Car Camping

 For father's day, I organized a camping trip for my dad, Jesse and Jed.  They had such a great time, left Saturday afternoon and came home Sunday afternoon.  They went fishing... played with dirt and even got their toes wet!  

Jed realed in a fish! (with help...)

 Monster truck fun

 Grace and Zach Smith went...

 Emry and Kris Cadieux went...

 Grandpa and Jed... enjoying the beautiful scenery.

 The kiddos

 Grandpa slept under the stars, Jed slept in the camper tent in a sleeping bag!  Jed loved the bag and thought it was soooo cool!

So Different...

 

I love my babies... They are so much fun.  I love how different they are.  Jed is this calculated, particular, careful, thorough, serious... everything has a process.  Riley, she is reckless, messy, smiley... she loves people.  I love their differences, they are so unique and specially... wonderfully made.  

Riley loves mud, she has always eaten anything in sight... dog food, dirt, grass, really everything goes into her mouth.  SOOO... the other day, I made a mud bath outside thinking the kids would love it... Notice in the pictures, no Jed to be found.  He watched Riley go to town and said, "mommy, she is making a mess, lets get a hose and wash her off..." He was very concerned.  Riley: IN HEAVEN!

A few days later, we had the beautiful summer thunder storm.  I tried to hurry Jed outside to feel the rain.  He ran the opposite direction to the garage, and on his own grabbed his boots... I got him his umbrella and only then would he go outside.  

 Riley, on the other hand, she wanted to feel that rain, she didn't care about getting wet or dirty... she loved it, looked up at the sky in wonderment.  

 Jed just looked at Riley... I wonder what he was thinking...

 He had to close the door to his house because it would get wet inside... 

 Stomp in a few puddles (just like our book "Rain" by Peter Spier)

Oh, how I love these two... They are so fun in such different ways.  It is neat to see how God makes us all so unique!

Riley's Birthday Party

 

We had a really fun celebration for Miss Riley Renee.  It was simple, burgers, pool and cake.  

The Birthday Girl:

 Jed handled his sister having all the attention really well!  He gave Riley a pink toy car and a toy phone for her birthday... stuff he was very comfortable "sharing" :-)

 Jed sat and used his diggers for most of the party with cousin Austin...

 Lauren made it up for the big day!  Her boyfriend DJ also came.  The kids LOVED seeing them!

 Christopher, Jadon and Aubrey... cousin LOVE!

 Lauren, who is in culinary school and took a baking decorating class, made Riley's cake... it was so special to have her share her skills!  We used a sponge cake and home made whipped cream, so it was less sugary... a must for a CAKE SMASH!!!

 Jed helped Riley blow out her candle.  Thanks big brother!

 Once Riley tasted the cake, she was all in... grabbing the cake and pulling it to herself.  She did not disappoint!

 Messy girl!

 Great Grandparents...

 Some simple decorations...

It was truly a fun day!  I can't believe my baby is already 1!

Happy 1st Birthday Riley!

 

 Riley Renee… 1 year already?  Oh, how the time has passed.  I love everything about you… in a nut shell, you are my tenacious little angel.    You bring a certain joy to every room… you smile at anything!  Always moving.  Can climb anything!  Riley, you are the messiest eater I have EVER seen!!!  You never took a spoon and fed yourself since you were 6 months.  Your giggles began early and are heard often.  You adore your older brother Jed, follow in his footsteps, frustrate him… and bring him joy. 

Your first noise was the rumble of a car… “bbrrrrrrrr”… your first word was “Nose”… and you are catching onto language rather quickly, “maaamaa,” “dada,” “cak cak…” – duck, “mmmmm” – cow, “dowww”  - down (mostly on stairs) “up” – also on stairs, “Babee” – baby (as you cuddle your sweet little baby), “paaa” – peek a boo (covering your little head)… you are precious. 

I love it when you tilt your head to the side and smile. 

You know how to throw tantrums already… scooting in circles, screaming, rolling all over the floor… I’m in trouble! But, I can’t help but laugh!

I love it when you wake up in the morning…  Jed screams “I want to open her door… no meeeee!!!...” as he runs to your room.  He startles you by pounding the door open and we all sing “good morning, good morning, good morning… it’s time to rise and shine!...”  You are overfilled with joy, bob your head back and front… smile and often flop on the crib in excitement.  I hope we can do this when you are in high school. 

You love a good wrestling match… daddy gently throws you onto a pillow, and you giggle… he gently pops you with another pillow and you giggle, pull yourself up to a kneel and flop down onto the pillow… fun.

YOU WON’T WALK!  Silly girl… you stand, climb, traverse, maneuver, ride… but you won’t walk.  So far, the record is 3 steps.  You still find a way to get where you want.  I love finding you stuck in/under/through things all the time: chairs, toy kitchens, tricycles, toy shopping carts…

You and daddy have always had a special bond.  Daddy had the magic touch of putting you to sleep from the time you were born.  He loves rocking you and you just relax into his arms. 

As compliant as your brother is with say… taking medicine, clipping your toe nails, getting into your car seat, putting your clothes or diaper on… YOU AREN’T!!!  You scream, twist, turn, spit… Fun times… (I think your mother was like that too… so the legend states…)

Your favorite foods are eggs, broccoli, kidney beans, cheerios, and chicken.  But, you will eat most things.  AND DO EAT MOST THING; dog food, dirt, rocks, leaves, grass, toys…  Discovering the world right?

Riley, these are just a few of my favorite things about you.  You are so loved, and cherished.  My prayer for you is that you are gifted with Godly discernment and wisdom in this intimidating World, and that God would grab your heart early.  Happy 1^st Birthday!

Love, Mommy