matt's birthday!

march 22nd was matt's 32nd birthday...unfortunately it was a pretty crazy day of work for both of us! and it snowed like CRAZY!!!! but we were able to sneak in a few fun things...

.... headed out to start the day....

i had class on matt's birthay and so i left malin with him to take care of her all afternoon and evening... malin and i planned a little surprise for dad to find during the day.... (i love this picture...she looks like she is in a straight jacket!

.... or really proud to be showing off her surprise onsie!)

.... after a LONG day of work, school and snow.... we finally sat down for a birthday dinner!

this was actually the day after matt's birthday. even though we were disappointed to have MORE snow on the ground....it was seriouly one of the nicest days!

and...march 22nd was also malin's 3 month birthday..... so here are a couple pictures of her....

every month i have been taking her picture next to this doll so that we can see a little more clearly how she changes in size.....

california

a few weeks ago matt, malin and i headed west....first stop california....to visit my grandma and grandpa...malin's great grandma and grandpa. while we weren't necessarily beachin' it, it was so much fun to see my grandma and grandpa and share malin with them. we were thankful to be able to make the trip and enjoy the warm weather. we also got to visit with my aunt joy, uncle norm and cousin krysta in san jose! thanks everybody for a really fun visit!

while we were in turlock, ca my grandma and grandpa took us to the hilmar cheese company/factory. we got to see how they make all the cheese...and had lunch there too!

turlock is definitely dairy country....so we went to a milking carousal. it was pretty amazing...and SUPER smelly!

turlock is also known for its orchards so we drove around and saw LOTS of blossoms. these are almond blossoms and they were in full bloom. they were so cool because they looked like they were covered in snow! p.s. i had NO IDEA almonds grew on trees!

portland....wahoo!

after california matt, malin and i flew up to portand, oregon to visit my brother + his family! my sister + her family also flew in from chicago....i had been looking forward to this trip for what seemed like forever....it was SO much fun...but way too short! oh man i wish we all lived closer!

here are some pictures of just a few things that we did. i wish i had taken more pictures...but we were just having too much fun!

OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)....not sure who had more fun....the kids or adults!

......hanging out......

....rollar skating for calla's birthday!

....and....greta, calla and samuel were all dedicated at church on sunday!

what a fun week!

the many faces of malin....

when we were in chicago for midwinter we had dinner with our very good friends, kris and matt thulson. it just so happens that these guys are the most amazing artists....and while we were at there place they took gobs of pictures of malin! here are some of my favorites.....






























geesh....it was hard to pick just a few.....i simply love this little peanut too much!
thanks kris and matt

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree!

...how very much i love you...

i realize how silly this sounds, but i am seriously in love with our christmas tree this year! i always love getting, decorating and sitting in front of the christmas tree...but this year seems different. maybe it's because this is the first year that matt and i are sharing a home together...maybe it's because i am finally finished with this semester of grad school, my internship is over for a bit, and little baby b. is due just about any day now...

whatever the reason....i am loving the moments this winter when the sun goes down and i can turn on the lights and just enjoy being cozy in front of the tree....

matt and i actually got to cut our own tree this year...which is something i have never ever done, but always wanted to do. it was one of those perfect afternoons that just never seems to work out, but DID!....the group from camp was gone for the weekend... matt was free to be home... we drove less than 5 miles to a house where the nice people who live there sell the trees from their property for just 10 dollars! they had a saw hanging on their barn and a bucket where you left your money!!! it was super casual... and it was so fun to just walk around in the snow... they even had animals and it was snowing! i loved that none of the trees were perfect...and yet that made them that much better! anyway...enough about my love of christmas trees.... here are some pictures from the day....and of course, our tree in all its beauty!

merry christmas!

waiting....

come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.