Soon enough!

 I'm not sure what the fascination is with babies and dishwashers but they seem to be magnetically attracted to them! All my kids have played this game of climbing up onto the open door and/or pulling objects out. I don't mind it so much when they can actually help hand me things (like when they are about two years old or more) but when they are just a curious 12 month old that sees it as a wonderful treasure chest it can be a little more frustrating. I guess that's why God makes them so cute - how could you be angry at this cute face? (especially when he is so PROUD of himself for climbing up there by himself)

An angel in our bed

Every once in a while one of the girls get to sleep in Mom and Dad's bed (usually after a nightmare). On this particular occasion Naomi got to take a nap with her Daddy after he got home from work. This is how I found them when I came in to wake them up. (We had somewhere to be or I would have let them sleep)

I LOVE seeing my darlings sleeping. They just take your breath away with how sweet and precious they are. The only option is to wake them up with kisses. :) (The same way I wake my beloved)

8th Anniversary

Well, we made it through the "seven year itch" without scratching! :)

 It's hard to believe that just eight short years ago we were the youthful looking couple in our wedding pictures without children or a care in the world. It's amazing to see how God has directed and guided us along the way, and blessed us with three amazing children! Thank you Lord for the gift of this wonderfully patient man. 

The Oregon Zoo

This November we visited some friends in Eugene, Oregon and stopped in Portland on the way. We spent most of the day at the Oregon Zoo in downtown Portland. The girls really enjoyed it (Mom and Dad had fun too). 

 Here is Rosen riding the goat at the entrance.

 Naomi likes to be the baby and ride in the stroller.

 Except when sister is riding a goat! She has to do EVERYTHING big sister does!

 First stop: BEARS!

 Our little man in the backpack - his favorite way to travel.

 Loving the Oregon greenery.

 Our family getting cozy in an Eagle's Nest.

 Taking a break for kisses!

 Mama's girls :)

 Rosen: "Look Mama! An American bird!"

 (crawling through a log)

 Naomi is checking out some fish

 Our inspiration garden.

 Looking at the animals in the barn.

 WOLVES!

 Who knew a sign could be so much fun?

 Some of the locals.

 Checking out a HUGE sleepy polar bear.

 Penguins!

 I call this "Interacting with Art"

 a shy orangoutang.

 A sleepy boy.

 Looking for elephants....

 Where ARE they?

 THERE they are! :)

 Super Dad!!!

 A vulture sunning himself.

 Naomi feeling the beat with some African Drums.

 A family portrait with a special heat sensitive camera.

 A cat on the hunt. (Rodents running through the tunnels)

 A very sweet little girl. 

 MUFASA!! :) 

 Naomi's Hippo. (She claimed him) It was love at first sight.

 Naomi came back to blow kisses to "my hippo".

 Mama's favorite: Giraffes.

 Nathan's favorite: a very well endowed bat. 

 Otters.

And with that we said goodbye to the animals and took our very sleepy but very satisfied family back to the van for the drive down to Eugene. :)