Recent Videos

Jane and her Baby Doll

Sometimes I wish we had a DVD player in the car, but mostly I'm glad we don't

Jane post-sand on head dump

Interviewing Will about the doctor

Jane showing off how good her walking is getting

Will and Great Gpa Mel

Visit with the Grands and Marisa's wedding

We had a very fun past week. My Grandparents visited and it was so much fun spending time with them. Will and Jane LOVED playing with them and Will could even say their names (Grampa Mel and Gramma Margaret). I'm headed out to Minnesota later this summer for a visit without the kids so I'm really glad that this visit included lots of baby/grandparent time. Very special memories for me!
On Saturday, we went over to the cabin for our good friend Marisa's wedding (Marisa, aka Moose is a friend we've both known for years). The wedding was at the Kiana Lodge on the Suquamish Indian reservation, which is only about 30 minutes from my family's cabin. So, we made a weekend out of it and brought the whole family, including my parents.
If anyone is looking for a wedding venue, this place was unbelievable. I didn't get many pictures of it but I think it was beautiful. Gardens, green lush lawn, set right next to the ocean with a view of the water. WOW! Congrats to Steven and Marisa!

The wedding was on Father's Day. After cinnamon rolls and a card from the kids, Johnny got to enjoy the delicious wedding food. A Father's Day will not be complete in our house without Johnny getting lots of good food!

The new Mr. and Mrs. Berry

Goofing around at the cabin

Playing with Grandpa Mel and Grandma Margaret

Willy J

I LOVE Will's age right now. Sure there are difficult moments (like Tuesday when I tried to take the kids out for ice cream and Will decided to yell and scream that this (McDonalds) wasn't a REAL ice cream shop. Before things could get too out of hand, I decided to cut my losses, pack up the kids and leave).

Overall, though, I love how funny, loving, curious and down right adorable he is.
Here are a couple recent examples of this:
1. I got a few cds for my birthday (thanks, Andy and Libby) of Bible verses set to music that we really enjoy. I didn't realize that Will was really listening to the words of the music until he said, "Mommy, sing 'Here We Go' Song."
The'Here we Go' song is based on Matthew 28:19 (Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...)
So, I started singing it and Will totally started saying the words on his own "Here we go, make 'sciples of all nations, baptize...what comes next, mommy?" Of course, I melted!
2. We always try to teach Will to say 'Please' and 'Thank you' but today, unsolicited, after giving him a snack, he said "Thank you, Mommy, Love you, Mommy." This is BIG!!
3. We saw some middle school guys rough housing in the park a few weeks ago. Two of them were wrestling in the grass. Will, standing on top of the playground yells, "Mommy, those Man is snugglin'"

Jane describing her birthday cupcake

A Ladybug Picnic

We had a wonderful day celebrating little Jane with our family. Thanks to all for loving our girl so well and thanks to Laurel for taking so many pictures for us so we can remember Janie's first birthday!

Turning 30 in style

My wonderful SIL, Laurel is turning the big 3-0 next month. In celebration, the two of us along with my mom-in-law and Laurel's mom-in-law had a leisurely lunch and spa day together last weekend. The spa was a traditional Russian-style place called Banya-5. Interesting but great-look it up sometime. Thank you, Nedra for the treat. It was so much fun!

So happy together...mostly

Will and Jane mostly get along. This is a tough age, as neither one truly grasps the concept of "sharing" (will they ever?). Jane is a tough tomato. She is actually pretty aggressive when she wants something. More than once I have pulled her off of another baby in the church nursery who is crying from her unwanted full-body hug/kiss advances. If she sees something that she wants, she goes for it, whether it means ripping out hair or clawing an eye to get it. She does understand the family hierarchy, however, and won't protest too much when Will takes something that she was playing with (unless of course it was food or the favorite toy of the day). At age 2, Will understands the concept of sharing a bit more, but doesn't understand why Sissy doesn't seem to ever want to share even though he is required to share. "What's with the double standard?" (he is surely thinking).
In the end, I know that they love each other and I love watching them interact. Every so often, one of them will give the other one a sly glance, they'll get each other giggling and it's the best sight to behold.
Being the first born, Will does enjoy his alone time with me. This week he has been especially in need of that. He's been battling another staph infection that manifested as a large boil on his leg. He had to get it lanced by the doctor once (about as fun as it sounds) and is on antibiotics. Thankfully, it now seems to be draining on it's own so we can avoid a trip to the hospital for another lancing session. Anyway, one cute way that Will shows me that he needs some time with me (besides pushing Jane aside or acting out) is when I go to get him from his nap. If Jane is asleep, he'll say "Sissy is sleepin'?...Need me (translation: Need you)...Special time with Mommy?"
I treasure the one-on-one time I get with each of them but also love the chaos and fun that having two brings.
A few shots of the two of them together:



Jane trying on a scarf--she likes playing dress up already! And the other day, I was putting on some bronzer and she took the sponge and tried to put it on herself. Not that she'll be wearing make-up anytime soon, but sometimes I forget that I have a little girl that will get to do girly stuff with me. Fun!

Almost, Oops, Steady, There you go!

Jane started taking a few faltering steps this week. It pains my ears and yours to hear my high-pitched voice coaching Jane, but it gets her going, I swear it!:

Monrizzle Fun

Here are some pictures of our time at the Painter Homestead in Monroe last weekend. We always have a great time with them and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child, a baby boy, due in September!!

En Route-a crazy car of dogs and babies

Monroe Fun