August in Pictures

I went to download pictures the other night and realized I hadn't done so all month! So here is August in pictures!

Grandma B & Grandpa gave Clara a new ballet outfit and her first ballet shoes for her birthday. They have been getting A LOT of use!

Maggie has inherited Clara's former tutu, a little big, but so cute!

The first week of August we joined Matt and 45 middle school students on the annual Bike Hike trip. This year's trip was in Florence on the Oregon Coast. The girls and I went for 3 nights. The trip started off with a dune buggy ride. Three years ago, we took Clara on it (she had just turned 1), but I didn't dare take Maggie! I think she would have squirmed her way off! I didn't know if Clara would want to go once she saw the buggy drive up, but she went and had a fun time. 

The students loaded into 2 buggies that each held 25 people. 

Clara had a grand time with the middle school students. They were so sweet to include her in different activities throughout the time we were there. One morning she spent a good hour "making" friendship bracelets for people, which consisted of her cutting off pieces of string for them. It was very cute & the students graciously received their bracelets!

Clara & Jessica

 

Maggie also had some fun! She wasn't quite walking when we were camping, so she spent a lot of time being held, in the carrier or stroller. She discovered the bike though and recruited some good helpers to wheel her around!

Maggie & I took a few early morning walks to allow the rest of the camp to sleep a little more. Maggie is usually an awesome sleeper, but we had a couple rough nights. 

Breakfast at camp
(Notice all the bikes lined up behind them?!)

Clara loves her daddy!

On our way home from Florence we stopped at the Newport Aquarium. It was fun to explore!

Clara at the aquarium sporting her Bike Hike shirt! She was so pleased that a small one was ordered just for her!

Maggie took a few steps here. This was taken on Wednesday and by Saturday she was walking across the living room! Something clicked and she took off!

The discovery that every child makes sooner or later! 

Clara's sidewalk chalk portrait of Maggie

Sweet smile

She's become quite a little daredevil lately. Climbing on chairs, boxes, etc and always so proud of herself! (And probably pretty tickled with the quick response it elicits from other family members!)

Daddy is her favorite snuggle buddy!

I just love this picture of them.

Clara's 4th Birthday Party

 We kicked Clara's special day off with a little tea party and some presents. She had been so excited about her birthday and party that she was having trouble sleeping the week leading up to it. I was somewhat relieved to see it come and go, so that she could get some rest! Later that morning we headed to Dutch Brothers so she could get her birthday smoothie (another much anticipated event!). We came home and she helped me get some things ready for her party that evening. Tio Rojo had sent a big box of sidewalk chalk, so we used that to make a big Happy Birthday sign and decorations to welcome guests. Matt picked Clara up for lunch and she chose to go to the Camas Burgerville where that have a cute kids area with kid-sized booths.

Getting ready for the party

Here she is talking to Grandpa Joe! She had many birthday calls from family and friends! She always loves to chat on the phone and loved hearing everyone sing to her from afar.

Party time! We had a few families and friends over to help us celebrate! It was a beautiful day (a perk of a summer birthday in the NW!) so we had a great evening outside. 

Baby Will was kind enough to let the birthday girl hold him a couple times!

Lily, always ready for a party!

Samuel, David & Joshua taking a break from the pool to have a bite to eat.

 Maggie and Mr. Rich enjoying some time together!

These three sweet girls found a shady spot for their dinner.

I walked into Clara's room at one point to find Audrey reading Henry & Mudge to Clara. I just love this picture, Clara's arm draped over Audrey's shoulder and so attentive to her reading.

Clara had asked for a "3 layered cake", so I went ahead and made one with three layers. When she saw it she was a bit disappointed and with some further explanation, I realized she wanted a 3 tiered cake...like a wedding cake! Oh well, maybe next year!?

Here she doesn't reallyt seem to mind though!

Clara & Annie

Clara & Catherine

We had a great day celebrating Clara and give thanks for all the friends and family who made her feel so special that day and every day!

Four Years Old!

Our sweet girl turned 4 last week! I did a quick interview with her over a cup of hot chocolate and here are her responses to some of my questions!

Age: 4

Favorite colors: pink & purple

Best friend: Natalie

Favorite song: Alice (The Bath Song: Glug, glug, glug) & Shout to the Lord

Favorite characters: Angelina Ballerina, Dora, Bob the Builder

Favorite meal: Potstickers, rice & edamame beans

Favorite candy: Dots, Tootsie Rolls, Starburst

Memorable adventure from being 3: Hiking Hamilton Mountain

Favorite park: Playground at Helen Baller Elementary School

Favorite book: Thomas the Train anthology

Favorite outfit: Ballet dress

Favorite "thing" to play with: Maggie

Favorite thing to do outside: hide & seek, running around, playing in the kiddie pool

Favorite thing to do with Dad: hide & seek, wrestling, taking JB for walks

Favorite thing to do with Mom: going to the coffe shop, baking, frosting

Favorite thing to do with Maggie: hug and kiss her, make her laugh

What do you think it will be like to be 4? "I haven't been to Circle of Friends before, so that will be different."

What do you want to learn when you are 4? "I want to write cursive in kindergarten, swim & do ballet."

Current responsibilities: Making her bed, letting JB out in the morning, setting the table before meals

New responsibilities when she is 4: Feeding JB

Aly's Graduation Weekend Part 2

 

Graduation was on Father's Day, so it was quite a day of celebration! We were up early and needed to be completely packed, dressed and out of the beach house by 8:30 that morning. We managed quite well considering there were 10 of us, 4 kids included. We parked and got into the stadium and secured 20 chairs in the back two rows down on the field. This turned out to be great. The kids (and adults!) could roam around a bit during the ceremony without disturbing anyone.

It's a good Father's Day when you actually get to spend it with your Dad! All four of us were together to celebrate our Dad this year! What a guy he is. Hard working, loving, supportive and encouraging. An added bonus for him this year was to have his youngest child graduate from college. I think Aly got the prize for best gift this year!

 

My Grandma (mom's mom) pulled my Dad aside after the graduation and was having a little heart to heart. She is so sweet, an amazing woman. Aly is her youngest of 8 grandchildren and she has attended every graduation.

Maggie seems a little confused about what is going on.

Tio, always ready for a picture!

Following the large graduation, we went to the College of Agriculture ceremony where Aly got to cross the stage. There was much rejoicing from our rowdy group of 20 or so!

We now have 5 Cal Poly graduates in our family. Pretty amazing! 

So proud of Aly for all that she has accomplished these past years! Thankful to call her my sister and friend. Her joyful smile, tender heart, and humble spirit are truly an inspiration to me! 

Aly's Graduation Weekend

A couple weeks ago we headed to California for my sister Aly's, graduation from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. We flew into Santa Barbara and spent a couple nights in Carpinteria before heading up to San Luis. It is always nice and low key in Carp. We walked downtown for meals, hit the park and the beach. Upon arriving there is this instant sense of relaxation, which is so nice. 

We drove north on Friday to Caucus where we would stay at my sister-in-law's family's beach house with my siblings for the weekend. It was great for all of us to be under one roof to have time to catch up and for the kids to get to play and run free. 

Matt had suggested that we drive to Cambria (just 15 miles north) to Cambria Pines Lodge, where we had our wedding reception following our ceremony in San Luis. We hadn't been back since we got married almost 9 years ago! The drive up there is just breathtaking. Highway 1 parallels the coastline and even on a cloudy morning it was beautiful. We took the girls with us and had breakfast, then toured the gardens. It was fun to revisit and reminisce! 

When we looked at venues for our reception, I loved this one for it's beautiful gardens and the fact that people could stay on site, since most people were coming from out of the area. We got married at the First Pres San Luis Obispo, then had cocktail hour in the garden area (pictured below, minus the chairs), and moved inside for dinner & dancing. I still remember some parts of that weekend so vividly & being there brought back more. Clara was taking it all in as Matt and I talked. It was really neat to be able to share with her! We took her into the ballroom and told her the infamous story about Tio Rojo (my brother, Andrew) starting a conga line to the song "Hot, Hot, Hot", a song that was specifically on my "no play" list for the band. When I heard the song start, I kind of laughed, then I looked over at the dance floor to see Andrew leading the line all around the room...I was somewhat horrified, but had a good laugh. I still give him a hard time about it. Clara loves silly Tio stories. =)

 Much to Matt's horror, Clara walked up and down the aisle a few times! We're in no rush to give her away!

This picture just brings a smile to my face. Three amazing blessings that bring such joy to my life!

Waking up

This morning I walked into Maggie's room and found her lounging in her crib. She is so happy to just hang out in her crib in the mornings and after naps. We hardly ever hear her, but when we go in she is usually just playing with her animals or lovey or relaxing against the bumpers which she uses for her pillows. She LOVES pillows. She LOVES to snuggle.

Seeing her in there this morning reminded me a lot of Clara, so I had to pull up the picture below and compare the two!

Clara at 11 months

Maggie at 14 months