These are a Few of My Favorite Things...

1. The way Aubrey walks around all day saying, "Jane...Michael...come here..." (reference to Mary Poppins) I'm pretty sure Jane & Michael are her two first make-believe friends.
2. How when we are headed to clean her room she starts singing, "Spoon sugar help medicine down!"
3. The way she tells all of her Disney dolls, "I saw YOU at Disneyland!"
4. The way she coaxes John to, "Dance me, Daddy, dance, me...You, Burt." She also gives him pointers on dance moves. Our little director. (and I love that John is willing to do it!)
5. The way she almost has the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...(whatever) dance down perfectly.
6. The way she came up to me tonight, rubbed my back, and whispered, "Oh, I love you, Mommy..." I love you, too, sweet one. I love you, too.

7. The way Bryant concentrates on his sister.

8. Hearing Bryant laugh at Aubrey's antics as we drive down the road.

9. The way I have to literally wrestle my little boy down so he'll stop moving, so he'll go to sleep. Yes, I'm putting my running shoes on and looking forward to it. :)

10. The way he nuzzles his head into my chest when I get him up from his naps or in the morning.

11. The way he smiles SO big he can't stay still. I say his face isn't big enough for his smile and it's true.

12. Racing Aubrey with Bryant in my arms...he laughs so hard when he almost catches Sissy.

Thank you, Lord, for letting me borrow these precious gifts for a while. And thank you for John who works so hard to allow me to stay at home and store up all of these treasures day by day. I am blessed.

Our summer stats...

Beginning in July: wedding of beloved brother Geoff...
week after wedding: hang out with another beloved brother (Nate) & sister-in-law (Megan) and their two girls who live in North Carolina
Weekend following: reception for beloved brother Geoff...
week after reception: start driving down to California with Petersen family...(who are beloved)
Weekend: spend at Disneyland with all Petersen parents, siblings, and babies...(all dearly beloved)
Week after: Drive back to Oregon
Weekend after: wedding of beloved friend Caley...(a few hours after memorial service for beloved grandpa...)

I say beloved because all of these events were well worth the time and effort and we absolutely would not have traded one minute of anything. Wonderful, deeply treasured memories with everyone...and busy.

John & Nate teaching Grace & Aubrey how to skim board.
Grace, Aubrey & Ella playing the piano. Aubrey had so much fun with her cousins!The girls walking on the beach.
Bryant getting in on a cousins picture, sans Ella...she was too busy. :) We tried getting them all to smile at the same time but you know how that goes.And then it was off the Disneyland. I need pictures, Dad & Stephanie! :) Hint, hint. Guess what Bryant will be for Halloween this year?Nana found Aubrey a true-to-life Mary Poppins parasol. She met Mary Poppins and walked with her, holding her parasol. Do you know any other 2 year olds who are more excited to meet Mary Poppins than the Disney princesses? That's my girl.

And I got to finish off this fun summer by participating in my best friend from high school's wedding...she was beautiful, the wedding was beautiful, and I was so honored to be a part of it.

Our summer is wrapping up. I just finished canning 60 pints, yes, count them, 60, of beans from Grandpa's garden. Along with 6 pints of tomatoes. I also have a box full of potatoes, probably around 15 pounds, and many many onions.

I also dabbled in canning pickles from my own garden, using my own cucumbers and my own dill. :) I'm excited about that and we'll see how they turn out.