Highlights from Winter '14, Jadyn turns 5

This winter in Seattle was milder than the rest of the country's winter, for sure, and after our first Christmas season at home, we settled back into business as usual.  Sort of.  After the New Year rang in, one by one, we all got colds.  Jenny's escalated to bronchitis, and then Jeff had his hernia surgically repaired.  As could be expected, we hunkered down and limped along, and so there are fewer than usual pictures for winter.  Here are a few cute ones we did manage to take.

With a couple of friends on a Monday holiday morning spent at Woodland Park Zoo

Playing drums next door

Cute new sweater and hat!

Joseph enjoying Jadyn's new poncho

In case you can't tell, the kids get along remarkably well most of the time.  Joseph adores his big sister and tries to do nearly everything she does, even if he is clearly under-sized or under-capable for the task.  Jadyn can be an amazingly protective big sister, and we suspect that Jadyn has been a very positive influence on Joseph's love of books and art.

This winter we did watch more football than usual, with the Seahawks run to the Super Bowl and all.  Joseph learned to chant "Go Seahawks" with us, and he associates green and blue together as Seahawks colors.  ;-)

On the morning of Jadyn's birthday party, the kids woke to some wet snow that had fallen overnight.  They quickly dressed for making a snowman.  Unfortunately, there wasn't really enough snow for the endeavor, the temperature increased above freezing quickly, and the snowman never got completed or photographed.  No matter!  The kids had fun.

 

Jadyn's 5th birthday party was at the Inflatable Fun Zone at Arena Sports in Magnuson Park.  Taking pictures of kids who are jumping up and down on "bouncy" equipment is challenging to say the least!

 

A good time was had by all, and everyone loved the cake, made to Miss Jadyn's specifications by Mommy with some help from Jadyn herself.  One of the best parts of all the February birthdays we celebrated this year is that Joseph picked up the Happy Birthday song quickly, and he loves shouting it out frequently, especially when we mention anything that has to do with a birthday.  Happy Birthday, strong, independent, smart, and sweet Little Miss J!  We all love you so, so much!