Fall 2013

I am LOVING this beautiful autumn weather! This is first time since 2007 that I have really experienced fall and the first time the kids have ever experienced it. Arizona weather, while beautiful in its own rite, doesn't really go through the transitional seasons like fall and spring. It's like I'm a kid again, taking everything in for the first time - the long shadows, the chilly weather, the spectacular reds, oranges, and yellows, the sound of dry leaves rustling in the wind, the smell of wood-burning stoves...it's remarkable. And even though there are days when I wonder if I will ever be warm again, I am loving this new season. The weather is totally bipolar, as it should be for a nice, solid autumn. One day it's stormy, windy, and rainy, and the next day it's a perfect 65 degrees outside and sunny. Did I mention how much I LOVE THIS?

Lookin' good on the first day of preschool.

Also lookin' good, only not going to preschool.

We drove down to Eugene in September to be with the Orme's when they blessed their baby. She was so cute she almost made us want to have another one!

I took this picture mostly to show of Lily's rain boots and pigtails. And Tommy's super-cool watch.

These two often love each other.

We have been going on lots of walks to gather sticks, rocks, leaves, and various other natural materials. When the sun is out, we are out, too.

We had a sickie stay-at-home weekend in September. Here is Lily reading to Daddy. She loves books more than anything.

Snuggled up watching Dr. Who on our sickie weekend.

Our favorite activity this fall is having cozy fires in the fireplace. We love spending time together hanging out near the fire.

This girl loves the rain. She exclaims, "Wa wa wa wa!" the whole time it rains. One this day she was loving it so much I couldn't get her to come inside!

Beach day in our backyard. Check out our grass.

On Conference Weekend we went to the Hoyt Arboretum to check out the beautiful autumn leaves. We hiked around a bit and found some awesome pinecones.

Mommy and Lily hiking. We love the forest!

Another shot of Lily playing in the rain. She loves to splash in the puddles.

Beautiful fall leaves at the Beaverton Farmer's Market. They make my soul sing.

Summer 2013

The rain has started again. We enjoyed a beautiful summer with blue skies and constant sunshine, lots of biking, and lots of playing at the park. Here are some of my favorite pictures from our adventures this summer. (Warning: Lots of pictures to follow. This is what I get for slacking on my blog this entire summer.)

Playing in a creek at the end of a fun nature hike with friends.

Lots of swimming in the pools in the backyard.

Lily attracts attention everywhere we go with her beautiful blond curly hair.

Picking our own berries right off the bush.

Playing in the fountain by the library with every other child in Beaverton.

Playing outside with friends.

Going to free lunches at the park and making fun masks.

Eating ice cream after getting shots at the doctor's office.

Playing in the grass while waiting for the bus.

Superman at the park. Oh yes, this really happened.

Finding the most amazing park in Hillsboro with the fun merry-go-round.

Playing at the splash pad while sporting amazing shades.

Lots of hugs for Mommy.

Hiking at the Hoyt Aboretum.

Playing in the backyard (the only suitable place for playdough).

Lots of bike riding and playing with the neighbor kids.

Ben and I went to a concert that brought me to tears twice. (Rogue Wave and Hey Marseilles.)

Superman for a day. We rode the bus and went to the gym like this, which everyone loved.

Lily wants to be just like Tommy.

Mommy and Lily in matching outfits. (Thanks Sadie!) This was one of our urban adventures when we went to downtown Portland/Portland State area to see what we could see.

Checking out Keller Fountain as part of our urban adventure. It's like a little oasis in the middle of downtown.

The kids convinced me to stay home and work out instead of go to the gym. They played with toys on the porch and watched me sweat.

Kid yoga with friends.

Riding the bus and making silly faces.

Our urban adventure to the Fields Park/The Pearl.

Another urban adventure, this time to the waterfront and Mill Ends Park, the smallest park in the world.

Visiting the zoo for one whole dollar and then riding the train over to another amazing playground + Coming back to zoo to see all the animals we hoped to see out and active + Leaving the zoo as it was closing that day = AWESOME

Playing with dear friends we miss so much. Love you guys!

Labor Day back at the Pearl, this time with Daddy.

Lots and lots of riding in the bike trailer and looking amazing while doing it.

Sleeping Angel

There is something so angelic about a sleeping child. Tommy looks especially angelic when he sleeps. I don't know if it's the blond hair and fair skin, the peaceful and relaxed look on his face, or the fact that he isn't running around hitting everyone and doing somersaults on the couches, but when he is sleeping I feel this innate need to capture the moment. He only takes naps now when he is very sick. Today was one of those days and I was lucky enough to be the one who snuggled him to sleep and then captured the picture.

September 2013 - 4+ years old

December 2011 - 2 1/2 years old

February 2011 - 20 months old

June 2009 - 3 days old

Lily: Not Such a Baby Anymore

Our little girl will be two in December. I can hardly believe that she is growing up so fast! She is starting to talk now, learning a new word or two everyday. Today I was sitting at the table with her and she started singing the Baby Turtle song that Grandma Chatterton taught her. It was so spontaneous that it took me a few minutes to understand what she was doing. She was singing and doing lots of hand gestures all on her own. The first video is Lily singing and the second one is her reciting all the words she knows. Since that video was taken she has a few more words to her repertoire such as go, meow, poop, up, baby, and poptart. What a cutie.