Day of Service

Our stake did a day of service a week and a half ago. Our ward split up and went to three different parks to do some sprucing up. We were assigned to clean up and paint the outside of some restrooms. Drew was totally into it. He really wanted to help! The first thing we did was clean off the outside walls. Once the painting started, we took turns playing with him on the playground, far away from the painting going on. :)

It was really a neat experience and a lot of fun! Ever since that day, whenever Drew finds the brush and dustpan, he "cleans" off our walls, just like that day at the park. What a helpful boy!

Our Little Vacation

(I had this post all written a couple of weeks ago. I clicked publish, nothing happened. I clicked save, nothing happened. I lost the whole post. I've been mad at Blogger ever since, which is why it's taken me a while to post this.)

A few weeks ago, Dan, Drew and I took a little vacation out to the coast and to see the Redwoods. It was so much fun! And the best part is that while it was in the high 80's at home (with no a/c, mind you), we were in 65 degree weather.

Since Dan goes out to Coos Bay (which is on the coast) overnight every other week for work, we figured we'd take advantage of the hotel room and start our vacation then. We were in Coos Bay on Wednesday night, then on Thursday we drove to Bandon and went to the West Coast Game Park. The have free roaming animals, as well as caged animals. We thought Drew would love it.

He got to pet a baby leopard, which was seriously so cute!

Here, he's petting a baby goat.

Then he noticed that all the monkeys had fun things in their cages, like balls and playsets with slides. He was not happy about not being allowed to play with them.

Here, he's sad that we wouldn't let him in the cage with the emu. We lasted 30 minutes. :)

Thursday evening, we drove down to Gold Beach. I love Gold Beach. The beaches there are beautiful. Our hotel was right on the beach and we got some fun play time in.

Friday was spent exploring the Redwoods. Drew absolutely loved this tree that he got to play in. He was covered in dirt by the time he was done. :)

We went to the Trees of Mystery. Paul Bunyon and Babe were huge! There was a man in Paul that was talking to everyone, and he was so funny!

The Redwoods are gorgeous! So tall and majestic! I'm so glad we hiked around the Trees of Mystery.

This tree is called the Family Tree because of all the little trees growing off the big, main tree. This tree was my favorite. Every time I see a family tree, I think of an adoption family tree, where the birth family are the roots of the tree, and I feel so unbelievably grateful and humbled. (See, adoption is always on my mind. :)

Dan loves this picture because Drew is "high-fiving" the tree.

We got to take a sky ride thing up to the top of a mountain and Drew loved it.

My boys. :)

Coming home to an 80 degree house is no fun and definitely called for sprinkler time at 9:00 at night! Drew was sopping wet, but had oh so much fun!

Fun Times in Utah!

Drew and I took a quick trip to Utah to visit family this last week. We had so much fun! We were able to go to my sister-in-law, TaNeil's, baby shower. I was especially excited to go because it's the last shower for our family!

My brother-in-law, Todd, has been to Isreal six (I think) times in the last few years or so and put an amazing presentation together, complete with beautiful pictures and historical information. It was so interesting and so well put together! I was so happy to be able to there. Thanks, Todd!

We had such fun hanging out with family, celebrating cousin Jacob's birthday, mastering the stairs (Hooray Drew!!), playing with cousins, and keeping ourselves busy, busy, busy!

My sister, Jodi, hosted a cousin splash party at her house and was so nice to plan it around when Drew and I were there. It was so fun! Drew had the best time! He loves water so he was in heaven. I didn't take any pictures while we were out there, but

luckily my sister, Steph, took these at the party.

Hoop Dreams and Ice Cream

Since Drew's birthday is the day after Christmas, we decided that this year, we'd halfway celebrate his half birthday. We gave him presents at the end of June and on his actual birthday, we'll have cake.

I really like how it turned out.

Drew loves balls. I mean, L-O-V-E-S them. Particularly basketballs and baseballs. He's an easy-going kid. Not a whole lot bothers him. But if you try to take his ball, he'll clutch it and run.

So for his half birthday, we got him a basketball hoop, a couple of basketballs, a t-ball set, and a couple other toys he plays with occasionally. :)

He's been in heaven ever since. He didn't even hesitate when he saw his gifts. He ran right over and played. (By the way, we were so lucky to have my sister, Jodi, and her kids visiting so we got to have a mini party for his half birthday! It was SO fun!)

He's dreamin' a little bit bigger these days. One day he'll get there.

Drew's two other favorite things are Amelia, his very best friend, and ice cream. Last night, he was able to have both and, boy, was he happy!

New Family Photos

I know, I know. I'm a terrible blogger. I'll work on it. I promise.

We've been busy lately. We moved into a house, we've had lots of fun family visit us, we're spending lots of time outside enjoying the mild summer weather, and Drew is growing up right before our eyes.

He's 18 months old. He's running, talking (a little), babbling (a lot), playing, shooting baskets, hitting baseballs, playing in the dirt, and learning about his independance.

We're having oh so much fun!

We had Brenley take Drew's 18 month photos (as well as a few family photos) last week. They turned out wonderful again. She's brilliant.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Thanks, Brenley!! You're the best!!