There are a lot of things to love about cold weather.  Specifically how adorable the kids look all bundled up.  Jewel spent so much of our outside play time with a baby zipped up inside her jacket...you just can't do that in the summer time.  In the back ground of this picture you can see a blurry little Trey.  Let me just say that no one year old rocks the puffy vest and beanie like he does.  We snuggle by the fire, we have not chocolate and warm toast.  Good, good things.

BUT, we have had several weeks of the most amazing spring weather, that it has us chomping at the bit for summer time!  The layers are starting to peel off, and the sun has been warm and frequent.

 As soon as we see the sun shinning, we race outside for as long as we can.  We work in the garden, we go for walks and bike rides, we just move life out of the house.

This is the garden we planted all from seed and loved and prayed over during the cold nights and short days.

 This is transplanting those seeds out to the raised beds.  We have three raised beds of this size (probably about 4ft by 10ft) that are filled with lettuces of many kinds, sugar snap peas, various onions, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, sweet peppers, and for fun we are trying edamame.  Beyond this, Jordan tilled a huge portion of the side property for pumpkins, tons of squash, corn, and more tomatoes and cabbage (we learned in our first go around that those puppies take up a LOT of space!).

Everywhere we go, no matter what house we live in, one of our first priorities is the sand box.  This is the third one that Jordan has built. Each time they get a little bigger.  In Hillsboro we had 2ft by 3ft.  In Beaverton we had 4ft by 8ft.  At the farm house...8ft by 8ft by 3ft. 

If we move again we'll just have to go straight to the beach.

 Here is a little perspective with my very tall six year old.

Three yards of sand...shoveled and scooped.

COUNTLESS hours of play time for all three kids.  One sunny morning Silas and Jewel went out and got very involved in a building project.  They were planning and collaberating and scheming.  I just let them.  I fed Trey lunch, put him down for his nap, worked on a few chores.  Finally, four hours later, I went to talk with them.  Neither one of them had gotten out of the sandbox or called for me once.  I offered to bring them food and water.  They were thankful for it, but not needy for it.  Although that day was a serious marathon, it is not uncommon for them to spend major chunks of time out there in building bliss.  

 Trey loves the freedom of pushing his trucks anywhere he pleases.  I have to keep a VERY close eye on this kid.  He has no fear of being alone, no fear of adventuring out, no fear of trying new things.  We've had many occasions of God's divine intervention...protecting his sweet little life.  Like Jewel, he is the silent type.  Stealthily he moves about, plotting his plans.  Whenever I discover him, with a giant smile he greets me and waves.  Trouble.

 We have had gorgeous flowers in our yard and on our walks (thank you to our unsuspecting neighbors who have annonymously donated to my flower vases via the kids' good intentions)

 I love this picture because it is total Oregon kids to be blinded by any amount of sunlight.

 And, THIS is our picnic table.  We will be eating out here for the majority of the summer with our family and anyone else who will join us for sharing in the bounty of the garden.  I found this beauty on craigs list.  It seats 12 people.  Yes, 12.  It is HUGE.  I am planning to refinish it as it needs a good sanding and staining...but for $50...solid wood seating for us and all our pals.

I know we have many rainy days ahead of us (today is particularly nasty actually), but this house is a blessing inside and out, and we cannot wait to share it in all seasons!