Fun @ Target

June 2012 Via Pictures

June involved:

Indoor forts with new bunkbeds thanks to our Popsie.

Tillamook Cheese Factory Visit

Lots of texting

Gardening

Ballet and absolute cuteness

More Cuteness

Hangin with cousins

Family Time at the beach

Time with Aunty Becca (and Caitlin!)

Sand

Kite Flying

Deep Conversations

Love

Snuggles

Sand between our toes

Castle Building

Add caption

Pickin Strawberries

Tiny Tomatoes

Time as sisters

....and a family vacation!

Oh Ab...

Girl...may you always think of me as your buddy...may you always love me as much as you do right now in your tiny 2.5 year old state, may you always be as concerned and in love with me as I am with you....cause I sure do love you.

Vocab Lesson

And now it's time for vocabulary lessons with Abby....

Doot-do-doo: Anything you can put your mouth to and use as a sort of trumpet.

Ding-a-ling-a: The tiny stem on one's pickle.

Eatin Peppermint Ice Cream @ the Cheese Factory in Tillamook.

Seasons

Picture courtesy of: http://demo.studiopress.com/pixelhappy/category/nature

I love this verse from Ecclesiastes...the words from it have been running through my head for the last several weeks...it applies to all of our lives and currently it makes me think of the places both my mothers are in with their jobs.

A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3

3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.blondeepisodes.com/2010/08/nature.html

Buddies

This is Ab and her buddy Maddox at one of our small group get togethers.  This was a good distraction from her missing Hannah.  Although she clearly misses her Hannah buddy, Adam and I both noticed last night that in the few days that Hannah has been absent Abby's questions and answers have become a lot clearer and involved.  She's pointing things out in speaking in these huge paragraphs!  Sunday at my parents she went on a good 30 minute ramble of words and when Adam tried to ask her a question she turned around and said: "SHHHH!  I'M talkin!"  If nothing else she is getting a word in edgewise this week. ;)

Grammas

We hung out with Gram Cracker today. :)  I am so thankful for her and her availability to these girls.  They so love her.  Abby needed the extra love today...she's been having a mighty hard time with her best buddy Hannah being gone.

Meanwhile the Hannah Bug is up spending time with the other Gramma and Papa. :)  I sure miss her tiny face.  Abby took this picture of Gramma and Hannah during our Skype chat yesterday.  hehe  I sure love me some Hannah.  I am anxious for Saturday to get here to we can go get her! :)  Abby is too...she feels pretty lost without her buddy Hannah.  Anytime we talk to Hannah on the phone or Skype she has major meltdowns because she can't understand why Hannah isn't HERE.  It's heartbreaking.  In many ways this week is proving my earlier theories that having two kids is in many ways easier than just having one, to be true.  These girls sure love each other. :)

Fathers

Usually for Father's Day I feel like we try to do more or there's a lot more hoopla but this year it was very low key and relaxing.  We went to church and, after went up to Mom and Dad's for lunch and then over to my Uncle Mikey's house with some other family to have dessert my Gramma and Aunt had made.  I feel like every year this rolls around I'm unprepared...which is really not like me on most counts... I have three men in my life that mean a great deal to me...

My Dad-He's where my story starts.  Honestly when I think of words to describe my dad and how I feel about him it's hard for me to find words that are adequate.  He has such a good and kind heart.  He always so willing to help us kids in any way he can.  There is never a moment when he makes you feel belittled or stupid for an idea or thought you have, even when it might not match his own.  Growing up he did so much to make sure we all felt loved, together and individually, and he has always encouraged us to ask questions, and think for ourselves.  He is always rooting for us and pushing for us to be our best, and is encouraging in quiet ways.  I always feel when I sit down to chat with him that he has all the time in the world to talk to me about whatever it is we happen to be talking about that very minute.  My dad is an amazing Popsie to his four (soon to be six!) grand kids and is always willing to be available to them as well.  I love you so much dad...so much of who you are inspires in my own life.  You are incredible.

My Father-in Law- He's where Adam's story starts. :)  And that in itself is such a gift and a blessing.  Because of who he is, Adam is who he is.  :)  Jim likes to give you a bad time, but he has such a great sense of humor.  I think one of the biggest thing that stands out to me about him is his quiet service to people.  I truly think one of his gifts is giving, along with noticing a need and being willing, available and on top of filling it.  Sometimes without your knowledge.  He is so awesome at seeing something that needs to be done, or seeing something that is needed and quietly stepping in and just doing it or purchasing it.  I've seen him do it countless times with others, he's done it many times with Adam and I and with Adam's brother and his family.  He does not care or want to the recognition, it seems to just be an automatic for him.  He is so great with all his grand girls. :)  There is so much obvious pride and love for them all.  He is one amazing man...I am so thankful for him.

My Husband- He's where this little family's story starts.  He has been my best friend since before we were dating, and has continued to be so after the fact.  He has added so much to my life, it's hard to put those things into words.  He has always supported me, even when he might think I'm crazy, including the adding of baby #3. :)  I remember when we were in the hospital having Hannah, to see the way he immediately lit up at the sight of little her, and they way he was so instantly in love with her...ya knew then it was all over! :)  From taking them fishing, to playing Cinderella or Goldilocks and the 3 bears, or dress up, to teaching the girls to catch or hit a baseball and beyond he is an incredible presence in our kids lives.  It is going to be awesome to continually see how our little family's story unfolds with all the activities the girls are starting to get involved and interested in, and now also in adding a boy to the mix.  Adam is so amazing with the girls, and so obviously full of love for them...it has been amazing to get to see this guy that started off as my best friend become a dad!  As much as I love him, that becomes even more as a see him as a father to our kids.

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. 

~Clarence Budington Kelland

Recital

Hannah had her very first recital for ballet this last weekend.  She did so great!  I was so very proud...I completely lost it and teared up.  It's obvious this is something she loves to do.  She's also asked if she could play baseball. :)  She (and me!) were so thrilled and honored to have so many family members show up to support her, and the entire recital was a hoot to watch.  I am so thankful for the family that works so hard to be a presence in our kids lives.  People mean so much to them both and I love that they have so much love from all directions and so many people they can rely and lean on at any time.  Here are some of the professional pictures that her dance studio took a week before recital: