sunflowers at the end of september

 ^^"Madeline, smell the flowers."^^

 ^^Just to show you what a dork I am, how cool is it to see complimentary

 colors growing right next to each other in nature!?

 Even if one is a weed....^^

I often find myself missing the countryside and this drive out of the city to do some exploring with the three people I love most was really good for my soul.

And although the flowers were indeed a bit droopy, their color was sure radiant and we've vowed we'll be coming back next year.

9 months old

^^A big thanks to Dad for helping out ;) ^^

 

^^He adore's his sister :) ^^

This handsome fella is 9 months old today.  He's just the sweetest guy. You can't resist smiling when he comes bounding around the corner and greets you with a wave. He's into everything. Knows how to open kitchen cabinets and drawers, loves destroying his sister's block towers and eating her crayons, but he's just so sweet you can't ever be mad. He's also proving to be taking after his mother in the climbing department (although he didn't beat my record of walking before nine months ;) ). We find him perched on the arms of the couches, climbing out of his high chair (the straps are too small for him! Didn't have that problem with Madeline...), scaling the rocking chair and getting himself onto Madeline's bed. He carries the block you see pictured almost everywhere he goes, even to bed. He crawls with it and it sounds like he has a peg leg/arm(?). His big blue eyes get comments everywhere we go, he's still the biggest flirt and he often out eats Madeline and I. He can eat a whole banana in about a minute. Not cut up or anything. Those six teeth of his know how to chomp! Looking forward to hearing how much he weighs at his doctor's appointment next week :) Luke bud we love you!!!!!!!!

puddle jumping

 ^^Can't leave out our handsome mister who 

can't wait to be puddle jumping too^^

 ^^some puddles are bigger than others ;) ^^

It's a happy day when your mom finds you rain boots at the thrift store on a rainy day and the sun comes out before bedtime, just long enough for you to do some puddle jumping :)

last of the lake photos

 ^^It's a pretty amazing experience to be swimming and watching a bald eagle catch a fish not too far from you.^^

^^I accomplished a goal this summer! I got up on the wakeboard. And stayed up^^ 

 ^^We both got up :) ^^

^^I'm such a wuss when it comes to tubing! I used to love all the crazy stuff... Being a mom changes you!^^

^^Notice how Joshua is enjoying himself, while Dad and I have fear written all over our faces :) ^^

 ^^kisses for Aunt Hannah!^^

 ^^taken from inside the house... I'd go back in a heartbeat.^^

Well, it's taken me a while to get the rest of these photos up, but here they finally are. I think I've kind of felt like if I didn't post them it would mean we'd never left...? Somehow? It was such a great vacation.

I can still feel myself in the water, listening to, "Beautiful Day" by U2 from the boat's speakers.  Getting up on the wakeboard, then crashing into the water and laying on my back waiting for the boat to come around and get me. The waves were rocking me back and forth and a small seaplane flew right over my head,  across the perfect Northwest blue sky. And I remember thinking, 'I am so happy.'  U2 said it right, it was a beautiful day. A beautiful five days. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

p.s. We miss you Christian and Peter!