Sunriver here we come!

Can't wait...can't wait! Can't wait to be done packing and on our way for VACATION! We are headed down to Sunriver with my mom, her husband Pat and my brother Andrew! Excited to get out of town and really excited to do a lot of fun, outdoor activities. I know we are going to have fun swimming with the boys and enjoying every one's company! Long drive but we have book, movies and more! We will see how that all goes. See you all next month!

Jenny got Married!

My youngest cousin Jenny got married July 26th. Though I didn't get any pictures of the beautiful bride I did get a few before the party got started. Jenny looked incredible and I loved the groomsmen suits. I told Loren if we ever get married again I would want him to wear those same suits. The ceremony was in Olympia at their church and the reception was at the Landmark in Tacoma. Luckily my brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Railene live right by the landmark so we left, Natalie, Chase and Max there until the reception and brought them over for pictures that actually never happened so we took them home. I had Cole with me the whole time which was a little difficult until my cousin's Viveca and Tanya who LOVE babies took him most of the evening...THANK YOU! Feeding a baby in locations that aren't situated to do so does make it a little more of a challenge, but I made it work. They had an AMAZING photographer who set up a little photo booth that you could go take snap shots...which being a camera lover...I totally enjoyed. You can check them out at his blog under... Jenny & Aaron’s Wedding (Part 1 - The Shot Spot)! There you can see the bride and groom as well. The grooms father did the ceremony, he is a pastor and he did an incredible job...he really spoke honestly about how marriage is not always easy and you have to work at it...I appreciated that because most weddings are about how great and lovely life is and if you are married you know it's not always a bowl full of cherries, but the positive side is that with Christ there is hope, which is the TRUTH. Cole's cute outfit! Love it...
Max ready to eat! What's new!
Natty and Max
Grandma Dot w/ Max...love, love, love these pictures of them.

Chase "Man"...cutie!
Grandpa Gordon and Max!


I know...sad that these are the only pictures, but check out the link for more of everyone from the wedding. They are fun pictures! Everyone enjoyed the photo booth. I love the one with me and my brother, Jason and my Grandma...I told them to be funny...Grandma did her part! Way to go. Congrats Jenny and Aaron...so happy for you both.

Friend + Gino's = FUN TIMES!

Last night my good friend Kristen came over! We haven't seen each in a long time! We were friends all through high school, though we didn't go to the same school, we met at church and through silly circumstances became great friends. We have so many amazing memories together...a few of the top of my head:

• Talk Shows
• Malibu
• "Baseball"
• Sign Language conversations
• Drives in the Honda
• "What A Rush"...it's a game we invented!
• Celebration Choir
• Chap stick singing
• High School Camps
  

The list could go on and the funny thing is... none of those even make sense to most people but they were hilarious. Like I said...top of my head. Kristen has lived in California since graduating high school and moved back to good'ol Washing after meeting her amazing husband which is an amazing story all on it's own. They got married over a year ago and have been living near by since. It was great to catch up and for her to meet Cole...fun times. I was also able to introduce her to Gino's...the best place around here, they have the best pizza, bolognese and more.

Good food, good friend...great time.

Thanks for a fun night Kristen! Hope to get together again soon!

Erin & Micah Day...

Finally... we, Erin and I, were able to get a date on the calendar to get together! Seems like things kept getting in our way. I always look forward to our days together because the boys have a great time playing and we get to enjoy each others company. Erin got a fancy new camera that I became obsessed with and so we had to have a little photo shoot. New baby + New Camera = PHOTO SHOOT! Of course we got some great pictures of Micah and Max as well...so fun. Erin picked up a pool on her way over along with a fancy sprinkler since it was going to be a hot one and on with the day. Boys + Water = MESSY! Yes, of course 5 minutes after we got some water in the little pool there was dirt, sand and every toy in a 5 mile radius in the pool (OK so I am exaggerating a little)! At first I was worried, but than we both realized they are boys and it's not hurting anyone...let it go. They played, we had a photo shoot, we ate lunch, they took a nap, we watched a movie and Erin made us dinner. What a great friend! She made my favorite thing...Mizithra! Yummy, I always get it at the The Old Spaghetti Factory!

THANK YOU ERIN AND MICAH for spending the entire day with us and for making us a yummy meal! Love you guys!

Doesn't look as bad as I made it sound. They were having a blast! Thought this was a cute face
Hmm...
Smiles by Micah My beautiful friend Erin

Max enjoying himself
Is it me or does he have a big head?

Smiles by baby ColeGot some really cute shots of ColeHave to show the full body! He is starting to get chubby...I love it!
Wet boys + Sand Box = Busy mom's cleaning up!

Belly
Sweet Face
This made me laugh!
Hey boys...look at the camera! Do you want a jelly bean? That didn't even work.





I think I got the picture for Cole's birth announcement and I was going to post it but decided not to so it can be a surprise! It's perfect! Loved that camera! Only problem, you can't do my classic self portrait with those fancy things! No pictures of Erin and I together...that could be a first. Bummer!

Tagged by Melanie

Answer the following using the first word that pops into your head (and remember, use just ONE word!)

1. Where is your cell phone? Diaper Bag
2. Your significant other? Talented
3. Your hair? Blonde
4. Your mother? Beautiful
5. Your father? Social
6. Your favorite thing? Sleep
7. Your dream last night? can't remember
8. Your favorite drink? Pina Coloda
9. Your dream/goal? Happy children
10. The room you’re in? Family
11. Your hobby? Mom
12. Your fear? Losing a child
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Debt free
14. What you’re not? Fake
15. Muffins? Yummy
16. One of your wish list items? Vacation
17. Where you grew up? Lake Tapps
18. The last thing you did? Diaper Change
19. What are you wearing? Comfy pants
20. Favorite gadget? nano
21. Your pets? Dog and cat
22. Your computer? Dell
23. Your mood? Pain/tired
24. Missing someone? Mom
25. Your car? Yukon
26. Something you’re not wearing? socks
27. Favorite store? Target
28. Like someone? Friends
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Thursday

4th Of July anyone...

4th of July pictures are a little late...but I'm sure you understand why! Wow how you forget what a newborn does to anything you want to do! I have so many things I need to get done and plan to do, but I guess Cole has other plans.

Back to the 4th of July! We have made it a tradition to go to my dad's up at Lake Tapps and enjoy the fireworks there. It was perfect this year with a newborn knowing it would be low key at his house, since he was out of town and there are bedrooms to lay the kids down if they get tired and he has big windows so we can watch from inside if we need to. I love being able to spend time up at his house and enjoy all the lake has to offer. I was sad my parents weren't there, they were in Israel for 3 weeks but glad we could still use his house. I love that even though my parents weren't there my grandparents were, since they live there... it's always great to see them.

Megs and I w/ baby Cole Tim, Sheila, Mary and TJ getting ready to eat some dinner! They guys hanging outsideRailene and Chase "Man"
The Ladies!Loren, Natty and MaxTJ and Kaley
Say "Cheese"

This picture cracks me up...Ben with his hand on his hip. The 3 of them look like they are having a serious conversation!
Thank you Max for being prepared for safety!!!
Cutie pie cousin Ben
Tim and Sheila brought the headphones for Ben and the kids loved them. Good thinking!
The kids...and my toes too!

It's always fun relaxing with friends and family on the 4th. Maybe we will see some of you up there next year! All are welcome. Happy 4th...we enjoyed it!

A picnic in the park!

My dear friend Andrea always has fun ideas...like going to the park for a picnic. You do what you did as a kid with your kids and she did a lot of picnics...me on the other hand...not so much. I love the idea of getting the kids out and having a a fun day at the park and eating our lunch. A quick drive to our local restaurant and off we went. Max had a great time enjoying the beach and the people at the park. It's so fun to see your kids enjoying their day!
Max eating his ice cream after lunch! He barely ate much of it...I have a lot to teach him about eating all your ice cream...who's kid is he...not finishing it???
Cole and I enjoying ourselves...well maybe more me.
A little better...many emotions for the babies!
Even when they aren't happy they are so cute!
Happy camper.

I can't wait to get a good camera. I had a little photo session w/ Cole trying to capture a picture for his announcements! I got a couple...I think! I also want to say how blessed we are to live in a beautiful place...I love where we live and I love that we are a mile away from the water and can enjoy it all. What a great place for Max and Cole to grow up in. LOVE IT!

10pm-4am! Nice, Thank YOU COLE!

As any parent with a new baby knows sleep is very limited for a while! Trying to go to sleep when baby does and not stay up to do random things is hard for me, but crucial. You don't realize how tired you are until you lay down! Cole has been a good sleeper for the most part, as in...he eats and then goes back to sleep. He for sure knows his nights from days...THANK YOU! Last night we went (Cole & I) to sleep around 9:30 and finally actually fell asleep at 10pm and to my surprise he didn't wake up to eat until around 4am! Wow...it felt so good to get about 6 hours of good sleep! He didn't wake up until about 8:30am but that was really due to me grabbing him when Max got up so we could go down stairs. I'm not thinking this will be happening every night, but one night of a good amount of sleep is WONDERFUL! Max was a great sleeper and from the looks of it Cole could be too. Hope so! Just thought I would share this exciting news with you!

Birthing story below most recent post...

Just thought you would want to know...plus pictures! I started the post before the most recent one, but didn't finish it until after so that is why it is below. Enjoy...

A Day at the lake and some other random pictures!

Well today is my first day all by myself with 2 kids. So far so good! I think we are going to go down to the park and enjoy another SUNNY day here in Washington! I love the sun. These pictures are from a week or so ago so I will download some more and post some later this week. Cole is growing and changing and I'm really trying to enjoy every moment. He sleeps well and wakes up a couple time a night. The last few nights has been sleeping a for longer stretches which is SO helpful for me! Wow it's amazing how broken up sleep really makes you tired. Max is adjusting well, but Loren has been home so we will see how it goes now that no one is here. My mom is coming this Saturday for week to help out which will be nice.

My fears of 2 children are gone and I'm actually really excited about our life with 2 boys and all that is ahead of us.

Time with daddy is always fun!
Little Cole feet

Loren getting ready to cut Max's hair.

A day at the lake always takes me back to my childhood and I MISS it so much. I loved living on the lake and swimming all summer long, rain or shine. My dad is gone for 3 weeks so on one of the very hot days we decided to go up and relax. Max swam with Loren for a long time and Cole and I relaxed and enjoyed the weather.
Just Max
My view...love it!!!