Everyone look at Grady

While my sister was here, we took some time out to get some family photos. The photographer quickly gave up on attempts to try to get Grady to look at the camera so the theme of the photo shoot became "everyone look at Grady."  As if this kid needed any more attention on him :)

The photographer worked some miracles and somehow got a couple of shots of our little man on the move. She also made each couple take photos alone,which served as  a good reminder for me and Chris that we are the foundation of our family and need to take time to appreciate our own relationship.  I loved her and loved her work.

These pictures were taken three weeks before Grady's first birthday and I will treasure them forever.  Love these pictures, love our family. 

Here are some of my favorites of us:

Photo credit goes to Carina Dewitt.   If you live in Boise and you need pictures, she is awesome.  These were all taken in my Dad's backyard. Carina just hung out with us and took natural, beautiful shots.

Auntie Becko!

Last time Auntie Becko came for a visit it was 5 degrees out and this time it was over 100 degrees out.  An almost 100 degree temperature swing meant that we spent a lot of time trying to keep cool by playing in the pool, eating fresh watermelon, playing naked (Grady only), finger painting, and going to the splash park.

Becky learned how difficult it is to get a picture with Grady.  In order to get two faces in one shot, you pretty much have to resort to photo bombing and you can forget getting a smile. Grady's constant motion and refusal to sit for even a second make getting a photo quite the impossible task. Despite the lack of smiles in photos, Grady had a great time flirting with Becko every chance that he got. He sure does love her just like the rest of us.

Bella showing off her skills. 

Beautiful isn't it?

Lucky for me, we were able to fit in a  few hours of girl only time with me, Becky and Elizabeth.  Becky has a way of drawing people in.  Everyone wants to spend time with her and she is so good about making time for her friends.   She is the kind of friend that I aspire to be.

We love you Auntie Becko.  Thanks for coming to visit.  Thanks for being patient with my work.  Thanks for not caring that my house wasn't cleaned.  Thanks for not minding take-out.  Thanks for being you!

Ericksons Take Two!

I am terribly backblogged again and going to try to catch up in the next two days.  We'll start with a blast from the past from early July when we were lucky enough to see the Ericksons for the second time this summer! They came to Idaho for a record ten days and over those ten days I feel like the boys really broke in the pool.  Tyler is the first kid we've had in the pool that can actually swim and swim he did for hours and hours on end.  Fearless little Owen is turning into quite the fish too who probably took 500 round trips from the shelf in the pool to a parent and back. 

 I hope my Grady loves me as much as these boys love their mama!

Watermelon has become a summer staple in our house. 

Uncle Chris and O, so cute. 

View from the front.

View from the back!

I couldn't resist some more adorable bath pictures.  One brown bear and two not-so-brown bears. 

We had our first fire of the season too!  The boys preferred eating marshmallows right out of the bag, but I still had my fill of the roasted ones.

And any moment I wasn't chasing our Grady around, I spent trying to convince the Ericksons that not moving back to Idaho is not an option.  I miss my my sister, but I loved that our families were lucky enough to get two summer visits this year.  Seeing our boys together is so special.  Love you Ericksons, thanks for coming to visit!