Well, it's been a while, but here are a few photos and memories.

Summer was beautiful in our backyard.  Our hydrangea bush gave us a ton of these amazing blossoms.

Here are a few pictures I took of the kids at the zoo a while back

And we've had 3 birthdays since I last posted!  So here they are

William's 2nd Birthday on July 1

Having a July birthday means William can eat fresh and local and have fresh blueberries on his cake

 Grandma and Grandpa Checketts were able to come to celebrate with us, and we were able to skype my parents.

 Amelia helped William with all of the details of the celebration (ie blowing out candles and opening presents)

 Happy Birthday boy :)

 Amelia enjoyed playing with all his new toys

Amelia's 4th Birthday, September 23rd

Amelia is old enough now to know that people have birthday parties with friends, not just with their family, and so she asked for a party this year.  I kept it really simple and we had it at one of our favorite parks.  I put Amelia in charge of all the decorations, planning and details of the day. 

 Amelia decorated the park with streamers and balloons.

 She was so excited about all the presents!

I think everyone felt that she truly appreciated the gift they brought as she squealed, danced and laughed with delight as she opened each one.

 Wearing a few of her treasured gifts

For our party game, we made bird feeders with pretzels and sunflower butter

                                                   

         And of course there were cupcakes

                                  

And William decided to help himself to the frosting off the rest of the cupcakes.  He takes after his mom....he eats the frosting and ditches the rest of the cupcake :)

We also had a family party with a homemade funfetti sprinkle cake

 Happy 4 year old!

And just last week, Andrew turned 38!  Andrew chose a healthy protein packed pumpkin cake with cashew cream frosting.

And we went to the pumpkin patch and carved pumpkins to celebrate his birthday

 

And here are a few other summer highlights

My dad had a conference in Southern California so we got to met him at a park outside of LA for an evening of pure joy.  I can't stand living so far away from my family but I love these memories and the moments we have!

We also had fun reuniting with Amazing friends!!

 Making fresh strawberry pie with grandpa's homegrown Oregon strawberries

 Snuggling with Uncle Joe

 Baseball Regionals.  Go Gauchos!

 Riding the bus with dad and the baseball team

4th of July watching fireworks in our backyard

 I got new art work for my dining room curtesy of my 2 and 4 year old.  I love them and think they add so much to our decor.

William's

 Amelia's - she says this is of a hike we took this summer with a river, dry land, the sun and green grass.