Baby Bets

As my beautiful sister-in-law is at this very moment laboring to bring her and my brothers first baby into the world, I thought it would be fun to ask the boys what they thought about their soon to arrive cousin.

Mommy: Boys, what do you think the baby will be; a boy, or a girl?

Jonah: Auntie Kai have baby girl. A big, little girl.
Caleb: It's gonna be a baby girl... a tiny cute baby girl! Baby cousin will have a pacifier! Just like Baby Caleb.
Noah: Nope. A BOY! Baby Boy!

Nikai and Kevin, we are praying for you unceasingly today. We are all so excited for the arrival of this baby. You are both going to be wonderful parents, and Little Blueberry is so blessed to have you as his OR her Mommy and Daddy! We love you, all three of you, so very, very much!

Memorial Day Weekend Fun

We had a WONDERFUL Memorial Day Weekend... The sun has been out, and we have been thrilled to be in the great outdoors once again! Here are SEVERAL pictures of us enjoying our weekend!

Jonah and Noah enjoying Otter Pops (A true Summer staple...)
We even set up the pool and had our first splash around of the year!

Caleb enjoying the pool

Caleb and Jonah digging in... Watermelon is a big hit in our family... We are close to being able to polish off an entire melon in one sitting!

Taking a watermelon break

Our biggest watermelon fan!

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On Memorial Day, we were invited up to Bob and Emily's family cabin about 45 min. away... It was a beautiful retreat! The boys played so much, enjoyed being "deep in the woods", as Caleb put it. We collected pine cones, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and Steve even gave each of the boys a ride on the 4 wheeler! It was a delightful day!

Jonah and Steve

Noah and Steve

Caleb's turn!

"More, more, Uncle Steve!" ;o)

Checking things out.

Enjoying some snacks.

Noah and Jonah watching as Caleb roasts his first marshmallow!

Caleb, you are getting to be such a big boy!

Caleb: "It's DELICIOUS!"

Half Marathon!

Emily and I are official FINISHERS of the Windermere Half Marathon! It was a beautiful race through Spokane, from the Valley to Downtown along the beautiful Spokane river. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day! All in all, the race went wonderfully and we are both feeling good this evening! After the race, the boys enjoyed some time playing on the Big Red Wagon in the park. We grabbed some lunch and headed home. Matt was such a trooper bringing the boys up early this morning all by himself! Matt, I am so proud of you! ;o) It was the best feeling coming up to the finish line and seeing all my boys there waiting for me! We are over half way through our training for the Missoula Marathon in July... Just when I think there is no way I could run that far, we train, and push through the distance. It's a great feeling. Even though I am certainly not the fastest runner, there is such a sense of accomplishment in completing something I never thought possible. Thanks for sharing this journey with me, Emily. It is such a joy!

Finish Line, Here I Come!
WE DID IT!

Love the medals!

Big hugs from my big boys!

These guys are the ones who really make me race each day! ;o)

Noah taking on the big slide!

Can you read Jonah's shirt? Thanks, Mom! hee hee...

Taking some time to play.

Things You Never Want To Hear...

Giant sneeze... pause, then:

"WOW, BIG BUBBLE!"

Noah (2)

Overheard...

Daddy: YOU, Don't take your brothers cheerios!

And, YOU, Don't hit your brother!

Mommy chuckles in the background...

The Twinados strike again.

Decisions

While I'm making dinner:

Mommy: Hey, Sweetie, are you gonna go play, or what?

Noah (2): What.

Visiting Cousins

While in Portland, we were able to make a stop at Tammie and Ed's for a couple nights.  We had a wonderful visit, and the kids LOVED playing together.  I have not stopped hearing about how much the boys want to see their cousins again!  I hope we can see them again soon, too!

Jonah, Sarah, Emily, and Holly, wearing silly potato head glasses.

I just love those girls!  Giving hugs good-bye.

Holly, Noah, Caleb, Matt, Emily, Sarah, and Jonah enjoying a snack.

It is really hard to get 7 kids to sit still for a picture! ;o)

Andy, Holly, Jonah, Caleb, Noah, Emily, and Sarah.

This was HILARIOUS!  Jonah wore the pink princess bike helmet most of the time we were there.  He just thought it was the coolest thing ever.  And paired with the pink keyboard, he is a regular 80's rock star... He is going to hate me for posting these one day... ;o)

Jonah loved snuggling with Sarah

A Medley

I overheard Jonah (2) singing the other day....

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

Next time won't you sing with me!"

Great Friends & Princess Cakes

Back in the day, as wedding planners, newlyweds, and dreamers, Matt and Beth Twist became some of our closest friends. As the years have passed, we have enjoyed Paradise vacations in Hawai'i, twice, as the Twists' visited us there, welcomed 5 little ones between our 2 families, enjoyed countless rum-n-cokes and many laughs. It is a rare find to have another couple in your life that, regardless of time and distance, you can connect with, share life with, and when you get the joy of being together, it feels like no time has passed at all. We had so much fun getting our kiddos together, and watching them explore their new friendship... One that, I am sure, will grow much through the years. (Katie is gonna have all 4 boys whipped into shape before long!) Beth was not able to make it the the Girl Party Night, so, instead, she brought the party to us! I about wet my pants when she brought out the Princess Birthday Cake she made, complete with a ballerina cut-out of... me! HAHA!

Matt and Beth, we adore you. Your friendship has meant so much over the last decade, and we look forward to the coming years as well. Beth, you are amazing... your talent and creativity never cease to amaze me. Thank you for gifting me with your hilariously adorable cake!

Princess Cake

Dancing Christine


A work of art! ;o)

The Boys: Jonah, Noah, Jack, and Caleb

At Play

A quick snack

I can't believe I didn't get any of Katie!!! To see this amazingly adorable Little Girl, check out Beth's Blog.

Annoyed

After a late night at church, we loaded the kids up to take 'em home to bed. On our way Noah was super cute, being Mr. Chatty about everything. Caleb, being pretty tired told him:

Noah, stop talking with your words!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

For my 30th birthday, I wanted to celebrate with some of my closest girlfriends, and of course, my Mom. I wanted to toast them all and, really, celebrate them... for the difference they have all made in my life. I had a magical evening sharing great food at PF Changs, yummy drinks at Henri's, and a night of dancing at Aura... All in beautiful downtown Portland! Sheri, my closest girlfriend from college, arranged the whole night and everyone there made it so very special. I am so blessed to have such amazing women to share my life with. You are all treasured.

My beautiful Mom, sister-in-law Nikai (and Baby Blueberry, too)

and Sheri
My beautiful, strong, courageous, funny, life loving mother... Mom... you are a gift to me.

Nikai... You are precious. I am so blessed to call you my sister.

My sisters-in-law, Tammie (Matt's sister) and Jenn, (Matt's brothers wife). I love you girls... I am so happy God made you my family.

Colleen, I adore you, and Tami...as you said, we have shared the last 18 years together. What a gift you both are. I look forward to many more years of friendship.

My sweet Sheri... I treasure you. College roommates, my maid of honor, you are a jewel. Thank you for all you did to make this night so special

All of us at dinner... it was such a great night!!!

Theology 101

Jonah (2): Jesus is just like Spiderman.