I Love My Sara!

We sure love to "spider swing."
There are few things I love more than that smile!

Grandpa Dan's Cabin

Today we had a family outing to the cabin (castle) to see the latest progress. We are getting excited for it to be done. Thanks to all of the men who are helping to finish it.

Look how much progress has been made!
View from living room to second floor loft and dining area
View from dining area to kitchen, mud room, bathroom, master bedroom (behind stairs)
View from 2nd floor bedrooms to loft
View from 2nd floor loft to bedrooms and kids loft (aka Sara's Castle)
Sara in her castle. This is her absolutely favorite part of the cabin, minus climbing the ladder to get up and down.

How much fun will this little crawl space be for the little kids!

Shout Out to Captain Steve!

Congrats on getting the job! The SLC Fire Department will never be the same.

All to Ourselves!

Today we went to a new park with Kiki, Cami, Kate, and Andie. We had the whole place to ourselves and the kids had a blast!

There are 2 slides on the 2nd level and one on the 3rd.
Sara singing Good Morning Baltimore.
Kate is often times a little too helpful with Blake (she thinks she needs to carry him everywhere). However, he really enjoyed going down the slides with her today.
Climbing the ladder like a pro!

Sara got angry when Crystal and I refused to help her down this contraption. Look at that face!

I love this picture. They just adore each other.

Family Night

Tonight we went on a ride to the cabin for family night. Sara was very vocal about not wanting to go, until she realized that we were going to the "castle" where her bed will be. Bryan had told her about the loft that they have been working on. There has been some significant progress on the cabin since our last visit. The stairs to the second floor are half done, the 3 balcony decking is done, fireplace framed in, upstairs and basement exterior doors installed, and Sara's absolute favorite . . . the loft. The kids had fun running around and making piles out of sawdust.
Before we left we went to the playground. Sara and Blake learned how to "spider swing" with Bryan and I. It was so fun to see their faces as we would swing higher and higher. Sara and I raced on the basketball court and she was thrilled to discover that she could touch the basketball net. Blake raced around the tennis court as Bryan made plans for the Washington Family Reunion . . . couples tennis tournament. As we were about to leave the moon was rising over the mountain. I pointed it out to Sara and asked if she knew what it was. Her first guess was a fire, then a ladybug as it got larger. When about 3/4 of the moon was showing she exclaimed, "It's the moon!" We are greatly anticipating weekend cabin trips. Can't wait until it is done!

Someone Loves Babies

Holly and Dan came over on Friday night to play games and Sara was so excited to see "See-nana." We started a movie for Sara hoping to play with few interruptions. Refusing to lay down on the couch, Sara went to her room to find her sleeping bag. She wanted to lay by the napping Miss Sienna. She set up everything as close as she possibly could to the car seat. When Sienna woke up, poor Holly had Sara trying to climb up on her lap as she fed the baby a bottle. Sara just could not get enough of her. When I told her that she could not touch the baby until she washed her hands, she ran back to the bathroom. She caressed her head and fawned over her all night. The next Washington baby will have a wonderful big sister who is completely in love with babies.

My Little Mermaid

The new Disney movie release, Ariel's Beginning, has sparked some interesting conversation at our house. As Sara was watching the movie she became very concerned when Ariel's mother, Athena, was no longer involved in the plot.

Sara: Where did Athena go?

Me: She died sweetie.

Sara: But where did she go?

Me: She went to heaven to live with Heavenly Father.

She seemed satisfied with that answer. However, as she was trying to wrap her little mind around this concept she kept asking me where Ariel's mom went about every 5 minutes. I knew that she finally understood when asked her to tell me where Athena went and she answered correctly. A few minutes later she sat up on the couch very distraught.

Sara: But Athena can not live with Heavenly Father! King Triton loves her and will miss her so, so very much!

(note the exclaimation points as she is very dramatic)

Me: When King Triton dies he will go to live with Heavenly Father and Athena. Then they can be together forever.

She really liked this idea. The next day she came to me and very matter of factly told me that, "Ariel just wants to die so that she can be with her mommy and Heavenly Father forever."

I think that it is so interesting to see the simplicity of life through the eyes of my almost-three year old. Even at such a young age the logical question of where we go after death was a concern of hers. I'm just glad that I have the knowledge and testimony needed to be able to answer tough philosophical and religious questions that she will ask now and in the future.