Signs of Fall

It has been a beautiful summer in Seattle! And already we can feel the coming of fall...the days are getting shorter, some leaves are beginning to change, there is a crisp feeling in the air, and of course...football has begun! Owen is ready for his first fall, and first football season. :)

Black Butte Vacation

Last Saturday we returned from a vacation with Linnea's family at Black Butte Ranch in central Oregon. We had such a blast! Owen loved his vacation, and what's not to love! Owen learned that vacation is often filled with....

...Wonderful Family Time

A stop to see great-grandma Marion on our way to Black Butte

...Pool Time

...Cozy Naps

...Beautiful Walks

...Good Books

...Yummy Food
Yup - still taking a bottle like a champ. Praise God!

...Quality Converstation

or maybe a staring contest?

...Lots of fun, smiles and giggles!

... and time just to hang out and relax!

"I Love Vacation! When can we go again?"

Anniversary / Grandparents

This week we celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary! Amazing how quickly these years have flown by. We both feel so blessed...it gets better every year! And what a special year this has already been - now with our sweet Owen. This posting is also a tribute to grandparents. With Linnea heading back to work earlier this month, our parents have been AMAZING to come to Seattle and support us by helping care for Owen during this transition. Owen has LOVED his time getting to know his grandparents even better, and we have cherished their long visits as well. Thank you for all of your support! We appreciate you and love you very much!

Out to dinner on our Anniversary

Brian secretly stopped by the restaurant in advance, and these beautiful roses were at our table waiting when we arrived!

Hanging out with Grandma Julie ("Safta")

Not even out of my jammies yet, and already off for a morning walk! Gotta beat the heat of the day. Good thinking grandma!

Talking away to my Safta!

Just waking up from a cozy nap with my Grandma Pam

Hanging out with Papa G

Grandpa loved putting Owen in this hat

3 Months

We can hardly believe our baby is 3 months old! And to celebrate - it has been quite an eventful week! First....Seattle "enjoyed" record heat, with an all-time-record-high of 102 degrees! We worked hard to keep Owen cool and comfortable, and are grateful for a portable air conditioner and plenty of fans! Also....drum roll....Owen took a bottle! After 6+weeks of trying every bottle/nipple combo - even special ordering bottles which are supposed to be the very best - we found success in the most unlikely of places. We were at the grocery store on Monday and Linnea saw a cheap bottle with the baby supplies. "Why not", we thought. And guess what....he took it, and has been taking it all week! Of all the expensive bottles we've tried, who knew it would be the $1.65 bottle from the grocery store which would bring us success! Praise God!

3 Month Photos:

Owen (with little friend "Mr. Monkey") in his swing on Seattle's hottest day

The winning bottle! The best $1.65 investment we've ever made!

It's a beautiful sight!

Smiles

Owen had a milestone! No - unfortunately still no bottle (for those who read our last post)...and we are definitely appreciating recommendations and prayers on that subject! :) However Owen did have a big night last night - he went to bed at 8pm, and got up at 8am! Totally through the night! Of course he likely woke many times, but never cried out, and therefore gave his parents their first full night sleep in almost 3 months! Owen is actually a great nighttime sleeper. His pattern lately has included a good 6-8 hour stretch: going down around 7 or 8, often getting up just once around 3 or 4, and sleeping until 7ish. But last night was a first, and although it may not become a pattern yet, it is exciting to know he is capable of sleeping that long on his own. And...after a great night sleep, he was full of smiles this morning! We were lucky enough to catch some of his cute expressions on camera. What a sweetie!

Mama tickling my toes

(are they ticklish yet? either way, it sure made him smile!)

What a grin :)

Happy as can be, sitting in his seat as we enjoyed breakfast at the Pancake House

(Pancakes look yummy, uncle Blake! Can't wait until I can have some!)

4th of July

July has started out to be a big month! In the days leading to the 4th of July weekend, we took a little "family getaway" to Lake Chelan. Owen's first vacation - and we had a great time! We got back just in time to celebrate 4th of July, and couldn't help but look forward to future years when Owen will enjoy fireworks and the entire celebration. The Monday after 4th of July, Linnea headed back to work. It's been a big transition, but we are grateful that her work is letting her bounce between working at the office and from home. Also - the greatest blessing is that both of our moms have been taking turns coming up to help take care for Owen during this transition. Owen has been loving all his grandma time, and we are so grateful for their help and support! Unfortunately, Owen is resisting the bottle which makes going back to work an extra challenge for Linnea. We've tried every version of a bottle we can find, but no luck yet. I think perhaps we have a strong willed child on our hands! :) Owen is now 11 weeks old - and changing all the time! He is such a joy. He is becoming more-and-more interactive and he smiles often, although it's still hard to catch those grins on camera.

Loving the swing!

2 Months Old and growing so big!



View from our hotel room at Lake Chelan




Out on a walk - enjoying our vacation!

Happy 4th of July!

Back from a walk with Grandma Julie.

Owen is exhausted from all the exercise!

Original Pancake House

Congratulations Blake & Angie on the opening of your new restaruant - the Original Pancake House! Along with business partners (and friends) Ryan & Elizabeth Medford, Blake & Angie celebrated the opening with a Friends & Family day this past Saturday, and the official "opening" on the following Monday. The food is fantastic, service is excellent, and owners are wonderful! :) We are so proud of them and look forward to many yummy "pancake breakfasts" in the weeks and years to come!

Proud new restaurant owners - Blake & Angie!

Owen enjoying the food and crowds at the Friends & Family event

Proud sister & mom

Yum! The Apple Pancake!



What a party!




6:00am - Opening Morning!



Congratulations Blake & Ryan! The best is yet to come!