Annalise's First 4th of July

Our first 4th of July in Oregon was pretty low key. We weren't sure how Annalise would react to fireworks so we stayed home and did some sparklers and some small fireworks. Plus it doesn't get dark here until almost 10:00 and that is way too late for Annalise. There was a "heatwave" the week of the fourth, it was a sizzling 92 degrees. Josh and I just thought summer had finally arrived since it has barely topped 80 since we have been here. Due to the "heatwave"
we thought it would be a good time to get Annalise a kiddie pool to play in. Here are some pics of our day.

Annalise in her 4th of July dress.

Staying cool in the pool.

Annalise watching fireworks, she was not impressed.

The morning after the 4th. It looks like someone had a pretty wild night.
(yes, her hair often looks like this in the morning)

These are some pictures of Annalise hanging out at home.
Our girl is growing up, she will be 9 months old in a couple days.

She is looking forward to her grandma and grandpa from Kentucky and her Aunt Kekah coming to see her in a couple of weeks!

A Trip to the Columbia River Gorge

Last week we visited the Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River seperates Oregon and Washington, it's about 45 minutes from our house. The are seven waterfalls along the gorge but we only stopped at three.

Annalise found a really cool hat at the gift shop!

Later that week Annalise helped me fold laundry. At first she wasn't very excited about it but she had fun in the end.

This is an older picture but it's one of my favorites! She looks like such a little toughy.

WE MADE IT!!

After a relatively uneventful but long couple days of movers and travel, we made it to Portland. Annalise is doing well in her new surroundings, and Lindsey and I are settling in also. We have been working like crazy to get the house in order and are ready to get back to normal everyday things. We wanted to post just a few pictures of our neighborhood in Oregon. We will post more within the next week or so.

Lindsey and Annalise in front of our house.

These are some of the MANY huge evergreens that are everywhere.

Downtown Lake Oswego farmer's market. We live very close to here.

Here are the pictures of vacation in the Outer Banks, as promised! Annalise got to go swimming for the first time, and she really loved it. We were pickled by the time we got out! She also had fun watching and playing with her friends Reese, Ryleigh, and Tyler.





This was Easter Sunday. Here we are on Lipscomb campus waiting for a table at Copper Kettle for our Easter dinner. Annalise got drums, new sneakers, sunglasses, and a giant stuffed bird in her Easter basket. On the Saturday before Easter, we went to an Easter Egg Hunt at church. Annalise wasn't too into the hunting part, but did enjoy playing with the eggs as well as watching all of the other children. She actually let us take her picture with the Easter bunny!







Just this past weekend, Annalise decided that she wanted to sit up on her own. It will only be a short time now before she will be unstoppable!

We're Moving to Portland, Oregon!

Most of you know we are moving to Portland this summer due to Josh's job. While we are sad to be moving so far away (2,373 miles to be exact), we are excited to explore a new city with Annalise. We will definitely have to be more diligent about updating the blog with pictures of our growing girl. Here are some pictures to summarize what our little chicky monkey has been up to lately.


My first Valentine's Day!

Me and my mama

Keeping watch over the neighborhood

Snuggling up to daddy

"Once upon a time..."

I'm such a happy baby!

Yea me!!!

I'm getting stronger every day.

This is Carl the Cowboy, he's my favorite toy.

I love him so much!

We just got back from our vacation to the Outer Banks, we will be posting vacation pictures soon.

I can't believe that it has been a month already since my last post! Here are some updated pictures of Miss Annalise!

I have become quite attached to my "lovey" Beulah the Bunny.

Keeping with the bunny theme, check me out in my house slippers.

Here I am in my Bumbo seat, sitting up like a big girl!

Since I can sit up so well, Mama has started putting me in my Jumparoo. I love it!

Off to the bath!

I've got lots of cute clothes, but there's nothing like hanging out in my diaper (and my socks, of course).

I don't think Aunt Kelsey intended for my Valentine's t-shirt to be fitted, but it certainly has worked out that way!

Hangin' in my crib, suckin' on my thumb.

This is my puppy, Violet. She likes to lick my feet (even though I kick her in the face)!

What a sweet baby girl.
Lindsey and I are doing well, enjoying being Annalise's Mama and Daddy very much. Trading days of work and child care has been wonderful. I (Josh) am thankful to be able to work from home some days and be with my baby girl. As you can see from the pictures, she is growing so fast, and it is great to be able to experience new things with her everyday. We definitely never could have expected how rewarding parenting can be!