A Must Read

I have not read a novel in years, hmmm wonder why, perhaps my children occupying all my time. My friend Siri gave me a few books at the beginning of summer. She said that out of all the books she passed along to me that My Sister's Keeper was her favorite, and I'd have to agree. All the books she gave me were written by Jodi Picoult. I have never read her books, but after reading My Sister's Keeper, I'm hooked. I really love her writing style! She a brilliant author and has a way of captivating her readers, and also uses a unique style of weaving multiple story lines throughout the book. My Sister's Keeper is moving, powerful, & most definitely a TEAR JERKER. It's one of those books you seriously don't want to put down. WARNING, have a box of tissue handy while you're reading, especially the last handful of chapters, I still have a lump in my throat.

I realize how much I miss reading. Ladies, I know it sounds corny, but I'd be totally up for starting a book club...if any one is interested let me know.

"Place me like a seal over your heart..."Song of Solomon 8:6

Shane(Pook, Babe)~
Happy 5 years! I really want to say happy 10~can you believe we've been together 10 years(but only married 5 of them,) on September 18th? Where has time gone? Here's to many, many, many more years together. I love you so much, you are my best friend, my anchor, always helping to keep me in balance! Hugs & Kisses...XO

I have traveled to different parts of the world and have to say without a doubt Negril Jamaica(Sandals Resort,) is the most AMAZING place I have ever been to. Shane and I hope to go back for our 10 or 15 year anniversary. If you ever get the chance to spoil yourself, go to the Sandals in Negril, you'll never forget it! We have wonderful memories locked up in our hearts from our holiday spent there.

Wedding at DeLille Cellars

As I'm writing this I realize that this is probably the first blog I've written that isn't about the kids, although, I'll still talk about them :) Shane, Nolan and I made a very quick trip over to Seattle this weekend for a close friends wedding. This is only the second time I left behind my baby girl. The only other night I've been away from Liv in the last 4 years of her life is when I gave birth to Nolan--I know, it's pathetic! I'm just too much of a worry wart I guess. We stayed with our friends in Redmond and they offered to watch Nolan for us since he was still napping when we needed to head out for the wedding. This was also a bit painful for me because the only person who's watched NJP is my mom. I did it, and we were actually able to stay at the wedding for 4 hours-YAY! So, Shane and I were kid free for what it seemed to be the first time ever. It was like we were on a wonderful date, with some of our BEST friends, it was PERFECT(if it was just a little bit cooler than 93 degree's in Seattle.)

This wedding was pretty much a WSU reunion, and for Shane, a Sigma Nu reunion. We hadn't seen some of the people attending since we graduated from college. We had a blast! It was so great to see so many familiar faces and to catch up with long lost friends. We ate(hey D, how about them rolls and Jordan almonds?,) drank(Ricardo, you spin me round round :), laughed, and reminisced for hours about the good ole' college days--when life seemed to be a lot less carefree. The wedding was at a winery in Redmond and the spot that Anthony & Heidi had their ceremony was BEAUTIFUL--a garden with tons of wild flowers, pond, butterflies flying around, lots of tree's--very sweet!

Almost all our friends are married now, and it's sad to think about not having an excuse to get everybody together. It has inspired me to stay in better touch with good friends, and to try and get together with them more often, especially the one's who live close. Life is too short, and time goes by too fast! I say this all the time, we are incredibly blessed to have such amazing friends, who have become our family. We are so grateful!

Olivia's 4!

5 days before you arrived!
Daddy holding you for the first time.
One of my favorite pictures of your brand new bright eyes looking at me.
1st Birthday!
2nd Birthday!
3rd Birthday!
4th Birthday!
Your one and only Golden Birthday!

Happy Birthday Olivia(Noonee, Schnoodle, Noodle, Liv, Livvy, Honey Girl, Sissy, Pumpkin.) There's probably a few more names that I'm missing, Daddy and I are always calling you something silly. I can't believe that you're 4 years old now. Time has flown by so fast, yet it doesn't seem like this many years has gone by with it. I can still remember the day I realized I was pregnant with you, when you first moved in my tummy, the night I went in to labor, and will never forget the 6 hours of pushing. Knowing your personality now, it only makes sense that you didn't want to come right out, little stinker! You're worth every minute of it! Daddy and I were blown away by our instantaneous love for you. I wish you could stay little forever, but am so excited to see who you become and what lies ahead for you. You bring us so much love, joy, laughter, and depending on the day, a few gray hairs :). We pray that you will always have the Love of Jesus in your heart, and will always live for him, and not the world.

You are our sweet and spicy, curly blond, blue eyed girl, and we love you "to the moon and back."
Hugs & Kisses~Mommy & Daddy

Girls just wanna have fun!

Olivia is so blessed to have sweet little friends close by. Her friends Ava & Emme brought over a darling birthday gift. Girls, you are very kind! Olivia's Gam has made a tradition of taking her up to Green Bluff each summer/fall for berry, peach, or apple picking. This year she got to go with two of her cousins, Clara and Charlotte--who just moved down here from Alaska. She had a wonderful day hanging out with the girls and her Gam. She said she especially loved the suckers and gum they got from Gam :)
The Girls playing dress up, and putting on all their bling, bling
Olivia wants to say "thank you Ava & Emme for the charm bracelet you got me for my birthday"!
Cherry picking with cousins Charlotte, Clara, and Gammy
This is fun!
Clara climbing the cherry tree
Yummy!
Thanks for a fun day out Gam, I love you!

What Summer Brings

Here's a few more of my favorite pictures of the summer. I especially love the one's with family I don't get to see very often. First and foremost I want to tell my Auntie Mary and Uncle Pat that I miss them a lot already. We are so glad that we were able to spend a week with you. It is always such a breath of fresh air to hang out, and visit with you. You're always so encouraging, inspiring, unconditionally loving, and truly two of the happiest people we know. Thanks for adding such a light to our lives. Second, April, it was so great to see you! I had a great time with you and Jen at Clinks. How random was it that we ran into each other on the main strip of Cannon Beach? Thanks for keeping in touch and remaining one of the best pen pals & friends ever :-) We've kept it up since 6th grade. Wish we lived closer! You will always be one of my dearest friends, love you lots. Some of the other pictures are from the 4th of July (with the Sander, Walker, and Hennessy Clans,) and a few more from the Oregon coast. Summer is going by so fast, I've got two special birthdays to plan, August and September will be here before I know it. Hope you're all doing well and enjoying summer!

Our annual trip to the Oregon Coast

We've taken a vacation for the last 3 summers with two special families who have been in our lives for many years. We seem to keep adding another baby to the group each year :) So far we've gone down to the Oregon Coast each time. Every year has been quite different, and you never know what the weather will bring. This year was the first time it did not rain, and we were there 5 days. Yahoo!!! Sunny skies the entire time. Can't deny that it was still pretty chilly on the beach. Wells and Ruff's, thank you for a wonderful, very memorable summer vacation. Here's to many more together!
Some of my favorite moments while on our holiday~
*Walkie Talkies while driving
*Walking around barefoot in the sand
*Nolan discovering the sand(and yes, he ate it, YUCK!)
*Eating, eating, and more eating
*Watching all our kids play together
*Reminiscing about some of the good ole' days
*Playing apples to apples and laughing until our sides hurt
*Guitar Hero!
*Staying up with friends until midnight :) Thanks to the condo that could fit us all!
*Shane and the stairs, LOL
*Shopping with the girls in Cannon Beach
*Surviving our dinners out with 6 kids
*Walking along the boardwalk in seaside(especially the people watchin')
*Olivia and Ella's first time flying a kite
*Waves of Grain Bakery

More pictures, and stories to come. Couldn't resist just adding a couple tonight. Love you guys! Thank The Lord we all made it home safe. That felt like the LONGEST car ride ever on the way back. ps-i think the kids are going through withdrawals and are bored without all their buddies. They had so much fun together!