Red

So I finally had a chance to complete the red challenge given out by my dear, creative, friend. Some day I hope to do her yellow challenge as well but considering it took me a full week for this one it's highly unlikely.

One of my favorite dresses, the red apple jumper. When I see this I think of going back to school in the fall.
Our last bowl of fresh picked strawberries. This is long gone.
The gigantic Clifford that looks over the kids as they read in the play room.
Every child needs a bright red fire truck. This one makes the sound effects and everything.
Some of my love's red ties. These are some of my favorites on him.
Star Hooks adorned with Blake's favorite hat, Little League medal, and his new pull over
Red flower petals that adorn our dining room table for every Shabbat meal in the summer
Scrapbook with cherished memories.
The flag that hangs above the white board in the school room.
New containers to organize school supplies for the 2008/2009 school year. I love planning and getting excited about the fun things to come.

4 Years Old

Where did the last four years go. You look so big and act it too. You will always be my baby though. Here are 10 things that I love about you.
1. Your "I will never give up." attitude. When you were a baby this was wearing on me but now I'm seeing the fruit of it.
2. Your blond curly hair.
3. The fact that you are such a girly girl and a tom boy all at the same time. Not too many girls I know go hunting for frogs with the boys wearing a pink dress with bow to match.
4. The way you like your back tickled.
5. The fact that you tell me you never want to get married because you want to live with mommy and daddy forever. I have a feeling this feeling won't last for long.
6. Your love for shopping---especially for shoes. You are a girl after my own heart.
7. Your excitement about learning and doing school.
8. Your stories.
9. The way you love your brother and new sister.
10. Because I can't sum up everything I love about you in ten ways and couldn't in a million either.

Birthday Party on the Beach

What is more fun than family, a cookout, cupcakes, and opening presents on your birthday? If you have all those things at the beach which is exactly what Liah wanted. Uncle Tim, Aunt Melodie, Evie, and Grandma and Grandpa Ostrom all joined us to celebrate.

When did she get so big? I don't think she has an ounce of baby fat left on her and no more baby belly.
Here is the next pro-surfer in the making. Baby feet in the sand. Nothing is cuter.

Cousins planning out their sand castle lay out.
Evie, Are you building the castle or tearing it down? I'm not sure.

Blake spent most of his time in the Cold water. I was shivering just watching him.

Mixing the perfect mixture for sand castle building.

"Can we live on the beach forever?"

Liah's Birthday Lunch

So after gymnastics camp Liah decided she wanted Chuckee Cheese for her birthday lunch. She was very proud of her long line of tickets she won from just one try on a game.

Indy Childrens Museum

We had a great time at the Children's Museum. Right now they have a Curious George exhibit that Liah was excited about and a super hero exhibit that Blake was ecstatic about so it was the perfect time to go.

Liah was so excited to get her pic taken with Curious George but when it came to her turn she got a little scared so she needed Daddy to go up with her.
Liah going down the rocket ship slide.
Blake with Spiderman. We also got to see one of the bat mobiles.
Blake spent almost an hour drawing his own superheros.

Digging for Dinosaurs.
This is the guy who found the T-Rex that is on display at the museum. Blake waited very patiently to get his autograph and picture.

Liah playing at the big water table. Thankfully she didn't get to wet.

Our Indy Weekend

One of Josh's friends was getting married in Indy this past weekend. Josh's parents came with us so the older two kids didn't have to come to the wedding with us. When we got to the hotel we were playing around with the camera and got some cute pictures.



Blake took this one of Josh and I. Hannah came with us to the wedding and was the perfect baby. It was fun to see all of Josh's old friends from high school.

Here's Hannah all dressed up for the wedding.

The next day we went to Trader Joe's for mommy and had lunch at Earl of Sandwich for daddy. This is Josh's favorite sandwich place but unfortunately he only gets it when we go to Indy or to Disney.

The kids love staying in a hotel. Here they are right before check out. It was a great trip and it gave me the itch to live in a bigger city. Josh does not feel the same. When we head to San Francisco in the fall maybe he will have a change of heart.

My Patriotic Children

The Word Was, The Word Is, And The Word Will Be

So this past Monday I started a very exciting Bible Study with my good friends Jeny and Sonia. We are reading through the Bible in 90 days. It has been great so far and has really forced me to put study up there on the list of priorities. I'm excited to see what the Lord does in the next 90 days.

And So It Begins

On Tuesday we went to the zoo and then tried to go to Kids Kingdom afterwards. It was a little chilly out and Hannah decided she did not want to be outside another minute. She refused to nurse and basically cried the whole twenty minutes we were at the playground until I finally said,"We are leaving!" As soon as Hannah was in the car this was her expression.

Doesn't it look like she's saying,"The crying worked. I got my way." I love her open mouthed, toothless smiles.

The Annual Strawberry Binge

Last night we went and did our final strawberry pick of the year. It was great weather this year for picking. It was actually a little chilly last night as you can tell by the bundled baby. We just picked about 3/4 of a box to eat this week. I already have 12 big bags in the freezer for this winter and thought that would be plenty.

Hannah thought it was a little chilly for a June evening.
Josh trying to fill the box up before the baby started to cry.
Liah in a sea of strawberry bushes.
Blake showing off what he thought was the perfect berry.
Time to go home and make some more biscuits for strawberry shortcake.

About 3 weeks until we'll be out picking berries again----Blueberries that is.

Some Stroller R&R

While I did a little yard work yesterday Hannah hung out in her stroller listening to the birds singing and just looking around. Of course you need a big floppy hat to complete the outdoor ensemble.





She's getting too big too fast.

Excitement!!!

Blake was so excited to go to camp this week. It was only for two days and one night but it seemed like he was gone longer. I didn't realize how much Blake helps out in a day until he was gone. He had a great time and wants to go back next year. Last night after we picked him up he kept saying, "I missed you guys alot........but I had alot of fun!".