Sam's Puzzled

Sam is great at puzzles and we recently noticed that he needed something a little more challenging. So while we were visiting Jacksonville this weekend, we stopped by our favorite toy store and picked up a new puzzle -- 100 pieces!

Matthew talked him through it -- but Sam put it together all by himself!

Working hard -- notice his tongue!

After a little break for bike riding, dinner
and pj's -- Sam finished his puzzle!

He finished it a lot faster than I thought he would -- so we'll need to get a few more in the rotation!

The Wedding Weekend

On Thursday we piled into the car and headed to Jacksonville, Oregon for Matthew's sister, Katie's wedding.

Grammie and Poppy came too -- so we all rented an historic house in downtown Jacksonville for our stay. Every time Sam talked about where we were staying, he didn't say "the house", it was always "the Judge Hanna House". It was creaky, with old-fashioned light switches, lots of fun toys for the boys and deer that roamed the backyard.

It was so fun to see Matthew's extended family and finally meet Katie's fiancee, Joshua (not to be confused with Matthew's brother Joshua)!

Two goofballs in the backseat!

Two tired goofballs!

Caleb and Sam hiding out in the pantry.

A rare family photo!

Bocce ball on the front lawn.

Sam trying on his tux -- Grammie said he
looked like a Chippendale's dancer!

The flower girl and ring bearers at the wedding rehearsal.

Zak wandering around during the rehearsal.

Sam and Caleb practiced holding their pretend pillows!

Zak trying out the old pump at the house we rented.

Zak and Poppy hanging out before the wedding.

A proud ringbearer makes it successfully down the stairs!

Beautiful Katie and her Dad.

What cute cousins!

It was a great weekend with family, capped off by a lovely wedding and Katie was a beautiful bride!

Congratulations Katie & Joshua!

All Tied Up!

Back-to-school shoe shopping resulted in not one pair of shoes with velcro -- so the lessons in tying shoelaces has begun! Even Zak tried for a little while.

Sam's great at following directions -- so hopefully he'll get the hang of it before long!

A Line In The Sand

We're always on the look-out for a teachable moment -- unfortunately this one flew right over someone's head!

Sam and Zak were playing in the sandbox this afternoon and Zak kept smashing Sam's carefully crafted piles of sand. Zak thought it was great fun and Sam was getting frustrated. I reminded Sam that his brother was only 2 years old and maybe he could play with Zak rather than insist that they each keep to their own sides of the box.

Mom: Sam, what do you need right now?
Sam: My own stuff!
Mom: I was looking for "patience".

I'm sure we'll have another teachable moment in the near future!

Digging For Gold

We find him like this a lot...


Sometimes he goes all out...


Thankfully, there is currently nothing up there!

Zak Turns 2!

Zak is officially in the terrific two's!

He has changed so much over the last few months -- he's talking more and more, is very comfortable communicating his feelings in a passionate way (meaning he throws himself on the floor when he doesn't get his way), loves to play with his big brother and is a joy to be around!

Poppy and Grammy came for the weekend to help us celebrate Zak's birthday. A quick trip to the mall for a ride on the Merry-Go-Round -- a favorite for both boys. Lots of time spent outside playing in the water and the sand. Hot dogs and birthday cake rounded out the day.

Zak laughed and laughed on the Merry-Go-Round!

Oh -- so fun!


Zak's becoming a pro at opening gifts!


New fire boots!


A Strider bike -- and he knew just what to do!


Water wars!


Yummy watermelon!

Blowing out the candles!

What a fun birthday for a fun boy!

A Beach In The Backyard

Sam and Zak received a very special birthday gift from their Grandpa and Nana -- their own sandbox!

Matthew built it and it turned out great -- it fits in with the raised planter beds he is building.

Hours upon hours have been spent in the sandbox -- it is the favorite activity at our house! We've also learned that play sand is not the same as beach sand -- it does not just brush off -- it's a little dirtier, but the boys don't seem to mind.

Ready and waiting!


Sam wanted to know if they could get in it!

Lots of fun!

Pails are filled and dumped and filled again!

Construction vehicles working hard
to move all that sand around!

What a fun gift -- the boys are having a ball!

A Day At The Beach

We headed off to spend the day on the beach in Lincoln City -- it was great!

The boys had so much fun digging...and digging...and digging. We were there for hours! Matthew and I set up our beach chairs, got out our books and settled in to watch the boys play.

By the end of our time at the beach the boys were rolling in the sand. They rinsed off and changed clothes -- but still had so much sand in their hair and other places!

We did a quick walk through some shops and then headed off to Mo's for dinner.

We arrived home pleasantly tired, a little sunburned and ready for showers!

Sam is ready to go back -- he thinks we should go every week!

Thankful...

Thankful for our boys...


and soap...lots of soap!