4th of July

Fourth of July - which the start of summer in Washington, so on go the shorts, sandals and inflate Austin's pool!

We bought a few fireworks this year. We tried to find ones that Austin could participate in so we got pop rocks. They are rocks that when you throw them on the ground they make a loud popping sound, Austin thought it was really cool!

My friend Rachel and her daughter Quinn joined in the festivities
time for sparklers!

Austin loved it until...

he got a little too close and the embers fell on his foot

evidence that mommy was there too

since the sparkler incident Austin was keep a safe distance from the fireworks

I think that was far enough, his whale will keep him safe

We had a great fourth of July. We even let Austin stay up late and we all watched fireworks from our bedroom window.

I also like this holiday because it helps me to reflect how lucky we are to live in America and enjoy the freedoms we have.

Happy Baby

Austin's first shiner

Austin was playing with one of his friends when one of them threw the ball a little too hard and popped him in the eye. Austin screamed and was fine 2 minutes later (tough guy). As for mommy, well she isn't that tough.

Day 1

Day 2
Day 3

Day 4

It's all about daddy!

For Father's Day I thought it would be fun to do something out of the norm. Our nearby mountain has a train station. They offer scenic train rides with a BBQ lunch and thought that would be perfect.

This was our steam train

Daddy and Austin both look the part with their train hats. Andrew, well he was doing what he does best...sleep.
Austin couldn't' take his eyes off the train, he was so excited!

Daddy and his boys - they sure do love their daddy

trying on big brothers hat

Austin loved sitting next to the window and looking at all of the trees, streams and animals as we past by them.

lovely scenery

trying on the conductors hat. I think he fits the part, don't you?

Mineral Lake - Where we had lunch

Our yummy lunch with BBQ chicken, ribs, beans, coleslaw, bread and to top it all off cheesecake!

We had a great day and this is some we are definitely doing again!!!

Happy Father's Day Paul. Thank you for all of your hard work for me and the boys. You do such a wonderful job providing and caring for our family. We love you!

Turn up the volume for cuteness!!

Pool Time

We love the pool on hot days!

Just another Saturday with my boys

When the sun is out we run outdoors! We ventured out to a nursery and Austin loved smelling all of the flowers. He loved following daddy around and looking at all of the wonderful colors.
We also found some ponds and Austin loved picking out all of the fish that were swimming around.

Fish, Fish, Fish!

Afterwards we went to the Farmers Market and played in the park and got a snack.

What a wonderful Saturday!

time flies...

And my baby is already 3 months old
but he sure is a cutie pie

Here are some quick facts about Andrew:

- Sleeps through the night - has done this at 6 weeks old for 12-13 hours straight!!!

- if you can't tell he loves to eat

- adores his brother

- tolerates tummy time

- is super giggly in the morning

- loves to "talk"

- like to rough house with daddy

- hates his baby swing (although it was Austin's all time favorite)

- likes to go on walks

- loves his Bumbo

- still loves to be swaddles and smiles when you do it because he knows he will be asleep soon (yup both boys are obsessed with sleeping - they get that from their father)

- at this point has beautiful green eyes

- is losing his hair :-(

- his smile lights up the room

We sure do love our newest addition to our family. Andrew is an amazing baby.

Thanks Opa and Oma

Since I couldn't bring both boys to California my parent's wouldn't let me leave empty handed so I came home with many gifts for Austin. Some of his prized possessions were his new Cars backpack, his shake Lightening McQueen car and his bus. He carries them around with him everywhere. Thanks Oma and Opa I miss and love you!

Surprise mom!!!

I bought a plane ticket a month ago and only told my dad, we were trying to surprise my mom and boy was she surprised and very happy. It was fun hanging out with my mom and going all over town, and the weather was great.
meeting grandma and poppa Johnson for the first time

loving playing with Opa, Opa likes to make him laugh

OC Swap meet

We also went to the Dutch-Indo Festival and found some festival people

cuddles with Oma

Me, mom, Jes and Andrew

Had such a good time with my mom and dad and they loved every minute with Andrew

Sunny Days = Park Days

We have gone to the park everyday this week and sometime even twice. How can you not when the weather is this beautiful!

Austin was so excited to see school buses (his resent new obsession) and was so busy waving and screaming hi at the kids. my little climber, climbing everywhere he goes
love those smiles of joy

big boy swinging like a big kid (tear for mommy)

Austin's buddies Luke and Shelby frequently join us on our park adventures

yup, Austin saw a plane! and wanted us all to know about it

making sure Andrew was taken care of before he took off and played again

I love this weather and I love that I get to enjoy it with my boys.

My Oma

Her name is Elly Louise Simon van Coevorden

but we just called her Oma

I got a message yesterday informing me that my Oma passed away. She lived an extremely full life and she was 91 years young. Although she is gone and with my Opa we are left with a treasure of memories.

Some of the memories that I look back on with fondness were the many summers spent in Holland at my Oma's house. My sister and I would tie our barbies with string and swing them from her second story home into the entry way of her home for hours. I remember the countless meals she would make and many of our outings. One memory that sticks out in particular was when she would do her morning exercises. I thought it was so cool that she could lay on her back kick her legs over her head. That is the memory that I think of when I think of her. I love her and will miss her.

She was survived by friends who adored her and family who loved her. She had three sons and 1 (wonderful) daughter (my mom). She had ten grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

We love you Oma!