Reading to August

Finally a Big Sister!

The day we've been awaiting and talking about for so long finally arrived!

Gary woke Madelyn up and brought her down to our bedroom at 6:30am. At 7:01am, Madelyn's baby brother was born!

Madelyn was concerned at first about August's cries. 

But a bag of "Big Sister" presents cheered her right up!

These little trinkets were a thoughtful surprise for Madelyn from one of my Curves employees. 

Madelyn busied herself with the new toys. These were intended to keep her occupied during labor, but since it was in the wee hours of the morning while Madelyn slept, they weren't needed for that purpose. 

Madelyn helps cut the umbilical cord. 

Grandma helps Madelyn hold her baby brother for the first time. 

One of my favorite photos of such a sweet moment.

A very proud and excited BIG SISTER! The full birth story is here and more photos on Baby August's new blog. 

Curves Tea Party

Since I was still pregnant on Saturday, Madelyn and I went to Curves for the "Royal Tea Party" event.

Key is one of our awesome team members. She had made these incredible papier-mâché teapot hats for her daughter and herself. She was kind enough to let Madelyn try it on too. 

Isn't that darling? 

Grandma Bonnie attended the party as well, and I know Madelyn was glad to be able to sit with her as I helped some with the event. 

Mother and daughter all dolled up for the tea party.

One of the last pictures of that big mama belly!

Lavender Festival Thrills

We went to the Helvetia Lavender Festival on July 15th, our wedding anniversary! This was a fun coincidence, as we visited a Lavender Festival near Hood River the day after our wedding seven years ago!

Madelyn enjoyed their "thrill rides!"

Look how high she jumps on the bungee trampoline!

Looks like lots of fun.

Getting strapped in for the zip line!

It was perfect for Madelyn - not terribly long or high, just right for a first-timer.

 

The farm had dozens of these "fairy gardens" with little figurines in various themes.  This "Lion King" garden was one of Madelyn's favorites of course. 

JAM Camping at Seaside

Cousins Jack, Audrey, and Madelyn - a.k.a "JAM" went camping in Seaside for two nights with Grandma and Grandpa. These kids have so much fun together and my parents are so complimentary of the way they all get along and are easy to be with. My mom got some great pictures from their trip!

Madelyn and Audrey on top of the tent trailer.

And there it is all set up.

They got to spend some time in Seaside:

shopping

and playing at the beach of course!

 

Plus they saw some sort of shark exhibit,

a motorcycle rally, 

and played in the sand some more.

 

 

 

What fun!

But back at the campground there was more fun to be had!

At the playground,

 

and in the pool.

 
Grandpa plays with JAM

They even got to watch movies in the trailer!

Seems like an incredible getaway to me! Many thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for whisking these kids away for a few days!

Silver Falls

Our day at Silver Falls would have been even more fun if this pregnant mama could walk more than 25 feet. Not sure what it is about this second pregnancy, but my body has not handled it as well as the first time.

We did enjoy a nice picnic and then Gary and Madelyn walked down to one of the falls while I waited on a bench with another pregnant gal. 

I guess Gary needs a lesson in operating the camera flash. Oops. 

We'll go back to the falls in a few weeks when we can explore more of the park together.

Alder Reunion

Instead of a fancy trip somewhere, the extended family decided to organize a couple of afternoons full of fun as a Family Reunion this year.

On July 4th we started with swimming in an aunt and uncle's pool.

 

 

Then, with everyone dressed up in red, white, and blue, we headed to a park for several patriotic crafts and a delicious picnic dinner.

The next day, everyone convened at my parents' country property for more fun and food. This time we got to don the official matching reunion t-shirts! Here are a bunch of cousins and second cousins getting ready for a trailer ride behind one of the ATV's.

A few of us went to the Evergreen "Wings & Waves" water park in McMinnville the next day as well. This was the first time Madelyn has really enjoyed all of the age-appropriate activities at a water park, which made it even more fun! She is pretty apprehensive about water slides, but after chickening out a few times, she finally felt ready to go down one of the kid slides. I was waiting at the bottom and felt such joy to hear Madelyn exclaim "SO FUN!" when she emerged from the tube, then hurry up the stairs to do it again! 

Neighborhood Parade

On the Fourth of July, a festive neighborhood parade passed right in front of our house. Madelyn and I got all decked out in our patriotic attire and decorated her scooter to participate.

Daddy stayed home to photograph--here's the mass of people parading by...

...and here is Madelyn and me bringing up the rear.  Her scooter just isn't very fast, plus she kept stopping to pick up candy on the road.  And let's face it, I'm not walkin' very fast either.

 

The parade continued for another several blocks, but we decided to quit when we got home. Madelyn had more candy than her pocket could hold anyway.