I have been so busy that I haven't had time to update our blog, look at the zillions of photos I've taken, keep up with my emails or keep up with anything else in my life! However, I am here to give a quick update and to share a few photos.
Sierra and Samantha are doing great. They totally love each other and are both excited to be reunited every day after school! Their wardrobe shopping has been completed and they have an entire matching summer wardrobe (Sierra's idea)- they look so cute together!
Sierra has been busy with end of school year stuff - testing (perfect scores), big, overnight field trips (Tahoe was good but Ashland sounds more challenging), getting to where she wants to be in math before summer(she's now in algebra so I can no longer help if needed!) and just generally getting ready for school to be over and summer to begin. She is VERY excited about summer this year because she will be doing tons of art and science camps and she will be home with Samantha a lot! Sierra also promoted in karate and now she's in ADVANCED karate! We are very proud of how much work and dedication she's put into karate (and her piano playing), especially since karate is very physically demanding and she goes to karate class right after PE. To celebrate her going into an advanced belt we threw her a little surprise party (which was also to celebrate her perfect report card from January but we were a little preoccupied picking someone up in Taiwan at the time!).
Samantha is still growing and changing at an amazing rate. She finally started walking this week, she now has four teeth and she wears size 12 months! She is quite the chunky girl and no longer needs weight checks. She is loud, assertive, happy, funny and not quiet or lazy at all (nothing like she was before or right after pick up). She has taken on a lot of Sierra's mannerisms as well and some of mine and J's. She is talking up a storm and if Sierra were here I could find out how many words she says, but it is well over 20 (that was last I knew) and she has even more signs. She hides her face and yells "booo" and insists on kisses from each of us over and over until we finally have to say no more kissing. She "tattles" on the dogs for getting on the couch and yells at them - she actually calls them "off". Every time we get in the car during the day she yells "sissy jeje" (Sierra) because she assumes that where we're going to pick up Sierra (or that's where she wants to go). She loves to read books and will bring one of us a book and ask for "boof". She then squeals and screams, but sits and listens, as Sierra or I read! Sometimes she "reads" to herself. She has really blossomed and come out of her shell!
Oh and the really big news - the living room is FINALLY FINISHED!!!!!!! No more ladders or painting or fixing, just a completed living room!! Hooray! I'll post before and after photos. Now we need to fix up the rest of the house! But first the yard!! Enjoy the photos and the little walking movie (my first attempt at a movie on my blog)!
Sisterly Love and Fun:
WALKING!!!
Walking
FIELD TRIP:
The Lake from the woods (the only spot with no snow) -- The girls in Sierra's cabin with Samantha (they all adore and dote on her!)
We went to the top of this mountain on this tram. Considering how terrified I am of heights it's amazing that I was able to do this!
SNOWMAN CONTEST:
Sierra's group's snowwoman and snow dog--they won First prize!
ICE SKATING:
Ice skating at the top of the mountain was COLD--Afterwards some of the girls went to lunch while Samantha and I sat at another table with a teacher!
PIANO PRACTICE:
This is how piano practice always starts AND how it always ends! Samantha always ends up in Sierra's lap despite Sierra determination not to pick her up!
RED BELT:
Sierra promoting to Red belt. She's now in advanced karate and we are very proud of her!
Sierra's mini surprise party to celebrate her perfect grades (from January when we were gone and then home and adjusting) and for her achieving her Red Belt in karate.
OUR ANNIVERSARY:
Dinner at our fav Japanese place and dessert at our fav cafe on our anniversary -- as usual we headed downtown because we have not yet adjusted to being suburbanites. We head downtown for virtually everything!!
Sisters and cousin (and dog) playing -- Backyard fun!
First smoothie -- "Umma MO"!!! (yummy more)
Learning piano
No words needed
Our LIVING ROOM - OLD vs. NEW: We spent several months redoing our living room, and two weeks not able to live in our house, but it looks much better. As soon as we can replace the carpet with wood I'll be satisfied!
Note the beam and popcorn ceiling - Sierra is planning to paint some landscapes (on canvas) for the walls next to the window. I am hoping to find a better desk since I work from home and all of my work stuff is stuffed into the corner of the living room. I would like to get rid of the TV tray soon!
Some love this wallpaper, me not so much although the paint is not quite what I hoped for it's better than the wallpaper! And the ceiling just looks clean and fresh now.
The piano room looks much less busy and is more restful now.
The front door looks totally different - Sierra gave me a painting for the entry.
Sierra and Samantha are doing great. They totally love each other and are both excited to be reunited every day after school! Their wardrobe shopping has been completed and they have an entire matching summer wardrobe (Sierra's idea)- they look so cute together!
Sierra has been busy with end of school year stuff - testing (perfect scores), big, overnight field trips (Tahoe was good but Ashland sounds more challenging), getting to where she wants to be in math before summer(she's now in algebra so I can no longer help if needed!) and just generally getting ready for school to be over and summer to begin. She is VERY excited about summer this year because she will be doing tons of art and science camps and she will be home with Samantha a lot! Sierra also promoted in karate and now she's in ADVANCED karate! We are very proud of how much work and dedication she's put into karate (and her piano playing), especially since karate is very physically demanding and she goes to karate class right after PE. To celebrate her going into an advanced belt we threw her a little surprise party (which was also to celebrate her perfect report card from January but we were a little preoccupied picking someone up in Taiwan at the time!).
Samantha is still growing and changing at an amazing rate. She finally started walking this week, she now has four teeth and she wears size 12 months! She is quite the chunky girl and no longer needs weight checks. She is loud, assertive, happy, funny and not quiet or lazy at all (nothing like she was before or right after pick up). She has taken on a lot of Sierra's mannerisms as well and some of mine and J's. She is talking up a storm and if Sierra were here I could find out how many words she says, but it is well over 20 (that was last I knew) and she has even more signs. She hides her face and yells "booo" and insists on kisses from each of us over and over until we finally have to say no more kissing. She "tattles" on the dogs for getting on the couch and yells at them - she actually calls them "off". Every time we get in the car during the day she yells "sissy jeje" (Sierra) because she assumes that where we're going to pick up Sierra (or that's where she wants to go). She loves to read books and will bring one of us a book and ask for "boof". She then squeals and screams, but sits and listens, as Sierra or I read! Sometimes she "reads" to herself. She has really blossomed and come out of her shell!
Oh and the really big news - the living room is FINALLY FINISHED!!!!!!! No more ladders or painting or fixing, just a completed living room!! Hooray! I'll post before and after photos. Now we need to fix up the rest of the house! But first the yard!! Enjoy the photos and the little walking movie (my first attempt at a movie on my blog)!
Sisterly Love and Fun:
WALKING!!!
Walking
FIELD TRIP:
The Lake from the woods (the only spot with no snow) -- The girls in Sierra's cabin with Samantha (they all adore and dote on her!)
We went to the top of this mountain on this tram. Considering how terrified I am of heights it's amazing that I was able to do this!
SNOWMAN CONTEST:
Sierra's group's snowwoman and snow dog--they won First prize!
ICE SKATING:
Ice skating at the top of the mountain was COLD--Afterwards some of the girls went to lunch while Samantha and I sat at another table with a teacher!
PIANO PRACTICE:
This is how piano practice always starts AND how it always ends! Samantha always ends up in Sierra's lap despite Sierra determination not to pick her up!
RED BELT:
Sierra promoting to Red belt. She's now in advanced karate and we are very proud of her!
Sierra's mini surprise party to celebrate her perfect grades (from January when we were gone and then home and adjusting) and for her achieving her Red Belt in karate.
OUR ANNIVERSARY:
Dinner at our fav Japanese place and dessert at our fav cafe on our anniversary -- as usual we headed downtown because we have not yet adjusted to being suburbanites. We head downtown for virtually everything!!
Sisters and cousin (and dog) playing -- Backyard fun!
First smoothie -- "Umma MO"!!! (yummy more)
Learning piano
No words neededOur LIVING ROOM - OLD vs. NEW: We spent several months redoing our living room, and two weeks not able to live in our house, but it looks much better. As soon as we can replace the carpet with wood I'll be satisfied!
Note the beam and popcorn ceiling - Sierra is planning to paint some landscapes (on canvas) for the walls next to the window. I am hoping to find a better desk since I work from home and all of my work stuff is stuffed into the corner of the living room. I would like to get rid of the TV tray soon!
Some love this wallpaper, me not so much although the paint is not quite what I hoped for it's better than the wallpaper! And the ceiling just looks clean and fresh now.
The piano room looks much less busy and is more restful now.
The front door looks totally different - Sierra gave me a painting for the entry.
6 comments:
The pictures are all great. Your girls are beautiful and look like they get along so well together.
The house looks very nice too.
Samantha has gotten so big! Now she can walk, you will need to be following her everywhere :)
She has grown so much and so happy to see her gaining so much weight.
Hello! I was so happy to read all the updates - Samantha looks so very happy and is getting so big!! A huge Congrats to SIERRA you must be so proud of her what an accomplishment and what a super big sis!!
Also a big congrats to you as I know how fun (haha) house projects - the room looks great!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!
Tiffany
You are blessed with two beautiful, active and happy daughters. It is exciting to see Samantha fit in so well and I enjoy reading your blog. The rooms look great.
Way to go Sierra! YOU are such a Smart girl and such a loving big sister.
Great job on your living room!
Love all the pics, Lori! It's amazing how far she (and everyone) has come. LOVE the renovations too. I wanted to let you know that I couldn't find the pacifiers you sent the pic of but I did grab something that I thought might work. Of course I have no idea really but I'm happy to send them. Just email me your address!
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