Dave & Liz’s Portland Visit

Dave and Liz weren’t able to make it out for the Morris coast trip this year because of Dave’s internship schedule, but they were able to fly out a couple weeks later and spend a week with us.  My parents drove up for the week, and we had a great time with them.  We got to meet little Madison for the first time, and the boys, especially Asher, had a great time playing with Olivia.  We packed the week full of activities!

   

Rose Gardens:

We took a lunch up to the Rose Gardens, and the kids had a fun time playing on the playground after we ate.  Then we explored the rose gardens, and smelled all the flowers, finding the ones with the best scents. 

         

Oaks Park:

We had our coupons from the summer reading program, so we went to Oaks Park all together and had a great time.  I probably took way too many pictures of Asher riding the motorcycles, but he was just so cute and so happy riding them that I couldn’t resist.  He rode them many times, most times choosing a different color of motorcycle to ride on.  He loved popping a wheelie, and he was super focused the entire time the ride was going.  Landon really wanted to try out the ride that takes you up high and drops you, so I went on that one with him although those kind aren’t really my favorite.  He loved it, which is so funny to me since he refuses to ride any roller coaster.  It was a great fun day at the park.

                       

Wilsonville Fountains:

     

George Rogers Park:

We of course had to make a stop at our new favorite summertime spot – George Roger’s Park. 

             

It was a great week and we were so sad to see them go!

Madeleine’s First Birthday

Madeleine turned 1 on Saturday, the same day as the soccer jamboree with pictures, drills, and soccer games for three boys, plus Shane’s company work party, and meetings for stake conference.  We decided we would have more time to celebrate her on Sunday, so we just pretended Sunday was her birthday. 

Madeleine is so fun right now, and we all love her to pieces!  She is not quite walking, but she can stand for a little bit on her own, and she crawls all over the place.  She also loves to push things around, like our little shopping cart or car.  Her latest trick is climbing in things, and we will find her sitting inside baskets and drawers.  She loves to point to things and say “Wow!,” and her little voice and sounds are so feminine.  She is a great eater, and will eat most anything we put in front of her (as evidenced below).  She loves to give hugs and kisses, and she definitely knows how to get a reaction out of her brothers!  We sure love our sweet baby girl!

               

She opened some presents from us, and she seemed excited to open her baby doll.  When she saw what it was, she put her face up to the package where the doll’s face was and started talking to her and giving her kisses (really slobbers).  She also opened some shoes from the Howes, and she then tried to put them on her feet.  Scott helped her put them on, and she grinned and stared at them while Nate walked her around the room wearing them. 

               

After her presents, we sang her happy birthday and gave her a mini cake.  While we sang, she was leaning forward, trying to touch the cake.  She then leaned forward to lick it!  I sat it on her high chair, and she leaned forward to take a bite out of it, then decided that wasn’t enough, picked the whole thing up, and started shoving it in her mouth.  The kids were all laughing and loved watching her!

         

Shane even took a video of the action:

https://youtu.be/amx8kieBAiY