Della's 3rd Birthday!

Della Cascade Porter
3rd Birthday

The BIG Reveal

In a special birthday dress Della picked out for the occasion

 I don't have word to describe how thrilled we are to be her parents!

 Did I mention THREE!

 Della had to wait to open presents until her surprise guest arrived! 

What to do?

1. Play with her brother

 2. Have a snack with Nana

3. Watch Huck entertain himself

4. Get some love from Daddy

 5. Watch Huck entertain himself ... bouncing on balloons

 6. Family Tickles

 YAY! Our special guest Anna arrived!

( previously known as Nanny Destini)

 Although no longer our nanny Destini remains one of our favorite people!

Since her Halloween costume had been Anna from Frozen ... 

who better to show up for Della's birthday?

Let the present opening commence!

Princess stamp set ...

 Princess books ...

Princess dress-up slippers ...

which she actually hugged with excitement!

 Princess doll ...

are you picking up on the theme yet?

The one outlier ... a toddler proof nativity set

turns out the one mama bought wasn't unbreakable

 trying out the slippers

 The cake!

A pink thing with sprinkles inside & out ...as selected by Della

note the well practiced baby block move by daddy

 Playtime with Anna

Della corrected us each time we referred to her guest as anything other than Anna

 Thank You Destini! You made this birthday very special.

 As you can tell by the smile Della very much enjoyed her birthday

 What better way to end the day than a game of chase with your baby brother?

... around and around the house they go ...

Della!

You are a brilliant beautiful sassy precious little person

You made me a mommy and push me to be better each and every day

Thank You.

Side Note: 

Due to Della's actual birthday being December 23rd we currently celebrate a couple 

weeks early to ensure her special day doesn't get lost in the Christmas festivities. 

Rattle Snake Ridge

Following Huck's First Birthday we took a Family excursion to

Rattlesnake Ridge

which is located directly south of North Bend WA

I'd recently discovered the beautiful location on a business related visit a few days earlier

We were eager to explore the area on this drizzly weekend

Huck preparing to drive

Where are we ... exactly?

 The facility has a fantastic education center with tons for kids of all ages, and adults, to do. 
We spent over an hour exploring the facility and only left because it was closing for lunch break. 
 

 There are also some wonderful maintained trails to explore

 That smile ... 

 We braved the muddy shoreline of Rattlesnake Lake

 Della has been testing her independence

This is her "leave me alone, mom" face

But ... really?

How do you leave her alone when she's on a tall stump ... with a stick?

 Although the location was PERFECT for a Fall Picture

I could not, no matter how hard I tried, get both kids 

to face the same direction

at the same time

and not look angry

 

When not physically holding them in position

they shot off immediately in separate directions

Della climbing up whatever stump was nearest

Huck ... directly towards the water

 Note Stark hoisting Huck in the background

Huck WANTED to go swimming

Let's take a look in slow motion

Huck running for the water

Huck being hoisted away from the freezing muddy water 

Huck being safely carried away

 The best of the sibling pictures

 Huck ... very unhappy to be leaving

 Della randomly deciding to roll down the hill 

 Overall it was a very enjoyable outing

one we will do again ... possibly when there is less mud

***I'd apologize to those who would enjoy more content 

but this really is simply our family photo album. 

Pictures on pictures of my children growing up. 

So I will have something to look at and reminisce over. ***