Today Kent performed in the semi-finals of the Battle of the Bands in Wenatchee. He played with "Steve Turner and Justice for All" which is a group of his former students. They were very good! We'll find out soon if they are one of the top five bands to move on to the finals!

Oliver: Four Months Old

Oliver is four months old tomorrow! Today after Brooke was in her crib taking a nap I fed Oliver and we both took a nap upstairs. When he woke up he was so cheery I had to snap some photos.

Oliver is a WONDERFUL baby. I hardly ever use a pacifier because he is so content. The only time he is really fussy is in the car! At this point I am avoiding car rides as much as possible!

He is full of smiles and laughs for about any face. He finds his sister especially funny. Lately I have been getting both kids in the bathtub at night and it's so much fun to watch! Oliver laughs at Brooke and Brooke "forcefully shares". "Hold [this] Oliver!" she says. Then Brooke lays on her back and wants Oliver to do it too. There is nothing more special than seeing our two kids enjoy each other!

Oliver figured out how to roll from his tummy to his back yesterday. He plays under the floor gym and grabs all the toys overhead. He wants to be in the middle of all the action and it seems that he can't wait to get into all of Brooke's toys. He makes all kinds of sounds and drools constantly!

His four month check-up went well. He was in the 70th percentile in head size and weight. He weighed 15 1/2 pounds!

Bouncing Baby!

Oliver really seems to like the doorway bouncer! This was the second time he has tried it. It's fun to see those chubby legs in action! Brooke thought it was super funny to watch and wanted a turn afterwards. When she pushed Oliver she said, "Empujen" (Spanish for "push"). She's been picking up on Spanish from Dorah the Explorer. She can count to seven in Spanish and she uses the words for push and open!

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Makeover!

We've been working hard on our living room the last week. Finally we see the end in sight and am enjoying a beautiful final product! The floors are refinished, the tv hutch is stained, new couches, and walls painted. The final touch will include new drapes, but I'm struggling to find the perfect ones. I may end up making them if I can't find the right style. So until then we have our old cotton drapes that we found here when we bought the house!

Lake Valhalla Hike

About a week ago we went on a great hike to Lake Valhalla. We had such a wonderful time!

The Chalmers' family of four made it to the lake!

The best part of the hike was the BEACH at the lake. The water was pretty nice and the bugs were not too bad. Kent dove in and swam but the rest of us just watched!

Actually, Brooke got a bit wet too!

Sheer JOY! It was such a fabulous spot. I could have sat on that beach dipping my feet in the water and soaking up the rays all day long.

Maisy, Caitlin and Mom at the lake.

Two Happy Kids!

Brooke has never done finger painting before. I had a half opened bottle of pink frosting and no intention to use it... so I thought it would be fun for Brooke to play with it. I think it's good to get all sticky and messy once in a while. She thought it was HILARIOUS. She laughed even harder watching the video of herself. Funny girl.

Oliver is a happy little guy. He's very ticklish and is laughing/giggling now. Not huge belly laughs but little cute giggles!

Happy 2nd Birthday Brooke!

Bing and Britta made it down for Brooke's 2nd birthday today!

So did Auntie Caitlin!


Brooke invited her friend Lily to come and celebrate. For toddlers, they play so well together. Lily follows Brooke around copying everything she does. They are quite the pair of blond haired girls!

Some tasty things to eat for lunch.

Usually Brooke gets a mixture of juice and water if she drinks juice, but on her birthday she got a full sugar version... PUNCH!

Brooke got so many nice gifts! She has been playing with them all since the party!

I decided on Hello Kitty for the theme of her party. I was very happy with how the cake turned out! It was nerve racking for me since I have never made a fancy cake before!

Grandma Carol was here to celebrate too! We all sang for Brooke... and even though we had prepared her for the singing, Brooke cried during the song. Was our singing that bad!?!

The girls ate at their own special table. Grandma Carol made each girl a little dolly blanket to take home. It was a wonderful party!

Day two was filled with lots of fun on the beach and hiking in the woods by our campsite.

Oliver was one happy camper (as long as he was held!).

Memories being made!

Camping

We got the camper out for another trip! This time we headed north to the Lake Chelan State Park for a two night stay.

We got campsite #1 which was in a perfect spot.


The first evening we started to feel raindrops while at the playground. In a few minutes it was a downpour with lighting and thunder! I felt bad for the tent campers, they got so wet. Our neighbors were out having dinner in Chelan and came back to everything soaked.

Here's the great playground BEFORE the storm.

Hopefully I'll get a photo of the three of us where it looks like everyone is having a good time!

My Little Cutie!

I just love this little cutie pie!

I Have FINGERS!