Happy Birthday, Wendy!

The house Wendy grew up in-Grandmommy still lives there!
Today is Wendy's birthday, and since we can't be with her to celebrate, I'd thought we'd celebrate by putting up the pictures Bray took when he was in Birmingham. He had so much fun seeing his mom and grandma! So, Happy Birthday Wendy (Gege) we love you!!
Wendy and Grandmommy (her Mom) shopping-a favorite pastime!

This is where Steve & Wendy first met....a momentous place!

Bray & Grandmommy!

Makeshift Patio!

It's been in the high 70's-low 80's here, so we just had to eat outside! Since we don't have a grill or patio furniture, I made one of our big storage tupperwares into a table by covering it with oilcloth. The kids thought it was a fun picnic, the weather was glorious, and it saved on cleanup! Yay for summer!

Amara's visit!

As you can see, we have been busy-having fun with cousins! Seth, Naphtali and Amara came to visit last Saturday, and we had a blast! It was such fun to see how big (well, relatively!) Amara has gotten, and how aware she is...so fun when their personalities really begin showing! The kiddos loved her, and Uncle Bray was the only person she would laugh for! We just wish they lived closer, so we could hang out all the time!
What a cutie!
Hanging with Daddy.
She's getting bigger-she fills up Hobbes' lap now!
Playing by the Belle Square fountain...
Cousin lovin's. Hobbes just has to hold the babies!!
Squeezes from Madeline are the best!
Love my favorite(and only!) niece!!
side note: Naphtali makes most of Amara's headbands and her little bracelets, so if you'd like to order one, please email me! :)
Her favorite person. (besides Mom)
Goodbye cousin kisses.
"Don't make me go home, Daddy!"

Bella vestito!

As you can see from my Italian title-the dress (or vestito) Madeline is wearing is from Italy! Aunt Carolyn got it for Madeline the summer after she was born, and believe it or not the tag says 12mos.-I guess kids in Italy are huge by that age! The dress fits perfectly now, and Madeline wore it for the 1st time last Sunday. Keep in mind, these pictures were taken after church, and we were a bit rumpled. Still-a beautiful dress for a beautiful little girl! Thanks, Aunt Carolyn!

New twist.

One of my favorite things to hear are little voices, singing happily. Bray often gets them to sing at the top of their voices, and today, as he was putting their shoes on to go to the park, they were singing one of their faves-'Jesus Loves Me.' They know this one by heart, of course, but I always like to come and listen to them sing it. Today, however, Hobbes decided to throw in a twist, for each chorus of "Yess, Jesus loves me..." he added, " me, and the airplane...." as he flew his toy airplane over his head. Yup. That boy loves his machines SO much, he had to make sure we knew that Jesus loves him and his planes. :)

Back from'Bama!

For those of you who don't already know, Bray is a HUGE Alabama fan. His Dad and 3 of the 4 brothers share this passion with him, and are often seen sporting the latest in the 'Bama fashion line. Since Bray was down in his beloved state, he took the opportunity to get both kids and I some Bama gear. To show our devotion and love, we all donned our new apparel, and took pics outside-mainly for Bop.:) So, "Rollllllll Tide!"

Crazy Daddy=crazy girl.
This expression=RTR!
Someone else was just as happy and crazy as Daddy....

Bama hugs!

Curls!

Last Sunday, Madeline and I decided to get extra-girly for church, even though Bray was in Alabama. She's getting more and more into 'girl-stuff,' and she felt soo important when I was curling her hair. These are the poses I got after I was done! So funny!

Then she ran and got our little Gideon's Bible, and was pretending to read it, and saying "Jesus and church."

Shhh!!

Bray gets back from Alabama tomorrow, but I just had to share with you what a sweet husband he is (although he may be a bit embarrassed!). His plane flew out Friday morning at 5am, so we had to get up super-early for him to be there on time. Before he went to bed, though, he took the time to write several notes and hide them in places where I would be sure to find them. The next morning, I found one on the oatmeal box, the Starbucks coffee bag, inside my favorite coffee cup, and even one inside the coffeemaker! (not the carafe) Those of you who know us, know that coffee is as much a part of our lives and relationship as music is...so it made it extra sweet! And, I didn't find them all at once, so it was kind of exciting, too! I felt like a little kid on a treasure hunt.:) It's those thoughtful measures that make me smile inside-out.

Madeline reading encore

I was trying to get Madeline and Bray reading Sandra Boynton's "Pajama Time," as they have a cute routine they do...but she got distracted and began reading a book of her own!:)

And a shout-out goes to....

...Caleb Wilkins! Bray's youngest brother, Caleb graduated from Louisiana Delta Community College on Thursday! He was the student-body president of the college, and graduated with a 4.0! Way to go, Da Pud!! We love you!

Sun, sun, sun while Daddy takes the T-bird awayyyy...

...or something like that! Bray is in Birmingham, AL competing in a vocal competition, so the kiddos and I are on our own! I took them to Newcastle Beach Park this afternoon, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous! It wasn't too packed, too, so the kids got to run around, dig, and get all sandy & wet! Fun times!

Happy Graduation Day, Kathryn!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Madeline=ham!

Had to get this laugh on video...she'll start doing this laugh out of nowhere, and she just cracks herself up! (and us, too!)

Baseball boy

Rainy evening, nothing to do= indoor batting practice with Dad. Result: finally getting some hand-eye coordination!! Wahoo!

Madeline sings to herself

Bray took this video on the morning of Madeline's 2nd birthday, when they had just finished their birthday pancakes...Hobbes was eager for the real birthday cake!

Retro-Monday!

To continue with my 'retro' posts, I thought I'd put a few oldies of Bray and me. I really need to go scan a whole bunch of old pics onto CD at Walmart, but for now here are a few:
This picture was taken the week Bray and I 'got together.' We went to the Oregon Coast with the Fagans and friends, and we began courting when we got back! As you can tell, we had fun!This picture was taken during the first Trinity Fest, so right after our 1st anniversary, and the birth of Hobbes! We often have 'reunion' work days at Bucer's when we return to Moscow! We miss making coffee!!

Happy Mother's Day!

We had a really nice Mother's Day today! I decided to make a fun, fancy dessert to celebrate, and ended up making a really delicious lunch! We had Jill Fagan over to party with us, and ended the day with a walk by the lake, just as it was starting to rain! (We've lived in Seattle long enough that a gentle rain does not deter us from going outside!!)
Madeline had a rough day and wasn't feeling very well, so we only got a picture with the buddy...but it's hard to get a busy boy to stop and take a picture, so I was thrilled we even got one! I love being a mom to these 2 crazy, wonderful monkeys!

Trying to get a pic with my wonderful, handsome husband!!

The lunch menu: (it turned out to have a basil-theme, probably since I had some fresh basil on-hand!)
tomatoes & mozzarella with basil & balsamic, Parmesan-crusted chicken with creamy basil sauce, ciabatta bread, asparagus with garlic and parmesan cheese, lemon-basil orzo combined with a Gewurstraminer wine.
Bray believes he is the 'asparagus master' now, so we had to get a picture of him, in my apron with the table.:)Dessert: lamingtons! An Australian version of petit-fours. It's a sponge cake, layered with strawberry jam, then dipped in a chocolate ganache and rolled in shredded coconut! AMAZING! I had to put the rest of them in the freezer so I won't eat them all!:)

Mothers.

I know that tomorrow is the actual Mother's Day, but since it will be a fun, food-filled day, I thought I would put up a post now. Since I wouldn't be here without my Mom, I thought I would start off with her-see that gorgeous lady up above? Yes, my Mom is the sweetest, most-proper, generous and lovely lady I know! I am constantly reminded of the wisdom and habits she tried to instill in me-especially now that I am a mother, and am always picking up after kiddos, cleaning, making dinners,etc.. My mother has always, and will always amaze me with how much she is able to get done, how she can plan a menu (still!) around the sales at the grocery stores, and how her bread is always the best-no matter how many times I try, it just doesn't taste the same! So thank you, Mom-I love you!
My Mom and I at Kathryn's wedding.
On her 1st Mother's day with a granddaughter!

And now, for Bray's Mom:
I first met Wendy at a 'Fagan Monday night dinner,' those of you who went, you know what I'm talking about! when she was up to see Bray's junior recital. We were not together at the time (it was about a month before we began dating!) but I already was greatly interested in her son, and thus was keen on getting to know his mom! She was so easy to talk to, ready with a laugh, and one of the most thoughtful people I had ever met! She is always an example of hospitality and giving, and I am so thankful she raised so many wonderful boys (and girl!). What a blessing to have such a wonderful mother-in-law...I love Bray's stories about his childhood, and just wish my kiddos could be around her more often! love you, Gege/ Momma/ Wendy!

On the Monorail in Seattle.

Meeting Madeline for the first time!!

And now for the Grandmas:
There is a host of things I could write about all of the grandmas in both our families, but I want to make sure you all still have time to celebrate Mother's Day, so I will leave it at this:
None of us would be here without the 4 faithful, beautiful women that raised our moms, so thank you for beginning and passing down all the traditions, love, and faithfulness to us! We love and miss you all!My Grandma Garfield and my Dad at Seth and Naphtali's wedding.
Grandmommy, Aunt Bette and Memom at Matt and Megan's wedding.

Oh man.

Bray has had training for his Cutco sales the past week, and so the kiddos and I have had long days alone. Between lacking fun, crazy Dad, and non-stop rain, we've been running out of things to do! Last night, the kiddos pulled out the dress-up bin from under the bed while I was doing dishes, and donned Madeline's new dress-ups (thanks to Lily!). Thankfully, Hobbes added his own touches to the princess get-ups, by wearing fireman boots and using his sword-stick. I guess I need to get some more boy dress-up outfits, cowboys, knights, etc., as I don't really want my son playing princess with Madeline all the time. The gesture is sweet, but I think we'll stick to tea parties, as that is what Bray and his brothers did with Charity!:)

Yes, my crazy son is wearing a tutu!