4 months old

Our precious 4 month old is doing well . . . he loves to turn over in bed, smiles at almost any face he sees, and even laughs at his sister.
We went to Binder Park Zoo on Friday with my parents and Mindy's family. The highlight was getting up close and personal with the giraffes. Briella now knows what the giraffes do so I might post a video of that later . . . it was a beautiful day for the zoo. Other than Gideon pooping through his outfit in the first 20 minutes, the kids were great. (This very prepared mom took extra clothes along . . . but left them in the van . . .)
The giraffe is not eating Briella'a back as her face might suggest . . .

Small joys . . . reasons to smile

So here are a few things that bring a smile to my face:



They came out with a few flavors, I am loving the strawberry-apple, I think I saw cherry limeade and maybe one more.

There is nothing like the comfort of my pillow at bedtime . . . mmm . . .


A sleeping baby is always precious!

Happy Birthday Dad

Dad turns 60 today!!! Happy Birthday dad :)
I thought I'd post a few pictures of dad with a few of his favorite things . . .

Grandkids

his Harley

For some pictures of the earlier years, check these out!

(Disclaimer: this is my first attempt at a link, so I apologize if it doesn't work)

Cockadoodledoo

Briella knows lots of animals sounds, she is picking them up from a few books we read frequently. Her rooster is just adorable, so I thought I'd attempt to post a video for your listening pleasure :)

July 3rd

On July 3rd we went to the beach in Holland with Kyle and Stacey (friends from church with a daughter 12 days younger than Gideon). After dinner we walked up the dune for a great view of the lake.

Earlier on the beach we had the babies on a towel and Gideon reached over to hold Emory's hand. It was so cute :) In a few years we will be strongly discouraging this behavior, but for a 3 month old we're OK with holding hands.

Cousins (Brute and Tiny)

Yesterday I took the kids to Mindy's so I could finally hold my newest nephew Quinn who is a week old today! We thought we'd take a cute picture of the boys together :) Quinn was born 8 lb 1 oz, Gideon weighed 8, 12, but is now getting close to 15 lbs (HUGE).


My mom is helping at Mindy's and Briella and Tessa were practically fighting to sit on her lap (among other things) . . . but posed for a cute picture. Maybe mom should try pigtails?!?!?

Crazy things I've said and done recently

-I went strawberry picking in 87° heat (however the next days were 90+ so then it doesn't seem so crazy)
-I tried to make jelly from those strawberries with Briella running around the kitchen(see below) and Gideon in his swing and my counters turning pink from all the juice--crazy!!
-I had to tell Briella to stop acting crazy, because she was literally running in circles and laughing and then saying "Mommy" to get my attention and then doing it again
-Played soccer with 90° with 90% humidity--crazy and sweaty!
-Asked Briella to "give him a little push" while Gideon was in the swing
-left the oven on for a couple of hours while baking muffins and cookies --crazy since it is still so stinkin' hot here
-watched my husband cut carpet on the driveway, I was just thinking he was crazy (still 90+ outside)
-Listened to thunder while hanging clothes on the line wondering if it would rain before during or after the clothes were dry?!?
-Took clothes off the line at midnight with my dear husband (they were dry . . .)

It must be the heat . . .
Since I've been adding to this post for days, I'm going to post it before life gets crazier or I start to wonder if I'm going completely crazy :)