Amelia Brigh

All the walking and hiking in the forest preserve paid off... Amelia was born Monday morning! We're so happy she's here safe and sound. Never has a baby been more loved by 2 brothers and one sister than this little girl! She's perfect and we are thrilled to have her as a part of our family.

 And... to keep it real...

Yes, this does happen, and yes, she does have that much strawberry blond hair!

Another gorgeous day....

The weather has been so gorgeous here, I really felt it would be a shame not to get out and enjoy it. So, today after church, we loaded the kids up in the car, drove 10 minutes and ended up at the most beautiful forest preserve, and to think, I didn't even know it existed until today!!

 Maya brought along her journal and some crayons and busied herself with leaf rubbings the entire walk.

We found a woodpecker!  

 Henry loved sitting in this tree that looked like a giant hand.

There is a small stream running under this fallen tree, the kids thought they were flirting with danger when they crossed this! 

I love this! The kids had so much fun... 

Yes, I was hiking the entire time and didn't have one contraction! 

Henry's turn to cross the creek! He soon let go of Tadd's hand and kept saying "I can't believe I'm doing this!"

I love these fun, lazy Sunday afternoons to spend time with family!

Finally!! Preschool...

Remember last spring? When Henry was my shaggy haired boy and all he wanted to do was go to preschool? He looked something like this?

He would carry around this back pack and ask about 200 times a day when it would be time for him to go to school? Well, not much has changed (besides his hair!) He still really wants to go to preschool like a big boy.... the day finally arrived when It was time for Henry to go to preschool...

 He let me comb and gel his hair (something Harrison has yet to let me do)

 He got a new backpack just like the big kids...

 And we were off!!

We went to the orientation, the parents sat on one side of the room on little folding chairs listening to orientation, while the students explored the room.  At one point I got up to see how he was doing and he asked me in his most teenager like voice "Mom, could you go back and sit on your chair now?" The next day, when it was the official first day of preschool, Henry made absolutely sure that I wouldn't be coming with him, he's so independent!

Some funny things about Henry...

He insists on wearing his "dude shoes" that he chose online. They're little skate shoes that are similar to ones the "dudes" wear. He has other sneakers, but will only wear the "dude shoes" which are a pain in the rear to get on and off.

He refuses to wear any shirt with a collar, saying it isn't a "dude shirt."

He still only eats 3 basic food groups - chicken nuggets, potatoes (but only french fries or hash browns) and anything sweet, which includes fruit and also CANDY. He'll also occasionally humor me by eating a Nutella sandwich.

Oh Henry, how I love you! You are stubborn and cranky and absolutely adorable.... Our family wouldn't be the same without you!!

A day off...

With my due date quickly approaching, Tadd decided to take the day off so we could spend the day together enjoying the gorgeous summer like temperatures, without the interruptions of soccer games and other Saturday chores. We spent the day getting lots accomplished, and then made a stop at a local nature preserve for a walk.  80 degrees may not sound hot, but when you're in the blazing sun and trying to coax a tired three year old around, a half mile trail is enough to scorch a very pregnant mama!!

 We loved to collect this fuzz from giant seed pods...

 Couldn't resist this gorgeous backlighting...

 Yes, the sun really was this bright (and hot!)

 The "Belly" in all it's glory... 6 more days to until she's due.

 A patch of shade, if I thought I could get back up, I would be sitting on the ground too.

 We saw lots of these little snakes sunning themselves on the trails...

 Every time Tadd pointed the camera at us, Harrison turned his back.... little toad!!

Look at this handsome man I married. I sure love him....

I can tell we're going to need a zoom lens....

I've been trying to convince Harrison (and Maya, for that matter) to participate in some (ANY) team sport for several years now, so far they haven't been interested... until this year they both agreed to join a soccer team!! Harrison was very apprehensive at first, crying in the car on the way to his first practice, then again on the way to his first game. As soon as we pull into the parking lot, the tears dry up and he bolts out of the car without looking back... this kid's on fire.

He LOVES soccer, and is always behind the ball, more importantly, he is having fun being on a team and finding out he's good at something. Sometimes we have to remind him to give the other guys a chance to have the ball.  Go Harrison!! Next week I'll post pics of Maya's soccer game.

Poser... and FALL!

Harrison stole off with my camera this afternoon (without my permission) and did an impromptu photo shoot with Maya as a model. Here's a photo he took, straight off the camera, I love how she's "modeling" for him...

Then I stole the camera back and snapped this winner. Eye patch, finger (with leftover paint from art class) in the nose and hair sticking up like a rooster tail. No matter how diligently we try to comb this piece of hair down, it always sticks straight up. Harrison has been very self conscious about his eye patch, it's necessary for him to patch his "good" eye several hours a day so his weak eye can get stronger, we're hopeful he won't need glasses later if we're successful. In the meantime... doesn't he look like a pirate?

The kids are all so excited for fall, they spent a good portion of the afternoon raking every dead leaf from the entire yard, just for one measly pile to jump in, when it wasn't enough, Harrison started pulling green leaves off the trees to complete his pile. I keep telling them, soon enough Fall will be here... soon enough. Fall at our house this year means a new baby, a baptism and some major adjustments for mom to go from 3 kids to 4! I'm only a little nervous...

Still feels like summer to me!!

Henry and I enjoyed the 72 degree temperatures today... It was beautiful!! I now see why people pay a premium to live in San Diego... I could get used to this weather....

Henry involves every muscle in his face when he winks!! Even his tongue!

I love this kid!