Matching Girls Monday: Cherry Blossoms at University of Washington in Seattle
I'm sharing my favorite matching girls outfit of the week, taken at one of my favorite places. We visited the cherry blossoms at the University of Washington last week to take our annual pictures. It was pretty crowded {it always is}, but we were able to find a break in the crowds to snap some shots.
As a special bonus, my son and I are both joining in on the fun this week. My girls are wearing the Peek Feather Top with yellow sweaters from Hanna Andersson. My dress is from Target, my leggings/tights are from Yummie Tummie, and my boots are Born Shoes. My son is wearing an OshKosh flannel.
Design your own locket online at PicturesOnGold.com
You may remember how years ago we surprised my then-5-year-old with a heart shaped locket from PicturesOnGold.com for Christmas. Well, since the day she opened the locket three years ago, it quickly become one of her most cherished possessions. She wears it all the time, and it is her special comfort piece she turns to when she’s having a hard time being away.
Because she loves it so much, she has talked non-stop about how she wants me to have a necklace that matches her. Her dream is now a reality thanks to PicturesOnGold.com, where she designed a necklace for me that she {and her siblings} helped make special, including a sweet little message on the back.
Cleaning made easy with the Shark Rocket Complete with DuoClean Technology
There’s a rule I hear thrown around a lot about shopping for women, and every time I hear it, it makes me cringe. Marketing companies for years have been spreading the rumor that women don’t like practical gifts. And, while this might be true at some points in a woman’s life, like when she’s going through tough times or has had a life changing event happen, it absolutely is not a written-in-stone “rule”.
I, for one, love a good practical gift. Really, the more practical, the better. My favorite gifts in recent years have been 1) camera equipment that I needed for work, 2) a bread box, and 3) a new pair of boots. Honestly, the absolute best present ever is one that I really, really need – and maybe one a little nicer than I would be fine with. So, if there’s a deluxe version of a super practical, needed item, go with that.
That’s exactly what the new Shark® Rocket® Complete with DuoClean™ Technology is.
Matching Girls
Want to get to know my matching girls? Click through the pictures below to see what they were wearing and where our adventures took us! Ready to find your own…
Our matching girls
I love it when we meet new people and they will remark excitedly about the fact that my daughters are wearing matching clothing. The first question after that is usually to ask if we did it on purpose or inquire if it’s a special occasion. They are literally shocked when I then say that my girls have spent roughly 99% of the 2+ years they have known each other wearing matching clothing. 
What follows is usually a flood of questions wanting to know why they match, whose idea it was, and then they always want to know how on Earth I found so many outfits that match for the past two years.
I always tell them that "matching girls" was entirely my oldest's idea. When her sister was born in 2015, she wanted to make sure that everyone knew how excited she was about her baby sister and declared that they were going to match every day.
Why you should visit Great Wolf Lodge during the off-season
It’s officially been raining *forever* in the Pacific Northwest. Honestly, this is only a slight exaggeration. This year, we had the rainiest winter in decades, and it’s unfortunately leading right into one of the rainiest springs I can remember. I think at this point we’re all very over the grey and drizzle, and I, for one, cannot wait for summer weather to emerge. But sadly, we’re still waiting and the drizzle shows no signs of stopping.
So, while we were waiting, we escaped the rain for a bit for a little warm water fun. We didn’t need to fly south or utilize our passports, we just needed to drive a few towns over to visit the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA {in between Portland and Seattle}. These kids didn't know where we were headed until we pulled into the lot at Great Wolf Lodge, and there was a whole lot of screaming once they put together where we were staying.
10 reasons to own ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY on DVD and Blu-ray
Lucasfilm’s first-ever standalone Star Wars adventure, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY is out on DVD and Blu-ray today! I know from experience that the last few months have been torture for Star Wars mega fans everywhere. My son must have asked every singe weekend if he could go see "Rode One", and sadly our budget didn't allow for weekly screenings. 
But, then he happened to catch a commercial about the DVD release and it was all over after that. So, as for the probability that we would eventually one Rogue One? It was high. Very high.
Here are 10 reasons why you should own ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY:
Family Travel
In the past 9 years, we have visited 6 different countries, 3 continents, and countless towns and cities in the United States and abroad with our children. We’ve traveled by train,…
Olive Garden copycat Zuppa Toscano recipe
I love soup, especially when it’s cold and grey. And, of all the soups I’ve ever tried, my favorite is the Zuppa Toscano from Olive Garden. I’ve been working on…
Cirque Du Soleil returns to Seattle with LUZIA: A Waking Dream of Mexico
Last night was my introduction to Cirque Du Soleil. After years of watching the Big Top rise and fall in Redmond, I finally made it to a show. And, it was simply amazing.
If you’re in Seattle, you may have heard all the commercials for LUZIA: A WAKING DREAM OF MEXICO, but if you haven’t, here is what you need to know:
LUZIA opened last night and runs through May 21, 2017. Just like other Cirque Du Soleil shows, LUZIA is an acrobatic show that combines music, dancing, amazing costumes, and some of the most mind blowing stunts and acts you’ve ever seen. 
This newest production takes you on a tour through Mexico, showing you glimpses into the country’s vibrant culture, and stage design inspired by the beauty and diversity of its landscapes. LUZIA is a combination of “luz” {light in Spanish} and “lluvia” {rain}, two core elements of the show that carry you from opening act to final bows.