Our supermodel pose. I couldn't commit--Kara always makes me crack up!
Our wholesome selves :)

Will looked at this picture and said that Gabe had a moustache!

Kara with all but two of the kidlets

Beach bum

Sofia posing for a picture!

Ella is dirty, wet and happy!

I just think Adrienne looks beautiful in this picture with her daughter

Ella loves the ocean!

I usually stink at taking pictures, but I was pretty proud of this shot.

Ella loves to play in the sand!

These pictures are from weeks ago now, but I still had to write about it. We woke up that morning and had pancakes with our neighbor, Erin. We knew it would be one of the last times we would get to hang out together. We had a lovely breakfast and visit. I had called Kara that morning to invite her over as well, but she was going to the beach. She cajoled me to come along. I wavered thinking it would be too crazy and last minute to pack up and drive to the beach. Erin nudged me along too saying I should go. So I decided, what the heck and I'm sure glad that I did. It was a gorgeous drive and beautiful weather. On the way to the beach there is a tunnel of trees that I just adore and admire everytime I drive through it. We set up camp in the middle of the beach with blankets, toys, and snacks. The kids were free to run around in the big open space, chase seagulls, make sandcastles, and play with each other. Isn't that what childhood is supposed to be? I love seeing the kids in their natural element. Will was a little more natural than the rest of the munchkins. At one point he ended up in the buff! We helped watch each others children, and discussed all sorts of topics, with interruptions such as, "hey, mom, look at this" or chasing a little one who wandered a little too far away for comfort. All in all a pretty darn good day. Thanks to Adrienne and Kara who let me crash their party!

One Step Closer

I'm no artsy fartsy photographer so I don't know if this picture does justice to the quilt top, but here it is! I am taking it in to have it quilted and then all I have left to do is the binding. Man, I take a long time to finish a project!!! Katie and I went shopping for backing last weekend. She found the perfect fabric. I have it sitting next to the quilt in the picture if you look close enough. Yahoo!!!

Michael's Wedding

Will dancing with the beautiful bride

This is Will's new "smile"

My little bro and his girlfriend Kelsee

Will and Ella with their cousin Reece

My cousin Tammy and Grandma Novie

My cousin Michael with his new bride Jennifer

My little brothers trying to look cool :)

The cheese puff

Ella and her cousin, Reece, sizing each other up! Reece is a month older than Ella.

Jeff's technique for keeping Ella happy. It worked and I was impressed with his skills!

I just liked Ella's expression in this one!

Will and his buddy (and cousin) Mason

Jeff loves his picture taken. Isn't he cute?

A rare family pic!

These pictures are from my cousin Michael's wedding at the end of August. Yes, I am just now getting around to posting. We had a nice time and my kids kept it together during the ceremony (whew). It's always good to be with family, celebrate a happy occasion, and eat good food! We have tons of relatives on my dad's side of the family and it's always special when everyone can be together in one place at the same time! Mike was running Hood to Coast, but joined up with us later for the after party. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Some things you just don't want to forget, so you have to hurry up and write about it before the memory starts to fade. Tonight Mike was getting ready to read Will some bedtime stories. I had Ella and brought her into the room so she could say goodnight. Will told me to get in the bed and snuggle. After telling him that it didn't look like there was enough room, he and Mike scooched over and there we were all together, nice and cozy. Don't let me fool you into thinking that this is some tranquil scene. I think it was Ella who started patting her belly. I had seen her and Mike in the nursery earlier comparing their bellies and she must have decided to play that game again. It was cute and she started poking his belly button. Mike was hamming it up and she loved it, of course Will did too. Then Will started giving Mike "raspberries", then "blueberries", "yellow raspberries", and "plums". Will was really concentrating on what the next fruit would be. In case you don't know, in our house raspberries refer to blowing on someone's stomach to tickle them. Mike was hamming it up and laughing each time and we were all enjoying the show. Ella even gave Mike a raspberry--too cute! It's nice to laugh together and enjoy this time with our little munchkins.

Here are a few of the funny things that Will has been saying lately:

There are two trees right outside his window. One morning I pointed out that a squirrel was making a hole right next to the tree. I was asking him questions about it when he said the squirrel was burying his corn nuts!

A while back I tried to offer him some almonds and he told me that nuts are for squirrels. He wouldn't eat them.

Will is easily tickled. When something makes him laugh he says, "Momma, that makes me funny".

I'm sure there's more cute stuff, but I just wanted to document those things before I forgot about them.

Ella update:

She is running around and trying to keep up with her big brother. I have to say that she's doing a pretty good job of it too. She says, "no" and "don't" with authority and has children quite a bit older than her shaking in their boots! :) She continues to be very interested in books. She loves Brown Bear, Brown Bear. She likes to make the animal noises. Ella has also found her groove and likes to shake her booty. Actually her signature move these days is a twirl. She sticks one arm out and spins in a circle. I think I have fulfilled the mom blogging quota now!

Baptism

Today, I really got myself some religion!!! :)

After taking baptism classes with the pastor, I took the plunge, or should I say pouring? A very exciting day with family and friends to celebrate the next step in my faith journey. I've actually been interested in joining a church for some time now, but too chicken to go exploring on my own. When I did go to a church I felt a strange sort of pressure on me that I would shy away from. My friend, Katie invited me to a bible study 4 or 5 years ago and I have been attending small group bible studies on and off since that time to explore my faith, learn about the Bible, etc. We had some very interesting and thoughtful discussions. That was what I was looking for--real people who would ask questions and analyze the bible and their faith with me. It took me a very long time to actually start attending church regularly. The Mennonite church has felt like home and obviously I haven't received too much pressure. I was able to join in my own good time and make my decision thoughtfully. Many people have been with me on this journey. I appreciate and love each one. After the baptism, many members of the congregation came up to welcome me and give me hugs. Some of them I had met recently, some I didn't really know at all, others I grew close to through bible study. Of course, Katie was there and she was integral in bringing me into the church and consequently closer to God. I am indebted to her forever and feel so blessed to call her my friend. She never once pressured me, but she always gave me invitations and an open door. It was also wonderful to have my parents, in-laws and Stephanie there beside me singing in the pew and to give me hugs! Thanks to everyone for your support in my decision and being there to witness this special day. Pastor Brent picked out this special verse for me (he's a marathon runner):

I Corinthians 9:24-25

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
NIV

Today I said goodbye to my neighbor and friend, Erin. I think I'm still in a little bit of denial over it. I tried to persuade her to stay, but she is off to a new job and a new life many miles away. It was so great to feel comfortable enough with a neighbor to invite them over to my messy house to eat pancakes! Instead of feeling bummed out I am going to concentrate on being grateful that I had a person in my life that has made such an impression on me. In the short amount of time that we lived across the street from each other we became mothers, chatted about life, watched our munchkins grow, ventured out into the forest with screaming babies and wild toddlers (mine, not hers), slid down a dirt slope with infants in slings to cool off in a river, etc., etc., etc. I am REALLY going to miss having you across the street from me, Erin. I will be stalking you in spirit :)