Grammy has just released some of her summer videos, and I’m proud to make them available for public enjoyment!

Amara’s a crazy girl – notice how she keeps asking for more!

 

Daddy has been working out so much lately that he’s also getting Amara to focus on her health and strength.

 

What would summer be without some great pool time?

 

 

 

Yesterday was our best boy’s First Birthday!

How amazing that a whole year has gone by since I snuggled and rocked a tiny little man through the night while Mommy & Daddy recovered from his entrance into the world. It’s been a marvelous year of funny faces, energy, and life. Christian is a complete sweetheart, nearly always happy and from day one has been BUSY! He walks so well it could almost be called running and his little man-face has never stopped amusing us all with its crazy expressions. He has been quite a treat of a first grandson.

Since August 11th fell on Family Night, Michelle let me throw Christian’s first birthday party. Being of the opinion that 1^st birthdays DO matter, I decided to do what I could to go all out. From Kathy (of course!), I’ve learned there are many fun party ideas out there that go beyond balloons and streamers if you’re willing to do a little research. Since Christian isn’t old enough to insist on Batman or Barney, I got to choose something I wanted to do. Growing up, I remember being fascinated with a particular circus-train cake in a book my mom used to get ideas from for our birthdays. For  some reason, it stuck with me and was something I had wished I had little kiddos for: so I could throw a baby-circus party. Well, now I had my chance! I didn’t make that particular cake, but after a little time on the internet, I did find lots of fun “vintage” circus ideas. So, for Christian’s 1^st birthday, the “Big Top” came to our backyard!

Everyone seemed to enjoy Christian’s big night – the Lord gave us a beautiful day (a rarity this summer!), Christian seemed to have a blast and nearly everything looked like I had pictured it in my head (also a rarity).

 

 

 

There were many more ideas than I could afford to produce – some of the party websites showed beautiful circuses, complete with popcorn carts and live monkeys! However, pretty much everything I was going for worked out okay and I was happy with how the party looked. It was all very fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I promised Jessica I’d put up lots of pictures and video on the internet – so here’s the video highlights and my Picasa Web slideshow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praise God for filling our home with laughter, joy, family and fun! Christian is a treasure we are so blessed to celebrate each day of his life and especially on his first birthday. Now that Christian is one, we have no more babies

Good thing a new supply is coming!

 

We love our Christian!

- Grammy

 

Grammy and Great-Aunt Jessica took Christian out for pictures yesterday by the Columbia gorge.

It looks like Christian has a natural interest in fishing!

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica was feeling moments of panic – but all was well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t wait until we can go fishing together!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend Grammy and I had our first opportunity to have Amara over for the night!  We had a wonderful time!!

The weekend started with Amara helping Grammy with the freshly picked strawberries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amara had to sample the produce for quality.  It appears that she like them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then on Saturday – the highlight of my weekend – we got to have our first time out in Grandfather’s boat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course we had to do a little fishing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My precious grand-baby girl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jon and Michelle found out yesterday that they are having a baby girl this fall!

We are so proud to be the grandparents of four wonderful children.  How about that? Three girls and one boy so far!!!