Friends goodbye

We have been so blessed with such wonderful friends while in Virginia. Recently, another batch left us for the West Coast :( We will miss the Blackburn, Eliason and Jepson families.

The Drive In !

Best night ever at the drive in! Thanks babe!

Morning routine

Summertime has been a wonderful, yet challenging time for G man who is still learning how and where to channel all his energy. He thrives off of a routine and we all are happier when he is happy:)

So our mornings usually start out with rockwell napping, me pushing ellory and grant riding his bike yelling to keep up and run mom!! He is a great trainer!

we all come back hot and sweaty, ready for a sticky popsicle.

T Ball

G had his last day of T Ball today and when he wasn't having to wait his turn to hit or throw the ball, he was having a great time!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to our wonderful Dad that helps keep us all happy! He woke up and decided to get right to work cutting up some pineapple for our friends wedding brunch (the bleyls), but then we kicked him back upstairs to relax in anticipation of eating his (cold) breakfast in bed:)
Orange pancakes, homemade syrup, berries, chocolate milk and eggs were served before we raced off to church.

after a lovely sunday nap, grant sent him on a treasure hunt discovering all the pictures he and ellory had decorated the house with. then, we enjoyed his bbq chicken dinner.

My Dad according to G-man:

His name is Joshua

I don't know how old he is

He is as big as an oven

He has dark black hair

I don't know what color is eyes are

He likes chicken

His favorite color is green

He likes to go to Father's and Sons (camping)

For fun, he likes to spend time with me 

My favorite thing to do with my Dad is play hot dog

I love my Dad because he loves me so much and he cares for me and he helps me. When I get scraped and stuff. He takes me, just dad and me, to the Dr. for my surgery.

 

Pickle Buddies

You know when you go to the store for a "quick run" to grab a few essentials and you pretty much stick to your list until your sweet child gets so excited about a certain item you just can't help it and you deviate from the list "just this once" to bring a contagious smile to their face and happiness to their heart? Yeah...That was J man with the G and a gallon jar of jumbo pickles! It was hysterically ridiculous! but now they are officially "pickle buddies".

Thrift shopping buddy

The first time we were driving in the car and G very excitedly announced that there was a yard sale sign, I couldn't help but beam with pride! I love showing him the deals that can be made and the money saved by buying items gently  used. G is my little thrift shopping buddy!

Rockwell

Rockwell is growing fast and exploring his new, exciting world! It's so fun to watch his desire for adventure, easy going attitude and drive to not be left behind his older siblings. We love our sweet heart! Here are some of his latest happenings:

He is standing and pulling himself up whenever possible

He is such  a happy camper and is easily entertained.

ball tasting

standing up and watching big brother and sister out the window

front porch lunchtime

he loves the sound crunching paper makes and this day found a paper gold mine!

Rockwell boy

Some of Rockwell's summer highlights, thus far:) 

hanging out with mom on a hot, humid day

being the cutest laundry time helper

showing off his smiley tongue while playing with the fancy european blocks from Mimi.

learning how to be the best dish unloader around

being a good sport watching big brother and sister play with the water table outside

proud that he can stand up in the bathtub for a mouthful of shiny metal

watching g be a monkey in the car

Grant's artistic creations

Grant has recently declared, "I'm a real artist!"and part of his daily routine involves creating  at least 2-5 new masterpieces. This is a wonderful talent, but combined with the giant sized folder stuffed with his art projects made during pre-school, the papers were getting out of hand. :) 

So, Bee took pictures of each creation and tried her hand at making her first chatbook. 

Here are some of the highlights from the art clean-up project:)

First date

On our way to drop off dinner to some friends, g asked if he could take ellory on a date up to the front door to make the delivery. Such a simple thing, but something I want to remember. Love this big brother and his love for little lady!

Dinner talk

Heard at the dinner table tonight:

Mom- I wonder what Jesus is having for dinner tonight- G

What do you think he likes?- mom

Hmm... mashed potatoes, carrots, jelly beans, pancakes.

Who do you think he's eating with?-mom

I know! Heavenly Father- his dad! 

I love getting a sneak peak of grant's amazing little mind.

 

rockwell enjoyed some fresh faced daddy!

JELLO

Thanks to Grandma for sending a JELLO kit from across the country, these munchkins were able to experience the wonder of  JELLO. They were squealing with glee the entire time!

 

(Side note- bee has a very odd, yet passionate dislike for all things JELLO, most especially jigglers gross her out)