Lyle turns Two!

We celebrated Lyle's birthday doggie style... a huge pile of gourmet dog food with two candles. As you can see he is not so much blowing out the candles as sniffing them out. Happy Birthday Lyle!!

Oldie but a goodie!

The old tipsy multi-color ring toy is a classic and it shows... Willa loves hers!

Yoga Baby

Willa and Leah have stopped going to mommy and me yoga since Willa has become mobile but Willa still practices at home...

The Downward Dog position

The Plank Pose

Bret's 30th Birthday

We had a big celebration Friday night with many of our good friends. We had 21 adults and 8 kids for dinner at our house! For those of you who have been to our small house you know what a madhouse it was! On Saturday, Bret headed out backpacking with his good friends Caleb, Kevin and Hans. They had a great trip with a bit of rain thrown in... no worries... they are seriously hard core!

Willa crawls... almost!

Any minute now Willa will be on her way! She is always up on her hands and knee rocking back and forth. She currently drags herself anywhere she wants to go!

75% of the 23 club

Leah's b.f.f.'s, Sarah and Kelly, came to visit Leah... actually they mostly came to meet Willa. It was a great time of fun and fellowship. In 2009 the 23 club (Leah, Gretchen, Kelly and Sarah) will celebrate their 10 year friendiversary! They spent much of this visit planning their big celebration trip to NYC!

Willa's first bike ride

We couldn't wait any longer... we had to take at least on family bike ride before the summer left us. Technically Willa is too small for the bike trailer but, we ended up putting her in her car seat and strapping that into the trailer. We rode to the farmers market and all around town. She loved it! These pictures were a test ride around the driveway.

That thing is huge!!

We had some of the most beautiful blooms in our garden this summer. This dahlia is bigger than Willa's head... it might have been bigger than mine!

Naked Time

Willa loves a good bath and she especially loves naked time after bath!

Willa at Play

We had a great summer. We spent most of our afternoons out in our beautiful yard. Here is a picture recap of Willa's summer...

Willa Eats Vegetables

Willa tries avacado...
Willa tries carrots...
Willa tries peas...

Willa is a great eater she just has to get used to the food being introduced. Her first bite is always a little dramatic... we have no idea where she gets that from! Here she is trying prunes...

More time with Grandparents

Willa's Dedication

It was such a blessing to have all of our family and our good friends take part in Willa's dedication. Our friend Hans facilitated for us. Kevin and Megan Goldsberry prepared a prayer for Willa based on the meaning of her name Willa- determined guardian and Marie - beloved. Janel lead the parent and community covenant. Jim and Jana anointed Willa's feet, Leah's dad, Ron, anointed her hands, Dennis, Bret's Dad anointed her mind, Karen and Jan, Bret and Leah's moms anointed her heart, and our good friends Chris and Stephanie Hankey anointed her eyes. Jesse, Leah's brother read the prayer of Saint Francis and Leah's Grandpa closed the dedication in prayer. It was a precious time with friends and family!

Willa's Dedication

Willa's Dedication

We had a beautiful Northwest August day to celebrate Willa's Dedication. Our entire family, Bret's and Leah's was there as well as our great friends the Hankeys, the Goldsberrys, and the Erchinger Davis'. We had a lovely cerimony where everyone had a part in dedicating Willa. We also had a great dinner together... note the beautiful flowers from our garden!!

Willa Meets Uncle Jesse

Leah's family was in town briefly as well. Her dad and brother, Jesse came in for the weekend to celebrate Willa's dedication. It was so great to finally introduce Willa to Jesse!

Family Vacation

Bret's family came out for a visit Cori, Jana and her husband, Jim were here for the week. Bret's folks stayed on for another tens days. We had many fun adventures from a picnic at Lummi Island to roasting marshmallows in our fire pit... it was a good time. We also had a quick visit from our good family friend Sister Rosie! Willa loved meeting her!