Fair time!

The begining of August was fair time for us.  We first visited the Benton County Fair with my brother and his family on August 5th, then the Clark County Fair on August 9th. Although we took Xavier to the fair last year he was only 14 months and wasn't really "in" to anything yet.  This year was WAY different...like a whole new world for him.  It was wonderful to see the excitement and joy of the animals and rides to him.  Ray and I like just looking around at the people and exhibits and of course we love the fair food. 

Here are a few picks of Xavier and his older cousin Kyah at the Benton County Fair.  As we walked through the animal stalls, exhibit halls, and food area, Kyah kept asking when are we going to the fair...to her the fair was all about the rides and I think Xavier picked up on this notion as well.  We had a great time and a great day as we celebrated my neice Alyssa's 1st birthday later that afternoon in Philomath at Matt and Leslie's home.

The faces of pure joy!

 This ride was a little much for the X man...it started off with an excited face...

 ...and ended with "Mama, all done!" everytime they came around.



At the Clark County fair we met up with our good friends Karina and Isabella Tobin.  Isabella is 20 months and quite short (Xavier is just barely 36" tall...just tall enough to ride the kiddy rides).  Xavier did a couple rides on his own before we decided to try to get Bella onto one.  We were able to sneak her on to a ride that didn't do much but go around in a circle.  But since Xavier and Isabella love each other, they loved riding together!



Baby Girl Lions Room

After much thought, we decided it would be best to just save money and keep everything from Xavier's jungle nursery the same...just "pink"ified.  So here is what it ended up looking like.  The blank wall to the right of the rocking chair and above the book case will have her name on it in big wood (painted) letters.

BEFORE

Summer 2011: June - July

The 2010/2011 school year ended on June 23rd and since then we've hit the ground into the summer running.  We've been to the coast, visited Redmond over 4th of July to see my famiy and my highschool best friend Nicole (and her family) who were here from Italy.  We've also done a few home improvement projects like creating a big boy room for Xavier, and having a fence built.  It's seemed like we've been busy all the time, but there has definitely been a lot of relaxing and enjoying each others company and the company of our local friends. 

Ray and Xavier at the Rose Parade

 The Lions Men and the kiddos (baby Evelyn is 1 month old here)

Daddy and Xavier at Otter Crest playground 

 Playing at "Wings and Waves" in McMinnville, OR 

 Silly boy wanting to wrap his head in a towel like Momma after our shower

 Sal and Ray painting Xavier's "Big Boy" room

 X playing in his newly painted, yet still unfinished big boy room in his big boy "underwears"...if only he was truly potty trained...sigh, we've got a ways to go.

 Playing in the fountains at the Portland water front...only moments after this shot he slipped and feel face first into one of the fountains and got a face full of water...he wasn't a happy camper.

 Our short visit with Nicole, Lew, and Samuel England. 

I really miss her, but I'm so glad she'll be back state side next year!

 Family photo shot on July 3rd, 2011...Baby girl Lions is 32 weeks along in the oven.

It's been a year...here's a recap

So...it's almost been exactly a year since I posted anything to my blog.  I had great intentions of updating it at least once a month, but that's all it was...good intentions.  I won't promise that I'll be any better this time around, but I'll do my best with the time that I have.

Here are some pictures from September 2010 through May 2011.  My next post will be what we've been up to this summer.

September 2010 - Xavier (16 months) at the park by our house

October 2010 - At the beach with the Weeber Clan

November 2010 - Feeding the ducks at the Duck Pond by Papa Ray and Grandma Julia's 

December 2010 - Santa shot...Xavier LOVES Santa, haha 

January 2011 - Back to work for Mama and Xavier is helping 

 February 2011

 - Fun in the snow at our house...the only significant snow fall of the season.

- SUPRISE, Xavier is going to be a big brother at the end of August...Mommy is about 12.5 weeks along.

March 2011 - Being goofy in the bath 

April 2011 - Another trip to the coast with just our family...such a great rainy time!

 May 2011 - Xavier is a big boy with his new potty...now just getting him to stay on it for more than 3 seconds...this could be interesting