Happenings

Warning: lots of pictures! But that's the easiest way to show what we've been up to the last few weeks...

On June 17th, Jayna turned 5! We originally were going to just have a small gathering with a few friends, but she REALLY wanted a party at Pump It Up. Since Travis had a party there last year and it was what she really wanted, we went for it. It actually turned out to be a great plan, considering Audrey was still very new and a party there requires very little work/planning on my part. She invited several friends from church and one from preschool and had a blast! She greatly increased her My Little Pony collection that day, and has played with them almost every day since. We sure do love this girl. I already miss her when I think of her going to kindergarten in the fall.

Jayna's actual birthday fell on Father's Day. It just so happened that a group of families from Travis' baseball team was going to a Mariners game that day, so Steve took Travis and Jayna. Travis sat next to his "bff" from school, and Jayna apparently took advantage of the fact that it was her birthday and asked Daddy for every treat imaginable :) When they got home we sang and had brownies.

Audrey around 5 weeks. This girl brings so much joy to my every day.

Travis and Jayna can really butt heads, but more and more often, I hear them playing and laughing  and pretending together. It does my heart good! I don't even remember what they were talking about at this particular moment, only that it made me smile.

One of our Friday family movie nights! The kids are so sweet with Audrey.  I really couldn't have asked for a smoother transition in bringing her in to our family. 

A new baseball bat from us!

Travis turned 7 (???!!!) on June 29th. We invited a few families from church, along with  lots of family, and it turned out to be quite the gathering. Travis wanted an obstacle course (which Steve made from various items in our garage) and ice cream sundaes, so that is what he got! Though I must say - planning and getting ready for this party was stressful for me. Steve and I have decided that future birthday parties are going to be much more laidback affairs. Not any less special or memorable for the kids, just....less. Actually, I think "less" will probably end up being MORE special and memorable....  Anyway, we sure do adore our Travis! 

Travis at one of his games, getting ready to field the ball. To say that Travis loves baseball would be the understatement of the year. Both playing it and watching it (go ahead....ask him anything you'd like about the Mariners!) It really is very cute.

Cousin love. My sister and her family came down for T's birthday, and we went to Northwest Trek the next day. We came to this spot and Travis said, "We have to take a picture here!" Okay, then. 

She had been giving us random and short smiles for a couple of weeks leading up to this, but at 7 weeks, she is most definitely smiling! 

For the 4th of July this year, Steve worked, so my original thought - considering we now have FOUR young kids including a newborn - was to stay home. We actually get quite a nice show from Jayna's bedroom. But one of my friends invited us over to another friends' house, and I am so glad she convinced me to come! There were many kids for my kids to play with, great food, and fireworks, of course. We all had a really great time. 

Audrey loooooves the front pack. And I love holding her close, so it all works out :)

Jayna helping me make gobs of raspberry jam.

Almost 8 weeks (taken yesterday)

We have some raspberry bushes in our backyard, and the kids are out there daily picking berries.  It's one of their favorite things to do, actually, though they seem to think that new raspberries magically ripen every hour :)

And taken just today - our three goofballs, playing baseball together.