September summer

With temperatures in the high 70's/ low 80's, we are enjoying this little remnant of summer.  As you can see...our tomatoes didn't do so well this year.  We are anticipating the arrival of Nana & Boppy next week and my parents the following week.  Stay tuned!

Our munchkin is 8 months

 September has been an eventful month for Miss McKinley. A couple days ago, she cut her first tooth....bottom left. She has tried many different foods, such as pumpkin, scrambled eggs, bread, yogurt, and ground turkey.  She has also learned how to feed herself puffs. It's pretty darn cute to watch... however, the cutest thing to witness is her 'clapping'.  Although we have been attending storytime at the library for a while, singing many songs that involve clapping, last week she came home clapping on her own. Much to our surprise, when we took her to the hospital for her monthly weigh-in, she hadn't gained a pound....still 15 lbs, 11 oz.  Crawling still seems light years away from happening, but I suppose I should be savoring her immobility while I can. She does, however, intentionally roll everywhere on the floor.  She's like a puma, fast and agile, whether she's rolling or arching her back and scooting around on her bum, if she wants a toy across the room she'll get it.  Well, I have more to share, but I better publish this post before a week rolls by since I actually started this post.

 

Momma's Birthday

With another week of overtimes shifts and cross country meets, we celebrated my birthday a little earlier than my actual birthday.  I chose breakfast at the Multnomah Lodge.  We were the only people dining at 8 am, so we had the whole place to ourselves. Outside, it was wet and overcast, but that didn't deter me from snapping some family shots at the waterfall.  Afterwards, Benji surprised me with a trip to IKEA.  What an amazing day!

 

Yesterday I skipped church to spend time with Benji before he went to work. I finished McKinley's new pink flower for her headband while we watched football.  Later that evening, I treated myself to some Taco Bell and a 44oz Diet Dr. Pepper thirstbuster.  Happy Birthday me!

Why do I have such large bags under my eyes?
Is it the exhaustion?? Or is it my age??

Our little family.

Sweet Pickle Pea

My Sweet Pea Pickle Pea

Happy Birthday Dadda!

We finally had a free day to celebrate Benji's 32nd birthday.  Ever since my cross country season started, it's been kinda hectic around here trying to juggle our schedules while remaining consistent with McKinley's schedule. So, after friday's cross country practice, I was able to cook Benji his favorite dinner of fried salmon with spicy asian cole slaw. I threw a little party for just the three of us, complete with balloons, decorations, and party hats. McKinley had no problem wearing her party hat, and as you can see, fire-fighting might be in her distant future. 

Giles Family Vacation

Benji's sister Cassie and her beautiful family spent their vacation in the Northwest, spending a couple days with us and a couple days with Alan's sister's family in Washington.  We had been anticipating their visit since March, and have been counting down the days since then.  Cassie and Alan have always held a special place in our hearts, as their residency in WA was the catalyst for Benji and I meeting 5 years ago.  While they were here, we visited Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Dam, Farmer John's for some berry picking, and back to Swan Island to see the amazing dahlia fields.

Matching pink tops with my nieces, Abby & Lizzie.

At Bonneville Dam

Do we dare hike to the top of the falls with 3 babies and a stroller???

Keep reading to find out...

McKinley's enjoying the hike with Dadda.

Cassie and her little mini-me, Abby.

We made it!!!

Three cousins and an auntie.

The farmer in the dell...

The farmer in the dell...

Hi ho, the merry-oh, the farmer in the dell.

The cousins pose for more pictures at Farmer Johns.

Lizzie picked flowers to put behind their ears.

Sizing up the swinging competition.

Cheese!

Uncle Ben with his little ladies.

McKinley's going in for the smooch.

So cute!

We loved spending time with Uncle Alan, Auntie Cassie, Lizzie & Abby.

Come back soon!!!

Swan Island Dahlias

After attending the Woodburn Tulip Festival a couple of months ago, we couldn't wait to see the dahlias at Swan Island. Swan Island is the largest and leading dahlia grower in America with over 40 acres of blooms.  There are nearly 50,000 named varieties that were hybridized from 2 or 3 original dahlia species that originated in Mexico. The size of the flower ranges from a cotton ball to a volleyball.

 

For Uncle Ryan