fourth of july weekend...& beyond

The three of us Nathan-less peeps drove down to Gig Harbor for the weekend to spend the holiday with Auntie Martha and cousins Jeremy and Allison. We had a good time. Aunt Martha got some honest labor out of Levi. She is doing some remodeling at her house so Levi helped paint some wood...for something?

3 cousins in a row. Gracie and I played the important roles of observers/photographers.

Painted tushy...that's his Indian name, I do believe.

He and Allison had lots of laughs. Allison is the perfect audience being so easily amused and rewarding with her big laughs.

She was trying to teach him the time honored art of "see food" enjoyed by a few select members of our big family. He didn't see the appeal so much. He flat refused to do it. He'll come around.

Day 2 of manual labor alongside the jolly green giant

He particularly enjoyed this job. Standing in the holes of the roof and tearing and throwing shingles down to the ground. Sounds like every four year old boy's dream really.

Once we got back home we relaxed for a couple days in a row. We're such mega home bodies.

One morning as I was getting ready I set Gracie Bella on my bed next to a hat and purse. It was obvious that I should teach her what they are for. And then naturally the next step was to get the camera. It turned into a really delightful photo shoot.

I'm not too big into photo captions but there are so many running through my mind for this one. Love her facial expressions.

I think it could be some sort of add.

Photo opps really don't get much better than this. She's such a tiny little delight. Like a snack.

I think she's been paying attention while I watch America's Next Top Model. I love that she reaches for stuff now. It's SO precious.

I didn't take wonderful patriotic pictures on the fourth of july so I remedied that once we were back home. We had a little picnic in our front yard early on this week so I used some red white and blue stuff and made it our own independence day. Clearly we are a patriotic family. It's sort of a given.

This should be titled "My daddy's a Sailor"

Gracie hearts Levi's thick and beautiful hair, just as I heart Nathan's. If he is anywhere near by she goes right for it. He doesn't mind until she clenches and pulls...it's only natural.

Love her crinkled little nose

Two perfect little kids. They're really fun together and it's gonna be lots of fun to see them grow up and up and up. Though I have some things to be negative about right now, I am living the life I always imagined for myself. there are some details here and there that I didn't know to think about. But for as long as I can remember I've wanted to marry someone who was my friend, who made me laugh and adored me (check) and stay home with some cuties (check). Thank you God for giving me the desires of my heart.