My Valentines gift from my wonderful husband :) :) :) This Valentines we had four friends over (and two more little ones), Devon & Ethan and Jen & Adam. We figured since our evenings weren't about to be romantic with 3 little ones anyway, we'd all get together and make the most of it:) It was dinner and a movie. A good time too! Happy Valentines Day!!! Atalie got all dressed up for Valentines. Her friend Zack was the special man. He was also looking quite spiffy, but we didn't get a picture in time before bed... shoot. Atalie and her new friend Gabriella Ann Koenig. Gabby was also dressed for the occassion:) She was born December 24th... maybe some day they'll be best of friends:)

Fettuccini & Mischief

Mmmm! Atalie has her first taste of fettuccini alfredo... ...it's a hit! She ate just over half this mound of pasta.

Little monkey! Tisk tisk. This is what I get for letting her entertain herself while I email a friend. Guess who had to put all the bags back? Yup.

Well, the hunt is on for another place to rent/buy by the time mid-May rolls around. It's tough to find something 3 months in advance, as most landlords who are currently advertising are trying to find renters asap. We have placed an ad in the local paper for "wanting to rent" and have had a couple calls - one good call so far. I thought I'd post the website of one townhouse we're looking at renting (what the heck aye? if nothingelse, just for interest sake). It looks really nice(!) and is in Radium Hot Springs, which is a 15min. drive North of Invermere. The bonus of Radium is slightly cheaper rent and slightly fewer tourists in the summer. Speaking of which, here's a good fact for you who are unfamiliar with the area. Invermere has a population of about 5,000 people in spring/winter/fall (only 1/3 of the houses are occupied) and 30,000 people in the summer - which also makes finding rent just before summer very very difficult. (the other 2/3 of the houses are vacation homes owned by Albertans, mainly Calgarians). And if you have been through Invermere you'll know there's one main street and that's it. There isn't room for 30,000 people - literally. So I would be happy to have a little more space. Anyway, here's the site if you are interested. We haven't discussed the rent$, as the landlord is unfamiliar with rent around Radium. Up until now, he's been using this property as a nightly/weekly rental for tourists, but seems very interested in having us rent longterm. It is furnished, just like our place we're in now, so that would be hastle free as far as packing/unpacking. Yea! Here's a peak: http://www.highcountryproperties.com/feature.asp?code.x=5&propcode=RR137

pancakes & showers

Our little monkey looooves pancakes with syrup! But who doesn't??? She has recently discovered the joy of flowing water, combined with gravity... SO much more exciting than sitting pools of water!! Daddy & Attie cleanin' up after a hard days work! (and play)

Random snaps

Here are some recent, random pictures of Atalie, just plain bein' herself:) Her personal favorite: soup and grilled cheese sandwiches (minus the crusts - which will only last until she can chew!) If you ask, "How big is Attie?!?" ... she'll raise her arms and you have to say "Soooooo BIG!!!" Waiting for Daddy to come home from work:) Trying to grab the camera. Looking up at Mom, talking on the phone.

Begging to also talk on the phone... ...finally! She gets her chance. If you tell her to "Say hi!", she now says "haaaaa!" (but Grandma could have sworn she heard her say "Hi Grandma!")

...more cuteness to come...

Lynnwood, WA.

We begin our journey to Lynnwood, Washington with a little sneak peak at Nana & Papa's house: The cold, hard truth about their house. They have rats!!! Big ones! Well take a look if you don't belive me! Okay, okay... they don't have rats, not even one. This one is actually a stuffed toy, purchased for Atalie at Ikea of all places. Yes, I thought it was a mouse originally, but when Kevin pointed out the obvious features of a rat (long creepy tail and big buck teeth), I decided it would be cute anyways. It turned out that this is one of Atalie's favorite toys!...? While we were staying at Kev's parents house Kevin happened to stick the rat up on the beam accidentally while throwing it in the air repeatedly. We had a good laugh b/c it looked so real from far back.

Little munchkin was a real hoot this weekend!! She giggled and giggled and giggled - having us all in stitches:)

A tired pook gets a nice warm bottle and a snuggle with Daddy. Nana enjoyed every moment with her little Grandbaby! We only wish we could have gotten a picture of Atalie with both Nana & Papa this weekend. How'd we miss that one?!? Here's Attie with her proud new outfit that Nana & Papa bought for her for Christmas! And here she is exploring one of many things she likely shouldn't be. And last, Atalie undresses from her pretty little church clothes and pauses for a picture wearing only her tights and shiny black shoes. What a goof.

Thanks Nana & Papa (Mom & Dad) for a great weekend!!