Big Kids Deploy and Little Kid Antics

The kids had a fun afternoon in late August being able to pretend that they were deploying.

It was a great event, which I think we will do again, if possible.

While we were waiting for their return, Hector finally found his feet!

Then there was the day that EV made herself a dirt beard with matching gloves...

And this guy...super sweet and went through a cute thumb-sucking phase around 6 months old.

Love, Us.

One Little Piggy, a Woodland Fairy, and a Farmer's Market Morning

Over the years the thrift shops have gifted us with some pretty awesome items. 

When you put them on a chubby baby, you just can't help but smile.

Check out our littlest piggy!

It is also amazing what T can turn into a costume.

Here is EV as a woodland fairy, 

thanks to some dandelions and old webbing that was used to hold grass in place at the park!

We aren't always in costume, though. 

Once in awhile make sure we look decent and emerge into the public eye.

Here are the kids enjoying delicious Rainier cherries at a local Farmer's Market!

A quick note of explanation: 

EV has a baby teether around her neck as one of many efforts we tried to encourage her 

to not bite her nails. We thought that maybe she would bite the teether instead. 

It didn't work.

We are still fighting that battle, hoping to be able to actually cut her nails on our own by Christmas.

Love, Us.

The Zoo "with Bumpa"

We also get one free family day at the Zoo with the Summer Reading Program here.

Here are some shots from our trip.

Bumpa even joined us! :D

Evangeline desperately wanted to cuddle with this little guy! So sweet!

And Thérèse was so excited that there were baby red wolves.

PS: I love otters!

They come in a very close second (almost even with) elephants.

Love, Us.

Our Annual Northwest Trek Trip and Mount Rainier Hike

Summer Reading Programs provide us with an annual free family pass to Northwest Trek.

Here is us enjoying this year's trip.

One of this year's highlights was definitely the adolescent grizzlies "playing around"!

Since we were in the area, we decided to finally make it over to Mount Rainier National park!

We took a short hike and enjoyed the afternoon.

 

Love, Us.

A Much-Needed Update Coming!

When my father calls about it snowing in MN while finishing up a very late harvest and my blog is still updated only to mid-summer, you know that it is time for a speedy and intense update! 

So...be prepared! 

Here it comes!

But first...let's all take a deep breath and enjoy a moment of Librandi quiet before the insanity begins. 

Love, Us.

Praying at Home

Yes. These pictures were a total set-up by the kiddos.

But, they sure are cute.

Here, however, is some REAL prayer taking place in our home! 

Before Father Laski left us, he offered Sunday Mass for us in our dining room.

Love, Us.

Old Friends and Zip Lines

We finally got together with a family that we met back at Fort Bliss.

They live on the other side of post, so it has taken me way to long to take the trek over.

We had a great, simple, time together.

They have tons of animals, which the kids loved.

And a zip line!

David

Thérèse

Romeo

Evangeline

Patrick wasn't quite up to "taking the leap".

And, just because it it wonderful, here is one dose of Hector tickle time.

Love, Us.