Jelly Belly

This was my kids' first time to the Jelly Belly factory and unfortunately the factory workers were on their 2-week summer break so we got the tour but there was no one making jelly beans! We had fun with our friends anyways and the kids were just happy to get the bag of jelly beans in the end.

Memorial Day at the Cabin

Almost every year we spend Memorial Day at the cabin. The kids look forward to every cabin trip weeks in advance. Haylie counts down the days and on the morning of our trip to the cabin she runs into our room excited that the day has finally come.

In addition to climbing and gathering pine cones for the fire, her favorite thing to do is throw rocks into the river. She is getting more adventurous each time, now trying to find the biggest rock possible to throw in the water, even if it means recruiting Daddy to pick it up and toss it in:

I always have to make Haylie do a little modeling for me too:

We took the time to celebrate Grandma's birthday since we hadn't gotten much chance earlier in the month:

The kids LOVE their grandma:

We all decided to head out for a little hike up to the lodge for some ice cream:

Most of the walk was on roads and trails - the kids got worn out pretty quick:

Taking a little rest and grabbing some cute pics:

We finally made it to the ice cream after countless "10 more minutes..."

Luckily once we arrived at the lodge, Grandma and Grandpa showed up in the Jeep so we didn't have to make the trek back by foot:

Joyful Dancer

Lately Haylie's afternoon routine has been wanting to put on "shows" for James and I. She sets us up in a chair and puts on "beautiful" clothes. She turns on her praise music and gets her groove on! She is so proud to show us her beautiful dancing and I love watching and nurturing her joyful, confident spirit.

She's got the moves:

She always does a couple runs around the table:

And then some spins :)

Home For Good Event

Our Home For Good Event went off so wonderful. We had been planning for months and months to hold our next "Adoption and Foster Care Informational Event." We ended up with about a hundred people, and representatives from all the major adoption / foster care agencies in the area. The program included some speakers and testimonials and then the audience went into breakout sessions for deeper discussions with the agencies. I am SO excited about what God is doing for the cause of the orphan child in Sacramento. For those that didn't see it - here is a video of Raider's testimonial and some images from the event. We are so incredibly proud of Raider for standing up and sharing. His testimony once again had everyone crying. His story has inspired many people already to take the leap and bring a child into their family.

Ballerina Girl

When Auntie Bekah was in town, Haylie was very happy to have visitors come and watch her dance class. Auntie Bekah, Grandma and GiGi all came and saw Miss Haylie working on her routine for her big performance. I love my little dancer girl.

Not Without My Shoes

James got these car shoes for Easter and they have not come off his feet very much since. He especially loves to wear them at nap time!

By the way, yesterday I blogged a little about Haylie's personality, so today a little about James. Haylie has never really loved naptime; I don't think she has ever asked to take a nap. James on the other hand, when he disappears and we find him upstairs, he is cuddled up cozy in his bed, napping away. James is much more comfortable moving at a slow pace than Haylie is. He feels no need to move 100 miles an hour and he is perfectly content to have Mommy or Daddy carry him up and down the stairs every day. He has no need to go upstairs and retrieve things from his room on his own and I don't believe we'll find him upstairs spontaneously cleaning anytime soon. :) He's all about the importance of a good afternoon nap! James is seriously hilarious; he cracks me up every minute - he is so smart and speaks like he is 4 already. I love every part of his own little James personality and am so thankful for the things he teaches me about myself!!

I wonder...

It's interesting to watch your children's personalities as they develop. I can't help but wonder if the various things they do or personality traits that come out are lasting characteristics or just phases. Haylie has always been an organizer - she has always loved puzzles and matching games and was very good at them from a young age. She always loved lining up her toys in order and stacking things in just the right places. Her newest organizing development is cleaning her room. Every now and then she will disappear and we find her upstairs in her room, putting things away, organizing her toys and making her and James' bed.

Someday they won't share a room any longer but if I were James I would want to keep her as my roommate as long as possible!

What fun is all the hard work if you can't have a little silly fun at the end?