Pixos!

For the last month (at least), all we've been hearing is "I want Pixos!" So, Evan wrote a letter to Santa, AND told him in person that he realllly wanted Pixos for Christmas. Santa delivered! :) Here is Evan creating his first Pixos masterpiece - a hot air balloon. Needless to say, he loved working on it and can't wait to do more. Whew! We're glad the product lived up to its expectation. Good job, Santa!

My Boyz

Looking at these 3 together absolutely FILLS my heart. Our family is complete, and I am so in love with these guys!

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The New Man In My Life

Jaren Parker Edwards
born Saturday, November 22nd
7 lbs. 4 oz.

A very proud big brother!

A very tired Mommy

Hi World!

Our First Meeting

Evan Finally Feels a Kick!

Throughout these last months, Evan hasn't been patient enough to keep his hands on my belly to feel his brother. Last night, baby was especially active and Evan finally SAW the bumps and blurps of my belly move. He was instantly engaged, and I asked if he wanted to FEEL. It was so precious!! He sat there, so quietly, with his hands on my belly.... then.... "bump!" "Mommy!! I felt it!!!!" This lasted for probably 10-15 minutes, and I am so glad he had a chance to experience this - after all, it might not be much longer before babyJ enters this world. This one DEFINITELY goes into the scrap archives (and of course, etched into my memory and heart forever).

Ok, I know I've posted sleeping pictures before (4 months ago, in fact). But I just have to show you what Ryan and I find almost every night when we go to bed. We could have a horrible day - full of stress, misbehaving, talking back, tantrums, you name it. We could have an awesome day - full of good manners, relaxing fun, stress-free time together, etc. No matter what kind of day we have, there is nothing more calming, heart-melting and confirming than watching your child sleep. They are so beautiful and perfect, and every single night (no matter how heavy he has become, even for Ryan!) - we can't help but smile, kiss, admire and cherish this little boy of ours - before he is whisked off to his own bed.

Playgroup Halloween

This morning, I hosted playgroup at my house. In honor of Halloween, I made sugar cookies for the kids to decorate. There were pumpkins and bones, orange, white, green, black and purple frosting colors and of course sprinkles! Here are some shots of kids: pre-decorating fun in their costumes, and with messy frosting faces!


Charlotte

Kaylen & Evan

Taryn & Rachel

The Gang in their costumes - aren't they cute?!

This Takes The Cake...

Ryan's office had a baby shower for us on Tuesday. Everyone was so thoughtful and sweet! I just had to share a picture of this "cake" though - I have never seen anything like it, and I just love how creative it is!

Howloween At The Zoo

Sunday, we braved the crowds (and there WERE crowds!) and headed to the zoo for some Howloween fun. Kids were supposed to come in costume, and Evan proudly donned his the entire time! They advertised a scavenger hunt with prizes, and the weather was spectacular, so we tried it out. The "scavenger hunt" was basically going to 7 different stations around the zoo to get a stamp. Once your sheet was filled with the 7 stamps, the kids got a goody bag. Was it worth it? Well.... let's just say that after a rocky start behavior-wise, we got a nice long waddle, I mean WALK around the zoo for a couple of hours. Lots of fresh air and exercise on a gorgeous day with the family - you can't beat that!

Beautiful fall day!

Spidey and Mom

Spidey slinging webs.

Haven't Had a Bath (photo) in Awhile...

It's been a LONG time (in my mind anyway) since I've taken photos of Ev in the bath. He always has such a happy, content time in there - and I love listening to him playing in his own world. No, I don't sit there with him. Call me a bad mother, but he is big enough now that I just don't worry about him drowning in 4 inches of water. Anyway, here is his new "invention": pouring water onto his head and catching the drips in the cup below....

Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch

You know you're busy when you have to schedule family-time. That's what we did, and today's plan was to visit The Pumpkin Patch at Sauvie Island. Yes, it was crowded. Yes, it was a little muddy. And YES - it was beautiful weather and we all had a great time!

We rode the tractor (and saw Amy P. Hi Amy!) to the field and found 4 little pumpkins. I was going to settle for 3, but Evan said, "But Mommy, we have to have one for Jaren too!" We decided to walk back, and ran into Kelli B. on the way to the haybale maze. This was perfect timing for an energy-burner for Evan, and a great rest for me. ;) Later, as Evan and Ryan were checking out the barn full of animals, I stood in line for hot dogs. We walked around a little bit, then loaded up the car and headed home. Short and sweet. Relaxed and fulfilling. The perfect fall family activity, and probably the only thing we'll do until Halloween Night!

Look how muddy my feet are!

This one's MINE!

Chowing down while resting on the only "seat" available.

Where Did The Time Go?!

I was thinking last night (as I was laying in bed, trying to get comfortable) and envisioning my life AGAIN with a toddler. An 18-month old, to be exact. You know, that in-between time (one of many) when your child can walk, drink regular milk, eat regular foods - BUT still wears diapers, still has tantrums (oops! guess those haven't completely gone away, even at 4). They're not technically a "baby", but still FAR from being as independent as a preschooler. I couldn't even remember that time - so I went through pictures - and it all came back. There are so many things I look forward to experiencing again with babyJ (and other things I'd love to SKIP). But one thing I just can't get over: IT GOES WAY TOO FAST! :(

Evan at 18 months

Evan at age 4

All Dressed Up (with somewhere to go)

Saturday was my cousin Helen's wedding - at a vineyard in McMinnville. I pulled out Evan's only pair of nice slacks to discover that he'd completely grown out of them in just a few short months! I made an emergency trip to Kohl's to buy a new shirt and slacks - and at the last minute saw some little-guy ties on clearance. I just HAD to!! Of course, I totally forgot about buying a belt (it would have been the cherry on top of this cuteness). But, look at my little man!!

I love his flirty facial expression!

Being silly with cousins Natalie & Sydney. My Aunt made their dresses!

Funny Story

Just had to share this one - I thought it was so cute.

The other night, Ryan was telling me about the evening he'd had with his friend. They went to Big Al's for a drink (Ryan doesn't really drink), then to see a movie. He doesn't like beer, is picky about wine, and didn't really know what to order. His friend suggested a rum + Coke. I said to him, "So that's what you had? A rum and Coke?" Ryan confirmed.

Then, from the other side of the room - listening intently - Evan says, "Daddy, you drank RUM?!?" He sounded so surprised, disgusted and confused! Ryan said, "Yes son, I did." Evan couldn't believe it. He looked at his Daddy and said, "But - PIRATES like that!"

Zoo Day with Grandma

Today was a first - Evan had never been to the zoo with anyone but us! Mom, Evan and I walked around "The Great Northwest", "Stellar Cove" and a few misc. animals before Mom got to go to her massage (jealous!). It was a little wild at first, but Evan managed to mellow out after a bit. He and I stayed for lunch and a couple more animals (no baby elephant though - the line was too long) before heading home. A great, but WARM day!

An Art Project For The Birds...

...NOT! I saw this in the current issue of Family Fun Magazine and HAD to try it! This was such an easy project - Evan did all the tracing, taping of the paper clips, gluing and hole-punching.
Behold - the "Bird Family" - Daddy, Mommy and Evan...

Gluing and taping

Peek-a-boo!

All finished!

Gig Harbor Vacation

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Oregon State Fair

Sunday was Ryan and my 6th wedding anniversary (yay us!), and we decided to spend it at the fair - whoo hoo! We had such GREAT memories from last year, that no matter what happened, I don't think could live up to it. But that's ok. It was good. Evan got to do his two FAVORITE things from last year - frost his own cookie and feed the miniature horses. There was also a brilliant chinese acrobatic show (which I didn't get to see b/c of the crowd and my sore feet), and the precious baby chicks that the boys spent a long time with!

"Cookie Fair"

Cute baby chick!

Feeding the miniature horse

Also: I loved the Cake Decorating display. This was one of my favorites - this woman managed to fit all of the seasons and major holidays into one cake!! Too adorable...

Our Adventure - Just The Two Of Us

My friends and I were talking on Wednesday about Fridays, and me skipping school when I was in high school, and spontaneously driving to Seaside. Well, I'm the kind of person who, once she gets an idea into her head, MUST execute it! So, I spent Wednesday night stressing about and DREADING the 100+ degree weather coming - and decided I needed to execute my thoughts about spontaneously driving to Seaside!

I woke up at 6:00am, tried to fall asleep for another hour, then finally got out of bed at 7:00 and did some investigating - finally to find an acceptable rate at a decent hotel with an ocean view. Yay!!!

I figured, "This is my last chance before I get too uncomfortably pregnant, and BEFORE baby comes to take my son to the beach on a whim." So, Evan and I went on a "beach adventure". We had a very good time together - playing in the sand, ocean, riding the carousel, playing at the arcade, eating breakfast at Pig N Pancake, stopping at Cannon Beach, then finally making it safely home in the middle of Friday afternoon rush-hour (that part wasn't so bad, surprisingly!) This was such a FABULOUS escape from the metropolitan heat-wave (it was foggy and cool this morning - note the jacket on Evan). AND, at the same time, we are glad to be home. We missed Ryan!!

On our way! Of course, we had to stop for coffee first...

Being silly in our hotel room.

"Hello, Haystack Rock!"

I love beach babies! He's so darn cute!

"Gallery E2"

I think that's what I'll call his newest interest. Remember in the last post (Googley Eyes) I mentioned that Evan wants to earn his own digital camera? As soon as he took his first shot (of Mommy wearing the googley eyes), he was HOOKED. The boy LOVES to take pictures!

Here are some of his shots - I absolutely love seeing things from his perspective - and the fact that he always manages to get his own feet in the picture is so flippin' cute!

Feet 1

So THAT'S how tall Daddy looks to Evan!

Our Shadows

Foot 2