The ocean, sand and dogs

Last weekend we took Belle to the beach for the first time.  Don't ask me why it took us so long because I don't have a really good answer.  She was very perplexed by sand, but loved destroying the solo cup "castles" her Dad was making.  (Note to self, buy beach toys for next trip.)  Belle's favorite part of the day was probably watching all of the dogs run around on the beach.  She couldn't stop pointing and saying her version of dog over and over again.

Pit Stop

We made a pit stop in Black Butte on Tuesday on our drive back from Burns to Portland.  We all needed a break from being in the car and move our legs around a bit.  Belle had fun swimming in the pool again and Scott just had to fish that pond.

sunning ourselves after the dip in the pool

naked time

May I please have your eyelashes?

Scott fishing across the pond

Bulloch Cabin - Fishing and more fishing

On Sunday we drove from Pendleton to the Bulloch cabin just outside of Burns for a quick trip to visit Scott's parents.  We toured the property, checked out Logan's lookout (named after my nephew), Belle's bridge and spent a lot of time at Scott's pond.  Scott and his Dad put itty, bitty fish in the pond about a year and a half ago and they are now size able red band trout that love to bite on Scott's flies.  We all got in on the action, even me!  Now if I can just hold on to the fish long enough for a photo!

Brad, Belle and I in front of Belle's Bridge

One cast equals first fish on

My turn!  I even impressed Scott with my fly fishing capabilities and that I caught 4 fish, yes, you read that right, 4!

Slippery and wet fish and taking a photo don't mix for me

Let's try this again, nope, still got out of my hands

This was the largest fish we caught

Belle enjoying the show of watching her parents and grandparent fish.  She just loves playing with her feet.

Bright and early on Tuesday morning we started the long drive back to Portland.

A Garden Affair

Earlier this month our friends Mark and Akari were married at the Rose Garden in Portland.  It was a beautiful ceremony sprinkled with love and romance.  Here are a few photos from their special day.  I completely failed to get a photo with the stunning bride and handsome groom.  Hopefully their photographer pulled through.

Handsome groomsman and his daughter

Cory, Lindsay and Emerson Hoffbuhr with us.  Emerson is three months older than Belle and opened our eyes to what life will be like once she is walking!  My oh my!

Eleven Months = Two Teeth

Belle at 11 months

At eleven months you have attended another wedding and made it through all of the festivities even though it was nap time.  You went camping for one night and slept like a log in our very small two person tent.  You had the middle and your parents tried to find room on the sides.  You have traveled all around the state with your parents on our four day "Tour of Oregon" which took you to your Mom's hometown of Pendleton, down to the Bulloch cabin outside of Burns and back around central Oregon to home.  We didn't even need a radio station because you kept us entertained with all of your funny sounds.  You enjoy picking your nose.  You sprouted TWO teeth at the same time and didn't seem to miss a beat.  You are so, so, so close to crawling.  Getting you to eat your vegetables can be a challenge, but you love your aunt Hilary's macaroni.  You say uh-oh and dog more and more.  You squeal with delight at the sight of a dog, however, that is one thing your Mom won't buy for you right now.  I love smiling and laughing with you more and more.  In thirty days we will be celebrating your first birthday.  It will take me a long time to put into words how much this past year has meant to me.  

Belle giving Jedi some love at Mark and Akari's wedding

So over the sippy cup...

With the recent heat wave we have been trying to make sure Belle gets plenty of water.  She has made it quite clear she is so over the sippy cup, so we tried giving her a plastic solo cup.  She loves it!  Don't grow up too fast baby girl.  Notice how she looks at me through the cup, I think that is one of the big reasons she loves it.

Willamette River Bass

Scott is enjoying retirement ;)

Mr. & Mrs. Adam Guggenheim

On June 16th, Scott had the honor to be a groomsmen in one of his best buddy's wedding.  Adam and Sybil chose the most gorgeous wedding venue outside of Hood River called Gorge Crest Vineyards.  It happened to be one of the rare days of extreme sunshine and heat back in June and sunscreen was required.  Here are a few photos from their photographers.  Congratulations again to our dear friends and thank you for letting us be part of your special day!

A Message from Halls

Another week almost behind me and another cold.  I had no idea I would be getting so many bugs from Belle going to daycare or at least I believe that has to be the reason I have had an awful cough and sore throat for the past week.  A few nights ago I was reaching for what felt like my fiftieth cough drop and I noticed there were messages on the cough drop wrappers.  It sounds sappy, but I really needed to read them at that moment.  Life can be so busy and yet I feel like I get nothing done, yet a cough drop wrapper made me feel better and think, "yes, I do have it and I can do it and yes, I will keep my chin up!"

Finger Painting

We discovered Belle loves to paint at school!  Her bath last night involved extra scrubbing behind the ears, in the ears and under her little nails.