Baking Cookies

It has been switching back and forth between nice days and cold, snowy days. Yesterday we went to the park and today we were inside baking cookies. It is quite interesting now that there are 2 little helpers. I must say both are very willing, eager, and insistant on helping out. To my horror there were constant taste test going on - Even after the egg and flour stages. The girls didn't seem to mind! They would do anything for their Daddy.

New House

We know that everyone has patiently been awaiting photos of our new house. Thank you...we are gradually settling in. Almost every box is unpacked and things in their places. We still don't have anything hung on our walls, but that will come soon enough. It is a painful thought to put a hole in Linwood's newly painted walls :)

The girls never missed a beat in the transition to the new house. They love their new space almost as much as we do. India likes her "pink room" and they really like that they have a playroom downstairs. I am sure that having all of their stuff at the house really helps. India has made herself right at home...opening the refrigerator and freezer at her leisure and putting things in and out of the cupboards. She is quite the little helper! Jordyn will be the independent child in our family. She can play alone for quite a while. She is growing up so fast... she has quite a few words and understands whatever you say to her. There is a tiny bit of a temper there ... don't know where she got that :)

We Love you and miss you!

Checking In

Just wanted to let you know that we haven't forgotten about you. We have been battling some crazy colds that just won't go away. (I left the camera out but packed the batteries so I haven't been able to take pictures - but who wants to see pictures of sick kids right?) As a summary of how these past few weeks have been, the receptionist at the doctor's office now knows us by name. Of course this may be because of the very memorable first trip we made there. Jordyn was wheezing so I called and took her right there after I picked her up from daycare. Well, wouldn't you know it that she decided she needed to poop as we were there in the waiting room and I had NOTHING because I didn't expect to make any stops after daycare. So, the doctor examined her as I apologized for the smell hoping that she would offer a diaper and wipes. She didn't. When she recommended that we get x-rays Jordyn's chest done I outright asked for a diaper and wipes. Would you believe that the doctor's office had NONE?! Luckily one of the nurses had a diaper in her car. They called us back for x-rays right away so poor Jordyn still had poop on her butt and was squeezed into this plastic harness for x-rays while I held her arms in the air and she screamed her head off. India wasn't even allowed in the room with us during the x-rays so I was relieved that I had brought the stroller for confinement and had some snacks for contentment.
After the x-rays I was finally able to change poor Jordyn's diaper. I know this seems impossible, but NONE of the restrooms in the doctor's office had a changing table. So, there I was trying to change Jordyn in the stroller with wet paper towels for wipes while keeping one of my legs sticking out so India couldn't play with the toilet. Both kids are screaming and I am trying my best not to soil the stroller. Eventually we managed to complete all bathroom missions and return to the waiting room.
Two hours after our arrival we walked out the door with antibiotics for an ear infection. At least, I walked out the door. Jordyn was now in the stroller screaming and India was in my arms screaming because she dropped her sticker somewhere and Mommy wouldn't go back to find it.
We all slept well that night!!!
Today, after 3 more doctor visits and a trip to the emergency room when India came down with hives (I didn't know that was what it was at the time), Jordyn is on her second round of super strength antibiotics and we are gradually returning to health.

We move this Saturday so we will have some pictures of the new house next week!
Love you all!

We're Moving!

With moving date fast approaching there is so much to be done. Linwood is spending countless hours at the new house painting and doing repairs. The girls and I are cleaning and packing up all of our things. You can see from the pictures that they are great helpers!

A Must See!

Everyone needs a signature dance move and boy do our girls have one.

Almost Homeowners

We are all enjoying our day off together and the warm sunshine that has replaced Winter's bitter cold. The girls are taking a nap, Linwood is running errands, and I am wondering what I can put salsa and sour cream on. Have you ever gotten a craving for one thing and then realized you don't have its partner? I think Wheat Thins will do nicely.
The girls are suffering from colds that have them congested and coughing. Nothing seems to keep them down though! Linwood and I are enjoying the few extra minutes of snuggling time. They are playing together more and more and Jordyn even tried to climb on India's back this morning to get a horsey ride. SO CUTE!!!!
This is a really exciting week for us. Not only have we gottent o spend one extra day together as a family, we are registering India for preschool next year (CAN SHE REALLY BE THAT OLD?) and most exciting of all....We are scheduled to close on our house Wednesday. YAY!!!! We are so excited! That means that in just a few weeks our house will be packed up, moved, and unpacked again. Unbelievable.
Well, I must stop procrastinating and get packing while I still have some nap time left.
Love you all!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to everyone!! We are looking forward to 2010 being our best year yet. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. Anytime we get to hang out with family and each other is a great time. India loved looking at all the Christmas lights. We can hardly believe how grown the girls have gotten!!!
If you ask India and Jordyn the highlight of their Christmas break was getting to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa. They just couldn't get enough of them!!! Grandma and Grandpa got climbed on, kicked, kissed, hugged, and lots of love. We were all sad to see them return home.
We love you all!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone! We hope that your Christmas was as joyous and blessed and fun as ours! The girls had a great time. You can't see India's face but her eyes were wide and her mouth was wide open when she saw the presents under the tree. They got more toys than they (or we) know what to do with. Thinking of you all on this holiday.

Christmas Eve

It's a snowy Christmas in Denver! Jordyn had her first experience in the snow this week. She looked like a little pink marshmallow in her snowsuit. Everytime she would fall down, she would roll inevitably on her stomach and couldn't get back up again. She lasted for a while, that is until she did a few face plants in the snow. She was frozen when we went back inside but she'll be ready to go again. India had a great time!!!
India helped Mommy bake some pies and cookies. Unfortunately neither turned out very good this time :-(
See what our house looked like before Christmas morning!
We love you and miss you all!
Linwood, Sara, India, and Jordyn

Twas the week before Christmas..

Uncle Moe got India and Jordyn "Baby Alives." Would you believe that these babies talk, eat, and go to the bathroom?! The girls LOVE them. They are both dragging them around and pushing them in their stroller. Since both babies look alike, you can hear India asking, "Is that my baby?" Many times throughout the day. Of course the answer is always "Yes."

This past week has been in the 50s and we took advantage of the weather by going for a hike. We saw a lot of deer and India announced to everyone that they were reindeer. Everyday we are cracking up or melting over the cute things she says. Be warned though, now that she knows her manners she expects everyone in the world to follow them. She will say "Thank you" until she is answered with a "You're Welcome" and "I'm sorry" until she is answered with "That's okay."

We have also spent a few evenings driving around looking at Christmas lights and this has become one of India's favorite pasttimes. Note the picture of the keys in her little car at home.

Merry Christmas!
We Love You!

Daddy had a birthday

This has been another eventful week in the Washington household. Uncle Moe came to visit and brought gifts for everybody. We had a birthday party at The Olive Garden with family. There was a slideshow for Daddy that we tried to post, but it wouldn't work. We sang "Happy Birthday" a lot and had balloons to play with. Remember when 40 sounded really old....

Breakfast with Santa

The school that I work at hosted a breakfast with Santa last week and the girls' daycare came. Santa had a real beard and even played the saxophone. Mrs. Claus read story books to the kids. There were no tears this year!

Sledding

We got a few inches of snow yesterday and couldn't wait to get out and go sledding. India LOVES sledding!!! She is so excited and so brave. Just wait until we take her to the big hills! Jordyn was taking a nap during our adventures. We are frantically searching for warm, waterproof boots that are small enough for her. Who would have thought that would be a problem in Colorado!

Love you and stay warm!

God is soooo good!

We just wanted to take a moment and tell you all how good God is and how he is blessing our lives.
First, India has not had a single seizure since November 29...that is one whole week when she has not gone a day in over a year. We are so thankful and grateful that God has healed her!
Second, we have won a Teacher Next Door house and are awaiting the closing date and details :) For those of you who do not know this program, it is a deal that cannot be passed up!
Aside from these big, miraculous things... we are just so thankful to have jobs and a warm place to live. The temperature here has been close to 0 at night and in the teens during the day for a week now. Yikes!!!

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving break was soooo much fun this year. We had an entire week off of school and enjoyed every minute of it. See the photos of us playing at home and going to the zoo to see "Zoo Lights." We didn't know what the girls would think, but they loved it. Especially India who went running from one set of lights to the next squealing and yelling at us to run with her.