pictures from today....

Lids waiting for the jam

The pressure cooker has made it's appearance for the season

mmm... blue berries, I got a whole flat this year, half for jam and half for freezing....oh and some just for eating

because everyone needs a little bling (thanks to Grammie)

Such a happy baby

some of my flowers this year

The bees have been busy this year, I wonder where we stand with colony collapse...

not sure why the colors so vibrant

next in line to be jammed... Marion berries, but only if I can keep ahead of Aiden who has taken it upon himself to eat every one that looks mostly black

I went out and picked a sandwich bag today, just so I could say I ate some. He's eaten all but one of my raspberry's this year. That little berry hog!

one of the two sunflowers I planted that survived Loren and the weed whacker this spring

baby grapes. I think I'll try to make them into jelly this year

Pears... this is the neighbors tree, but it's in our yard so it's destined to be pear sauce for Natalie

Natalie is one of her favorite places, the hammock, alone. If you get in with her she will let you know what she thinks of that. She looks so mischievous in this picture.

I love her feet in this pic.. she's just starting to realize they belong to her.

more bees, not sure why I like to take pictures of them on flowers but I do... deal with it!

the return of the sewing machine

So with this heat wave and the fact that Natalie likes to look out and has been spending a lot of time in Aiden's old silk/micro suede pocket sling I decided to make a warm weather version. I was really starting to feel bad when I would lay her down after she fell asleep in it and she would be covered in sweat. So this is my summer sling. I made it out of a cotton poplin with 3% Lycra for just a bit of stretch, something the other sling was missing. I also cut it down as much as possible in the shoulder area so there would be less material across my back, the serious disadvantage of my Moby this time of year and the only other baby carrier I have that allows a forward facing baby. I am quite pleased with the way this turned out and I love how light weight it is and it folds up small enough to stuff in my little diaper bag for outings.

I have also started a sun dress, although I started this on 4th of July and it's still not done. Here is my starting point. Do you like that I have to do my designing on the kitchen floor? yeah, NICE. Some day I will have my own studio space

The design is drawn on here you just can't see it

First cut, I ended up taking in another couple inches on the side after I tried it on

I did the gathers using elastic thread. This was my first time using it and I have to say I like it a lot, it was slow going since I have a lot of boobs to fit in the elastic area but I like the way it turned out.

So her it as right now. I have the straps made but I haven't gotten Loren to pin them on for me, and I can't decide if I should use snaps in the front to make breast feeding easier. I also need to hem it. But it's a start. I have a panel skirt started too, but my measurements went wrong somewhere and it's kinda big. I haven't figured out how to size it down with out ripping out all 8 panels. Maybe next week! It sure is nice to have the sewing machine back out, I've missed her and I know Loren has missed the mess on the dining room table!

Happy Sewing!!

4th of july

Natalie was actually watching the fireworks

Natalie and I watching the fireworks

Aiden and his Daddy

Loren striking a sexy pose!

Some lady was nice enough to share her popcycles with Aiden

Natalie sleeping through the first half of the fireworks

Eating PB&J while we waited for the show to start

Natalie "talking" to her daddy while Aiden played on the play structure

Aiden kept showing us the fireworks

Tummy time in the grass

Looking up at the leaves in her festive little romper

Cute little tooty-pads

Blowing raspberry's

Lost in the apple tree

So we went to Harrisburg for the fireworks again this year. We sat at the park so Aiden got to play while we waited for the show. It was a lot of fun and even Natalie woke up at the end to watch.

just for fun

Aiden is posing


He requested this picture, and set it up himself. " I want you over there and I'll sit on the steps while you take my picture" it turned out well, too bad he's naked

Natalie chilling with me in her blue bathing suit. Why does a not even 3 month old need a bathing suit you ask.... because it's so darn cute that's why!!

it's really a fake tankini... Modesty is important in our family, can't you tell?

lost in the leaves

look at how cute her tushie looks!

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we call this 'crazy hair'

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Yesterday in the yard Aiden was doing tricks while I video taped him. There was another video with lots of tricks but at the end he came over and farted bu the camera then announced it. I decided it wasn't the big finish I was looking for. We have been keeping cool in the kiddie pool, Aiden likes to trow things in it not actually play in it but oh well. Natalie has been keeping cool with cool baths at night and lots of nursing. I don't see how she could be in the 25 %, look at her! but oh well. Hope you enjoy, Happy 4th everyone!!

Natalie's list of Firsts..

So serious looking

Talking to me about those leaves... I sure am glad she likes this thing. We bought it for Aiden and he couldn't be bothered with being put down to play with it. It was a source of frustration for him.

Such a happy little girl, even during tummy time!

So this has been a big week for Ms Natalie. She had her first big laugh yesterday (June 30th) when I did the age old "how big is Natalie" bit and moved her arms. Also on Monday night during her tummy time at my mom's house she pushed herself up and rolled over onto her back. She kinda scared herself doing that one. She is also getting really good with her head (as you can see).

The weekend of Grandparents

Natalie and Grammie, I love how Grandpa Pat is peaking from the background

Natalie and Grampy

So cute at Grampy and Grandma Gustafson's

Aiden playing with Grampy and Grandma and Aunt Hayley's doll house. I think he played with it for 2 hours!

The official measurement.

Telling Grandpa Pat something exciting! Aiden helped build the fire, and get wood.

taking his boots off to run barefoot

Natalie and Great Grandma Stidham

Grandma, Grandpa and Natalie



Aiden showing me his trick

Natalie and Nonna

Bath time fun
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Natalie in her CUTE new jamies from second cousin Carolyn

Aiden showing Natalie the proper way to do the french press


So last weekend we went on a crazy grandparent trip. We saw all but one set of grandparents. On Friday the kids and I drove up to Astoria, we took it slow, stopped for lunch and a nurse break on our way and got to Olney around 3. We spent the night out there hanging out with Grammie and and Grandpa Pat, had s'mores roasted over the fire and general good fun. On Saturday we went and visited Great Grandma Carol then Grampie and Grandma Gustafson before heading back to Olney for dinner. On Sunday we went to Great Grandpa and Grandma Stidham's house to visit then down to the Astoria Sunday market, quite impressive, I must say. After heading back to Olney to pack up we headed to Portland for dinner, ended up staying until Tuesday morning and then headed home. Whew, I'm tired from just re-hashing it. We had a great time, it was too short as always but the kids did really well and we can't wait to see everyone again.