Summer is here

It's been a gloomy month of June in California. Luckily, over the 4th of July weekend we had some sunny days and warm weather.

Siena showing off her cute new suit. A birthday gift from Tim and Sheri. While at the beach Siena pends most of her time using the mini-watering can to water mom and dad's feet.

Sawyer, just taking in the sights. We're so lucky, he's content to sit in his car seat most of the time we're at the beach.

Si will occasionally put on her mom's sunglasses and parade around the house. Here she is looking in the mirror to see what they look like on her. I'm told over-sized baby sunglasses are in this season.

Siena will also come down into the office, grab a magazine, sit and flip through every page. It's pretty precious. Appropriately, she's wearing her "hardcore reader" shirt in this photo.

TWO!

We celebrated Siena's two years of life with a good ole' Svendsen Waffle Morning. She had 5 little girlfriends over to eat waffles, sing Happy Birthday and play. It was perfect!

Even though she is only two, I feel like she has been with us forever.
Here are five things I love about her:

1. Her love and concern for Sawyer or "soy you" as she calls him.
2. Her love of breakfast, often eating up to three waffles.

3. Her love for books. She will often sit and just look through books pretending to read in jibber jabber.

4. Her teeth.

5. Her sensitive conscience.

Happy two years of life baby girl!!! You truly are a gift from the Lord!

Sawyer's dedication

A quick post before father's day officially ends. By the way, I had an incredible day! A beautiful, healthy family, being able to dedicate Sawyer at our church this morning, thoughtful gifts, a long nap, home-made pizza, and cheesecake for dessert. It doesn't get any better.

Sawyer and Lucy Anderson were both dedicated today at Journey. It was a meaningful moment for us to be able to stand in front of family, friends and our church. A great reminder as we declare that our house serves the Lord.

A photo op with the families. It was only four years ago, when these three families would have only had six members. Now 12!

One of Sawyer and Lucy, the honorees today. (FYI, don't try brunch at Cafe Marmalade with a party of 19 on Father's day, ever.)

The girls (and Chuck) fighting off hunger with oyster crackers.

I had to get in on some of the crackers too. Nice sharing Siena!

Happy Father's day.

Mostly Sawyer

Our little man usually doesn't get the blog spotlight, since Siena is the usually drawing all of the attention. But here's a little tribute to Sawyer. He's really growing up fast. He'll be three months old this Thursday, June 18th.

This shot is spiced up a little bit for his dedication photo at church this upcoming Sunday. It's so special that we get to dedicate him to the Lord on Father's day. By the way capturing this huge open mouth is pretty rare. He usually doesn't have much to say.

Pensive, or swishing mouthwash, you decide?

A big yawn while reclining in the Bumbo.

Sawyer remains pretty content when propped sitting up. We say that all he needs is a frosty beverage (recently defrosted breast milk) and he'd be a perfect couch potato.

Siena giving Sawyer some love. He remains more or less unaffected by her climbing, clawing and kissing.

Fiesta Hermosa 2009

We do our best to make it to Fiesta Hermosa every year. Here are the carnival ride highlights with Siena. 

Strapping up in the swings. 

Enjoying the swings, but gripping the "nummy" (pacifier) for security. 

First rotation on the planes. Unsure of whether she likes it or not. 

She does NOT like it. Cried the rest of the ride. 

Also cried on the walk back to the car. Dad did get some good snuggles out of it all. We'll get 'em next year, huh Siena?

Aquarium

We headed out Wednesday morning to the Aquarium.
Siena is obsessed with Nemo right now so I thought
she would be excited to see all the ocean life....let me tell you
the Aquarium is jammed pack with school field trips right
now. It was an interesting turn of events for me to NOT
be there as a teacher this time but as a MOM!!!
The best and hardest job in the world.



fish, fish and more fish



Siena shocked me by being so brave...climbing
right up against the windows to get a closer look
at the seals...so not her cautious, reserved self. I wonder if
her affinity to animals is going to get us a pet??? Erik
would say "NO!"

Just some fun ones...

I love how everyone is doing something in this photo, either giving or receiving some love, and enjoying it all. Hi Sue

Siena is starting to want to mimic mommy on the computer. Great concentration. I think she's IMing Charlie. 

Using the borrowed Barbie laptop, while waiting for some time on the home computer. Thanks for the loaner Paige. 

We went to the park the other day, and Siena was more interested in the goldfish than the slides. That's OK, dad was into the fishies too.

Dad, Si and Sawyer. Siena really enjoys holding Sawyer, giving him kisses, saying "Hi Sou-you," and trying to put his "nummy" (pacifier) in his mouth. 

Up next, picture from Fiesta Hermosa.