Strollin'

Mac is finally big enough to put into the jogging stroller, so I got our double stroller out and took Lola and Mac on a walk! Lola sat in the stroller before Mac was born and was so excited to be able to sit next to "the baby". She was very happy to finally stroll next to Mac!

Our Happy Family of Four

We had the chance to get away up up to the lake for a week by ourselves. Our first vacation with just the four of us. We had such a great time together and as always, enjoyed the life of leisure with no cell reception, schedule, or office to be at. Dan still did some work a few mornings while the kids and I took nature walks, painted, collected rocks to throw off the dock, visited the horses, and baked. Dan joined us for lunch, then the kiddos would nap while I got a chance to lay in the sun and read, then when everyone was awake and work was done, we took "Ms. Lola" out on the water each night with some snacks and wine to cruise the lake and swim. Palmer Lake is SUCH an amazing place that we are very thankful to have to escape to!

 

 

 The first day we got there was August 17th - Mac was three months old and slept most of the day!

 Swimming at Indian Beach, It was Mac's first dip in the lake. He had his binkie and didn't make one peep as we swung his legs into the water.

 Something new...a fist in the mouth. Mac is chewing, sucking, and drooling so much. I think he's taking after his sister to get some early teeth. He's still so happy though!

 Lola on "Ms. Lola"

After our trip, I asked her what was her favorite thing to do at Palmer Lake and she said, "I like riding on Ms. Lola!"

 My sleeping boys.

Mac can be so tired, fighting off sleep, and as soon as he gets a little skin-to-skin, he calms right down and falls asleep. I am not sure how we will ever get this sweet boy out of our bed!

 Lola's cake face. Every year for our anniversary, my mom gets us wedding cake to enjoy at the lake. This year, Lola got to partake in the cake eating and loved every bite!

 Tummy time! Mac is getting so big. He can roll from his tummy to his back on both sides. After we got home, he rolled from his back to his front! Lola likes to join in during tummy time and rolls over as well :)

Rach brought Lola a bunch of rubber ducks that they named together and Lola played with every day we were at the lake. Husker Duck, Glamour Duck, Lucky Duck, Piggie Duck and Monkey Duck. Lola put them all in a bucket with water and said, "Look Mama, they're taking a family bath!"

Edge of Glory

Last weekend, Dan and I made our first visit to Walla Walla with Mac. He had a class that he wanted to take there, so we turned it into an overnight date night, wine tasting, having an amazing dinner, and celebrating 5 years of marriage! Dan totally surprised me with diamond earrings...shocked me really! We had a wonderful, whirlwind trip and then headed to the Tri Cities for our friend, Michelle's wedding.

Natasha and Michelle, loving on our kids at the rehearsal dinner.

 The night before the wedding. Lola wanted to cuddle with Mac before she headed to bed.

Lola was a flower girl and did not want to walk down the aisle during the procession. As soon as Michelle started walking down the aisle, Lola told Dan, "I want to be a flower girl now!" So after the ceremony, she decided to walk out with Rach, who was a bridesmaid. She went on to take pictures with the wedding party afterwards, which was her shining moment :)

 She was so giddy to take a picture with the beautiful bride!

 First ones out on the dance floor.

 Jeremy left the sweetheart table for a moment and Rachael gladly took his place!

 Lola and her Bub.

 Dancing with Nana. I thought at this point that she was starting to fade, until they played two of her favorite songs...

 Rachael recently made Lola a cd with "Girl Power" songs that Lola often like to rock out to in the car. When Katy Perry's "Firework" song came on, we ran out to the dance floor and she sang and danced away. What really caught people's attention was when Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" came on and she Lola sang, word for word, as people gathered around, singing and dancing with her. She was beaming and loving it!

 Barefoot and ready to crash...at least I was, Lola was asking for more dancing!

 She and Lucy fell right asleep.

The next day, I caught a smile from Mac at lunch. He gives his Bub the biggest smiles and coos. What a sweetie.



Finally! Time at Palmer Lake!

Our first trip of the summer up to the lake! Every year, Jack & Linda are so kind to share their place at Palmer Lake with my family for a long weekend. This year, it was James & Mac's first trip to the lake. We had perfect, hot weather the whole time, and enjoyed every minute of it!

 On our first day at the lake, the kids and I went for a nature walk. Lola spotted this "reindeer."

 Mac slept through the nature walk in the sling.

 Lola always quickly finds herself at home up here!

 First swim in the lake this summer. The water was perfect, giving Lola a chance to practice some ice cream scoops.

 James has his pilot's license, and recently purchased a share of a plane. He and Rachael flew from Seattle and did a fly by over the lake before landing in Oroville.

 Waving to Rack & James in the plane.

 Mac's first boat ride on "Ms. Lola" The trek across the lake put him right to sleep.

 Ahh...life at the lake!

 Mac & Meeko both enjoyed cuddling on the sheepskin from Grandma Mary Lou.

 Rach & James, out in the kayaks.

 Nana taught Lola how to be a spotter.

 Dan water skiing.

 James learned to knee board.

 Bub and Mac, talking to each other.

 Helping Nana in the kitchen. Who needs clothes when you're at the lake?

Grandma Linda came on our last night and brought a kick board for Lola. She loves it!