DO THE PUYALLUP!

Since daddy's back isn't in the best of ways lately (he has a bulging/possibly herniated disc that is bulging right on the spinal column which results in temporary loss of use of his legs if its inflamed enough *boooo*) We had to "Do the Puyallup" (fair) with our friends - it was a great time. Two 3 year olds, 2 under-1-year-olds, and 2 mamas with a double stroller....we rocked that fair!!!

There was some blue hellicopter navigating...



There was some mama cuddling....


There was some horsey riding...



Some blue truck driving (are you seeing the BLUE theme here!)....


There was some goat wrangling...


And of course sweet baby pigs...


There had to be some hay bale hiding done....


There was some pretend cow milking (with professional farmer assistance) - however, they had the cow loaded with water instead of anything resembling milk which then led to multiple day conversations with Rhayna assuring her she didn't "milk the pee right out of the cow" and that pee doesn't come out of boobs....THANKS FAIR BOARD!!! MIX SOMETHING IN THAT WATER TO MAKE IT SOMEWHAT RESEMBLE MILK PLEASE!!!! Just an idea for next year :)


There were deep conversations with a resident billy goat...


There were a few great chubby baby grins for good measure....


There was adventurous camel riding....


And of course, Rhayna had to rest her bones :)

A family walk...

We live in a really beautiful, quiet, "rural" neighborhood. Our property is next to 700+ acres of wooded state land that doesn't allow any motorized vehicles. Its awfully plesant here :)

We enjoy walks and discovering all of the wonders of our area.

Gloomy late summer skies won't keep us in!


Our gorgeous driveway


Roslyn is ready for adventure!






Rhayna is discovering a smashed apple on the side of the road (trees here are overrun with ripe apples falling to the ground) that a jumpy squirrel had been feasting on before we approached.


Had to stop to check out the reflecty thing in the middle of the road - very facinating!


A late summer blackberry harvest right in our own driveway (Owen laughs because blackberries are weeds here and I'm facinated and even, at one point, suggested PLANTING a black berry bush! HA!):



Our yummy harvest:

Rhayna loves to be a goof!

My big girl loves to make me giggle, smile and belly laugh everyday. She's hilarious, way too smart for her own good, has the ears of a CIA agent (can pick up on stranger's conversations 3 miles away), and the memory of a steel trap! We are in trouble in the coming years :) Owen and I have already started to drastically change our daily habits: No more tv on unless its PBS (and even then - that's iffy), no adult conversations even in code or spelling out words - she totally knows what we're saying and will bust us, and sarcasm is out the window for now. Everything is very literal to Rhayna in this stage so if you say something sarcastically, you will spend the next hour assuring her you didn't mean that you really were going to bite off someone's head. LOL

She sure loves to make us laugh though!

A cooling spa eye mask she just HAD to wear to the store:



Practicing to be a shirtless doctor....very important aspect of doctor'ing:



Her safety goggles show up so many times throughout a week - sometimes in the tub, sometimes at Target....you never know where you need extra eye protection!



Isn't this little lady just one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen?! We are so abundantly blessed!

My diet regimen, swaddled smiles, & sitting girl!

While Rhayna was at preschool, Roslyn and I went grocery shopping. I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE proponent of shopping cart safety and wish that everyone knew that despite the fact some carseats FIT in the seat area of a shopping cart - they are NOT supposed to go there (it makes the cart top heavy, there have been countless documented cart tippings and even infant deaths associated with this)....*jumps off soapbox*

So anyway, away we go to shop. My new diet regimen is: "Whatever doesn't fit in the cart, I don't eat!"




Later, after nap, I get lots of swaddled smiles




And lastly, but certainly not least, we have to show off our mini person sitting unassisted!

A rainbow sort of day :)

We hosted a baby shower for our very dearest friends Shane & Jane this weekend. Jane loves rainbows and since there's very few pre-made party decorations out there in said "theme", a lot was DIY. I've had a lot of input from people (suggestions, help, etc) and so I thought I'd post the pictures here. It was a gloriously HOT day here in the 'burbs of Seattle. Everyone reports they had a famously wonderful time. I couldn't be happier to have the honor of showering our best friends!

My lovely, dedicated, and patient husband made my vision of painting my driveway like a rainbow to greet guests come true! He diligently tested, calculated ratio amounts of dye to cornstarch to water prior to the event and then poured a good nearly 4 hours into this project. He sure does love me! (and our friends, but surely this wasn't his idea of a FANTASTIC Saturday AM event! HA!)



Pre-festivities set up



Some details



Custom water bottle covers



Candy Bar



Love balloons and paper puff-balls




Table-scape



Rainbow tableware




A party wouldn't be a party without Sangria!



The overall image

Roslyn is 6 months old!

Half of a year. I can't believe how fast time goes! The second time around feels like a blink!

She sure is fun!



Learning to play trains (and mermaids) from her sis:




Little one, you bring me joy every single day. I'm so blessed to be your mommy.