first day

first day of school today....

owen is now a big second grader...

just a few glimpses of his morning before off to school...

no first day jitters this year...if there were, he hid them well... :)

school is old hat for him i guess...

such a bittersweet time...

sad to see the summer end...

we miss him when he's not home...

but i'm feeling proud and excited for a new school year for him....

lots to learn and discover....

growing to do...

building friendships....

overall, it was a good day for him....

i think a bus stop full of girls is less than desirable for him....but he will survive.... :)

funniest part...

when telling me about his day, the thing that put the biggest grin on his face was the fact that he gets a locker....

i guess lockers are a big deal for 2nd graders, my friends....

here's to new adventures....

hoping and praying for a great school year ahead for my boy....

and for all those who have kiddos in school as well...

happy first day of school!

three

where do i even begin....

this little man of ours turned the big three on thursday...

i wish i had the right words to describe this sweet soul of ours...

he brings more joy than i could have imagined...

he is sweet, sensitive, timid, a bit stubborn at times, happy, and content...

he is just a happy go-lucky kid the majority of the time.....don't get me wrong--he knows how to whine.... ha!

he is super silly too...

he just makes me laugh and smile daily...

and we love him...

this year was super fun for us because max actually got the concept of this whole birthday thing...

his excitement was contagious...

there were a lot of "yays!" and "I'm three!" throughout the day....

ask him to show you how many fingers old he is...he will show you all his fingers....he still struggles with that but it is darn cute...

his zest for sprinkles on his cup, candles, opening presents and cake were awesome... (although i missed the cake part as i was at urgent care with gus...who has an ear infection. :( )

he even wanted to wear a birthday hat...totally his idea...

my heart was bursting first thing in the morning when owen woke up much too early because he so desperately wanted to give max his birthday present--one that owen picked out and bought with his very own money... a despicable me coloring book....

max thought it was the bees knees and owen was so proud...

the rest of the day was pretty standard...his special breakfast, presents, his choice of dinner (mcdonalds, of course) and cake.... his most exciting present was a new scooter....he LOVES it....now he can scoot along with his big brother...although he is still working on keeping up with him...

overall, a very good day.  he was so happy.

yesterday, we continued on celebrating...

max and i had a little date on the story time trolley...

max gets excited seeing the trolleys around town so i knew he would love it...

we took a little ride around town...listened to a few stories....

picked out some new books at the bookstore afterwards...

and made a little pit stop at the candy store for a candy necklace...

he loved every minute....as did i...

not often is it just him and i.... so happy i could spend this time with him..

all in all...i believe he had a great birthday...

so wonderful celebrating him...

happy 3rd birthday sweet max...

you are so loved...

xo

baby chub

the other day, i got to spend a little time with a friend of mine and her sweet kiddos...

one adorable little girl....who was acting awfully cute on the bed while her mama was busy with the baby...

one adorable baby boy....

he is just 6 weeks old and has the most amazing chub...

my boys never really had those amazing rolls...

so to see all that chub...

oh my...

I could just eat this little guy up....

so happy to document these moments in time for you, friend...

you have a beautiful family...

xo

over the river and through the woods...

to grandmother's (and grandpa's) house we go....

major photo overload ahead...

but, I'm lacking the energy to break them up into separate posts...

so here you are.... :)

a lovely weekend spent with my parents (while the hubby worked..)

we went over Father's day and had a lovely time...

these boys love their grandma and grandpa....

love you lots ma and pa....

xo

for you, sister

playing some serious catch up here today....

the following photos are from a trip to the west coast...

I went with my littlest to visit my dear sister...

just little random glimpses of things we did and things we saw...

it was a wonderful visit....

a visit to the market in Seattle...

to see her quaint little town and home....

the rhododendrons and magnolias in bloom....

delicious food... (my sister knows how to cook)

picnic in the park overlooking the ocean and mountains in the distance...

majestic mountains...

the vast, blue ocean...

her company...

and sister dear, I look at these and a smile crosses my face...

hope you smile too.... xo

in due time

in due time....

another precious baby will be joining this beautiful family....

i have no doubt....

there will be plenty of love to go around...

congrats to you B family...!

(and my friend, you are glowing.... you are beautiful...)