Party in the woods (part 2)

                                                     ^^ wandering in our pajamas^^

                                                           ^^ getting the perfect shot^^^

^^my little explorer^^

                                                                    ^^^ totally content^^

The last set of pictures from our super fun cabin trip with the family. We were able to go adventuring and got to see some beautiful spots. The boys filled their tanks with dirt play and running around. And the adults ran around like children just the same. Catching frogs (toad?) climbing rocks and a ton of photo taking were all part of our agenda. I am already wanting to go back.

Party in the woods (part 1)

 There was one last hoorah with husbands family before everyone left. My in laws rented a cabin a few hours north of us and our surroundings were gorgeous. All the pine trees were making me miss Oregon. I think it was a great end to this time before reality hit. The boys had fun exploring the property and taking pictures of everything. We went adventuring outside the cabin a few times but I have to say one of  the best memories would be roasting marshmallows and making smores the last night we were there. It's something I envision us doing more and more as they get older.

We are back to reality now. With all our guests gone husband and I are alone with our pack of boys. Which means when husband is off to work I'm figuring this out on my own.  I am trying to slow down the pace of the day and take each hurdle as it comes. (most are disguised as crying, and poop explosions) have a sense of humor and know that God is here. I know that it won't be easy but I pray that I try to see the joy and beauty in it.

Happy Birthday America

I hope you all had a lovely 4th with your family. Our plans for the day were canceled due to a preterm labor scare. After going to the hospital yesterday I am happy to report that everything is okay and I was allowed to leave with the peace of mind that this baby will hopefully not make an early appearance. (we love you baby and can't wait to meet you either but just hang in there a little longer) So it looked like the raspberry festival and parade will have to wait until next year.

That didn't stop us from having fun. We enjoyed our day together as a family, a lot of backyard play time and to end the night just a few fireworks. Wolf wasn't particularly impressed  with the whole ordeal but he gave it a go. After we put them to bed and the sun finally set (how come no one told me the sun sets at 10pm here) husband and I enjoyed the fireworks outside on our own, and good conversation about our future and that of our growing family. We are eager to see what's in store.

Happy Birthday Little Bear

I can't believe my little first born is already 3. I know I have probably said this a thousand times but it is so bittersweet watching them grow up. It feels like I just brought him home. And look at him now, such a personality, so full of life (and opinions). I am so, so lucky to be his mama. 

 The day he was born. 

 His first beach trip

  His first birthday party, that also went along with....

 His first real sugar

 His second birthday ....

His zoo- train scavenger hunt

 The three year old in all his glory.

 And yes we indeed had a train themed party for the second year in a row. This time I gave up avoiding actual characters and went with Thomas. More pictures from our little family party to come.

Oh sweet Bear, happy birthday your mama loves you so.

Camping (and being nomadic)

As I mentioned before we camped for a few days between our big move out of state. As if we didn't have enough on our plate, we headed to the woods with our essentials and let the moving trucks haul and store our things until our new rental was ready. Honestly I love camping, I really do but not really having a home to come back to (well at least without unpacking first) made this trip even more of an adventure. But it was either that or living in a hotel the whole time (which we did end up doing towards the last stretch of our trip)
If your wondering how we ended up with no home for a while. Long story short, our old landlords sold the house quicker than expected and having a hard time finding a  new home when not living in that state. Not ideal in the slightest but we made the best of it.

The great thing about camping with my boys was the fact that they didn't need much, a few cars, some crayons and paper, and pretty much anything they found on the ground. They rolled around in dirt (literally) helped gather wood (well more like kindling) and built with rocks and leaves. Free entertainment at its best.

Things I never want to forget about this trip:
*Walking down to the creek with the boys, pens, crayons, and journals at hand. We all sat there while they drew I journaled all while listening to the stream running, it was amazing.
*watching Bear practically bath in dirt
*cooking pancakes and eggs in the morning
*the very snuggled co sleeping situation we were in
*putting the boys to sleep and sneaking out of the tent with husband and talking for hours by the fire.

Things I wish to either forget or learn to laugh about later
*the sudden rain showers.  The boys would cry and get stuck in them and freeze. We would have to haul them into the tent
*not finding my camping french press and having to drink the weakest peculator coffee EVER!!! I had  to be doing it wrong.
* Finding out that I need new hiking shoes the hard way and having cold slightly damp feet
* Remember the co sleeping thing above, yeah add that to being 29 weeks pregnant. OH BOY!

Overall I would definitely put this in the success category of ideas. The situations that lead us to go may not have been ideal but we spent time together, building memories and hopefully setting an example to our sons to trust the Lord and know that things will work out. We are slowly getting back into life and our new normal. Still unsure of what lies ahead but as least I know I have an amazing gang for the ride.

Father's Day

I am so lucky to be married to such an amazing man. The fact that I get to raise these boys (and maybe girl) with my best friend is such an amazing blessing.  He is certainly the level headed patient one out of us.
Something you may not know about husband, he HATES getting his pictures taken. As a result most of the picture of him on the blog are 100% genuine candid shots. I love that I have captured such tender moment,  and he loves not having to pose :)

A very special happy father's day to my papa you are the most hard working man I have ever met. Love you! And to all you dads out there we hope you have a great day.

Memories before the chaos

I have Internet again!!!!! My little family has been on a very big and long adventure.  More details on that to come (I am trying to find the right words and state of mind to write that post) all I can say is that this hands down has been one of the most trying times in our life and I feel so blessed to have a wonderful family and kids who are such troopers.

One week before our BIG move my dear and very talented friend Heidi Helser took these pictures of my growing family. It was bittersweet it felt like putting that final photo in a memory book. A chapter in your life that is now over. I am so glad we were able to get these done.

**if you live in the Portland area or in the Willamette Valley be sure to check out Heidi Helser Photography**

White Sands

 I have finally worked up the courage to go through our road trip photos (there are SO many) One of the highlights of our trip would have to be our visit to White Sands, NM. First off because in husband's family this is a tradition, they have generations of family that have all climbed those dunes. Can I also take this moment to talk about climbing those dunes, sure the slide down is fun but the intense cardio workout of getting up there holding a toddler and having a baby bump was enough to make me rethink doing it more than a two times. WOW!

Without getting too nerdy White Sands NM is one of only two places in the world that actually has completely snow white sand, it was incredible there were moment that you looked over and actually thought it could be snow. We spent the morning there with family eating breakfast, sliding down dunes (two times for me thank you) and just enjoyed this beautiful sight. I fell in love with the mid century looking shelters all scattered around the camp site. Definitely a place I would love to go back and visit again.

The Baby Shower

I have the most amazing friends and family in California. (why did I ever move?) One of my best friends hosted the most thoughtful and adorable baby co-ed baby  shower. Can I just say that co-ed was totally  the way to go. It was like a giant reunion of all the super special people in my life.  Good food, great people, a lot of laughs and all helping us welcome this new baby. I felt so special.

We immediately set out on the next leg of our road trip after the shower. It made saying goodbye a little extra hard but my heart was swelling with love. I feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life.