tool!

It's getting late and this little girl is not one for smiles and her mom looks pretty tired.

What's for Dinner? Part 3

Britta's Glazed Meatloaf

2 eggs beaten
2/3 c. milk
2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
3 slices of Bread (Cut in Small Cubes)
2/3 c. finely chopped onion
2/3 c. shredded carrot
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 lbs. ground beef (or beef and turkey)
1/4 c. ketchup
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 T. mustard

Directions:

Stir together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Stir in bread cubes until broken up. Add onion, carrot, cheese and beef. Mix well by hand.

Form into a loaf in center of 13 x 9 x 2 baking pan (can use a loaf pan when recipe is cut in half).

Bake at 350* for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Combine brown sugar, ketchup and mustard. Spread on beef loaf and continue baking for 15 minutes.

Makes 10 servings (or enough for 5)

Little Miss Bright Eyes

We can't believe Brooke is almost three months old! For the last two nights she has been such a good sleeper with 6-7 hours in a row and then down for another 2 1/2 or 3. Last week she was up every 2-3 hours so it really varies.

Brooke is holding up her head very well now. She has found her fingers and loves to suck on them. She now responds to "peek-a-boo". When she hears a voice in the distance she turns her head around to see who it is. Another development is the chewing and slobbering over my fingers. Even though it's early, I wonder if she's teething. She has moments of colic which are usually in the evening when her dad gets home. She wants to be walked around, no sitting down and relaxing! The last week she has been really happy which has been a good breather and a great time for Kent to enjoy playing with her. I'm getting better at watching for the sleepy cues (rubbing eyes and fussiness) so that has been helpful. When she's not hungry, sleepy, uncomfortable she is a happy baby who loves to smile back at a smiling face or even a tongue sticking out.

Finally we had a completely free day yesterday so we were able to take a bath (she pooped in the little baby bathtub so we ended up using the big one!), get all dressed up in a cute dress and go visit the Cashmere Middle School office ladies (who absolutely love her) and visit the dentist receptionist who wanted to meet her, and finally walk about 1/2 mile to Martin's Marketplace to get two ingredients for dinner. That was pretty much our day, but it was a nice one! Today it's raining outside and I'm still in my pajamas... I teach at the middle school today so I'll have to get looking good sooner or later!

I had to get one last shot at Brooke in her Halloween costume before it goes into storage! She actually liked the feathers this time!



Who me!?

Purses!

I finished this crocheted purse on my way to Idaho. I used twine from Lowe's so that is the reason behind the bright orange color...

On two rainy days Caitlin and I worked in her basement sewing. She helped me pick out these funky fabrics for this purse. I usually like everything to 'match' so it was a challenge for me. I like how it turned out and think I'll use it a lot. (11" x 11")

Get out and VOTE! :)

Growing Girl!

Brooke on September 4th and November 4th. What a difference two months can make!