Buds

These boys have been so fun lately!  Of course they are fun most of the time, but lately, I can see their "brother-bond" standing out a little more.  It has been about 2 1/2 months since Braxton's Ear Tube Surgery, and he is speaking a lot better!  Not to mention, NO EAR INFECTIONS!  It has been so fun to watch him interact with Merrick and be such a wonderful big brother.  The two of them I feel one day will be the best of friends, or at least that is my hope and prayer:)  They bring out the best in each other! Braxton has been by far, the only one who can repeatedly get merrick to "gut roll."  In fact, most of this pictures were taken while they were making each other laugh.  I love them dearly, and they make me smile everyday!

Aliah's Birthday Bash!

July 29th!  It is NOW kind of a big deal day!  It's my birthday, Ricky's Dad's Birthday, and Aliah's Birthday...(also the day we found out we were pregnant with Braxton:).  We went to Fred and Ann's for Aliah's big birthday celebration!  All the family was able to gather, and it was great to see everyone!  And I loved being able to swim with my boys!

STP 2012

This was our 3rd year going and being a support vehicle for my dad on his STP(Seattle to Portland) Bike Ride.  We had a blast!  We took Merrick along with us, and Braxton stayed with Aunty Mandy:)  It all seemed to go by way too fast this year...but always inspiring nonetheless.  We were up at 3:30 am, to make it to the startline by about 4:15am.  It is always so neat to see all the riders there ready to go.  We were able to get my dad right by the start line and in the first wave of riders.  I journaled below the pictures to give you a play by play:)

 Texting Mother Dear.....

This was absolutely beautiful, and my picture does NOT do it justice, but such a great view of the space needle!

Centralia 10:00am (100 miles into ride)

Merrick was LOVING every minute of this!

Ricky was a great navigator, and an awesome driver!

Time entering Centralia

Cemetary Hill, Just outside Castle Rock

 Getting ready to cross the Lewis Clark Bridge

 Coming down!

 Ten Miles Outside St. Helens about 20 to Portland

He said "SEE YA IN PORTLAND!"

 Crossing Bridge into Portland!

 Waiting for Dad to finish!

 WAY TO GO!

 The much anticipated Hot Dog:)