Will the Real Baby Doll...

please

step

forward?

Gearheads

Jeff, Sarah and Josh at the Science Museum in San Diego. We recently got family passes to the science museum in Orange County and found out later that the passes also get us into two additional museums in San Diego, all free! Yahoo. Music to my ears. We are definitely a "science museum" kind of family.

Brody's 5th

Our neighbor, Brody, celebrated his 5th birthday recently. Summer birthday parties are the best.

I'm slightly biased in that view.

Dedicated

Rachel was dedicated at church tonight.

From her sparkly blue eyes to the drip of drool on her chin.

Every ounce of her... a miracle... a picture of God's grace and blessing.

She's gonna do big things, I tell you.  Big things for the Lord.  

Balboa Park

5 people I love at Balboa Park.

Zac's 3rd Birthday Celebration

Games at Chuck E. Cheese.

Once again, the devoted Mr.Garland decorated an amazing Tigger cake.

Swinging Zac

Sarah sews with Grandmom.

Camera Strap

I recently made this very cute patchwork personalized camera strap (instructions here). I borrowed some cute pink fabric that Sarah got for her birthday, and I didn't have interfacing so I had to ask my mom to help me.  She's great.

I also saw this fun ruffled camera strap that also looked fun, but, well, I have 4 kids and it's summertime, and... enough said. Someday.

Friends

Painter Boy

5 months old

10-year anniversary date night

10th anniversary date night! I love the devoted Mr. Garland!

We recently went to the San Diego Botannical Gardens (formerly known as Quail Gardens) for the first time. We went on free day and it was raining so it was quite nice. The children's garden was amazing. The tree house was certainly a highlight (photo #2) for the kids. The ponds and waterfall were awesome. Even saw a huge bull frog in one of the ponds. We need to go back again and see the garden railroad sometime for sure. Just too much to see.

Fish Tank

We've got (live) fish (again). Our friends happened to have a fish tank collecting dust in their closet, so it's now in use again. We currently have 2 gold fish, named "Sketch" and "Rosie." The kids love it.

We're headed to family camp in the near future, though. Anyone want to pet-sit 2 goldfish for us?

They don't talk much.

Sleeping under the stars in our backyard tent...

Line-up

The devoted Mr. Garland knows how to make sandwiches.

PBJ?

Salami and cheese?

No prob. He'll hook you up.

Mmmmmm.

My mommy's morning out, minus kids (well all but one).

Cinnamon crunch bagel, mint tea, iced water and my baby girl, who isn't interested in having me share my snack.  Yet.

So thankful for good friends (Kate) who love on our kids and give me a break on occasion.

Big Shoes to Fill

Zac, age 3.

4th of July

Once again, we had a wonderful 4th of July neighborhood parade. The firefighters came with a fire truck and ambulance, and gave us a tour of all of their toys. So grateful for our independence.