Cousin Jack

Sable and Clifton's cousin Jack (8 years old) is over today playing. I jokingly asked him if he wanted some coffee. He said "I only need coffee when I'm working." ...Yes, Jack is awesome.

The kids dance together

"Our Funny Little Girl"

The comentary isn't that interesting but this is CUTE to watch!

Park Time!

What a fun day!

Grandma Dawn came to Seattle to babysit the kids while Joel and I went to an adoption meeting. When we got home the kids were fed dressed and ready to go see Dispicable Me 2! Sable was bouncing in her theater seat for most of the movie while Clifton was boarderline asleep. He did a great job of staying composed for such a sleepy little guy. After the movie Sable kept saying "Fun!" She really loved the movie! Thank you Grandma Dawn for babysitting / playing / going to a movie and treating us to lunch. What a "Fun" day.

P.S. Thank you Grandma Jackie and Grandpa Keith for the tickets and gift card!

Sleep Schudules

Clifton is usually the first one up in the mornings. He wakes up Joel for work then I get to wake up and "play". Once I'm ACTUALLY awake and functioning, Clifton heads into the kids' room to wake up his sister. Sable and I "the girls" are not morning people. "The boys" enjoy and early bedtime. We are still trying to find a better balance. It's nice that Cliff is so happy to see our grumpy, sleepy faces.

Austin Lee Reece

Welcome to the world!
Joel's little sister and her husband had a baby boy yesterday (July 25th) at 11:47pm.
7 pounds, 14 ounces and 19 Inches long

The birth went very well, everyone is happy and healthy.
Austin is said to have the Hills nose and is a laid back little guy.

Sable's new questions

Sable has become increasingly vocal. She asks questions like: "What doing?" and "Where going?". She also tells us "No no sleepy", "I'm mad!" and "My turn (insert activity here)." We are so excited for her!

Milestone *

Clifton can run. Wish us luck...

'My Turn Beach"

Happy 2nd Birthday Genghis!

Cliff exploring the park

Sable Ready to party.

Lunch boxes.

Our friend Genghis!

Joel and Clifton walking to the beach at Carceek Park.

Joel and Sable playing on the beach. 

When Joel was ready to leave,

 Sable said "My turn Beach" 

so they played a little longer.

Windy day at the Beach

Dirty little Biff

DONUTS!

Sable helped Dad exchange the lawnmower today. 

She was so well behaved (or Daddy saw the sign and 

got excited) that they stopped for some donuts. Yumm!

Dude got a haircut

Sheared.

Out of town

Joel, the kids, the dog Bexley and I all piled into the car on Friday and drove to Davenport Washington (5 hours) to spend the weekend with our hills family. We crashed a family reunion (We were related but it was FAR back on the tree) drank some fantastic wine and played with kids. It was pretty wonderful!

This is Sable on Saturday night all tucked in, laying on Aunt Joyce's settee watching Cinderella for the first time. She laughed at the mice!

Bexley should get an honorable mention for his patience. He sat between the kids on the back seat and they spent a lot of time "plucking" him. Good boy Bex.

First day of Summer School

Sable started Summer School (ESY) today. I was nervous sending her to school without meeting the teacher or knowing the other kids in the class. Sable still can't identify herself and that makes me worry. Plus letting her ride the bus home. Panic! I was instantly cheered up when we entered the classroom and saw two sets of parents that we knew, four kids from her old class and the program director! Six people shouted "Sable!" I love those people! When the bus driver dropped her off, he looked like a happy young-grandpa and said Sable told him stories all the way home. That sounds like our girl! She's now home, hungry and, as you can see in the photo, sleepy.

When Mom is at work

...Dad takes the kids to the park!

4th of July

BBQ and Sparklers at Grandma and Grandpas house.

Groceries

When we pick up groceries, this is how we roll.