SummerFest 2011

A few weeks back our neighboring town hosted their first annual SummerFest parade. We knew it'd be small and local, but we still wanted to take the girls since this summer has proven 1 thing: Midget and Natty Kat are loco for parades!
Our friends Todd and Jolina and their 3 kiddos met us there. Ash was so excited to get to collect parade candy with Eva and Kia - too bad the parade participants didn't get the memo. I think out of the 50+ entrants, only about 5 handed out candy. Oh well! At one point I heard Ashley tell her sister and friend "It's okay, cause there will be more next year."
What a nut, right?

Dancing a jig to the street musicians beat before the parade started
Look how perfectly the girls are all on the same beat!
Getting spun around by Eva
World's Cutest Little Sister
Midget and Eva cuddles
Eva's turn to cuddle with Natty Kat
What parade would be complete without a Jake n' Riane self portrait?
Best shot I could get with my girlios
They could see down the parade route and there was candy on it's way!
Daddy and his baby girl

Celebrating Old Glory

Our 4th started off with an exciting and entertaining parade (I forgot my camera! Can you believe it??!), followed by loads and loads of people and food at our house. Seems our red house on the hill is the perfect place to view the Amity fireworks!
I love where we live for a number of reasons, but I really rejoiced in our perfect location when it meant our place would be crawling with family and friends eager to celebrate their independence with food and fireworks!
I'm already looking forward to next year and have plans to go all-out with decorations! Thanks to everyone that came and celebrated with us; same time next year!

Ashley's new favorite "water-marilyn"
Sisterly squeezes
Our favorite fireworks
I love my family. Nuff said.
1 big happy family of 4
PS Yes I'm rocking my 'Jake's Fireworks' t-shirt for the SEVENTH year in a row. :) That makes it my official 4th of July uniform, no?
Starting the Robyn Cuddle-Fest off right with loves from Spunky
Hostess with the mostest - flashy sequin patriotic headband and all!
Robyn's cuddles makes Wy Wy smile - not an easy task!
Patriotic cousin cuddles
All the crazy kiddos
left-to-right
Midget, Little Katie, Natty Kat, Jude, Wy Wy
Asharooni's turn for some Robyn cuddles
Stappish-family-pyramid-o-love
Ashley was happy to share her Oreos with "Little Katie"
Mister Jude getting tossed by Daddy Nathan
Claiming her spot in the yard (as if running out of room was a possibility!)
Kiss kiss
Watching the sunset, waiting for the show
Hey I see you!
Ashley was unable to decide which red, white and blue hair bows to wear, so she got to wear them all. Major patriotic bling.
Only picture I could get of me n' my Midget
Isaiah was jealous that everyone else was getting Robyn cuddles, so he finally claimed some for himself
Waiting patiently for the show
Ashley hanging with her buddy Little Katie and Katie's mommy, Elizabeth
Little papoose Jude
Jakester's own fireworks display; too bad he managed to catch the neighbors weeds on fire during a missile miss-fire. Good news is that it was just a teeny fire, easily stomped out. Bad news is that we had the perfect opportunity to clear all those dang weeds out and we didn't take it. Oh well, there's always next year.
"Sprinklers" with Daddy. What I didn't capture on film was 2 minutes after this shot was taken when she grabbed the rod after the sparkler went out. Immediate burn and blistering. Midget was *upset major* and whimpered the entire rest of the fireworks show. But she woke up the next morning asking to do sprinklers again with Daddy, so no major scaring after all.
Jude's mommy forgot his PJs, which meant he got to borrow some from Natty. This is what a 10 month old looks like in 18 month sized PJs. And yes, those are Christmas tree jammers. We like to celebrate Christmas in July at our casa :)
10:45 pm and absolutely worn out from a nap-free-non-stop-party-sorta-day. Look closely and you can see tears on her innocent little cheeks. The burning obviously upset her, but when she realized the injury would keep her from sucking her left thumb (her 'usual'), the tears flowed once again.

Baby face

It would appear our baby no longer has a baby-face.
It seems Spunky is growing up.
I'd like to meet the person that authorized this; I've got a special kick in the *** with their name on it.

Rocking the high pony - she is the daughter of a cheerleader after all
Aint' fully dressed without her thumb, just like Big Sister
One baby she'll never outgrow? Those sweet baby blues.

In a jam

Summertime in Oregon can only mean 1 thing....STRAWBERRY JAM!! I'm lucky in that I've got my Midget who's ready-willing-and-able to assist in all things smashing, mixing and pouring.
I just love that Ashley loves to co-pilot in the kitchen with me. It's so much fun making memories!

Getting our jam on
???
Apparently crazy faces makes for better jam
This is only 1/2 of what we ended up with. Up next? Tayberry jam!

No Monster-in-Law for me

To those unfortunate souls out there who deal with Monster-in-Laws, let me just say how badly that must suck for you. I'll try *really* hard not to rub in how fantastic Kathy is.
Wait. Where's the fun in that?
I've got an amazing mother-in-law and yoooooooou dooooooon't! Nanny-nanny-poo-poo!
Jealous yet?
And just to prove her awesomeness to the world, today she surprised me with a beautifully, handcrafted, make-you-green-with-envy coral and turquoise necklace and earring set. The funny thing is that I was going to buy the exact same necklace for her and tuck it away until her birthday in September.
Looks like the early bird didn't get the worm this time!
Thank you, Kathy. It's beautiful, just like you! It's too bad you only had 1 boy although I kinda like being the favorite daughter-in-law. :)

Go ahead, tell me how great I look

Worldless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbits

Scene: After her morning bath, Ashley is sitting on her dresser while I brush her hair, put on lotion, dress, etc.

Ashley: Mommy, God made me like this?
Riane: Yep, He sure did.
Ashley: Did I stand on God's table when He made me?
Riane: Yeah, I suppose you probably did.
Ashley: It's fun to stand on God's table. I jumped up really really high and give Him a big hug and kiss. He liked it, Mommy!

Wish I could remember what it was like to stand on God's table. I believe He sent Ashley to remind me. What a guy JC is!

Sugar and spice

Guess who's getting close to joining the party?
Lindsay and Shaun's little bundle of sugar and spice and everything nice is due to make her arrival in about 7 weeks, which meant it was time to break out the awkward baby shower games and all things pink and lace.
Grandma Marilyn and Aunt Jean hosted an absolutely beautiful luncheon, complete with yummy food and scrumptious cupcakes. Lindsay was surrounded by gifts of adorable outfits, fun toys and cuddly blankets, all for Baby Grant (Mom-&-Dad-To-Be have picked out a name, but it's not mine to share - I will let them tell!).
Aren't babies wonderful?!

Beautiful table set by beautiful Grandma Marilyn
Baby Lindsay
You can never have too much layette
Nothing more adorable than a teeny tiny, itty bitty baby bikini
Thank Heaven!
Always good to see Wendy and Joanne
PS Look at this picture now because I'll likely be asked to remove it :) ~coughJeancough~Sister love Towering sister-in-law Thanks for being my co-pilot Robyn (and for also being taller than my sister-in-laws!) 3 generations of beautiful women - soon to be 4 Glowing Mommy-2-Be I now present an awkward sibling photo...