Silly Skeletons

The girls are always pretty silly at bedtime. They were extra silly in their new glow-in-the-dark skeleton pjs. They had fun tackling & wrestling with Daddy, and then putting him night night. They made sure he was warm under the blankets, and gave him backrubs and arm scratches. They've become very good at stalling at bedtime!

Mia & Emma - silly sisters.

The double somersault!

Mia puts Daddy to sleep on the floor and tucks him in.

Emma pats Daddy's back to put him to sleep.

Papa George Comes to Town

Papa George came to visit us for a whole week! He was nice enough to help us with some house projects, but we tried to show him a good time too. We checked out a pumpkin farm, carved pumpkins, visited the girls' Gymboree class at school, went to the park and played at home.

We also sampled lots of local fare: Paseo's sandwiches, Totem House fish 'n chips, and teriyaki. The biggest hit with the girls were the Top Pot Doughnuts I brought home one morning. The girls had previously had one doughnut before at a Husky event, which they loved. It was also a Top Pot doughnut, so they're totally spoiled. As you'll see below, the girls (and the rest of us) thoroughly enjoyed them.

Who loves doughnuts?!?

Mia chose pink with sprinkles.

Emma ate her chocolate frosting and sprinkles first.

Mia tried to keep her doughnut away from Daddy.

Papa George and Emma are deep into their doughnuts. Yum!!

Later that day the girls had fun playing with Papa George. We hope he comes back to visit again soon!

Papa George is surrounded.

Papa George and Mia work on a puzzle.

We're gonna get you, Papa George!

Papa George retaliates with tickles for Emma.

The girls watch Papa George work on the fence outside.

The Pumpkin Farm

We tried out a new pumpkin farm this year - Carleton Farms in Lake Stevens. We loved it! We didn't quite escape the rain, but had a great time anyway. Even better - Papa George was in town visiting, so we got to show him the farm country here, not too far from Seattle. Hayride, pumpkins, kettle corn...what more could you ask for?

On the hayride to the pumpkin patch.

How tall this fall? Not sure this is a very accurate measurement of Emma and Mia this year. Maybe next time.

And they're off!!

Let's split up to find the best pumpkins. So many to choose from!

Running and splashing in mud puddles was another highlight of the farm.

Family photo with our pumpkins.

Papa George and the girls are ready to get out of the rain. Can you tell the girls liked their kettle corn by the way they are clutching the bags?

The "L" Words

Mia and Emma posing with the letter "L" for "Lund."

Now at age 2 1/2, the girls are talking up a storm! They often use complete sentences, and they love to sing (and sing and sing!) too. Between their cute little voices and the way they carry on conversations with each other, their is so much to love. My favorite thing, though, is the words and phrases that start with "l" that they replace it with a "y" sound. For example:

"Yet's do it!" (A phrase they picked up from Daddy.)

"I don't yike that, Mia." (Said with authority!)

Emma calling Mia: "Mimi Yun!"

What's Daddy's full name? "Matt Yund" Mama's? "Megan Yund"

Where did you go on vacation? "The yake!" (Lake Chelan)

"Just take a yittle bite."

"I have an owie on my yeg."

"Yook, Daddy, yook!"

"I want a yoyyipop."

"I yick the popsicle."

And my favorite, of course...

I yuv you, Mama!

Ostby Family Reunion

The Ostby family of Seattle had three children - Riley, Jean (Matt's grandma) and Betty (Matt's great aunt). Betty and her husband Rolie live in Yakima, about an hour away from Matt's parents. So for the second summer, Donna hosted a gathering for the Betty, Rolie and their daughter & family, as well as the families of Donna and her sisters Janis and Carol Kay. We all had a fun weekend together in sunny Richland. Lots of good food, some lawn games, lots of chatter and of course plenty of entertainment courtesy of the girls.

Family Photo - Front Row: Alec, Cathy, Scott, Donna, Debbie, Pete, Mia, Carol Kay, Bob, Betty, Janis, Matt; Back Row: Cary, Arile, Emma, Jacob, Rolie, David

Betty (Ostby) Hollwegner, Donna Lund, Janis Lund, and Rolie Hollwegner

There were several games of bocce ball throughout the day. Here, Matt, Pete, Alec and Scott battle it out. Meanwhile...

Emma and Mia watch from above.

Time to go bowling! Mia makes contact with several pins. Not bad for a first time bowler!

Emma throws a gutter ball, and then proceeds to march right up to the pins and dunk the ball on them. She's a basketball player at heart.

The Lunds Take Sesame Street

We took the girls to see Sesame Street Live this weekend. They were a bit overwhelmed at first, but warmed up and had a great time seeing their favorite Sesame Street celebrities - Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster...the whole gang! Enjoy these photos from the show.

The Lunds take Sesame Street!

Daddy with his happy girls, proudly wearing their Abby shirts.

Emma & Mia were on the edge of their seats during the show! Elmo and Abby have the edge for favorite Sesame Street characters.

Emma shows off her fairy wings, just like Abby. And her cool new Converse sneakers.

Picture slideshow created with Smilebox

Em & M at 2 years

What's new (and continued) at 2?

• Exclaiming "Whoa!" - Emma; "Wow!" - Mia
• Us: "Who wants to get dressed/take a bath first?" Emma: "Mia" Mia: "Emma"
• They love reading books in bed, and have several stories memorized.
• When we're driving in the car, they comment on all the colors and objects they see on things, like yellow cabs or doggies.
• They can both count to 10, and they tell us how many there are of something (e.g. "2 doggies!")
• Bubble baths are fun!
• They're beginning to use the potty, and often go 2x/day at school.
• Favorite foods - rice & crackers (both), grapes (Emma), strawberries (Mia)
• Daddy's car is cool because they can drive in it with the sunroof open.
• Looking in the mirror is intriguing.
• Favorite footwear: rain boots
• Dancing, dancing, dancing!
• We love hearing them talking to each other in bed in the morning, or at bedtime.
• making up games and songs - ready!, songs about family and friends
• Stickers are pretty cool, and coloring with crayons is fun.

Emma & Mia are 2!

The sun came out for the girls' actual birthday today. The celebrating continued with a birthday brunch at home with Mom & Dad, Grammy, Grandma Donna & Papa.

More singing and candles! The girls got a breakfast birthday cake, complete with Sesame Street characters on top. Grandma and Grammy help them blow out the candles.

Our birthday girls.

We took advantage of the sunshine, and spent the afternoon playing at the playground. Back at home, Matt made a delicious BBQ dinner.

The birthday girls go sliding.

Emma shows off her sparkly shoes.

Mia gets ready to slide.

Wheeee!

Room to run! The girls love running around outside.

Back at home, Daddy grilled up a delicious dinner of carne asada and the girls' favorite, Spanish rice. And of course, we had more cake for dessert!

Birthday cake #3 - this time a chocolate chip cookie cake! The girls love their cookies, and this was the biggest one they'd ever seen.

Mia is in awe of the cookie cake.

Emma hams it up with Grammy.

Mia is too focused on eating her cookie to let Daddy bug her.

More presents! The girls' daycare teacher, Whitney, was so thoughtful and gave them strollers, since they love playing with them at daycare.

Mia pushes her doll in the stroller.

Emma takes her baby doll for a spin.

Sugar high?

Our wild, crazy, wonderful, amazing, lovable 2-year old girls.