Summer Fun

We've had a lot of fun this summer.  We're enjoying the longest days we've ever known, it literally doesn't get dark until well after 9:00, and the beautiful summer weather.  We're also loving that with Amy and Brian in town we've had friends to play with for the past two months. Yay!!!

Uncle Robert

In case anyone ever wonders if he loves his nieces and nephews, although I'm confident no one does.

Uncle Robert bought a new puppy Jace.  He's a silver lab and such a cutie, especially when he's cuddled up with Cooper!

We've been to the Albany pool a couple of times, which the kids really love.  They have a nice toddler area and a great slide which they even let Cooper ride.

So Brave!!!

 Here comes Sadie

 Auntie Amy and Wyatt

 Cooper's Turn

 Yay!!

Wyatt

We made a trip to the Portland Zoo in August.

Autumn, Payton, and Wyatt

We've also made it to the Trampoline Park in Salem a couple of times, or the "jumpaline place" as my kids like to call it.

Sadie and Uncle Ryan

My kids really do have the best uncles!!!

LOVE IT!!!

Robert made this awesome slip and slide for the kids.  Seriously, I need to find a way to bottle his energy and enthusiasm for playing with my kids.

We also went out to the Dahlia festival which was beautiful.

And we celebrated Payton's 4th birthday with a rainbow party a few days before they headed home.

 Great Grandpa

It was only a matter of time before they became swords.

In addition to this we've picked more fruit than I know what to do with.  We have two plum trees, a cherry tree, a pear tree, raspberries, and blackberries here at our house and we made a trip out to a local orchard to pick peaches.  If we get a garden going here next summer I think I may have my very own part time summer job on my hands. :)

Kendra's Wedding

The first few weeks of July were literally filled with wedding festivities.  Amy and Brian arrived June 30th, Kendra arrived a few days later as did her Maid of Honor Taylor, along with Jacqueline and my Aunt Kathy.  The following two weeks were filled with wedding preparations, showers, parties, and last minute outings wrapping up the millions of little details that naturally go along with planning a wedding and hosting family from out of town.  When the big day finally arrived we were so excited to celebrate the beginning of Kendra and Andy's new life together and to be surrounded by so many people we love.

Brandon, Sadie, Wyatt, and myself were all in the wedding.  So needless to say it was a hectic day for us.  I didn't take any pictures myself, but was pleased that we all were where we need to be at the right times and that Sadie and Wyatt walked down the aisle without major incident.  Poor Sadie did empty her entire basket of flowers in two handfuls and was pretty bummed about it, but they both held it together and Cooper, my little mama's boy, actually slept rather than screaming for his babysitters during the ceremony.  So, all in all it was a success on our end!

Here are a few pictures I snagged off of Facebook from other people who did find time to take pictures and many that I downloaded from Kendra and Andy's photographer Lucas Gray.

The Log House Gardens

The Ceremony

To say my Dad was missed on this special day would be an understatement.  We all missed him terribly!!!  To remember and honor him Kendra and Andy chose songs throughout the ceremony that were special to him, she wore his wedding ring, she had a picture of him tied to her bouquet, and she used the cake topper he gave her on her 16th birthday, teasing her that he was getting ahead of the game with the wedding cake.  We always wish he were still here with us but especially on momentous days in our family such as these.

The Kids

The Wedding Party

 Love Wyatt in this one!

The Reception

Loved how the cake table turned out!!!

My mom made the skirt for the table and all the cupcakes, Caleb made the cupcake stands, and my Aunt Sandy made the wedding cake.

Brandon and Brian manning the root beer stand.

Payton with her Great Grandpa

Having fun...

and possibly stealing the show :)

Cousins

Family

Siblings

Kendra and Andy

We wish you the very best!!!  Don't stay away from Oregon for too long!

We Love You!!!

Coming in February

BABY #4

We are very excited to be expecting once again and so are the kiddos.  It's been a lot of fun to talk about it with them this time.  Sadie likes to talk about whether it's going to be a girl or a boy and what she wants to name it.  She definitely wants a girl because she already has two brothers, but even if it's a boy she says she will help me with it, and so far she's come up with Ariel and Cinderella as name options.  Wyatt also likes to discuss gender and says if it's a boy it can sleep in his bed with him and that we should probably name him Wyatt.  He will also randomly kiss my tummy, which is already starting to grow, and say goodnight baby.  Cooper, well he's oblivious to everything but keeping up with big brother and sister, but that's okay with me.  He's enjoying his last months of being my baby.