Fun in the Summer Sun!

Sydney has been taking care of Roxy & Ricco while the Olsen's have been out of town on and off over the summer. Owen just LOVES this, and gets so excited to play with Ricco!

Little Buddies about to go on a walk together.

Owen and I found this lake across the street from us while out on a walk the other day. It's gorgeous!

Clearly Owen was more interested in the ducks than having a picture taken with Mama. 

Paved path along the lake, perfect for our afternoon walk.

Taking turns on the Slip N Slide

Hi Mama!

I'm such a funny little guy. I make myself laugh!

I'm getting a little thirsty out here!

Aww! Love these two!

Sydney has been practicing handstands ALL summer long! She's doing really well!

Sibling Love

Tim relaxing before our evening S'mores.

Miranda Cosgrove & the Washington County Fair

Sydney has been a huge fan of our monthly Mommy & Me dates. I think this one has been her favorite so far :)

We joined an old friend of mine from middle school, her daughter, and a group of their friends for the Miranda Cosgrove aka iCarly Concert. The girls had so much fun, and so did us mamas - outside of aching backs today from carrying the girls piggyback to get the best view!

We spent the afternoon wandering around the fair checking out the vendors and the 4-H Exhibit hall, shared an Elephant Ear & Lemonade, and rode a couple rides before the concert!

After the concert and prior to our hour long drive home we made it over to the other side of the fair to check out the animals, in the dark. We saw more reptiles than I ever care to see again, sheep, horses and my favorites, the Clydsdales!

Happy Birthday, Nana!

Vine Gogh Artist Bar was such a fun way to spend mom's birthday!

Backyard Progress

I can't explain how proud of myself I am! I purchased bulbs (about 100), planted them all during the correct season (wouldn't put it past myself to do this wrong), watered them often, and actually grew something! Best part of all, they're thriving. I can't say the same for those hanging baskets from May. Only 2 of the 3 still look decent. I guess that's what happens when you forget to water them for a week (or 2...) in the heat. Oops!

My other backyard project for this summer was repainting the patio furniture. The rusty white paint wasn't working for me anymore. 2 days & 7 cans of Satin Black spray paint later and it's all done!

All cleaned off and ready to paint

All done and ready for a S'mores night!
Next project, to fill those new ceramic pots you see! 

Owen approves

Update: Ceramic pots are full!

Sandy Mountain Festival 2012

After we stumbled upon the Sandy Mountain Fest last year Sydney and I decided this needed to be an annual tradition! The BEST Corn on the Cob, Airbrush Tattoos & Fantasy Forest park! What more could we ask for?

The BEST corn on the cob!

Sydney's favorite booth of all - The Airbrush Tattoo!

Finished product - Pink Parrot!

Not so sure the boys enjoyed the festival...Maybe we'll make it a girls trip next year :)

Another fun morning at OMSI

Sand pit fun - I noticed Owen "playing" with other kids for the first time today. Usually he just looks at them. 

Owen kept saying "Pee" "Poo," so I took him into the restroom. Of course all he wanted was to play in the kiddie sink!

The Vortex! This kid is a good shot! One ball after another, sometimes two at a time, straight into the center!

Cousin Love

There seems to be a history of younger boy cousins adoring their older girl cousins - think Max and Sydney. Owen is now following in Max's footsteps and LOVES his Mya, or My-My!

Mya & Owen on a wagon ride at Nana's!

Staring out the window together

After snapping that last photo Mya jumped down, came over to me, and requested I take a picture of the two of us :)

...and this is what Owen looks like on the ride home from a busy afternoon following Mya around!

Mini-Family Reunion

Bailey, her husband Seth & their adorable new baby Stella are moving back to Oregon from Nashville. Sweet Madison joined them on the journey, and we all got together to welcome them here!

I love my huge family! There are so many of us and we all love any excuse to get together outside of our annual Christmas gathering. It makes it fairly easy since we all live within an hour-ish of each other, outside of the Nashville clan.

Grandma & Grandpa had 4 children, who had 14 children, who (so far) have had 21 children! Wow!