Layton

Layton needs some highlighting. He has been such an incredible baby and has brought so much joy to our household. When we were considering adding a fourth child to our family we talked a lot about the time and effort that would go into adding another child to our family, what I think we forgot was the pure joy a baby brings. Layton has added laughter and love and unity to our family in a way that I could have never imagined. I know his sweet little spirit was meant for our family. He was an answer to our prayers and had made it known that our family was not complete when we were praying for guidance as to whether or not we should add another child. We are lucky to have him in our family.

Recent milestones, rolling, sitting up, saying "da da", doing his wiggle wiggle (dancing with his head) giving "luvs" (putting his head on our cheek). Eating solid foods, even some pancakes.

Easter 2009

First the eggs and resurrection cookies....

Then the hunt....

and the swim suits (hooray for Grandma and Granda)

Then the matching church outfits!

Happy Easter!

And now.... introducing the Sitting Boy!

Six and a half months old and he conquers the next milestone. He can sit by himself. At least long enough for a picture!

Spring Break (without the pictures)

We had a wonderful Spring Break, just no camera to document the festivities.We left Monday evening and made the 6 hour trek to Portland. We spend Tues and Wed. visiting with family and friends. Wednesday night marked a milestone... Scott and I went on our first official date (past 9 pm) with brave Grandad taking all the kids and putting Layton to bed. No small feat considering Layton doesn't take a bottle and nurses every night before bed. Not only that, but he took all 4 kids to Tyler Herbert's pinewood derby race clear out in Hillsboro (20 min away). What a trooper. We were so grateful for his help.... what an amazing Grandad! So where did we go you might be asking? Only to the great Broadway production of Wicked!! It was glorious. I loved the acting and the story line, we were tempted to buy a music CD at the show for $40, we loved the music that much! It was an incredible evening, made all the better because we were ALONE!

Thursday morning we packed up the car again and drove 3 hours to Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast. We spent a day at the Oregon Coast Aquarium braving wind and cold cold rain. We checked into our Hotel that evening, a cute little place on the beach called the Looking Glass Inn, and the kids could not be stopped from heading out yet again to brave the wind blown beach. I made the sacrifice and stayed back at the Hotel with "the baby". Much to cold for him to go out, much better for him to stay with me in the warm hotel room while I enjoyed a hot shower!

The next day we went exploring on the beach. Aubrey found many collectibles on the beach for her "museum" including several jelly fish pieces, a crab arm, a thousand shells, and a "really cool" feminine hygiene product (YUCK, we didn't keep that one =). Try explaining why to a 7 year old. She'll understand one of these days!

Then we went to lunch at the famous Mo's seafood eatery. Yummy, yummy clam chowder in a bread bowl and fish and chips for the kids. Nothing like fresh seafood. From there we found a kite shop and got a kite for the kids and one for dad. We drove to Neskowin in search of Proposal Rock an amazing rock formation that literally skies straight up from the beach. It is a small mountain that sits halfway on the beach and halfway in the water. The rock was a favorite adventuring spot for Scott and his family growing up. He has scaled the rock many times and knows all the best trails and secret spots. He always had it in his head that he would propose to his wife on Proposal Rock and so he did. We went to Neskowin on one of my visits to Portland while we were dating. We hiked the rock and he "unofficially" proposed. The official, ring proposal came about a month later. So we told the kids this story and they wanted to see the spot where Daddy asked Mommy to marry him. Scott braved the ice cold water and carried us all across the small river of sea water to get to the base of the rock. We scaled the base of craggy rocks to get up high enough on the rock to reach a path. I had Layton strapped to me in my baby carrier and Scott had the three other kids. It was quite the adventure. We climbed up on all fours and finally reached a point where we were able to catch the trail. We wound around the rock and found the spot where Scott proposed. It was a surreal feeling to be on the rock with Scott AND 4 kids! Wow how far we have come. The kids chanted "recreate it" when we reached the proposal spot so Scott and I acted out our proposal. Even down to the kiss (ewwws and ahhhs from the boys and girl, bet you can guess which). We hurried down the mountain before the tide came back in and found it decidedly more difficult going down the steep jagged rock than it was going up. We maneuvered unsteadily down the rock with too many kids for our limited number of hands. Garrett helped Dalyn down a particularly rocky part and proved to be the Hero of the day as he caught Dalyn by his shirt before he tumbled head first into the rocks below. Dalyn was scared but fortunately not harmed. Hooray for Garrett, it was a proud moment for him, he was pretty proud of himself. As well he should be.

After our rock adventure we flew kites and actually experienced some sunshine. We drove home and crashed back at Mimi and Grandad's house. Saturday we spent the day at OMSI with Sherryl, Bryan and kids. It was a blast exploring and visiting. Saturday night we packed up so we could head out early on Sunday to make it to Tri-cities before the second session of conference started. Jolene and Darren Szendre were our gracious hosts with a wonderful brunch of huckleberry pancakes with all the breakfast extras. It was great to spend time with their wonderful family.

All in all it was a quick and happy visit. We were able to reconnect with Jennifer Waldrip and see Nipper and JaNea and their triplets! It was amazing. Enjoyed our time together as a family and especially enjoyed spending time with Mimi and Grandad and Kevin and Jenny. Always good to spend time with family.

Aubrey's Birthday Tea Party

Every girl needs at least one tea-party in her life. Complete with spring dresses, tiny tea-cups, white gloves and spring hats and purses. Of course Aubrey had to add in a pinata and Hannah Montana as well. Anything for the birthday girl. This was so much fun for mom to plan! I had a blast desiging a party around at Spring Tea theme. The cake was a ton of fun to make and turned out great (no sagging masts or sinking pirate ships this time). It was great to have Garrett and Dalyn involved as the well-mannered servers and Aubrey was full of generous thanks and praise for all the work that her family put into her special day. "Mom, you are the best maker (cake maker) ever!" "this is the greatest birthday I've ever had in my whole entire life." "Daddy, you are the best pinata holder ever." With that kind of thanks she'll be getting a party every year!

She had 9 friends, including her cousin Jade who drove all the way from Wenatchee with Tyler to help Aubrey celebrate. She was showered with love, and she deserves every ounce. We made lace covered fans, decorated our personalized tea cups and hats, did a purse walk and a pinata, then ate a yummy lunch with our best tea-party manners. It was such fun.

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Derby Duo

Calling all car5s! It is that time of year again... Pinewood Derby time. It's a highlight around our house. Out comes the computer (Dad's research into making the car ever so much butter this year). Out comes the sandpaper, paint, woode glue, and tools. Most important, however, comes the Daddy-Garrett times that comes with the Derby. Garrett did very well this year, with a hair raising race-off for the title of 3rd place. He was such a good sport and had a smile on his face, win or lose. For that we are most proud!