Running in the Sun

I'm trying out this blogging on my phone. We'll see how it goes.

I've been doing pretty good with running  (overall). It's fun. When I smile, it's easier.

Today we went in the jogging stroller because it was a nice, sunny, 45° day. I feel great now. I ran 2 miles, only walking up the tough hills. Those kids are getting big! Then we played at the park and walked in the woods.

Baby Boy is Getting Old!

Our little boy Benji was born in August. He is too cute! I am very busy and lazy and blogging is, frankly, not very convenient.

After a four-hour, epidural-less, whirlwind labor, Benji joined us. Yes I was upset that we only had our phones for his first pictures.

He was 7 lbs 2 oz and 19.5 inches long.

He was a sweetheart from the very beginning.

We got a huge surprise when our families drove up together from Utah to meet Benji. They are crazy and only spent 1.5 days not travelling. But they got to meet our little guy.

And since then, we have fallen even more in love with him and have taken him on many adventures including many walks, a trip to the zoo, and his first dip in the lake. I think he looks a lot like my dad.

Now that he is getting older (I mean, he is super old, 2 1/2 months!), it is really fun to see his little personality develop. Benji is so smiley and is constantly cooing and gurgling (not constantly, he is quietish when he sleeps and sometimes he screams). He is so chill and loves to be snuggled.

We love our Benji Boy!

Counting Down...

Obviously, I am really pregnant. Like due in one week. And it is super hot right now. Today, our car thermometer said it was 93*. This is very hot because I get grumpy and uncomfortable when it hits 80* here in Washington (I do not like humidity). We ate out so we could dine in some air conditioning. Poor Rachel has to deal with a tired, sore, and often grumpy mom all day long. I read her many books so she doesn't destroy everything all day. But she still does and makes a huge mess and runs around naked laughing. This girl is going to get a rude awakening when I birth out her brother and become mobile again---no more running just out of mom's reach (except she will probably get faster).

We are excited for the Baby Boy to arrive. I am excited to not be pregnant and to meet this little fellow. Andrew is excited to see The Boy wiggling because he always misses my tummy going crazy. Rachel has no idea but we get her to say, "Come play with me, Baby Brother." I think she is more excited about Grandma coming on an AIRPLANE to the AIRPORT in two weeks (bolded words make her super excited). So we all have things to look forward to coinciding with the birth of the Baby Boy. Any day would be great! Preferably sooner than later. Can heat put you into labor?

Outdoorsy Summer Adventures

You know us, we love to be in the mountains. Even though we are busy with a house, fun with friends, Rachel, and trips, we have gotten into the great outdoors a few times this summer.

Bridal Veil Falls

In May, we hiked to Bridal Veil Falls. It was a bit steep but not too bad. It is a beautiful, roaring waterfall. Rachel loved it. We hiked with Andrew's brother Wesley and his wife Maren. Andrew took many beautiful photos.

Unfortunately, Andrew used his $250 memory card that he was swindled into buying. It died in June on our family vacation. And we do not have the money to pay for someone to recover the photos at this time. Needless to say, we are unhappy about this. The moral of the story is to not spend that much money on a memory card.

Fishing in Daddy's "Boat"

We don't have a real boat (someday!), but Andrew does have a float tube. He went out one morning to our neighborhood lake to try his luck at fishing. No luck. Rachel and I went to see him in the morning. Rachel got to wear her life jacket and did really great on Daddy's "boat". Since then, she loves pointing out boats and saying they are Dad's.

A beautiful sunrise; lilypads; "Mom, the sun is in my eyes!"; Rachel and Andrew seeing the sights of the lake; Rachel and Sarah after the cruise.


The Big Four Ice Caves

In the middle of July, we went hiking to the Big Four Ice Caves. It is a pretty easy hike. I was 35 weeks pregnant, no climbing to the top of a mountain this pregnancy. But we had a great time. Rachel kept singing, "Hiking! Hiking!" I think she likes hiking. You were born into the right family, little girl.

The cutest hiker EVER; the Ice Caves are pretty much melting snow that make caves, they weren't very impressive right now; Sarah and Rachel; trees in front of The Big Four (the mountain); Sarah waiting for Rachel and Andrew (can you see the belly?); a waterfall going down to the snow; Rachel and Sarah at the picnic at Coal Lake; wildflowers along the road.


Camping at Cascade Park

We went camping with our friends at a Church property called Cascade Park. Rachel had so much fun getting dirty and playing with the big kids. All the kids loved the awesome barrel swing next to our campsite. We ate yummy food and had lots of fun. Rachel even slept really well in the tent!---until 5:20 when some very noisy crows started cackling in the trees next to our tent. I went out and shooed them away, but Rachel would not go back to sleep. She was fairly pleasant but super tired. Andrew and I were really tired, too, as we had stayed up late looking at stars and chatting with our friends.

Claire, Rachel, and Dallon having fun around the fire; all three kids on the swing, pushed by Kendra; Dallon kept kissing Rachel in the swing, which was really funny because she always tries to kiss him when she plays with him, but he never lets her; Rachel in the swing; a very sleepy Rachel snuggled up in a sleeping bag; Rachel and the awesome swing---so very tired but she did not want to get out.


We have had a pretty great summer and have gotten out into the wild at least once a month. That has been nice. I hope you have had a great summer, too!

No Posts in June?

Yes, no posts in June. We had a fun and busy month. We were gone for half the month and we were busy/I was tired the other half of the time.

Here is a summary. Maybe there will be more posts later, and maybe there won't.

Rachel painting on our vacation with Grandma.

Blowing bubbles with Grandma and Nigel.

She climbed this all by herself. She is getting to be a climber.

Helping mom work in the yard.

Getting wedding cakes ready for Elise's wedding.

Rachel at the wedding.

And there are some pictures from my phone.

In other news, I have just 6 weeks left until The Boy arrives!

Our Trip to Utah

My grandma passed away on May 1, so we all took a quick trip down to Utah for the funeral. Although it was for a sad event (and a joyous celebration of a lovely, long life), we made the best of our time with family.

Who knew SeaTac airport had a little play land? Rachel loved climbing and sliding on the toys, especially the slide and the airplane.

We went to feed watermelon rinds to the local horse and colt. The kids were very intrigued.

We also made a point to visit with Andrew's elderly grosseltern, Oma and Opa.

The bottom two pictures are after the funeral, where we got a picture of all of Grandma's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Quite a legacy!

I will miss my Grandma, but I know I will see her again. And, as one friend said to my mom, "Look at the great lengths she went to so that you could have all your kids with you on Mother's Day!" And look at how wonderful it was for all Grandpa's grandchildren to be with him for this day.

Our Little Fish, Continued

Here are some more pictures of Rachel at swimming lessons. This time, with me.

Rachel waving hello; "jumping" out of the water; going down the slide after the last lesson (she has pretty much refused to go down any slide since); wrapped up in her towel; post-dunk.

Rachel did great at swimming lessons and I had a fun time with her!