Looking much better!

Natalie's face is looking much better. Most of the swelling has gone down, and the bruise is starting to fade. Maybe we can take her out again! I was feeling a bit self conscious taking her anywhere, because about 3 days after she pulled the pillar over on herself, she was trying to push the kids' table across the kitchen, and fell and hit her face on the bench, and almost bit through her lip. She had a fat lip and a black eye for a couple of days. Boy, did I feel like 'Mom of the Year'! I wanted to stick her in a bubble and not let her try to walk, or play with anything except padded cloth objects for a while. Good grief!

Winking at Mama.

Beach trip

Yesterday was my mom's birthday, so we took a trip to the beach.  It was a really hot day... until we got to Lincoln City.  It was so windy and cold down on the beach, and it was really overcast.  Glad everyone decided to bring sweatshirts and coats!

The kids were so excited to get down to the beach to play.

Kayla and Indie.  Indie wasn't very fond of the wind.  We didn't put him down... he would have blown away for sure!  Did I mention it was really windy? 

Glad my Sissy was able to come!

Me and the kiddos. Anthony opted to stay home and watch Natalie. After her incident with the pillar, she's been a little cranky. Not to mention, she's teething and has been sleeping a lot. And, after we realized how cold and windy it was on the beach, I was thankful we had decided to keep her home... I don't think she would have liked it very much!

I'd say dad looks a little cold!

Headed down to the beach.

Talon was trying to see if the wind could knock him over

Did I mention it was windy?

The kids wanted so badly to play in the water. This was as close as they got. Their first reaction was, "It's so cold, Mom!". No kidding?!?!

They had a great time digging and playing in the sand.

And this would be Nolan with his sand covered snot. I couldn't tell you how many times I wiped his nose and face that day!

Building a rock wall to shield our fire from the wind.

Roasting marshmallows

It was a bit windy and cold for Grandma, so she spent a lot of the time watching the ocean from the car. She did come down and join us once we got the fire going though!

Even with the wind and cold, we had a great time celebrating my mom's birthday together. The kids had a blast, and we ate way too many roasted marshmallows!

Happy Birthday, Mom/Grandma!!! We love you!

Walking Boo-Boo

Natalie managed to get a real shiner on her face.  She was trying to walk last night, and started to lose her balance, so she grabbed on to the pillar that sits next to the couch (the white one in the background).  She managed to pull the entire pillar on top of herself, and it landed on her cheek bone.  (It's not exactly a light pillar!)  I took her into the doctor this morning to make sure everything was okay.  When she first woke up, her right eye was almost completely swollen shut, and now she's starting to get a black eye.  Since there isn't really anything they can do for it, we decided not to put her through all of the the x-rays for now.  We've kept up on the Ibuprofen, and she's done really well.  What a little trooper!

 

Papa's Helper

Natalie got to help Papa preach this morning... well, she was kinda his visual aid/object lesson. She did a great job, and was a little bit of a ham in front of everyone. And, yes, she's up there with no shoes or socks on because she kept taking them off. Cute as a button, though!

Pool time

The kids inherited a pool from their cousins. It's perfect! Deep and big enough to have fun in, but small enough to be safe. They spend so much time in it on hot days. When I first set it up, it was in the evening, and they wanted to go in it right away- even though I told them it was freezing cold. They didn't care. They jumped in and had a blast! Nolan was a little scared at first, but then got in, and I could hardly get him out.

Natalie absolutely loved it! She wanted me to let go of her so she could play, and got a little upset at me when I wouldn't. She splashed and kicked and had a great time!

My little fish!

Feeding the Ducks

We took the kids down to the river to feed the ducks with Papa and Granny.  They have a really neat park, along the lake, right behind their house.  They take the kids there all the time, and they kinda think it's their special spot.  There were tons of ducks.  Good thing we took lots of bread! 

I guess Talon got a little hungry, because he started eating some of his bread.  Well, I guess if stale bread is your thing....

Enjoying the weather

I got a few beach balls, and we have been having fun in the back yard enjoying the nice weather.  Even Natalie gets involved.  She gets so excited!  And, yes, they are playing in their bike helmets.  They know they have to wear them to ride their bikes, so a lot of the time, they just keep them on while they play outside. (You know, in case they get the urge to run and jump on their bike!)  Crazy kids!

Attempting to take a few steps.  Not quite walking yet, but almost there!

Nat hates crawling in the grass, so this is how she gets around... doing the crab walk.  It's hilarious!

So excited about his very own beach ball.  He wanted the "gween one!". 

When I'm working, Daddy and the kids have beach ball games in the house at night.  The kids think that's just the greatest thing ever!!