Summer evening photography

Beautiful, breathtaking... Gracie's eyes may be the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. And this chunky, sweet baby... so much sweetness in these little ones.

Our weekend and baby girl thoughts

Spending time at the creek relaxing and trying to fit in a little card making :)

My youngest brother Phil and his good friend John spent the weekend with us. They added some laughter and fun to the Jansen house! Our boys love these guys! In fact, when they left Merit was very sad. He had a ball with his uncle and friend! We spent a lot of time hanging out in the yard with them, they went for golf cart rides with the boys, played the Wii with them and entertained some of their silly, fun games. :) Saturday night we went to the Ephrata races - that was a blast.

Yesterday afternoon and evening we went boating with our friend Jeff on Moses Lake. Moses Lake is a great boating lake. Merit went tubing for the first time and we just enjoyed relaxing in the sun! I hope to post some pics of this soon! I didn't have my camera but Jeff had his.

By about 3 or 4 these days I am ready for a little nap. And my pregnant belly is really growing. Vance and I discuss names every other day or so. Agreeing will be a challenge! :) When I was pregnant with Merit we knew that if we had a boy we would name him Merit. When I was pregnant with Willem, we did not have a favorite girl name or a favorite boy name. We went to the hospital with several of each. After he was born, we went through our list of the top 5 boys names and he just seemed like a Willem. He IS a Willem, and Will suits him wonderfully too. Now we are so fortunate and blessed to add a baby girl to this family! This squirming, kicking, rolling baby girl keeps me entertained! It is so fun to feel how much she is growing and moving!

Oh, and I have been sneaking away to our cabin just a little here and there for pieces of relaxation and card making! See photos! I love this little get- away!

More one year old sweetness... look at this cutie pie

Thanks for coming out Kyla (and mommy too :)

Lil' Miss Adeline

This week my photography allows me to capture two darling one year old girls! One photo shoot was Monday night. The weather was perfect and the subject adorable!! Tomorrow morning I have another sweet one year old coming out!

July fun

BLOOMS AND BUTTERFLIES

Some of the beauty July brings

Vance was fishing in Alaska over the 4th -- he brought home some delicious sockeye that we enjoyed three different nights last week!

We enjoyed fireworks a couple of nights before he left... the boys LOVED the show!! Also, we had a gorgeous sunset that night.

Preparing for Baby

I find myself getting excited about preparing a room for this baby girl. We can't seem to get anywhere on a name -- so it is time to think about the room!

I think I will put Willem and Merit together -- although I am not sure how I will store both of their clothes in one room... and then baby girl can have Willem's current room. His room is a soft blue - which I love so I think I will keep three walls blue - do one wall pink and add polka dots. My internet searching led me to lots of fun polka dotty things.

Lazy summer days with these boys I CHERISH -- and to think this Autumn we will add a bouncing baby girl to the mix... I love it.

More of the Willemsens

Today I have been looking up recipes for arugula - our arugula has gone crazy! Willem and I have also been picking peas and I have been caught up in the land of blogging. I had big plans of cleaning my laundry room... but blogging has sounded a lot more fun :) Anyway, I had to include some more photos of the Willemsen's visit. Look at these kids playing in the water in our front field!

Greta is such a cute little baby... makes me excited to have a baby girl in the house!

Spending time with family and friends

This past weekend we got some relief from the heat ( 95 -98 degrees) by swimming in Gramma Kris' pool. Thanks Kris! Also, Merit and Willem enjoyed spending time with cousins - Fischer and baby Kendal - I so meant to get some pictures of the kids but forgot my camera. Merit has been a fish for a long time but now Willem is really learning to swim and he was quite proud of his accomplishments!! It was so fun!

A day last week a little Beth Moore Bible study group came here for brunch. I met with this group of women for 12 weeks this winter and spring while we studied the book of Daniel. This is a wonderful, positive group of women. Reuniting for this morning together was a treat! I only had to provide the coffee - they provided lots of delicious foods and we sat in our yard and visited and ate. The kids did some EXPLORING. I love summer time. Swimming and exploring outdoors, running off energy, enjoying the beautiful weather.... so here is a little collage of our brunch guests playing and having fun!

Baby Greta

A visit from the Willemsen family!

Emma and Merit (pictured above) -- these two are only 1 day apart - Just like Lissa and me!

Cooling off in Crab Creek!

BLESSED by friends.

Last weekend, Lissa, Travis and their three girls came to see us! What a FUN time catching up, laughing, watching the kids play... it was wonderful. Our boys had a great time playing with Emma and Thea. And it was soo much fun meeting baby Greta! Lissa and I have been dear friends since kindergarten and her husband Travis and Vance have been friends since probably third grade. Lots of memories with this group!

making memories in Plain, WA

Tire swing fun!

Natasha and Lane

Grandpa Jim and Willem

Grandpa Jim, Uncle Phil and Uncle Matt had tons of "will you please push me on the swings" and "push me higher!" requests. They were great sports!

WHAT a BLAST! On Father's Day weekend we met my dad, my bros, my sisters and their kids in Plain, WA (near Leavenworth) for a weekend of fun and relaxing. We had an ugly mug contest, an ugly hat contest, ate delicious food, told embarrassing stories around the campfire, enjoyed watching the cousins have a BALL -- it was so good. Vance and Matt got a game of golf in while we were there too. We were just missing my two brother in laws -- Reese and Rob. Sometimes a guy can't get away from WORK, what a drag. :)

It is so much fun being pregnant with Natasha! We are sharing the journey of growing little miracles and I love it.

Sisters!
Natasha, she looks so great

Brielle

The growing, changing Me

Natasha, Lesha, Michele

Oma's Lodge