Milestones

I'm still a little behind! But the first week of the month Miles turned 15 months and Ruby moved from a 5 point harness to a booster car seat. She was so excited and proud, she told everyone she talked to that whole week.

 I started growing a SCOBY to brew Kombucha (fermented tea). We'll see how it turns out!

 The big kids have been a big help at the grocery store.

 Playing with boxes!

 We surprised Andy with a fun trip to Washington Park after his work and met him with a pizza picnic. It was so fun! Ruby loved climbing on top of the slide.

 Picnic time!

 Miles loves to swing.

 He's learning to use a spoon... he loves it, but it sure is messy.

 They made a rocket ship in the kitchen and played in it for a long time.

 Playing with the phones in line at Fred Meyer.

 Miles had his 15 month checkup! He's doing really well, he's quite tall and a little on the thinner side (still above 50th percentile for weight though). Our doctor just moved to a new office and it's really nice.

 Playing doctor while we waited. They all had broken legs.

 15 month photo! He got some shots, but he did really well and hardly cried.

 Bike ride!

 They built "baby mountain."

 Ruby likes shopping. Hahaha She's so cute.

 The special kid carts at Target fit all the kids!

Enjoying the free lunch time picnic in the park, thanks to the Beaverton School District.

 Snuggling while they watch an afternoon show.

 Playing "tractor."

 He has been trying to escape with my keys.

 The kids were making "fairy dust" outside with the chalk.

 We made these delicious ice cream sandwiches, they were seriously good.

 Ruby got some new eye makeup and loves it. Hahaha I love these three.

 We played "school." The kids got their back packs all ready (complete with play food) and we did all kinds of school things, like writing their name, singing time, learning letters, story time, etc.

 Home Community is so fun! We go most Fridays and spend time with some great friends/families.

 Our big girl in her booster! She's doing really well sitting correctly in it.

 Mmmmmmmmm

 Hall Ball!

 Three kids, three different car seat setups. Reid likes being in the middle now.

 Bed time snuggles.

 Reid made this rocket ship and taped it to the table.

 Music time! I got my uke out too.

 Hahahaha

 We took our bikes to our friends' house and rode over to the park nearby.

 It was so fun!

 Then we ate lunch at their house. How cute are they?!

 Oh Ruby...

The boys have been sword fighting with wooden spoons. Reminds me of when I was a kid and Dad made us wooden swords. :)

Surviving the summer heat

It was a very hot week. This was the most days in a row over 90 in Oregon history, since they started recording temps. Wow! I am SO thankful for a/c in our house, it has made a world of difference.

Miles is talking so much now. Every day he learns new words. Last night he started saying "book" instead of "boo" like he was before. His bed time routine is the cutest. I'll get his jammies on and brush his teeth, then I'll nurse him for a few minutes with the light on. He pops off and says "book," then we read two little stories and a Bible story. Then I turn off the light, put him in his sleep sack, and nurse him for a long time until he's really sleepy. Then I lay him in bed and say "Night night Miles, we love you." And even though he's mostly asleep he says "plehplehpleh" (which I think is "I love you"). It's the sweetest! First thing in the mornings he gives everyone hugs too. I love it so much.

 He's been loving climbing in things. He also learned how to climb on the couch this week.

 Reid adopted this baby bunny and carries it around all over. He's been handing us all stuffed animals to adopt as well.

 Train time during baby's nap.

 We took a HOT walk over to the school. The library was open in the afternoons on Tuesdays for a few weeks. It was fun to see Ruby's library and get a few books.

 Miles loves containers and lids. He's constantly putting things into them.

 And he's been obsessed with blackberries!

 Morning snuggles.

 Fort building!

 Another hot walk to the park.

 We couldn't stay too long, it was so hot out.

 It has been hard to get Miles to not unplug all of the cords.

 Ruby has been such a big helper this summer. From helping with Miles to cooking to cleaning up and packing up groceries at the store. I can't believe how big she is and I'm so blessed to have her. <3

 And she turned 6 1/2! We celebrated with banana walnut muffins for breakfast.

 We went over to the Sprunger's house to play. Miles loved the tractor.

 The kids loved the pool! It's so fun having them close by.

 My blackberry picking buddy in her blackberry picking outfit. Haha!

Miles loves to sit on the big kids' heads.

 On Friday we went to the zoo! These sturgeon were huge.

 Reid wanted me to take a picture of the bee keeping thing. He peeked in a hole and said, "Mom, there are no bees in there. It's for spiders instead. There are spider webs in there."

 They wanted me to take this picture.

 We had a picnic lunch on the lawn by the elephants.

 This is their favorite thing to do, roll coins in this thing.

 <3 Miles loved the elephants.

 Baby mountain goats!

 On Saturday we went swimming in the Willamette River in Sellwood.

 Miles did not like the sand, so he sat on the blanket with me the whole time. Lucky for him there were TONS of doggies walking by. Seriously, I counted 20 right around us at one point!

 Andy took the big kids out on a little boat ride. It was a lovely morning for the river.

 Then Ruby played that it was winter and she was going out on a winter trip. Ha!

 We had two birthday parties over the weekend, on Saturday afternoon it was for our friend Evelyn from our home group, and on Sunday it was for our nephew Conner. Busy weekend!

 Ruby legitimately fell asleep like this! We laughed SO hard.

 We had a big baptism festival at church! Ruby sat with us in the service (and enjoyed her tea).

 Then baptisms, then a fun carnival.

 Reid the tiger.

 Ruby the fairy.

 I've been teaching English most mornings at 5am, so Ruby wrote this sweet note on my white board.

 Playing games in the morning.

 We went to see another magician/comedian with our friends this time.

 Ruby got to help...

...twice! It was fun. :)