Announcement

The Lees are expecting baby #3! I am 13 weeks pregnant and we heard the heartbeat this morning. It's been a rough 2 months with morning sickness and exhaustion, but thank goodness for modern medicine...I've been taking an anti-nausea medicine that's helped a lot. Hopefully, I will be off the meds and more energetic by the New Year. I think this will be the last child for us, so we are trying to treasure each moment, though we won't miss the first trimester one bit. We'll keep you updated as my pregnancy progresses.

Another snow picture

First Snow!

Today we've had our first snowfall. We had a dusting this morning, but then it quickly melted. Then, the snow started up again this afternoon. We're expected to get 1-3 inches before it turns to rain. One of the great things about our house is the big windows in the living area -- they give lots of beautiful views of falling snow.

Jeff hasn't seen this picture yet, but he will be proud when he sees his daughter's snowball pitch.

Singing in church

A Little Candle Trouble :-)

Avery is 2!

Avery turned 2 on November 8th! As a slacker mom, I am just getting around to posting some pictures. Sorry for the delay. She asked for Diego balloons and cupcakes, but had to settle for Dora since I didn't take a trip to Party City, and Target/Walmart let me down. She had a small party with the four of us and one family from church. It was perfect for her...fun but not too overwhelming. She still doesn't have many of her own friends since we moved here, but I expect that to change a lot in the coming year.

Opening presents while Daddy and Cambria look on.

She was very happy with her new baby stroller.

Cinderella attends many of our family events.

There was no question about her favorite part of a birthday -- Cupcakes!

Showing off her new sweater from Yen-Yen and Yea-Yea.

Missing NJ

All in all our move to the Northwest has been smooth, however, there is one thing that we are missing a lot -- bagel shops. We have moved from the land of bagel shops to not having one anywhere near us. The closest one is in Issaquah and I'm not sure it's legit. There may be a Espresso hut on every street corner in Maple Valley, but for a girl who only drinks frappachinos, that's just not cutting it. I miss hanging out at the bagel shop with my family on a Saturday morning.

A new haircut

The other day I took the girls for a trim. The woman at the hair salon misunderstood me and gave Cambria bangs. Even three days later, I hardly recognize my own daughter. She looks completely different with bangs...older, I think. The good news is that her hair is no longer in her face.

A Little Halloween Day Video

Halloween pics

I'm finally posting some Halloween pictures. Avery was a ladybug and Cambria was Cinderella. The girls had a blast trick-or-treating around a friend's neighborhood. It was the first year that Cambria really understood the whole candy concept, and was very proud of her "loot".

Looking for salmon in the Cedar River

A Hike with the Grandparents

Avery holding a huge maple leaf (thus the name of our town, Maple Valley).

Walking with the grandparents.

The sign warns to report bear or other wild animal sightings.

Pumpkin Patch

I'm catching on the blog, so here are a butch of pictures from the pumpkin patch we visited with Cambria's class. My mom, who was visiting from VA, joined us on the field trip.

Purple cast

We visited the orthopedic doctor this morning. He said that she has a hairline fracture and that we should put a cast on to prevent any further damage while it heals. So, Cambria choose a purple cast for the next 3 weeks. Pray that we can survive the complaints of itching under the cast, etc. Of course, the injury has not kept her from dressing like a princess.

Broken arm

On Friday Cambria fell off the monkey bars and fractured her left wrist. I knew immediately that it was broken by the way she cried and held her arm. I took her to the Urgent Care nearby and they confirmed the break by x-ray. They placed her in a splint for the weekend and we will be seeing an orthopedic doctor on Monday. The arm has not hurt her since they put the splint on, but we have unwrapped the ace bandage several times to put lotion on her itchy arm. I really hope they don't give her a real cast...if her arm itches with a splint then she will go crazy with a cast. We'll keep you updated!

Awesome God

The women's Bible study at Maple Valley Pres is studying Gripped By God's Greatness by James MacDonald. This week was focused on God's awesomeness. I am so grateful for a reminder of God's awesome power is the sight of Mt. Rainier. I've never lived by something so awe-inspiring; so majestic; so formidable. To see Mt. Rainier (especially when the sun is rising or setting) is breathtaking and humbling at the same time. How much greater is God's awesomeness.
Deut. 10:17 "The Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God."

Silly Avery

Always the comedian, Avery flashes her best "cheese" smile. She is posing in front of a studio at Cambria's dance school.

I asked her to not smile in this one. One month from today, she will be 2 years old. I can't believe it's been two years.

Handy Cammie!

Cambria's favorite TV show is "Handy Manny" on Playhouse Disney. She's taken to helping Jeff with any project around the house, and walking around with "Phillipe" her Phillips head screwdriver.

Avery's painted room

This Saturday Jeff, Cambria and I painted Avery's room. It's bright, but it's Avery's favorite color -- "lello". Eventually, I'd like to get some bright pink bedding since her crib converts to a toddler bed.

Dance class

Cambria is loving her ballet/tap classes. Thanks, Yen-Yen & Yea-Yea. I took this video today, but it was a little rough since the door to the studio wasn't open. I'll ask her teacher if I can take some better video on Friday.

Cambria is the one in a pink leotard between two girls in black.

Our funny sleeper

After putting the girls to bed, I went out to get the mail. While walking up the driveway I noticed that Cambria's light was on. I went into her room and found her fast asleep on her stool. She is so much like her Daddy...she can fall asleep anywhere.

A little girl is emerging

She's really growing up. Everyday Avery is adding new words to her vocabulary. Last night we asked her if she wanted a biscuit with her spaghetti. She said, "yup," like she normally does and added, "butter on it."

"I love my new shirt, Aunt Katie."

These pics are especially for Aunt Katie

Cambria sporting her new dress from Aunt Katie (notice how it matches her shoes so well). Her hair is beginning to fall out of the side buns for dance class earlier in the day.

Ready to play soccer with Daddy at the park.

Quick temp report

On Monday it was 91 degrees in Maple Valley, WA!!!! This morning it was freezing in comparison -- mid 50s. It did get up to 68 this afternoon. I think that the 91 degrees was unusual, since the next week looks to be in the 60s.

Last night...

Jeff had a Session meeting at church last night, so I decided to paint the kitchen. The color is Benjamin Moore "Dill Weed" and I really like it. It warms up the cabinets, and makes me think that we may not paint them white after all.

Now, there are five more remaining projects in the kitchen -- one that I am willing to do myself, but the other four require help, or us hiring someone:
*Installing an over-the-stove black microwave with vent (the vent needs to be attached to the outside, since the present one never was).
*Replacing the floor.
*Replacing the countertop and sink/faucet.
*Installing a garbage disposal.
*Replacing and adding hardware to the cabinets (I can do this one).

Avery's new talent

The other night we were eating stir-fry and Avery decided to eat hers with chopsticks like Daddy. After a few attempts, she was able to get a little bit in her mouth each time. She made her Daddy very proud and I'm sure Yea-Yea will be proud, as well.

A few of my favorite Cambria phrases

Here are a two of my favorite Cambria's words in use:
"I suppose we should stay out of my baby's room while she's napping."
"I'm guessing that the sun will not come out today."

Where do kids learn to use words like suppose or guess? Have Jeff or I been using them a lot and she's picked them up from us, or was it some other place? I don't know, but it sure is cute.

Cambria's first day at preschool

Cambria started her new preschool today. There are 12 kids in her class and her teacher is very nice. The school is a co-op so I will have opportunities to volunteer in her class throughout the year. There are also some additional volunteer opportunities to help off-set the cost of the tuition. The best part (according to Cambria) is that her class is two doors down from Daddy's office. :-)

Birthday party

Cambria had a great time at her new friend Hadley's birthday party. Obviously, the theme was princesses and princes, and was held at a kids' music studio. Hadley just turned 4 so she misses the cut-off for Cambria's grade at preschool, but they will be in dance classes together this year and see each other a lot at church events.

Fun at the "Take a Break" playground in Maple Valley

"Stop it, Mommy"

Cambria's favorite things

Soccer & Dancing

A Day at the Seattle Center & Pike's Place Market

We had a fun day in Seattle on Labor Day. The plan was to picnic at the International Fountain and let the girls run in the water. Unfortunately, they were having a big music festival called Bumbershoot so the only way to get to the fountain was to pay $35 each. So, we picnicked below the Space Needle, watched all the action while the girls kicked around the soccer ball with Jeff. I had a chance to take a survey and receive a coupon for 50% off the Space Needle admission so we ended up going up top, much to Cambria's delight.

Little Miss Independent

Cambria loved the views from on top of the Space Needle

Mommy and a "struggling to get down" Avery

Mt. Rainer in the background (it was a hazy afternoon so the view wasn't too clear)

Cambria loved the telescopes

Avery deep in thought.

Peppers at Pike's Place Market.

Avery on the Rachel the pig.

Mt. Rainier over the stadiums.