Friday, July 19, 2013

Summer Bucket List: peach picking

Monday afternoon we headed to Moffatt & Moffatt in Brentwood to pick some peaches. 

Sam heard we were going to a farm and decided cowboy attire was in order:


At our first stop, Maddie & Daddy got right to work. Cowboy had to poke around a bit.


And rest in the shade. It was 92 degrees and I think the leather chaps were making him a little hot...


Long-legged Maddie had no problem reaching the peaces and nectarines:


There was plenty of fruit to be found:


Sam found ladders and then he was all about the peach picking!


Ladders make the job SUPER FUN!



We may have done some sampling...


More ladder shots:



Orchard lines:



Maddie picked a little less than twenty pounds of peaches & nectarines all by herself!





Sam just had to check out the farm equipment. He is his Papa's boy!



We highly recommend Moffatt & Moffatt. The sweetest old lady talked and talked to us about her kids and grandkids while she made Evan smile. And at $1/pound, how can you go wrong??


With our load, I froze two bags of sliced, peeled peaches for smoothies, etc. I made two quarts of peach-infused vodka. I made peach ice cream. AND we gave lots away. The final fruit is in our basket on the counter, rapidly disappearing. 


Monday, July 15, 2013

Evan: Months 3 & 4

Dear Little Evany boo boo,

Thank you for putting up with this and many, many other nicknames. You're just too sweet and too cute, so we dream up all kinds of things to call you. Like Mr. Poo, as in, "Call me Mister Poo." Or Ev, Evey, Mr. E, Easy E, and the like. Sometimes, when I'm getting really out of control with the smoochy shmoos, you'll shoot me this look:


Four months going on fourteen. Already annoyed with the Mama. :)

But, seriously, you are such a well-loved boy. Your Mama loves you, your Daddy loves you, your Maddie is absolutely crazy about you, and Sam the big brother is pretty gaga too. What's not to love? You are sweet, smiley, pretty easy going, and full of coos and smiles for anyone who happens to look at you.


By the time we visited Oregon, you had already been on three plane flights. And you are a flying pro! Hardly any crying, nursing during takeoff, and sleeping most of the flights. I'm SO grateful for how easy you are, most of the time. 

What is not so easy, my friend, is the sleeping arrangement. Whereas your two older siblings managed to sleep 8 hours at 8 weeks, 10 hours at 10, through the night by 3 months, you are still waking up 2-3 times a night. You love to nurse, you love to snuggle close. You do NOT like to sleep alone. But we'll keep trying. One of these days you will sleep a long, hard stretch (so far your record is 7 hours, 3 or 4 times in the past month).


You are still our smallest boy, weighing in around the 25th percentile. Your skin is porcelain white and smooth and your eyes are still blue, though it looks as if they're lightening up from the inside out (maybe a greenish hue?) You have much of your dark newborn hair still, even after two trims. Underneath there is soft, light, reddish-toned hair growing in. I'm so curious to see where things settle and who you most resemble. Maddie & Sam had many similarities, but you are so far your own little guy with unique characteristics.


Right now, I'm thankful for the swing, play mat, and exersaucer, which you tolerate for 10-20 minutes at a time, affording me two free hands for folding laundry, doing dishes, or making meals. Otherwise, you can be found happily dozing or cooing away in my arms or the ergo. You are definitely a snuggler.

Our little caboose baby, I just can't imagine life without you. Things are definitely more busy, more chaotic, and less restful, but you have brought increasing amounts of joy and love and laughter into our home and family. You are so loved.

Love,

Mama

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Maddie: Months 77 & 78

Dear Kindergarten Graduate,

School's out for the Summer!! Congratulations on finishing your first year of elementary education!! We are SOOOOO proud of you! 

  
You also finished your first softball season! We had SO much fun watching you learn to play a new sport. Not at all surprising, you caught on quickly to most of the required skills (throwing took a bit longer) and enjoyed the game. Your parents especially enjoyed watching you assist with "outs," hit the ball hard, and encourage your teammates. 


Some of my favorite moments from the past few months include listening to you croon. You do a pretty great job of channeling both your inner Taylor Swift & Bing Crosby. You switch between "I knew you were trouble when you walked iiinnnn" and "I see skies of bluuuue, clouds of whiiite." It's such joy to my heart. You've also got some pretty awesome dance moves.


On your last day of school, we got a creative packet full of your artwork from the year. On one particular project you mentioned that when you grow up, you want to be a mommy. Just last week you told the nail technician you wanted to preach the gospel at church and tell people about Jesus, but you also wanted to be a mommy. This fills my heart with gladness. You will be an amazing mom, and you are already amazing at telling and showing people about the love of Jesus.


In what has been a few of the craziest months of our lives, you've been an amazing source of grace, kindness, love and help. You have been so patient with me, in the midst of having a new baby, dealing with lots of transitions, and often having your needs put off while I tend to one of your brothers. Through it all, you are so gentle and understanding. You rush to Evan's side when he cries. You help feed bottles and change diapers. You wait while everyone else's needs are met. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm so impressed not only with your level of maturity but with the grace in which you handle all of this mess. I can learn from you.


Our trip to Oregon brought some super fun times for you this month: marshmallow roasting (and a super messy face), fireworks, lots of time with cousins, creek exploring, river dipping, grandma mimi visiting, grammy snuggling, papa teasing, and good old-fashioned family fun. It was so fun to see you play with your cousins Grace, Liz and Elijah. It was exciting to see you jump from a rock into the rushing waters of the river and your daddy's outstretched arms. It was a joy to see you in your quieter moments, pensive, taking things in.


Happy 6 1/2, my sweet girl! I'm so lucky to be your Mama.

Love,

Mama

Friday, July 12, 2013

Adventures as of Late: a Photo Extravaganza!

Some of the things we've been up to since school got out:

Summer Fun List: Donut Date


 Tomales Bay Oyster Co. for Father's Day




Pioneer Woman Blogger Party at Mel's


 SoCal for a pastors retreat with my hubster and the babe

 Stone Brewery!

 I finished my own beer (for the 2nd time ever in my life)


 I sent the big kids (home with Tutu, Boppa & Jennie) a pic of me eating huge mussels

 fun in the big hotel bed



Picked up the kids in Oakland and caught a flight to beautiful Oregon


 Some treasures from my storage boxes in my parents' store room: a poster circa 1988 and an awesome Christmas pullover.

 Ben having fun in the music room at OMSI

 E didn't really like his siblings' idea of a good time

 Great Grandma Mimi




Beautiful Mt. Hood 

 Enjoying (truly!) a hoppy IPA

 tired out little guy

Hood River brewery tour 



 Celebrated our 13th (and mom and dad's 41st) anniversary on July 1

Scenes from our early 4th celebration with the Painter family:


My 35th Birthday: a pool party and lots of sangria

 birthday brunch with the besties

 buddies Kirra, Maddie & Nicole

 Kelly & Berkeley

SO thankful for good friends to celebrate with!