July 2015

July 3rd, listening to the music on a hot morning at the Blues Fest with Anma

On the dance floor with Dada

Cooling off in Anma and Pop-pop's hotel room. Thank you Anma and Pop-pop for getting a hotel right by the Blues Fest stages. It was great to watch the fireworks from the balcony but even better for escaping the heat!

July 7th, playtime!

July 11th, Mariela checking out her new magazine. Thank you G.G. and Baba, I'm not sure what Lela thinks is more fun, learning about all the animals or finding something in the mailbox addressed for her :)

Lela helping Luz to "smile" for the picture while they read with Dad.

July 12th, getting the highchair ready for Luz

Luz so excited to be a little bit higher and able to see what's going on.

July 13th, 1st family dinner with Luz joining us at the table. Luz is WAY happier now that she can sit by herself at the table and play.

1st time eating solid food. We gave her the traditional rice cereal mixed with breast milk 

July 15th, Mommy/daughter afternoon at the library waiting for the reptile man to show us all the reptiles he brought.

July18th, Mornings playing in the highchair while everyone gets ready for work and school have been a lot of fun too!

July 19th, 6 months old and full of smiles :)

Relaxing family morning checking out Westmorland Park

Lela having a lot of fun playing in the water at Westmoreland Nature Park

July 21st, did take too many feedings before Luz fully got into the act of eating. Yummy avocado.

Mariela's bathroom. Complete with a potty, sink, and hand dryer. I laughed when I realized she was using her "hand dryer" because Mariela HATES when we use a public bathroom and they have a hand dryer. She'll refuse to use it and instead insist on finding something in the diaper bag to wipe her hands on.  

July 29th, yogurt time!

June 2015

June 6th, trying out the new camping chair in preparation for their first camping trip

June 7th, Mariela having a wonderful time reading one of the great books the Shillings gave her. Luciana, on the other hand . . . ? Thank you so much for the wonderful books Linda and John! In the years to come I'm sure Luciana will enjoy having Mariela read to her ;) 

June 14th, checking out the Portland Japanese garden with G.G. and Baba

Marriela wearing the adorable dress Anma made for Aunt Emily when she was a little girl ;)

June 15th, just waking up

Story time at our local library

Returning library books with Baba

June 16th, Luciana's 1st time in the swing and she loved it

Fun time at the park :)

Showing Baba, "high in the sky under doggie"

Yummy toes ;)

Luciana's been a big fan of the bath recently

June 17th, post nap ear holding while reading books. One of my favorite times of the day!

June 19th, getting ready to hike with Chris, Lucas, Jonathan, and Mara (not pictured, see picture below). It was so great to see you guys! I always have so much fun hanging out with you all and wish we lived in the same city ;( I hope we will be able to get up to Anchorage someday soon! 

June 19th, 5 months old!

June 20th, at our campsite for our practice night of camping 30 minutes from our apartment. It's a good thing we did a practice run before heading up to the Olympic Peninsula because I took this picture right before we realized we had forgotten all the tent poles in the garage, oops! 

Lela helping Dad put up the tent after he got back with the tent poles.

Loving digging in the dirt

Luz all bundled up and ready for bed

June 22nd, enjoying an evening with good friends. Steph we are SO glad you made the trip out to Portland! It was great seeing you and getting a chance to hang out with Addie, Martin, Erin, and Wyatt!!

June 24th, sunset near our camping spot at Salt Creek Recreation area on the Olympic Peninsula

June 25th,  I guess this is one benefit of having to wake up at 4:30am to bounce a crying baby

Thank you Rob and Elizabeth for suggesting we meet up to go camping! It was so fun to go camping and Salt Creek was a beautiful area. We wouldn't have made it up there if it wasn't for your suggestion!

Enjoying the beach and playing in the sand

Nap time

Post nap time fun with Dad.

Luciana seems the happiest when she's outside. I think this little girl is the perfect addition our family!

Lela building her first fire with Dada

Enjoying the result of their hard work ;)

June 27th, games with the Granada crew

Trying to imitate Colin. Mariela loved Charlie's ukulele. Thank you Charlie for sharing! We'll have to get Mariela her own ukulele one day. 

Due to our camping trip right before meeting up with the Granada crew Luciana had to accompany me to the laundromat. She seemed very content to get pushed around in the large laundry basket.