Elliana Laughing

Sea World

We just got back from a fun trip to San Diego. Noah loves Sea World, so we made sure to spend lots of time with Shamu and his friends. :) Besides being BLAZING hot (and terribly humid) we had a wonderful time. Here are some highlights:

Waiting for the dophin show to begin:

Feeding/touching the dolphins (mommy's favorite part):

Shamu!

Mommy and Noah on the Elmo Fish ride (notice Noah saying, "Cheese"):

So tired (and so hot!):

On the Oscar's Eel ride:

Elmo's Zebra Fish (I didn't even mean to flash the "I love you" sign to Hylke...but I do love him :)

long overdue

So sorry for my lack of posts. :( This won't be long, just a quick video of Noah, my little water baby...wait, I mean water toddler. :)

Busy Bees

We have stayed very busy this summer. However, it's the fun kind of busy...trips to the beach, grandma/grandpa's house, a couple days in palm springs, camping....you get the idea. This past week we decided to hit the beach again. It was such a beautiful day! Noah had so much fun building sand castles with daddy, and a large trench that he sat in as the ocean water came and filled it up. His very own sand pool!

On another note, my sweet Noah is getting SO big! I can't believe how quickly they grow up. He carries on conversations with us, and is putting together long sentences (he's been carrying on sentences for awhile, we just didn't always know what he was saying...haha). Here are few of the cute things he's been saying, "Mommy, Look!", "Mommy (or daddy), come play too?", "Elliana awake! Go get her?" "Hi, Mommy. How are you?" This morning while we were playing with his Thomas trains, I had the whole crew of trains go over the bridge and they all stayed on the track...Noah looked at me and said, "Good job, Mommy!" He's also mr. independent. Most things that we used to help him with he insists on doing by himself..."self, self!". I love that he is excited to do things on his own, even if it takes him awhile to do it.

Noah absolutely loves his sunday school class, and adores the teachers/helpers. He always remembers what they learn about and is sure to tell me on our way home. Today I asked him what he did in Sunday school and he said, "I sing".

ME: What songs did you sing?

NOAH: "Light Mine" (This little light of mine) and "Jesus loves" (Jesus Loves Me).

ME: What did you learn about today?

NOAH: "Camels!"

ME: You learned about camels?

NOAH: "Yes. And Joseph!"

We're getting ready to spend the week up at Hume Lake with some of our good friends. But first, there's a BBQ and swim party we must attend first. YAY for summer fun! I'm sure I'll have lots of fun things to update when we get home.

chickens, sleeping and a cutie

You may remember from this post how much fun Noah has with the chickens at Oma and Opa's house. The first thing that Noah talks about when we visit Hylke's parents is going to see the chickens. This past weekend we were there celebrating Opa's 60th birthday and since we were there a little early Noah got to go with Opa to get the eggs that the chickens had laid. Noah was so excited to get out to the coop that he didn't stay inside long enough for Hylke to put his shorts back on after his diaper change. It made for a pretty cute picture. :)

Getting ready to go to the chickens with Opa:

Looking super cute in his boots:

Heading down to the chickens with Opa:

Looking at the eggs they got from the chickens:

Onto some Elliana news.

Just a few days ago I peeked in on her napping and this is what I found:

She's always been a back sleeper...but now that she's rolling over, apparently she likes sleeping on her tummy better. She's been on her tummy in the mornings the past couple mornings, so I'm assuming this is her new favorite sleeping position. Noah didn't sleep on his tummy until he was 9 months, you may remember this post.

And, just because I think she's super cute, here are some pics of Elliana that I took just before bedtime tonight:

Beach Day

We spent a fun day at the beach today. Noah loved playing in the water, building sand castles and playing with the other kids. I'm so glad he has his daddy's olive skin...check out his tan (oh, and excuse his little nudie bottom. :)) at the bottom of the picture set.

my own fault

When I look in the mirror (or at the scale) I'm definitely NOT where I want to be. However, I take full responsibility for where I am. I could have buckled down once I had Elliana (or Noah for that matter *wink, wink*) and taken getting back into shape very seriously...but to be honest...I just didn't. Oh, in my mind I did...but in my diet and exercise, I haven't. I have a million reasons (excuses) why it's taken so long...but really, the only reason is because it wasn't a priority...even if I thought it was.

So many of my friends have inspired me---without even knowing it! First, my sister. WOW! She is an animal!! Amy, I am so proud of how far you've come...and your committment to getting/staying in shape. Julie, you always inspire me. I'm encouraged by your honesty and your committment to the same...thanks for being real. Janna, you are such an encouragement too..it's nice to know I'm not alone on this mommy journey! All of you have worked hard to get where you want to be...or atleast are in the process of doing so...and it is very encouraging. I can do it too. :)

Tonight I went on my first run. I've talked about it for awhile now...tonight I just decided it was time. It was good. Hard, but refreshing. I think the anticipation of it was one of the hardest parts...I had no idea how i'd do. I think I surprised myself.

So, thank you friends, for sharing your journeys with me...each of them has challenged/encouraged and inspired me. And...I think you are all some of the most beautiful women I know. Ok, I'm done being sappy. ;)