Weekend at Carlsbad

 

I love the southern California light in the late afternoon/early evening. We took this trip to celebrate Jackson's 6th birthday and to have a bit of a summer vacation.

Jackson is 6!!!

Here are some pictures from Jackson's birthday last month. I know, I'm late in posting them. At least I'm not as far behind as I am in my scrapbooks. We actually celebrated Jackson's birthday at Legoland the week following his birthday. I can hardly believe how "grown" he is in so many ways and still so little in so many others. At night, I tell each of the children that I'm so glad he or she is mine and I am.

Hard Day

 

"My Grandma and Mommy made me bounce in this thing 'till I just couldn't take it anymore. It's such hard work to play and not even be 4 mos. old yet!" Sept. 6th

He actually went without much fuss. We noticed the lack of grunty-squeals and looked at him again to find Mr. Snoozer, sleeping on the job. (I know some of you will tell me he's too young for the Johny Jump Up thing, but I'm telling you, the kid is 18 pounds, has been standing since day two, and holding his head up since the instant he came into this world. The boy even knows how to bounce the seat up and down and seems to enjoy it.)

Cub Scouts here we come!

 

Here we are, headed to our first Tiger Cub Den meeting. As you might have guessed, I am a den leader - no I don't just like the shirt, although it is rather spiffy as far as cargo-style uniform shirts go. Nate will also be leading our Tiger Den (he's the official Den Leader, I am the Asst. Den Leader - I have the patch to prove it) when he returns from TDY. We didn't have our patches sewn on yet in the picture, although my mom was here to help with the babies and she fixed up our uniforms this last week. Jackson literally squealed out loud with joy as he opened the bag with his uniform item in it. I almost cried when I saw him fully decked out. I just struggle some days with how grown up he's getting and he's hardly 6! What will I do when he's 16?

Abundant Harvest

 
 
Several friends have asked me about our organic produce boxes. These are pictures of a box we got about a month ago (I know, I'm behind on blogging!!). The contents were (I even weighed items for those of you who care...)

9 ears yellow corn
4 plums (1 lb, 4 oz)
6 carrots (1 lb, 3 oz)
2 summer crooked neck squash (almost 1 lb.)
1 head lettuce (1 lb.)
1 bunch radish (10 count, with greens 11 oz.)
1 pint cherry tomatoes (yellow and red)
11 yukon gold potatoes (just shy of 2 lbs.)
3 peaches (1 lb. 11 oz.)
1 bunch basil (4 1/2 oz.)
10 little hot peppers (2 oz.)

By the way, I dehydrated the peppers and will grinding them for hot pepper flakes for pizza, etc.

Drew's Dedication - precious children!

 
 
 

So, I know I'll post a few more pictures later, but I just had to get these up - I love these pictures. We celebrated Drew's dedication over Labor Day weekend with both sets of grandparents and one aunt. It was great. It was a sweet, simple ceremony at the beginning of the church service. We are so grateful that we got to do it with so many family members here. I love the sweet expression on Drew's face and his Papa Jack ears (if you knew my grandfather, you appreciate this trait). I love the intensity with which Jackson is praying. I love the light in Delaney's picture. Thanks Aunt Tymmy for taking such precious pictures that really captured the moment.

Hi, my name is chubs...

 
 

My momma's not really chubby.
My daddy's not really chubby.
My brother and my sister aren't chubby.
But, I'm pretty chubby.

Papa George spent quite a bit of time on his recent trip here looking for Drew's kneecaps - they are hidden under mounds of delightful and soft, pink flesh.

These pictures were taken before Drew was even 3 mos. old! What's kind of crazy to me is how big he looks in the picture by himself and the reality of how little he truly is when his hand is in his daddy's hand.