swim lessons

This summer we went up the hill to take swim lessons at the Country Club. We improved SO much this summer. We are totally ready for Nana and Dzia's pool!

Since Mommy and Daddy like to make kids with transparent skin sun protection is a must. Shhhh this isn't a girls hat...what?...it is?...oh....

Michael went from not wanting to let go of the side to swimming the width of the pool without stopping.

At the beginning of the summer Abby would scream and refuse to lay on her back...now she pushes her tummy up and has a strong kick.

Abby and her teacher, Laura, Abby LOVED LOVED LOVED Laura!

....and the coup de gras....

Just a week ago I was still too nervous to jump into the pool by myself. Now I'm not scared and I know how FUN it is to jump in!

curtains....

such a nice day....

did someone just take my picture?

who is it?

can't...get...this...off...

can't...get...this...off...

WHY...WON'T...THIS...COME...OFF!!!

FREE!!

oh hi mom!

basil!

Ben's parent's visited us in May and were kind enough to bring me a basil plant. I planted it and the next day we had a HUGE rainstorm that flooded the raised herb garden (overflowing). I thought the basil had drowned...but it came back better than ever and now is a hardy plant that has kept us supplied with pesto and other goodness all summer! I look forward to drying some of it for the winter. Thanks mom and dad!

:)

playtime...

I love to play by the big windows behind the couch. It is so warm and I can look out the windows.

double trouble

Can't Get Enough...

of that grin

Bath Time!

Auntie Jenney and Mr. Eric...

So on August 15th we piled in the car and drove to a beautiful park outside Philomath. We were there to celebrate Auntie Jenney and Mr. Eric's elopement a few weeks earlier. Auntie Jenney is mommy's earliest bestest friend (you too Auntie Amanda!). Auntie Jenney and Mommy were bestest friends since Auntie Jenney moved to Corvallis in 7th grade. They've had their ups and downs but always have been totally devoted to each other. Auntie Jenney was there when Michael and Damien were born. She is SUPER special and we love her LOTS!!! So we were happy to go and celebrate with her and Mr. Eric.

When we arrived at the park we had fun running around and were told Auntie Jenney and Mr. Eric would say a few things about there elopement. We gathered around an ancient tree and learned....they hadn't actually eloped and they were getting married right then!!!!! Mommy almost started crying......she gets teary alot!

Wait...it's a wedding?!?!

Auntie Jenney's friend, Stephanie, got ordained for the occasion. She was the only one who knew. Not even Auntie Jenney and Mr. Eric's families knew!

Mr. and Mrs. Eric Miller and Jenney Lee

Mommy's FAVORITE picture of Jenney. heeh heeh heeh

The monkey tree where Auntie Jenney and Mr. Eric got married.

There were beautiful paths to explore and even a creek. Some guests caught crawdads and grilled them up for the party.

The happy couple!

Mommy is SO happy that Auntie Jenney married someone who is SO obviously in love and devoted to her. Now hurry up with those babies!!! :)

Mommy and Auntie Jenney

[Auntie Jenney and Mr. Eric both have celiacs disease and run their own bakery]

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)

For the past 4 years we have joined a local CSA (community supported agriculture) farm. We pay a certain amount of money in February and we get a box full of organic produce every week from June 1-October 31. It works out to be cheaper than what we would pay per week at the grocery (and organic to boot!). This week we got corn, cherry tomatoes, beef tomatoes, an Anaheim pepper, beets, potatoes, onions, melon, eggplant, basil, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, and leeks. We LOVE introducing the kids to new flavors! The cherry tomatoes never last long......they are just too easy to pop in your mouth as you walk through the kitchen! :) We LOVE the fact that we can drive 10 min and see and touch and experience where our food is grown.

On the upper left we have a few things that I bought at the farmer's market today (not part of our CSA box). Organic, raw blackberry/wildflower honey, pickling cucumbers, and a (very hot) perennial pepper plant. SO EXCITED!

stalking!

who's watching you Lolek?

what?

Oh Mom!

Here I come....

I'm coming....

What's that in your hand?

Ooooo, I like it...

I haz it?

....this is where Lolek grabbed my lense and thus ended the photography session...but the stalker will be back soon!

hydrangea!

I love Hydrangeas and have been blessed with a HUGE hydrangea bush in our front yard. I've been making bouquets all summer. Today's pruning provided not only large and small blue blooms but also green and white. They are SO beautiful!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Our birthday present to Ben. The kids and I had so much fun putting them together.

I'm Watching You!

...eyes of baby blue...