Little Professor

This picture was too cute not to post....our little man wearing grandma's reading glasses. Doesn't he look like a wise old scholar? Complete with the bald head and everything!

Backyard BBQ

A couple weeks ago we had a Saturday evening BBQ with the Houle's, Haag's and Bolton's to celebrate the (almost) completion of Mandy and David's backyard. The kids had fun playing together on the grass and in the swimming pool...it was actually the first time Asher has ever been in a swimming pool and he LOVED it! After the kids went to bed we built a fire pit in the backyard and roasted smores - not sure if the fire pit was totally legal but it sure was fun! :)

Oh, and can you tell that Asher is in the "oral" stage of development....most of the pictures are of him with something - anything - shoved in his mouth!

7 months, sitting, and a swaddle story

Our little man is 7 months old today - hard to believe! He has accomplished a lot in this past month... from busting out two bottom teeth to sitting on his own. As I have said before, he is a pure delight to us and we love experiencing all the first year "milestones" with him. Here are some pictures of our 7-month-old sitting on his very own!

Now onto the swaddle story...

We've been trying to break Asher of sleeping with his swaddle for the past few weeks. Most kids are done "swaddling" between 4-6 months, but not our child. He has a terrible time falling asleep without being wrapped up in it. Anyways, we've figured out a way to take him out of the swaddle once he's fallen asleep for the night so he at least learns to sleep the whole night without it (plus, being the middle of the summer, he gets super hot being wrapped up all night). Well, this morning we came in to find him asleep with the swaddle shoved in his mouth!! Yep, he somehow found it at the foot of his bed, shoved it in his mouth, and then fell back asleep. Silly boy has an unhealthy relationship with this piece of cloth. :)

A walk and a swing

We took a Sunday evening stroll through our neighborhood last night and stopped off at the park near our house. Asher had a great time looking around on the walk and swinging in the swing. It is so fun to watch the many new discoveries of a baby - everything holds such simple wonder and excitement.

Rockin' it with the shades
(yes, we are aware of the large double chin this child possesses)

Asher and dad ready to go

Asher LOVES the swing...he just laughs and smiles the whole time!

Just lounging in the swing

The Stroups

Last night we had a chance to see our good friends Chris and Amy Stroup. I have actually been close friends with Amy since High School and then we all became friends at Biola. The Stroups now live in Boston where Chris is starting his doctoral program at Boston University in the Fall. The last time we saw them Asher was only about 1 1/2 weeks old so it was fun to see them again! Here is a picture of Ames and me with our little boys - Micah and Asher.

Asher and Azura

My youngest cousin, Azura, is only about a year older than Asher. So, while we were in Arkansas, we introduced them to each other and had so much fun watching them interact and become acquainted with one another.

Cute boy

Pretty girl

"Ooohhh, what a pretty face!"

A little kiss for the bubba

Cousins and friends forever...

One final smooch!

Arkansas or Bust

Every Summer we visit my extended in family in Northwest Arkansas. This year we had a great time relaxing and spending time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Although, I will say that it was RIDICULOUSLY hot and humid...and I did not enjoy that part! Here are some pictures from our time:

Like father like son...

For almost 20 years now my family has been going to my grandparents' lake house for the summer holidays. I have so many wonderful memories growing up of being out on the lake with my extended family - jumping off cliffs, skiing, tubing, and lounging in the water. Sadly, this year was our last year at the lake as my grandparents are selling the house. It was fun to be there one last time to relive all the wonderful times!

Asher and I getting ready to head out to the lake

Mark and Asher on the boat

Trying to get a shot of his cute board shorts...

My wonderful husband

The Finzel fam on the boat dock

One of the nights we had a time of family dedication, prayer and blessing for Asher. It was so special to have our extended family speak words of affirmation and blessing into his life and really proclaim his life for the Lord.