D-E-A-Y...spells...?

A few nights ago, Hazel needed some new pj's and her brother was sleeping in their room. Since we didn't want to wake him for new Hazel pj's...we found an alternative. Hazel was rather HAPPY to discover how soft and cozy one of her daddy's t-shirts could be!

Since that night, she wears a daddy tee every night. Last night we couldn't help but have a little extra fun with the daddy tee that was chosen! :)

We will work on spelling D-U-C-K before football season starts!! :)

Verbal Henley...

The other night, I couldn't stop giggling everytime Henley tried out his newest word. "MILK" See below for yourself. (Cuter in person of course!) Never heard a "K" said in quite this way...

Remembering Grandpa...

Henley and I were the representatives from my little family fortunate enough to attend the celebration of grandpa's life nearly two weeks ago. We flew down for the service, and especially enjoyed sharing memories with those we love. Henley's little guy spirit was well received and he generated many smiles and couldn't help but bring joy to an occasion that had the rest of us rather solemn. We sure miss Grandpa, and being in the house without him was difficult for sure. He wasn't around to come pick up my glass after I had only taken a few drinks. (Type A personality!) Grandpa didn't wake us all up in the wee hours as he raked (or in the later years, BLEW) his leaves off the front walk. Grandpa was missed. At a time when we needed family most, it was great to be together. My dad and his siblings did a great job in honoring their father, my grandpa, and Hazel and Henley's great grandpa. GREAT he was. A few pictures from my quick trip to Stockton with Henley...

At the service. What a great picture Jim brought to show Grandpa doing what he loved, sailing.
I compiled these photos of grandpa, a kinder man you couldn't find.

I LOVE these two!!

Cousin Kelsey and amazing Aunt Jill.

After the service, Henley enjoyed feeding Great Grammy's ducks...

..and having a beautiful lunch where Great Grandpa loved to sit, the front patio.

Tim took Henley for a closer look at the ducks, QUACK QUACK.

A beautiful place, a beautiful family, and my grandpa had a BEAUTIFUL life.

So happy to have a piece of him within me...and within my children.

HITCHED - Caspian & Seth!

Two weeks ago we were headed for Missoula, Montana for Caspian and Seth's wedding. It proved to be a long, but beautiful ride, especially our last stretch into Montana. Richie was excited to see two new states on the drive, Idaho and Montana!

The wedding weekend proved to be a great time to celebrate the couple and share in their newly wedded bliss. Unfortunately, I was wrangling a VERY busy Henley and therefore am shy some pictures. Here are some pictures of our adventure in Montana and the newly marrieds!

Caspian, flanked by her parents (Henley supporting his grandpa) at the rehearsal.

Just a little HAPPY - Caspian and Seth.

Wedding day - beautiful before beautification began...

Caspian's hair was amazing, she has the perfect hair for a glorious BIG updo! Still can't believe that was all HER hair. Slightly jealous!

Reception - Henley stole some time with Grandma and her sister, Kathy.

The open mike was a HIT with the little kids. Here is Hazel patiently waiting her turn to sing something special...

"Happy Birthday dear Daddy..."

Purely her own idea, and one that meant a lot to her proud daddy.

Caspian and Seth surprised Beau with a special birthday pie - Oreo - his favorite! How funny that we married on Caspian's birthday 10 years ago...now she and Seth marry on Beau's birthday. Makes remembering those anniversaries a lot easier!

All the girls! Caspian worked her creative magic on all our dresses! Works of art!

Flower girl Hazel has never beamed as WIDE as when she walked down the aisle.

Since the wedding, she loves to pretend to be a flower girl. Our front lawn if often littered with blooms from her practicing.

Cooperative and enthusiastic flower girl for hire, any takers?

Henley boy on a favorite perch.

Lovin' on his grandpa.

We were pooped after our whirlwind wedding weekend in Montana, but certainly wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Congratulations to Caspian and Seth!

Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day.

Happy Father's Day!!

We have had a busy last few weeks...hope to blog on that at some point...but a busy life is my excuse to the father's in my life for this blog post that needs to double as Father's Day cards.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of Grandpa, Papa, and daddy Beau over the past year with the kiddos.

Thank you Grandpa, Papa & Beau for all you do for our family! We all love you and hope you had a very happy Father's Day. Looking forward to another year of special memories to share together.

XOXOXOXO

No more BANGS!

Hazel was due for a trim, so last Monday on our mommy day...we headed to the salon. Hazel is always eager for a haircut, she sits perfectly still, admires herself in the mirror, and then politely reminds the stylist about her lollipop at the end. This particular haircut was a milestone in that her growing out bangs are now the length of the rest of her hair! Why is it that a haircut always seems to age my children sooo?

For her photo-op, she plucked a bunch of flowers of the front shrub. (Rhododendron?)

She said they were her wedding flowers.

Love you Hazel-bug.

10 Years of Marriage!

Last weekend, Beau and I got away to the Oregon Coast to mark our 10th wedding anniversary. Mom and dad came down to be with the kids, Richie to respite, and Bella with playmate Lily. Unfortunately on Friday, we all received the upsetting news that my grandfather, my dad's father, had suffered a serious medical setback. It didn't look very promising. We were all distraught, but Beau and I headed off Saturday morning, connected via cell phone to family back at home. Our destination, a coast town we have wanted to visit for a number of years. A favorite place of my grandfather's as it turns out. Hearing grandpa talk of Bandon over the years, made me want to check it out for myself.

Well, Beau and I did. It turns out Bandon was a perfect one-night getaway. The weather cooperated, the locals were friendly, and the beach was beautiful. The rocks, both big and small, were a highlight. I came home with pockets of beautiful little rocks after each walk my guy and I took. We checked in with mom and dad frequently, hearing some news of grandpa, but mostly news of how the kids were doing. Of course, grandpa's health was always on our mind.

We headed home Sunday afternoon. Walked in the door, and one look at my dad and I knew something was wrong. He then gave me a hug, and said we had lost grandpa just 30 minutes before. I hope grandpa knew how special our time in Bandon was. He always loved my choice in a husband...and I know he would have loved to know we celebrated our 10 years at a place dear to his heart. Love you grandpa!

Here are some pictures to capture our weekend away, followed by photos that show some fun had at home with Nana and Papa.

This rock was a perfect spot to relax. (For the time it took Beau to take my picture!) The giant craggy rocks all over the Bandon beach were so intriguing to us. Beau of course had to explore a little more than I. A bird...a plane...or a....
BEAU! My husband now for ten years. Whew! The cave seemed a little creepy to me, Beau likely would have camped out awhile. Initially we thought this was another cave. Once upon a time it likely was, now it is a tunnel. The kids would have loved running through this...just as their daddy did. Such interesting rocks. Still not sure if this is "Face Rock" or not. We were so fortunate for the nice weather. First attempt at a couple shot, the battery ran out after this test shot. Second attempt at a happy couple shot. A picture of Beau and I together, just wasn't meant to be...This was as close as we got. My camera battery went out (again) just as I got the timer set up. Oh well! Meanwhile, back at home Nana and Papa were caring for Hazel and Henley. They didn't let a little rain ruin their fun. This is how Henley swings these days...Later, Papa settled in with H & H for story time. I love how Papa has Hazel's toes. Does Henley look sleepy? Papa's reading lulled Henley to sleep. Doing laundry while mommy and daddy were away. Now, that is some DIRTY but cute laundry!