Can it be true? Is she actually 2??

It's true!

This little bundle of joy has been a sparkle in our lives.

The celebration was simple but she was delighted.  Grandma Christian came up earlier that week to wish her a happy birthday

It was so fun to watch her open up her presents.  She was a pro!  Like she had been doing it for years lol

Her face was the cutest to watch.  Her eyes lighting up every time she pulled out something new.

It was a special treat to have Grandma Ellie here for her birthday.  I know it made her feel extra special!!

She loved all her new playdough fun!

We all adore her and thought she was the cutest little thing in her new outfits

Grandma Ellie saved the day by preparing ahead and helping us get a birthday cake ready for her.  She loved that ice cream cake!

And blowing out the candles.  Singing to her was adorable, she even started to join in on her own song :)

Yummy cake, thank you grandma Ellie!

Cami too, wanted to feel like a birthday princess  ;)

Birthdays are so fun :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUR SWEET LITTLE AUDREY!!!

Athletics and Adjusting

Maybe I'll be embarrassing him about his, but I think it's the cutest thing.  Jeremy got himself registered and trained to be an official soccer referee.  And today he had his first games.  I'd be amiss if I didn't mention that he was pretty excited to do this :)  I just love this guy.  Always up to a new adventure!  I may have embarrassed him by making him stop and take a picture before leaving.  But hey, what can I say... I'm a succor for a guy in uniform ;) hehe

We went and watched him ref his last game.

Cami also started something new.  Cross Country!  It was a little funny when she came home from her first practice.  She was very upset at how horrible she did.  Come to find out, after I pried with a few more questions, I realized that she was upset she couldn't beat the boys lol.  Oh she cracks me up.  She pushes herself and it was hard on her body initially.

Her first meet was fun to watch.  Getting 7th out of all first grade girls at that meet.  Whatever the outcome, I am always amazed at her determination and strength.  Proud of this young lady.

We've also had a little adjusting to the new school schedule.  I tried to bribe Alex to go to school like this, but didn't quite make the cut ;)

Audrey too has been wiped out from the early mornings :)

My adjustment has been this little girl learning to crawl out of her crib and play in her room instead of taking naps!  This was the first day I realized what she had really been up to.

Undoing all of sisters' earrings.  Sneaky!

While the kids are at school, these two and I have been out walking and enjoying each other in between errands, chores, and projects.  Craig particularly loves the track.  He's such a little ball of energy.

I am so grateful to have this time with my little ones.

Another School Year

The kids were ready for school to start this year.  I love their excitement for school.

Carson is now in the 2nd Grade

Alex is in 5th

Cami in 7th

Craig wanted a picture too!  Just me and the 2 little ones now!  I usually have this separation sadness when school begins again.  But this year, it seemed that it was perfect timing for us all.

Man, time flies.  These pictures remind me that they don't stay little forever.

Before School Starts

This Summer has been hard.  But for the kids, we have tried to create some happy moments before school started.  

Like when Jeremy took Alex on a fishing trip on the mouth of the Columbia with Dell Burton.  They camped out by nights and fished by day.  Alex's face is priceless here :).  They are whales near their boats, fished to to limit, and enjoyed each other's company.  Uncle Josh and his son Peyton joined them too.  It was a good time for them all.

Cami was lucky to have some one on one time with Grandma and Grandpa Christian.  Movies, boating, pooling, fun food.  It was just what she needed. She was my extra adult this summer.  Being left in charge quite a bit while Jeremy and I went to be with Zack.  I'm glad she was able to have an out.  She deserved it.

We also had some more teaching moments.  I love how Jeremy is willing to take the time to teach.  And I LOVE how Alex is so teachable.  He is willing to learn and follow.  And working on cars is good guy bonding time :)

Jeremy also went to hike Mt. Adams with his young men.  But he did a practice run on our local hills here in Prosser.  He took the four older kids (and Tanner ;) and they did awesome!  I wasn't sure how Craig would do, but I guess he was full of energy and bounced up the steep 'mountain'.  :)

Audrey and I played together at home until it was time for her nap

We also went to the river a couple weeks before school.  It was hard to want to get out, but the kids needed it.  It was a pleasant and much needed outing.

The boys enjoyed their last summer evenings outside playing ball together.  I particularly loved watching them play outdoor beach ball volleyball.  Watching the Olympics this summer has inspired them to be even more active ;)

Miss Audrey... I'm in love with that smile.

I also got the kids signed up for summer bowling.  This was the first year I had heard about their summer offer for kids.  It was perfect!  Don't you love how they are in their swim gear while bowling ;)

Chores seemed to constantly pile as I tried to get everything ready for school.  Thankfully I had some pretty cute helpers :) 

Jeremy and I went to an adult party one night in the summer.  And I had forgotten the risk of mosquitoes when outside on summer nights.  Apparently they had quite a few a their place.  I got eaten alive and this wasn't even half of it.

Then the week before school, my brother in law Dan, invited our family to go to his parents cabin in Walla Walla.  It was the perfect last minute outing for these kids.  

Audrey, Lydia, and Kurtis

Alice and Audrey

They had a zip line set up there too.  That was a hit!

Going for a morning walk together

Then the Sunday before school we enjoyed some friends over.  While we were busy visiting, Cami and Audrey did a little makeover together.  I thought it was too cute :)  Sisters are so fun.

This Summer will never be forgotten.