My favs

Without any hesitation summer is the best time of year in the Pacific Northwest in my opinion. Waiting for summer is kind of like a kid waiting for Christmas, at least for me. Waiting all year through fall, winter, and spring and rain and cold and rain and sometimes snow and more rain for all that to pay off in the summer when you get to enjoy the heat of sunshine amidst a beautiful backdrop of greenery. I don't think that I would appreciate summer nearly as much if I lived in a place where it was like summer all year long. But this year I have come to realize that I have a favorite month. Other months just can not compare to September. There is still the summer heat and beautiful sunsets AND you can enjoy peace and tranquility at the park while all other children have gone back to school. It is like the best of all worlds. We have been going to the beach almost every day since it has been warm enough and as soon as school ends in June, the beaches around here are swarming with children and boys and girls clubs...busses full of boys and girls club with matching colored t-shirts. And then September rolled around and it was just Liam and River and I and practically an entire beach to ourselves. Those are the days. And then you blink and September is gone. I miss you sweet September.

Every year when Liam and I go to the beach, our experience has changed. During his first summer, he would just sleep in his stroller. Then he would maybe wake up and we would take him in the lake and then he would sleep more. Last year he was afraid to walk on the sand without shoes and he was terrified of the water. The only water I could get him in was mudpuddles that I made for him. And this year, he has grown to be so independent. He walks barefoot on the sand. He is not afraid of the water. And he can dig his own hole and fill it with water all on his own. And he has been such a good friend to all the kids he has met on the beach. He makes up all sorts of fun little games to play at the beach to. Most of his games involve either cars racing or burying cars and finding them or driving them in the mudpuddles. It was a fun summer at the beach.River liked the beach too. She thought it was fun to be outside and she just stares at the trees. She's not to fond of the water, but by the end of the summer she liked to wiggle her feet and splash in it. And she took some awesome naps in the great outdoors.

So I used to complain a lot about fall and winter and all the darkness and wet dreariness and get all sad and depressed and tell Jeb how much I miss summer about this time of year, but now that I'm supposed to be a grown-up I'm trying super hard to appreciate all seasons for what they are. My favorite thing about fall is to go out for a walk and step on the crunchy leaves and pinecones. I just like the sound that it makes when they crinkle under your feet. And I love it right before the leaves fall. It's just a few weeks away and all the trees outside our window are going to be a flaming red and orange colors. Yay for fall...it might not be as great as summer, but it's going to be here soon so I might as well greet it with open arms. Happy Fall people.

Liver!

Recently when I was hurriedly saying my children's names, out of my mouth came "Liver!" How come I didn't think of this before hand? At least it will be easier to call them both at the same time this way. It just will sound a little strange on the playground for a mom to be shouting about meat. I sure love my liver!

Time sure does fly. A lot has happened these past couple of months. River has grown to a whopping 14 lb chubby girl! She is darn cute with all the little rolls under her chin, in her arms and her legs. Liam has mastered the skill of going potty in the toilet and now exclusively wears big boy underwear even at night and can go standing up with relatively good aim. (It gets a little messy though when he is distracted). Jeb spent nearly two weeks in Ecuador for mission trip and has had a summer full of youth activities. And as for me, I feel like I just wake up every day and see what is going to happen. My life revolves around my side-kick, little River. We are pretty much best buds since I am her most fav person on the planet right now. Since it has been a full two months and because my sister keeps on asking for pictures, I think that's about all I have to say. Enjoy the pics that are all about a week-by-week update of our girl. You can see how much she's been growing!

Here are just some fun pics of what Liam has been up to:

With cousins Eleesha and Jayden. They are praying.

JumpingDiggingPlaying with cousin JacksonFirst train ride (that he can remember). He is a HUGE fan of trains.
Of couse hanging with sissy.Playing with Maddie and LandonClimbing all over dad. He loves to jump and climb on Jeb!

She's Here!

With joy we introduce the newest member of our family

A Baby Girl

River Elizabeth Bristow-Hanna

Born June 21, 2008 at 10:15 am

7 lbs 5 oz

19 1/4 inches long

Big Brother Liam loves his sister

Mom and Dad are doing well and feel very blessed

Guess away!!!

Per Gina's suggestion, I do think we should have a bet to see who can be the closest to when this child will come. I love guessing things, so hopefully you will to. For your information, Liam was due June 15 and was born June 9 at 1:15 pm. So, let the betting begin...let's hear your best guess at if you think it will be a boy or girl and when they will arrive (due date is 4th of July).

The Waiting Is the Hardest Part

I remember distinctly on November 2 telling Jeb that I was pretty certain we were having another baby. We had gone to PF Chang's for dinner and a table opened up for us despite the fact that everyone else was going to have a 2 hour wait. We got in quickly and everything was perfect! Well, now it's our turn to wait. It's almost hard to believe that it is nearing the end of June and that our baby is due in 2 weeks. He/she could come tomorrow or a month from now. It's a pretty exciting time in our life although it just doesn't seem possible that the time is already here. Here is to some patience. And here's a most recent photo of my ever-growing self. I was telling Jeb today that I am a little unaware of the size of my midsection because I keep bumping into things with it.

Happy Birthday Liam!

Liam three years ago
Liam today

I distinctly remember where I was and what I was doing three years ago last week. Jeb and I had stayed up all night long and had not even a wink of sleep. It was painful. It was dramatic. But the end result was so perfect and beautiful. Liam was born. Last week was Liam's third birthday. It is strange to think that it has already been three years with this sweet boy, but it has. Every day is a new day to learn more about him and his personality. Liam has a very sweet and easy going personality, a lot like his dad I think. The majority of the time he is pretty quiet and doesn't say a lot unless he is really wound up or he is really passionate about something. He has really grown to be independent lately too. He can change his own diaper. He can dress himself. He likes to fasten and unfasten his own car seat. Around our house it is not unlikely to find him playing in his room by himself or simply doing his own thing. And while he does have a very secure nature about him, he is also so sweet and loving. He is a great cuddler and likes to be snuggled to sleep, he likes to sit on our laps and read books and he likes to be carried and lay his little head on our shoulder. Some things that I have enjoyed watching him grow and learn and do over the past few months have been to watch his imagination truly come to life. He likes to take all of his cars and they talk to each other, he tells them to go to time out, he puts them down for naps, and the cars "play" together. It is a pretty funny sight to see. Liam likes to do crafts and arts. He loves to paint and color. He is really good at using scissors and he likes to tape things. He is also getting really good at building things with legos all by himself. He can build towers and fences and buildings. I appreciate that Liam likes to help a lot. If we ask him for help, he is very willing whether that means to carry his things to the car, throwing things in the garbage, cleaning up his toys, or helping mom cook in the kitchen. I must say that Liam is extremely helpful in the kitchen, his specialties include, but are not limited to stirring, pouring things, and salad spinning. I have never met such an eager salad spinner in my life! Liam is a good singer. He can sing so many different songs and my favorite ones to hear are all of his songs from Sunday School. And my favorite moments of him singing are when he is oblivious to anyone listening to him. I have enjoyed every moment of watching him grow from a new baby to a little boy. His day is special to me because it reminds me of the birth of my son, the gift of life, and it was also the day that I became a mom. Thank you Liam, you are a real gift. I look forward to watching you grow.

Helping

Blowing out the candles