bedhead

Summertime!

bathtime in the pool

dinner on the swing

posing on a hike

gorgeous girl

icee pops for lunch

6 months

Ian has been growing and changing so much these last few weeks. It has been fun to see his personality emerge and celebrate all his little milestones. We finally kicked him out of our closet (actually that was about a month ago) and put him in his crib. He started rolling over (mostly from back to front), sitting up, eating baby food (sometimes), and even has a new tooth coming in. The best part is that I'm starting to feel like I can really play with him. I can throw him in the air and hang him upside down and tickle him all over. He's laughing more and interacting and even throwing temper tantrums. He's a little bit shy and buries his head in my shoulder if someone talks to him, and then immediately turns back to make sure you're still there. He also does great if you take him outside. He is a really sweet and thoughtful boy and I'm completely smitten with him.

Teacher and student

Eating the paper at his checkup

16 pounds!

They're here!

I am so excited about my garden that I almost don't want to go on vacation. Can you imagine the beautiful little strawberries ripening and then falling to the ground? It gives me shivers just thinking about it. Even Ian is horrified.

hello gorgeous

how can such a small little box bring me so much joy?

Hsieh family winery

Ben has had a new project this summer called espalier and here it is! Basically you grow plants on wires and train them in the direction you want them to go. There is a vineyard on the side of the house and an apple tree on the fence. They look so beautiful and there are even tiny little grapes and apples already. I can't wait to watch them grow and flower.

enchanted forest

We took Ava to a nearby amusement park today and it was awesome! The fairy tale/nursery rhyme theme was perfect for her and she was beaming the whole time (except when we left and battled an epic meltdown.) For $10 I think this will have to become a yearly summer tradition. Here's a few highlights:

dressing up in western town

I was laughing so hard at the look on Ian's face in his civil war costume that I almost couldn't take this picture.

When will I learn that you can't take vertical videos!

Strawberry fields forever...

Ava and I took advantage of the first warm day in a LONG time and went strawberry picking this morning. There were so many beautiful strawberries that it was hard to stop picking. What's on the menu this week?

sliced strawberries with lemon yogurt, strawberry muffins, baby spinach and strawberry salad and strawberry rhubarb pie

Happy Father's Day!

So I want to give a shout out to Ben to let him know that he really is the best Dad and partner that I ever could have hoped for. First of all he hugs me at least 10 times every single day. After being together (mostly) for 13 years he still hugs me all the time. Even when I nag him and even when I've had 5 hours of sleep and have mascara lines stuck to my cheek. It doesn't matter to him. He is unendingly faithful to me and Ava and Ian and really takes care of us. He makes me laugh every single day and constantly surprises me with who he is. I see so many marriages falling apart and I am so thankful that God has built our marriage up and helps me to see Ben through His eyes. I would 100% choose Ben again, without question, every single time. His energy, passion, consistency, ridiculousness (seriously, at this VERY moment, he is digging a three foot hole in our yard to plant a vineyard, seriously...), warmth, smile, humor, ADD, embrace, intelligence, adventurousness, calm, spontaneity, and those broad tan shoulders...every single time it would be him. So happy father's day to you B!

family

The adorable levels were pretty much maxed out at our house this weekend. Our friends Amy & Garett and baby ("Wy no baby, Wy big boy!) Wyatt hung out with us and we were once again reminded that although it's only one state over, California is still way too far away. Come back soon!!

Will they think matching outfits are cute when we show this photo at their rehearsal dinner slideshow?

Jumping on the trampoline is hard work!

Post breakfast band rehearsal

Early morning showing of "Tumbowina"

Showing off their cuteness at the Wheaton reunion BBQ

Here's a couple photos of how the two have changed over the years:

I can't wait to see how their lives and their friendship unfolds in the years to come...

bear hug

Because sometimes, at the end of long day, all you want to do is strip naked and curl up on your cozy bear rug...

Exhausted.

My grandparents left about 3 hours ago and I am wiped. It is no easy feat to get my children out of the house every morning but to have them camera ready every day with only car naps and on the go meals is a recipe for disaster. We survived however and are counting down the days (FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) until we become a full time (well 2 1/2 months) two parent family. It was such an emotional week as well with Ben's job situation. I would fall into bed at 10 and then my mind would start wandering to thoughts of packing up our house and living in a rental and searching for a job. So we found out on Tuesday night that his job was saved and I am so thankful that God has once again provided for us.

Anyway, here are a few photos from our busy week.

Taking a trip to the Rose Garden in Portland. Such a beautiful day!!

The ladies...and Ian.

Cutie pie

This was our Monday playdate with Grant and Miriam. I love having other kids over so I can bake without Ava asking for my help every two seconds. On the menu that day: rhubarb big crumb coffee cake, roasted pork tenderloin with honey cumin glaze, wild mushroom risotto, broccoli, classic pound cake with ice cream and rhubarb simple syrup. It was a long day in the kitchen but at the end of the evening grammy said, "You do cook with love don't you." :)

You can never have too many princesses.

On Friday we drove down to Eugene to take my cousin's daughter out for her birthday. She's had a pretty rough year with her mom in jail and then her dad passing away so we thought she might appreciate a visit from her grandparents (actually great grandparents). She's doing really well and it was such a nice visit.

After one too many cocktails Grammy was licking the chocolate sauce from our ice cream glass.
Classic Grandpa in a totally monotone voice: "It's her birthday. What do you guys do here?" After trying not to laugh the waitress replied, "We do a song and a sundae." Grandpa's response. "Fine, we'll have that."
Peek-A-Boo

He may drink whisky and yell curse words in front of your children, but this man will get you where you need to go.

Ice Cream!! Although I was eyeing a certain yellow menu the whole evening. :)

Let's eat!

Um..you've got something on your chin. Ian, that is so embarrassing.