Lexi's first trip to OREGON!

Joanne and Lexi came to visit this past weekend.  We had such a great time with our friends, and it was Lexi's first time to the beaver state.  From all the smiles I captured in film, I am thinking she enjoyed herself.  We certainly enjoyed their company and taking them to some favorite places...

Henley gets in a "Lex" squeeze.

He was calling her "Lex" by the end of the visit.

"Lex mine best friend EVER!"

Hazel adored Lexi's special dolly.

Lexi was so kind to share.

(She even let Hazel sleep with the dolly.)

Of course a trip to the mall was on the itinerary.

Lexi bought these glasses with her hard earned allowance.

LOL.

Lexi continues to be such a lover of babies.

Holden was happy to be showered with her LOVE.

Joanne, her baby and my baby!

Hazel models her new sweater.

(In the future, she will wear a tank under!)

We took a BEAUTIFUL hike up Skinner Butte in Eugene.

Up, up, UP!

The Jeep was a hit!

SOO happy we had some sunshine for the girls from California!

Silly kids!

I love the look my messy-faced Henley is giving Lex.

ATTACK by girls!

Our group.

What a fun time spent with GREAT friends.

One more mall trip (for the play area and coffee).

Check out Mr. RED.

Lex took this one.

Love my guy!

FUN!

One last picture with "her" baby. 

This girl is so sweet.

Miss you guys!

Thanks so much for making the trip to OREGON...

and bringing some SUNSHINE!

Henley is a CHARACTER at halfway to THREE!

This boy of ours, Henley, has more personality that I can put into words. 

I will do my best to capture some of the things about our Henley-boy at two and a half...

Henley is EAGER.

He was so eager to go visit the baby goats.

He didn't shy away from the squirmy babies.

He wanted more, more, MORE!

Henley is ATTENTIVE.

He has such an ability to focus on a task.

He sure did take our egg decorating seriously.

His furrowed brow and steady hand hard at work.

Proud to show mama his beautiful egg!

Henley is a devoted BROTHER.

He is intense in his love for his siblings.

Especially his baby brother.

A little too intense at times.

He already talks of...

"When Holden is bigger...

I will drive him in the JEEP!"

Henley makes us LAUGH...

ALL THE TIME.

"Snowman stand like THIS!"

Henley loves his FRIENDS.

He is learning to share...

MOST of the time.

He adores our neighbors, Lauren and London.

And our new friends, Ryan and Wyatt.

Henley loved our Bella.

He would tell me,

"Bella's mine best friend."

I miss hearing him say that.

Henley has many BEST FRIENDS.

He tells...

mommy

daddy

 sissy

Holdie

"Your mine best friend EVER."

Sweet boy!

Henley thinks he is ELVIS.

He gets his comb,

fluffs his hair,

pouts his lips,

and PROCLAIMS,

"I ELVIS!"

He may even add in a...

"Thank you very MUCH!"

A goodbye from Henley may take AWHILE!

You can't just give a hug and say "goodbye."

Henley will insist on...

"SNOWMAN!"

(see above)

then...

"SHARK KISS!"

(turn hands into biting sharks)

next...

"HUG!"

(you know what that is)

then...

"KISS!"

(smack those lips good)

All this may then be followed by a kiss blown your way.

***

Saying goodbye to Henley leaves you tired...

and feeling the LOVE!

Speaking of LOVE...

Henley lovin' on his daddy snowman.

How do you give a "SNOWMAN" to a snowman?

I will have to ask Henley that one!

FOOD is Henley's friend.

He LOVES his NOODLES!.

He LOVES his HOT COCOA!

He LOVES his...

"Peanut butter and jelly-fish"

***

A few more notables about our Henley at this age...

1)  He loves "DINOS!"

2)  He picks out his own clothes,

usually "GORILLA SHIRT!"

or "ALLIGATOR SHIRT"

or "GREEN SHIRT!"

and then often

"ORANGE COAT!"

3) WE LOVE HIM

with as much ENTHUSIASM as he loves US!

***

What a gift we have in our Henley boy.

A little FARM life...

Two years ago we were invited to Marta and Randy's farm to see their new baby goats.  We were so very happy to be invited back this spring to see a new generation!  Seven baby goats this year, to snuggle and watch play.

I couldn't resist a photo of Beau's "farm attire."

Richie remembered how to feed the goats from last time.

He may be now known as the "goat whisperer."

Henley was SO EXCITED to go to the farm to see baby goats.

He may have had his boots on ALL day in anticipation.

He may have told EVERYONE that he was going to see goats.

Everyone.

He LOVED them.

Macey and her mommy came along too.

Just like last time.

Hazel sure enjoyed having her pal along, me too!

Marta introduces Holden to another sweet baby.

Hazel was smitten with the baby goats.

She didn't want to leave, and may have cried a bit.

And then a bit more.

If only a baby goat would have fit in her pocket...

Oh Henley boy.

So interested in these other kinds of kids.

Thank you kind goats for being so accommodating!

The rule was, everyone must cuddle a baby.

I was happy to oblige.

Henley found a good sitting spot.

A baby walking on the bridge - also Henley's sitting spot.

So cute and agile.

We loved watching them jump and run and play together.

We even convinced Beau he must hold a baby.

Henley and Hazel enjoyed giving the momma goats some food.

They love dried peas (so did Richie)!

Henley took the feeding seriously.

Farm life in his future?

I had to get a picture of Holden out with the goats...

Just like I had to get this picture of his brother two years ago!

See a resemblance?

Kat managed to snuggle two goats at once!

Before we even reached the goats...

Henley took a tumble in the thick farm mud.

Didn't slow him down!

My baby must smell yummy to this other baby.

Oh happy boy.

Holden enjoyed sitting in grass for the first time!

He loved feeling it in his fingers.

Sooo happy spring is here, finally!

*****

Thanks Marta and Randy for sharing your babies with us.

Hope to come again!!