.

santa stopped by

2011-12-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

waiting to hear the story and ask santa a question.

Her first strawberry shortcake! One of mommies favorites but I don't remember them having so many small pieces!

Santa just happened to be in the area of my parents place a few weeks early! Two years in a row now Santa has stopped by when we have had a holiday party. Olivia was very excited to greet him at the door, sit on his lap, hug him and mention she wanted a bathtub (???)! Ellinor wasn't so sure about him and stayed on mommy or daddy's lap the entire time. Santa read a story this year, we made ornaments, and each child got a gift! More relaxing and enjoyable for us then waiting in line at the mall....

$5

2011-12-06T13:18:00.000-08:00

We were above the cloud layer. seriously one of the best views I have ever seen.

the testosterone shot. we did end up chaining up to get back down.

I look forward to this day excursion every year; driving up through the hills, searching endlessly for the perfect symmetry, warming wet toes by the fire, hot chocolate licked lips and of course tough truck competitions by the big boys. There was very little snow this year so we were worried that the little ones would have to face disappointment...but we lucked out. Found a gorgeous spot, nice weather and views of three different mountains! We found our tree rather quickly and it is a beauty (still not decorated...). The girls enjoyed the snow and hanging out with cousins, but mostly the hot chocolate complete with marshmallows and whipped cream! My favorite "$5" family tradition...although for one lucky family, who received a parking ticket (on a forest service road???) the tree was a bit more spendy!

gobble them up

2011-12-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

oh no..where did the turkey go?

they started getting a bit goofy after all the desserts!

concentrating so hard

Aunt Nancy always willing to get down on the floor and play with the girls! She brought materials for adorable & delicious rice krispie turkeys, which I didn't get a picture of because we ate them to fast.

Started with the Gratzer/Langley family then round off the evening with the McCuistion family. It was the first day that the girls went without a nap the entire day. they did surprisingly well, but I let Olivia know she shouldn't get her hope up! I enjoyed making them matching outfits this year and even the newest little doll Kyla was included!

friendly dragons

2011-11-02T21:17:00.000-07:00

We dipped into our hand me down costume box again this year! Although they are not filled with all things girl, my little dragons look adorable! Ellie had been practicing her roar for several weeks now. She performed at every door. Olivia enjoyed passing out the candy as much as trick or treating! There were a few times she reached into her pumpkin and handed candy to people passing her on the street (it was all I could take not to say "no honey don't give out yours, they are for me!").

halloween

2011-11-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

Some of the treats from our halloween party! We invited some friends over for a party this year! Lots of little monsters in our house all dressed in costumes! a little chaotic but oh so cute!

my little ones had matching dragon costumes (posting more pictures later).

the night ended with daddy reading Goodnight Goon!

pink.pink.pink.

2011-11-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

we took olivia to her first production. PINKALICIOUS! She got the book for her birthday and we have seriously read it EVERYDAYsince then! needless to say, she has the whole thing memorized. So we bought the tickets and left Ellinor home with grandma. She picked out every pink thing she had in her closet sans the jacket!

look at that cheesy smile. so excited.

The whole experience was new to her. but she loved every minute of it. I loved that she had our undivided attention for the whole evening! This picture is one of my favorites. She is so happy her eyes are hiding!

Looking through the program. Notice the hand by the mouth? I have noticed this is one of her coping skills when she is not sure what is coming! She ended up sitting half the show in my lap, half with daddy!

There were so many little girls walking around in pink. Olivia enjoyed looking at all the other little princesses headed for the show! She had a great time and we did as well. Already looking at the list of upcoming productions!

summer fun

2011-10-13T12:35:00.002-07:00

we were able to enjoy some of the summer sun at grandmas pool!

lots and lots of homemade popsicles.

three friends just goofing around.

pink pink pinkalicious!

full of giggles.

you talking to me?

look at these cuties. this was at lanie's cowgirl party!

portland bridge pedal...we crossed 6 of the portland bridges. great weather and really enjoyable.

3rd birthday! How did this happen so quickly?

corbett and olivia at the ridgefield parade

garden goodness

2011-10-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

we actually had a few things to pick from our garden this year! each year gets a bit better! I will need to do more ready and more planning during the winter months so we are even more successful!

ummm, the face says it wasnt the taste she expected or hoped for.

so tomatoes were not her favorite but fresh corn was a real hit.

almost finished

ahhh. yummy goodness and a smile so sweet.

josie

2011-10-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

I jokingly mention I have a new family member-my pressure canner. Last was my first year canning and I stayed with the basics-applesauce, pears and peaches. This year I have added salsa, green beans, garlic, pickeled tomatoes, green tomato chutney, rum peach conserve, zucchini pickles, pearsauce, pears, peaches, blackberry jam, pickled cherry tomatoes and a few more that I am not remembering at the moment. many of these were more work than I bargained for, but so rewarding when said and done!

Fireworks!

2011-07-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

The girls really enjoyed the fourth this year! Olivia even stayed up to watch the nieghbors light their money on fire! The day was busy, the ridgefield parade, the souders for a bbq and then home hosting for a few close friends! JJ had a four day weekend so it felt like a mini vacation for us. He accomplished so much, garden boxes, sandpit (filled with only the best long beach sand) and several other things I can't remember now!

What? June already?

2011-06-04T21:28:00.000-07:00

This is bad. Has it really been 6 months since my last post? holy smokes, so much has happened since then!

Sending her binkie's off to her new cousin Joanna born in february.

we have a walking, laughing one year old on our hands!

Easter weekend enjoying some color and creativity!

more on her face then in her mouth, almost always the case!

starting to enjoy some "longe" runs. Bridge to Brews in April, Cinco de Mayo race in May!

messy messy

2011-01-23T15:00:00.001-08:00

why bother with a bib? this girl has a special way with food! I can say good bye to baby food. she really wants what we have on our plate and won't be silent until she gets it!

holiday happenings...

2011-01-23T14:47:00.001-08:00

ellinor christmas morning. she was very much interested in eating the paper!

Our first go at gingerbread homes! always more candy in the mouth then on the house!

Olivia marveling at her Lulu the ladybug books. Now her collection is complete, until march, when two new books are released!

A little different year picking our tree. we still went up in the hills. The girls were bundled up fairly well, but still caught a cold!

Yuck. On our trip back from visiting the Hocker's in Redmond. This took about a half hour to clean up. We set Olivia on a tarp and hosed her down!

life with two

2010-11-28T21:33:00.000-08:00

helping dad with the shed

yes....my little "stinker" and her lil sis nala

pumpkin patch

she is really something else during meal time!

her first fair ride

thirty, flirty and wigging out...

enjoying her first set of markers

camping out in the backyard with daddy

enjoying a few of the hot days we had this summer

my big two year old!

oh. my. goodness! Has it really been 5 months since my last post? I could swear in those five minutes of silence that happen before my head hits the pillow I must have posted! I am not even sure where to start. So to save those few precious moments that I do get, here is the short and sweet....

brown trout...

2010-07-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

only the most memorable times get photographed in our home! ha. here is her first poop on the potty. oh the things you celebrate as a parent!

red, white and blue

2010-07-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

We took our girls to their first parade! Ridgefield really knows how to put on an old fashion hometown celebration! In the early evening we moved our fire pit out to the road to see the show our neighbors had financed. Olivia asked to go to bed around 8pm, i think she was a little frightened by the loud noises. Both girls slept through the night-amazing.

sunshine

2010-07-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

JJ took a few days off before the fourth to spend some time with our BFF's from Redmond. Their two kids are so adorable and i was estatic to get our kids together. Good weather + good food + lots of laughs + minimal tears+some sleep=an awesome time! My only complaint was that i wish we had more time...maybe next year we can plan ahead a little more!

mothers day

2010-05-09T19:46:00.001-07:00

enjoying their first bath together. Olivia is oblivious to the fact that her little sissy, whom she calls ella, is watching her every move!
A beautiful smile, which melts away any frustration during the night time awakenings

my little girl wanting to wear mommies pretties

I am so blessed to be the momma of my two beautiful little angels.

smiles

2010-05-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

some pictures of our latest moments together...

sharing chips, salse and cheese with daddy

enjoy a typical northwest day

practicing for the nutcracker

layoff mini vacation

2010-04-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

who ever thought news of no work could be such a great thing? jj didn't have very many hours scheduled for this week, like none, so we decided to opt for a quick trip to the beach. We checked out some availability at the condo (thanks mom) and within an hour were packed and headed on our way to seaside! A very quick trip, filled with sand, wind, and even some sun! Oh, and a few screaming sessions here and there from Ellinor... luckily no neighbors.

Easter Celebrations...

2010-04-07T20:01:00.001-07:00

We had a busy weekend. Olivia participated in her first egg hunt on saturday (yahoo...it was indoors) and then also again at Grandma Langley's on Sunday. Sunday we went to church to worship our Risen Savior, then out to Aunt Nancy's for some delicious food. Once we had our plates finished there, we traveled over to the Langley house for more food and fun with all the cousins (there is a total of 7, plus atleast one in utero!).

goofing around

2010-03-16T21:20:00.000-07:00

here are a few of olivia while she was still an only child!

Ellinor Johna

2010-03-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

Elli Jo came into this world much faster then her sister! Thank Goodness! She has a healthy set of lungs on her and has been given the nickname little barracuda! She sure loves to eat...every three hours! We are slowly adjusting to life and Olivia is a great helper of a big sister!

what a hoot!

2010-03-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

With the arrival of little Ellinor, Olivia gets a new big girl room. I am hoping in a year or so the girls will be sharing this room!

Leaves are falling

2009-11-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

We decided to bite the bullet and put in a new yard. Of coarse it is much less expensive to do the labor yourself...so we put Olivia to work! Surprisingly she got right down in the dirt with daddy and was mimicking everything he did!

We found a afternoon that was not raining and went to the pumpkin patch! Oh what fun... fresh apple cider, corn pit, corn maze, hay rides, pumpkin catapult, hay pyramid and more! Think it might become a family tradition!

Olivia had a choice between a skunk costume or a lion costume. She was much more darling in the lion...so we went with it! Carson was also a lion....so we called them simba and nala from the lion king!

Sugar Rush

2009-07-25T21:40:00.000-07:00

So we celebrated her first birthday with lots of sugary frosting, she loved it! Everyday we thank God for his faithfulness and goodness to us. Olivia has been a precious gift and has added so much to our lives! A special thank you to all who have shared your love, your arms, your timely advice, your ears, your pocketbooks, your prayers with us as we raise this little doll!

may.june.july

2009-07-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

In an effort to save time,

here are a few noteworthy happenings

in the Monahan House.

Our first camping trip to the Cove Palisades. What a hot one, not quite what we had expected. We enjoyed the boat, splashing in the water and hanging in the shade whenever possible, and sharing a camp space with our family!

(july)

Read the onesie carefully....Olivia is a big sister. Baby #2 Due in February!
(june)

Drip. Drip. The last of good stuff, seems almost hard to believe. Now some might wonder why post this picture, but for those of you who have been here, spent countless minutes at the mercy of your medela, this picture speaks volumes.

(july)

Olivia's Dedication

(may)

First Boating trip for Olivia and Lanie!
(June)

JJ competing in His first Duathalon. He did awesome and we are so proud of him for challenging his mind and body. Thanks to some encouragement from our neighbors (who compete at very serious levels) he seems eager to train and compete again.

(June)

Celebrating Carson's 1st Birthday!

(May)

ummmm.....

2009-04-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

Not sure how I feel about finding my daughter like this when I came in to wake her up...

I lifted the blanket to find her sucking her thumb with her eyes closed. maybe she was secretly trying to hide this from me...

where is it???

2009-03-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

Livi has broadened her horizons in the food realm. After she finally took to cereal, we started introducing some of the best of the produce section. Just recently we have been giving her "bites" of foods. The best part is watching her work so hard to pick it up only to lose it before reaching her mouth...

Just because

2009-02-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

cherish

2009-02-04T21:08:00.001-08:00

random christmas favorites

2009-01-20T20:36:00.000-08:00

These are a few pictures for the 2008 holidays! How memorable with a new little baby!

healthy cheeks

2008-12-02T19:25:00.000-08:00

The chunk...how can it be that these two are eight months apart and yet only three pounds separate them?

take two...

2008-12-01T19:00:00.000-08:00

Spontaneous...definitely! Memorable...of course! Uncle Tim and our new Aunt Mikey decided to tie the knot this thanksgiving! How much notice did we have? um none...when they showed up they had the necessary papers in hand! Luckily we have a cousin who could make this all possible. We were happy to see two people focusing on nothing but each other!

Thankful

2008-11-29T18:45:00.000-08:00

And the list goes on...when we actually spend some time thinking about our lives, we fall on our faces in regards to all we can thank God for, we are truly blessed beyond belief! With that said our holiday weekend was eventful; including a 26-hour visit to Redmond and a surprise wedding!

(this is the face of a very unhappy livi when not allowed seconds :) )

kae

2008-11-09T21:19:00.001-08:00

Just a quick visit to see a well-missed friend!

trick or treat

2008-11-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

pumpkin pie

2008-11-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

We totally copied this idea from our friends the Padillas...we couldn't resist!

livi lou

2008-10-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

footprints

2008-10-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

Only three months old and already leaving footprints on our hearts!!!

ten year reunion

2008-09-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

I was a bit nervous about what to expect of our ten year reunion. Maybe its the 15 extra pounds I am carrying or the fact that I have had a baby or perhaps the fear that my accomplishments since high school wouldn't be enough when compared to others...the list I make in my head of my for insecurities is long but I tried to surrender those and throw caution to the wind. I enjoyed seeing old familiar faces, catching up on where life has taken us and of course reminiscing about the good old days when homework and making it through another boring lecture from a certain teacher was our biggest worry-oh how life has changed!

Play Group

2008-09-22T20:03:00.001-07:00

These three are destined to be best friends. Here are some updated photos.

Life is GRAND!

2008-09-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

JJ and I feel so blessed to be entrusted with a beautiful girl, but we feel equally blessed to watch the relationship unfold between Olivia and her grandparents. We must admit we enjoy seeing their faces light up when they look into the eyes of their granddaughter! Each has a unique way of greeting her and some of their reactions to her can be quite predicable. We love that Cathy never stops asking Olivia to talk with her or that she is always asking her “how big is Olivia?” And we know we will never be shy of pictures, due to the fact that Holly has a new found love for photography…she even took over 300 pictures in just a few hours! Please don’t assume that grandpa’s are removed either…Dale would stop by everyday if he could, and John talks to Olivia through the cell phone! These are just a few that bring laughter to our hearts and there is nothing more special than knowing Olivia will be surrounded with loving arms to care for her!

In Loving Arms

2008-09-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

Aunt Katie
Uncle Sean

Great Grandparents Elmer & Alena
Auntie Lori

2nd Cousin Colby
Uncle Pete & Auntie Erin

Cousin's Emma & Cora

a long drive

2008-09-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

We are returning from a long drive over to Idaho...to be quite honest, Olivia has exceeded our expectations with the car ride. She mostly slept, in between feedings and diaper changes at random truck stops!

We traveled over to celebrate the marriage of our two friends Josh and Molly Hodges. We attended a special Hawaiian themed reception reflecting their wedding which took place on the sandy beaches of Hawaii on 8/8/08 and 8:08am! We enjoyed the gathering and consider our selves blessed to see this new family come together!

We also had an opportunity to spend some time with other college friends who are still located in the area. Saturday night we shared dinner with the Torrez, Boothby and Hocker families, the adults tried to carry on conversation as all 6 children chased each other through the house. Olivia was a bit overwhelmed at all the commotion and energy, someday that will be her!

Sunday, before heading home, we stopped in Caldwell to visit the Benedick family. We shared a few pizzas and did some catching up!

All in all the trip went fast but was very refreshing! We enjoyed seeing friends and just wish we could have had more time with everyone. We are also proud of how well Olivia did, she is a little traveler already!

three peas in a pod

2008-09-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

All the babies are here. Ok, so the perfectly planned six week schedule didn't really turn out, but still, we got about as close as we could. Carson(middle) is 6 weeks older than Olivia (right)who is 2 weeks older than Lanie (left)!

what fun it is to experience first time parenting with two close friends! we are determined to keep each other sane and sensible through all that comes with having a child!

camping at the coast

2008-09-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Our love for camping has become a bit tainted. No longer can we just hop in the truck and head away into the wilderness-now we are plagued with renting a u-haul for all of Olivia's belongings. I wonder how something so small can need so much. After spending two hours loading the back of the truck, we headed off to the Washington coast for the adventure of a life time! We felt brave and courageous....just four hours later we were feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Our first obstacle was overcoming the wind, which must have been blowing at 80 miles an hour! It blew over our tent several times before we could manage to find a spot below some low lying tree limbs which helped to shelter it. JJ assured me that the winds die down at night! After bundling Olivia is 5+ layers, we enjoyed the campfire and felt like everything was going great, until bedtime. Olivia actually slept right through all the ruckus; those same limbs which sheltered our tent, were now thrashing back and forth as JJ and I prayed that our tent wouldn't be punctured or blow over while we were in it! We thought we bought a great, sturdy tent. HA! Finally, when Olivia woke up for her 3am feeding (after having slept for 6 hours) we decided since we hadn't slept a wink, to move everything to the canopy of the truck. So for two nights we climbed in the back of the canopy, onto our air mattress, put Olivia right next to us in her car seat, and slept soundly! Not exactly the tent camping we had in mind. Another obstacle included fighting off two furry little creatures in the middle of the night when JJ went back to the tent on a diaper run! Yes, two fat raccoons seemed to think our food and garbage was there's to enjoy! The Nerve! All in all, the weather was great, aside from the wind, really, I can hardly believe the sun was shinning all weekend! Aside from our little obstacles, we are grateful for the memories we are making as a young family and all things considered, would do almost all the same thing all over again...

P.S. JJ says next year we're buying a trailor!

ain't she cute

2008-08-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

she is so precious and adorable...I just had to share these!

sound advice

2008-08-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Many of those who I consider more experienced with surviving the exhausting first few weeks meeting the needs of a newborn had given me the advice to sleep when your baby sleeps. You mean to tell me I am to ignore the smell of the dishes rotting in the sink, the mountainous load of laundry piling up at the end of the bed, and forget about all the friends who are communicating with me through voice mails? I am finding this is easier said then done, but not everyone has had a hard time accepting this philosophy(notice the pictures)!

slippery when wet

2008-08-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

The time had come to give her a bath...so with trepidation we faced our fears and took the plunge. I am not exactly sure what we feared, perhaps we would wash off her heavenly baby scent or maybe the softness of her skin would wash away with the contact from the washcloth? She seems to enjoy her bath time, daddy takes on most of the responsibility of the washing and mom is in charge of having a steamy hot towel fresh from the dryer ready to wrap her little body in. Spoiled you say...you can't spoil a newborn right?

2008-08-04T20:40:00.000-07:00

Addiction: a state of dependence or great interest in a particular thing to which a lot of time is devoted.

moments with dad

2008-08-02T21:29:00.001-07:00

a minor set back

2008-07-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

Our little angel was diagnosed with Jaundice and had to spend two days in the NICU under the special lights and photo therapy blanket. This happens when the liver is not properly discarding of bilirubin and red blood cells. This caused us to half to be on a pretty rigid schedule which only allowed us to hold her when we were feeding, we had a half hour max every three hours. Although this is common in newborns, this was tough to stomach at first, but it got easier as we tried to remember that God is the great Physician and that he would see her through. After her levels dropped we were discharged to come home, then she rebounded, so we had a special blanket delivered to the house. She had to be wrapped in the blanket at all times. We call her our little glow worm! After being poked and having blood drawn every day, she is finally at a low risk level... Praise Jesus!

worth the wait...

2008-07-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

WORTH THE WAIT…
Finally, SHE made it. What an amazing experience this last week has been. No matter how much you try prepare yourself for what will happen before, during and shortly after the birth of your child, you just can’t. The overwhelming sense of God’s omnipotence, grace and love flood your heart the instant you hold your child. Words will always fall short when trying to describe the changes a husband and wife go through when they experience bringing a child into the world. In an effort to record our state of mind JJ and I each picked ten words that reflect our thoughts…
JJ: breathtaking, amazing, blessed, emotional, excitement, joy, peace, gratefulness, honor, beauty.
Kara: Amazing, cherish, trusting, unbelievable, loved, searching, overjoyed, blessed, family, proud.
As the events have unfolded before us, we realize that every ounce of Olivia Grace was worth the wait. Our tears could stain a million shirts as we think of the blessing it is to be the parents of this sweet little girl, to call her our child. She brings with her a thunderstorm of emotions, blowing winds of excitement, joy and apprehension, dropping raindrops that fall to the deepest caverns of our hearts, and displaying clouds which reflect heavens glory and blessings.

Trying to get things started...

2008-07-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

JJ and I were so anxious to have our baby come out, we decided to take radical measures to get things started. We drove up to Multnomah Falls and with water bottle in hand, painstakingly hiked to the top. We were definitely getting funny looks as people passed by, but we were determined! We waited until after we had successfully climbed up and back down before sharing with friends and family our plans, we knew what sort of feedback we would get...ARE YOU CRAZY? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? (apparently in the last few weeks of pregnancy your reasoning skills seem to disappear! ) Unfortunately the sweat, heartache and heavy breathing produced no early signs of labor...again reminding us our baby will come on it's own timing! Regardless of the outcome, the day was beautiful and the hike felt great, after we were finished!

Due Dates

2008-07-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

After spending close to 40 weeks with a baby growing inside you it is hard to believe that just a few days could seem like such a long eternity. The 9th of July was our first due date. Ha! That came and went... Now we will wait for the second date; the 18th. The days seem to strech out before us, vast as the oceans. Although we are trying to maximize these last few days and hours we have as just a couple, we are anxiously awaiting when our labor will begin, we are eager to hold, cherish and celebrate with joy over our first child! As we are waiting, we are learning patience...ultimately we are realizing that only God, the greatest Physician, knows the exact moment our child will be brought into the world, and we rest in peace that He is putting the finishing touches on His little creation!

baby names

2008-07-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

We consider ourselves very planned out people...so we ask, why is it less than a week from our delivery date and we have not settled on a name for our little baby??? I suppose we are waiting for just the right name, or a lightning bolt to strike us and provide for us just the perfect name. Luckily we do have a few that have stuck around; jackson, noah, cooper, elliot, carter, oscar, olivia, grace, madelynn, makennah, claire...it is just so hard to decide. There are just so many things you need to be considering...JJ has been focusing on what the nicknames for each of the above will be, while my brain thinks back to any students I might have had in the past and how the name will sound when our child is 10, 20 30 years of age...I suppose when we look in to the eyes of our newborn it will come to us!

The Nursery

2008-06-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

Although we decided to have a "surprise" baby, we just couldn't wait to get started decorating the nursery. We were fortunate to receive most of the furniture, gently used, from my sister. Most of the other decor came from other rooms in our home, just with a few updates. We tried to create a room that had these characteristics; was somewhat modern with a classic touch and could be used for future babies.

The nesting bug came along in about the 7 month of pregnancy. First, the kick was organizing. Every room in the house went through strict inspection. Although we have been married for 6 years, it is amazing all the stuff you can accumulate. Kara pulled out the sewing machine, wiped off the dust, which had been accumulating for several years and began to make things...blankets, curtains, custom birp cloths. Cathy helped with the finishing touches, the bedskirt and the bed comforter. Most of the inspirations came from little boutiques, which were charging way to much!