...and we're back

So it's only been 9 months since our last post. Let's see where did we leave off?! Oh yeah, our epic road trip in March. It went well. I'll leave it at that. Since then:

 - Jeff got his MBA
 - Jeff got a job at IBM
 - We moved from Seattle to southern California
 - I went to Japan to meet my family for the first time
 - We're pregnant (JUST KIDDING)

We've been living in Laguna Niguel for the past 6 months. It's been nice, except that our little apartment has the worst lighting ever. We're getting really tired of living in a cave so we've decided to move out of our current place and head south to San Clemente. I'm really digging San Clemente.

Life is good. The kids are happy and healthy. Jeff is enjoying his new job. I'm enjoying my new kindle.

Hullinger Family Road Trip!!!

2,862 miles and 2 days and 1 hr on the road. This should be an adventure of epic proportions. Seattle-->Walla Wall-->Salt Lake City-->St George-->Las Vegas-->Laguna Niguel-->Santa Monica-->San Francisco-->Eureka-->Florence, OR-->Seattle.

We just bought a dvd player for the car that should keep Mick entertained for part of the trip, but we anticipate a challenge none-the-less. Stay tuned for an even epic-er highlight video forthcoming.

Wish us luck (particularly in our 'new' 98 Toyota Corolla). Should be a perfect test for out little green machine.

Arrgh Matey... Happy 3rd Birthday Mick!

We had a pirate theme for Mick's 3rd birthday. We decided to have a very simple family party this year. Mick had a great time hitting the pinata, "helping" me make his birthday cake, rubbing frosting all over his face and then running around the house on a major sugar high.

Lucy cooperated a bit and we were able to capture this cute little pirate picture.

Arrgh.

 

Some new family pictures from Christmas break

This is the fremont bridge troll

Lucy Goose is a little ticklish girl and loves to smile

Mick had to help her open her presents. She was very grateful.

She's so proud of her balance and leg strength!

This is our first full family picture. This was Christmas day at Carkeek Park. 

Mick loved playing with his new digging toys at the beach.

Uncle Spencer was Mick' favorite. Sorry, Katie.

 

Ok. He did like Katie a bunch too.

Something for posterity

Hullinger Christmas Elves!!

santa, cousins, cuteness and messes

Glamping is Way Better than Camping

We went to the San Juan Islands (Friday Harbor) a couple of months ago and it was quite the adventure. Jeff and I are not the most experienced campers, but have taken more of an interest in camping since living in the Northwest. On this trip we discovered "glamping" (GLamorous cAMPING) and I definitely think this is more our style... a big canvas tent set up on a campsite with a fire pit, etc., but inside the tent is like a hotel room... nice! Here are a few pictures from our wonderful, rainy excursion to the islands.

Halloween Fun

Mick making Lucy laugh, again...

Mick tackling daddy--BYU should take notes

Mick jumping, Lucy laughing

Sweet little Lucy

Our California vacation

We miss you Daddy!

I'm in Utah with the kids until Sunday. We are having a really great time visiting family, but we miss daddy!

We love you and miss you Jeff. Here are a few photos of our trip so far...

Best day ever!

Memorial Day was one of those days when I kept thinking to myself "life can't get any better than this". These past few weeks have been a little stressful in the Hullinger home (Mick has had a difficult time adjusting to baby sister) so it was so great to have a relaxed fun-filled day.

We began our day with a beautiful drive to the east side, past Issaquah (east of Seattle), to a beautiful lake. We had a fantastic time hiking around and throwing rocks in the water, however it was cut short when rain started pouring down on us. It is always fun to play in the rain!

The rain cleared up and it was gorgeous outside so next we headed to the Northwest Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center (downtown). We had an fun time looking at all the booths of handmade crafts, listening to bands play and eating goodies, but the highlight was watching Mick's excitement as he rode little carnival rides. He was in heaven!! He rode fire trucks, airplanes, cars and a pirate ship. His cute little personality (the Mick we know and love, but haven't seen much of the past few days) shined again... hooray! I couldn't stop smiling and laughing cause he was so stinking cute.