For The Love Of The Game

 We are living, breathing, eating football around here.  This is Emmett and my "other son" Cody, (our neighbor) teaching Nolan a thing or 2 about football. 

Emmett and Cody are playing actual tackle football for the Cavemen White Pop Warner here in town, and are very competitive when it comes to playing the game (I promise to post pictures of them in full gear soon).  However, the best thing about watching them play this day was the fact that they decided Nolan was going to win this particular game.

They knew I was taking pictures of them and they carefully planned out their fake tackles.  It was like watching a movie, how precise they were in their reinactments.  Nolan had a blast, won the game, and these pictures couldn't have turned out better.

The Adventures of Grandma Pickles

Nolan calls Jackson "Mr. Jenkins." We don't know where he got it from and in true Nolanism fashion, we don't question it. We simply go about our daily lives trying to never forget Mr. Jenkins.

While my mom was here, she asked for a special name.....

and Grandma Pickles was born.

From Green Thumb to Kitchen Pantry!

I would L.O.V. E. to take credit for this amazing garden,

but it belongs to my in-laws. Ours is producing enough to keep us entertained,
but when Sy's parents mentioned that they were "overtaken" by veggies,

we simply replied with a "Be right over!"

Not to toot my own horn, but I have become VERY creative

with the types of dishes you can make with

tomatoes and spaghetti squash.

Helloooo SALSA!

Big shout out to BFF Nicole, for teaching me the

tricks of the trade!

Got Milk?

When Mommy's away....babies get the ultimate

COOKIES and MILK!

Coming To Terms...

With the new lady in my son's life.

This is Caelen. We heart Caelen. She is our "Best Friend, in the whole world!"

Nolan and Caelen were in pre-school together and became instant best friends. She is adorable and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want her a part of my family forever. Unfortunately, being a military family, they recently moved up to Washington. Lucky for us, her family lives here in Grants Pass, so we will hopefully be able to still visit with her. They are 2 of the cutest kids ever, and enjoy every minute with eachother.

Belknap Family Reunion

If you ever get a chance to go anywhere, you have to make the trip to Belknap Hot Springs on the McKenzie River, Highway 126. It is the most beautiful place to explore and the hot spring pool feels amazing towards the end of the night when the cool breeze picks up off the river. We were there a few years ago for Sy's sister, Hannah's wedding, and recently went back for a family reunion for Sy's father's side of the family. It was a great turn out, everyone showed up, and we had a wonderful 2 days of exploring, laughing, eating, drinking, and swimming. Unfortunately, I was slightly under the weather and would have lost my head if it wasn't attached to my body. I forgot my camera on most occasions and these are the only pictures I got....dumb, I admit.

So Jack walks now...officially...no more crawling. It happened about 2 weeks ago, he just woke up one day and was walking with an attitude as if to say, "So yeah, I'm walking now, this is how I roll."

Funny story, we don't actually have bikes (went over budget on house painting), but we did buy the baby buggy because it was the last one and we didn't want to miss out. Thankfully, Sy's parents have bikes that we were able to borrow while in Belknap, and Jack just loved his new buggy.

What it would be like with only one child.....ahh, peace and quiet....wait, oh, what?

The Gang's all here

(just a side note, but 6 of those 13 kids belong to Sadie and I...you're welcome!)

Happy 31st, Mommy!

The Great Lunch Experiment

I love....RAVIOLIS!

July 4th at the Reed Ranch

Retirement party for Uncle Ben, camping at the Reed Ranch, 4th of July, good food, good drinks, good company = Best Weekend!

Sisters take 1... Sisters take 2...
Walking with Great Papa

Keeping cool at the water park...best park EVER!

Craft time!! Decorating your cups!

104 in Redding = No fireworks....

But we got bubble guns!

and bubble dancing...

and bubble fascination..

And bubble boot...

And bubble bath...(yup, that just happened)


Glow sticks take 1...

Glow sticks take 2 (without the flash, DuH)

Best reunion ever, me and little brother Danny.

I'll take "Yah" for $1000...

A quick video of Jack Henry answering us. So cute!

Happy First Birthday Jackson!

Hard to believe this little stinker is already 1. We had a great camping birthday party and hope for many more as wonderful at this one. Thank you to all who came out for lunch to celebrate our baby entering toddlerhood!

First Presents:

Thank you Uncle Matt, Auntie Nicole, Logan and Cameron for my Fridge Barn!

Thank you Uncle Dustin, Auntie Erica, and Alden for my foam building blocks!

Blowing Kisses!

If you don't eat that cake, Emmett and Cousin Soren would gladly do it for you!

Yeah, Swimming Shorts!

Got my own big boy plates!

Thank you to all the Grandpas, Grandmas, Aunts and Uncles that pitched in for his new big boy carseat. He loves it!