Gabe Turns ONE!

Wow! I cannot believe a whole year has gone by already. Gabriel turned one on August 5th, and he is more of a little boy, then a baby now (sniff, sniff). Nana and Grandpa were here to visit for a whole week to help me with Gabe while Dan was in Montana. We had such a great time. This is Gabe's first Birthday Cake. I'm not sure he really knew what was going on, but he sure didn't mind all the attention (or the cake!)

Nana and Grandpa took Gabe all over the place, going out to eat and shopping. He had a wonderful time (getting a taste of retirement. I hear it's a good life!) Grandpa is good at getting Gabe all wound up. Some giggles before bed, in this case.

We met Erin, Greg, and the boys at Bauman's Gardens for a little birthday get together and picnic. They had a big play area for the kids, not to mention petting zoo, wood fort and beautiful flower garden picnic area. We spent the afternoon running around, playing, and eating more cake! Gabe can't keep up with his cousins yet, but it's just a matter of time, I'm sure. The boys all sit down for Birthday Cake.

Gabe in a sugar trance...

Nana and Gabe spent alot of time together reading and playing.

After a fun-filled week with my folks, Dan came home from Montana and his Mom, Grandma, Sister and cousins Ashley and Terry came to visit and celebrate Gabe's Big Birthday! The kids played around the house, listened to Dan play guitar, and even helped him sing a few times. We also spent a day at the beach and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Dan made us great meals every night. The kids sit down with Great-Grandma to eat.

Gabe is enjoying a Giant Chocolate Chip cookie for his Birthday.

I'm ONE!

We had such a great time with everybody over the last couple weeks, it does seem kind of lonely around here now. Gabe has lots of new toys to play with and keep him busy. Thank you all so much for spending time with us and Gabe for his first Birthday. We are very lucky. Love and Miss you all!

Twin's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday to Ian and Ryan, who turned 2 on Friday! We had so much fun helping them celebrate their birthday this weekend. Erin and Greg had a small family get together complete with good food, beers, and an Elmo birthday cake. The boys had a great time playing in the back yard.

Nana was halping Gabe play with all the big boy toys.

The Pool

We finally broke down and got Gabe an inflatable pool. He wasn't that impressed with it until about the third day when the water had finally warmed up to bath water temperature. It will hold 150 gallons! of water, but we just put alittle in for now. Even Daddy got in on the fun!

4th of July

Hope you all had a good 4th of July (OK, I know it was over a week ago now) I guess we've been busy. We went up to St. Helen's to spend the holiday with Dan's Aunt and Uncle, Grandparents, and Mom. Bet you'll never guess who was the life of the party (no, not Dan this time :)

"Poppy, I want the Foods Page, not the Sports Page!"

"Me and my Grama are so silly together"

Wear'n Daddy's Hat

Practicing my Fujian White Crane

The Beach

We spent the day in Newport with some friends and I wasn't quite sure how it would go when they said they wanted to go down to the beach for awhile, but when I plopped Gabe down on the sand, he raked one side with his hand and then the other side with his other hand and looked up with a huge grin on his face!

Case shared his bucket with Gabe and even showed him how to put sand in it.

When we took him down to the water, he was alittle scared of the waves. We will have to wait til he gets alittle older and try again.

We had a great day at the beach!