At 8 months

Jude is

*Sitting up like a champ! No pillows needed.

*Starting to think about crawling. It's almost as if you can see the thought cross his mind as he rocks forward.

*Loving food! Especially anything he can pick up with his fingers.

*Teething! To add to his 2 bottoms, he got 4 on top this week! Yep, 4 new teeth in 1 week. It's been fun.

*Talking up a storm. His babbling is so cute and it's starting to sound a little recognizable. Mamamama . . . . Dadadadada

*Tolerating his very loving sister amazingly well. Her hugs and love are very intense and he never seems to mind getting a bit squished in the process.

*Loving to stand. Sitting has been mastered and now it's on to standing! Preferably ALL the time!

Big BIG news!

Last weekend, we took a mini-break to Twisp in Northeast WA.

It's an annual tradition to float down the river with friends but this year it was a family affair. MaMop and BaPop came out to watch the kids while we floated . . . and we all stayed in a 500 sq. ft cabin.

Since we all had a great time, even in such close quarters, we decided to tell Ellie about the next family holiday we have planned . . .

D i s n e y l a n d !

She was definitely excited! Even though it took another 24 hours for the realization to hit her that we really are going to Disneyland in a mere 6 weeks!!!

Listen for the cute line at the end. Ellie is really into being "married" to all her family members lately.

Naps at Bedtime

Ellie has the habit of dragging out her bedtime for as long as possible (Like any normal negotiating 3 year old would do).

We have started giving her 2 "tokens" which she can use to come out of her room and fulfill one of her many requests

*I need another song

*I need another hug

* I need a hug and a kiss

*I have to tell you something . . . really important

*I just need to get one more toy

* etc etc etc

The token system has been working really well but tonight we looked over the back of the couch and found her asleep on the floor.

Guess she was too sleepy to even make a request! Love how she found Jude's onesie and used it as a pillow

This and That

Life is plugging along lately - imagine that!

Working lots . . . teaching moms to breastfeed then coming home and breastfeeding.

Kissing Jude . . . my lips hurt sometimes from kissing him so much.

Celebrating . . . 5 years married! Fancy dinner out, even tried Steak Tartare. Delicious!

Even a shopping trip to Trader Joes is fun with this silly kid around . . . Serious about stickers

These days . . . life is really good

Summer 2011

The Nobles four

Shhhhh

Do not disturb!

I just love catching these moments when Ellie and Jude play together.

Rain Rain Rain

First Noble/Asmann Family Camping Trip??

A rainy success!

The plan was to camp near the coast Friday and Saturday night. We had a good plan for staying warm and cozy including an air bed and heated blankets.

But the weather had plans other than the normal chilly July temps at the beach . . . It poured. Even by Drew's standards it was NOT camping weather.

So we called my support staff (i.e. My dad) and he found us a great hotel room right on the beach.

I couldn't have been happier. Beach access, hiking and most importantly a shower!

Chris letting the kids have a campfire experience by lighting the dura-log in the fireplace. You may be nervous at this point seeing a 3 year old and a 5 year old with matches in their hands. But Chris did a great job teaching them about fire safety.

Very proud of themselves!

Hike to Fort Canby.

Drew and Ellie atop a bunker, or a 'bonker' as Ellie called it

3 little girls in rain coats

Teddy Bear picnic in the sand.

Note the amount of sand on her hand! She was covered!

The mommas

The dads

Ellie and Livie loved the waves and soaked up these few minutes of sunshine!

Even Ellie got tired on this hike. She fit in Jude's sling just fine.

Big kid!

After spending the weekend being constantly thankful for little luxuries I think Drew even realized that 'camping' in a hotel is much easier with 2 kiddos.