July

2-week old Gabe on July 4, 2012

On Independence Day we enjoyed going to the parade downtown Hillsboro and set off our own fireworks in the front yard:

David waving a sparkler

Nicholas, Zach, David, and Brooke doing sparklers

Amazing fireworks!

Zach (9), Gabe (2 weeks), and David (almost 4)

Gabe at 2 weeks

On Jodi Cannon's blanket

 

On the blanket Aunt Michelle made.

Nicholas trying to pose like Gabe

Blessing day!
July 8, 2012

Gabe with mom and dad

The men in the blessing circle (minus the bishop): Papa, daddy, and Uncle Adam 

Our family

Aunt Michelle, Uncle Adam, Papa, Nanee, Mike holding Gabe, Kate
Zach, Brooke, David, Nicholas

Sweet little hands

Our first harvest of blueberries off the 2 bushes we planted last year.

When Gabe was 2 weeks old, Mike went with the youth on a Pioneer Trek for 5 days so my parents came to stay with us and help out during that time.  We blessed Gabe the day before Mike left so it was perfect timing to have my parents here.

Nanee swinging with Gabe

 

During the week my parents took our kids to Adam's house and held "Cousin Camp" with the kids.  They did crafts, played games, went swimming, and ate lunch.  My kids thoroughly enjoyed it!
left to right: Brooke, Papa, Spencer, Ashley, Anna, Nicholas, Nanee, David (Zach the photographer)

The last day of Cousin Camp was held at Adam's house instead of the park

Mike was a company captain on the trek, which put him in charge of 5 families. Who can find Mike?

One last group shot, then it's hugs goodbye as my parents leave for another 1 1/2 year mission to Ukraine.

Nicholas posing like Gabe (3 1/2 weeks old)

David loves to take pictures of himself with my camera.

Gabe's first ride in the front pack! (3 1/2 weeks old)

Nicholas wants to try the front pack too

And Brooke...

Paying the kids to scrub the fence! They were motivated to do the whole thing in one day.

 My friend, Rockelle, came over to do a photoshoot of Gabe when he was one-month-old and here are my 5 favorite photos:

David turns 4! 

Mommy with the birthday boy!



watching the candles get lit (he wanted a "D" on it written in M+Ms)

big happy birthday smiles!

Brooke lost her 2nd top tooth during David's birthday dinner

The day after David's birthday is Nicholas birthday!

He wanted to spend as much time as possible in this chair:

using the laptop, reading books, playing ipod...

We were able to drag him away from his chair for a little while to take
 him to Red Robin for dinner and free birthday ice cream!

He wanted a chocolate pie and to light his own candles

 

SO happy to get Monopoly with CREDIT CARDS!

 

 

and roller blades!

Nicholas is done with Cub Scouts and on to 11-year-old scouts!

Brooke always wants Gabe to play with her and her friends

Two cuties! (Gabe is 5 weeks)

 Off to the Washington County Fair:

Kate

Nicholas

Zach

Brooke, Zach, and David are pretty serious about the water pump

Brooke and David on a ride

Grandma was happy to go on the ferris wheel with Brooke and David