Danika Dolly is ONE!

It is hard to believe that our little Danika Dolly is one year old.

Here she is just after she was born last August 29th.

A couple of days later on her way home from the hospital. What a group picture!

Here they are one year later. Such bundles of energy and lot of hugs and kisses.

We crashed the back to school party at Pastor Gary and Joy's to celebrate the birthday with a bunch of our friends.

Wyatt and Genevieve decorated their own presents for their sister.

Here she is with some of her haul.

All three of them are big kids now with forward facing car seats. I'm sure that Danika is going to appreciate the new view.
Happy Birthday Dolly.
We love you.

Clean living

Joylynn came over to use the computer this evening. She brought the kids p.j.s and asked Courtney to give the kids a bath. So Courts rounded up the two big kids but I wanted to give Danika a bath in the kitchen sink.

Here is the little bathing beauty.

Wyatt and Genevieve love it when they get to take baths at Gramma and Grampa's house.

Here they are all squeaky clean. Can you tell which one started to eat "cheetos" after the bath?

Thanks Mom and more updates

I'm so thankful that my mother was able to come from Michigan for Cherise and Kiel's wedding. She flew in to Portland, we did the big road trip to LaGrande and then we motored back for her to be able to fly back home. She was only able to stay a week.

Here's Mom (Gramma or Muumuu) with Cherise.

She got to spend time with all of the great-grands. Here she is with Rowan (L) and Genevieve and Danika (R). I feel bad we didn't get individual pictures of her with Wyatt and Simon. She sure loves to mush those babies up.

Here are the kids that got up early to go to the airport to see her off.

We were surprised by the announcement that Rylan plans to take a semester off from school so he is going to be around for another 6 months. His plan is to work and do some independent study and then perhaps resume his studies in February 2009.

Wyatt and Genevieve spending Sunday afternoon at Grampa's and Gramma's.

Pretty Mama and darling Danika.

The girls are delighted by Uncle Hayden's antics. Wyatt is not so sure.

What a difference a year makes...

I am always amazed how much boys grow between 12 and 15 years old. They keep stretching up and eating like farm hands. Below are some pictures from this year and some from last year. Hayden has changed the most in this past year than he has in any year except his 1st.

It is hard to find a picture of Hayden that he isn't with someone else. Mostly find him playing with one of the "babies".

Here he is with Simon last August.Here is Simon last week.
Happy Birthday Buddy. Today you are one!

Hayden and Max August 2007

Hayden on the night of his 14th birthday.
We have only one more family birthday to document this month so keep checking for Miss Danika's birthday blog on the 29th.

Wedding bells and birthday candles

Our trip to La Grande for Cherise and Kiel's wedding was very fun and memorable.

Cherise has a nice little garden this year. They plan to expand next year.

Her lemon huckleberry scones were amazing!

Fresh apricots warmed by the sun... yummy!

Goofing around at the rehearsal.

Pastor Josh performed the ceremony. He did a wonderful job.

Gary and Ted sang and played... beautifully.

Cherise and Harlan.

"With this ring..."

My favorite portrait.

The wedding party.

We appreciate all of the people that came so far. Some drove over and back the same day. Gary and Chris... thank you for coming and sharing this special day with us.

After clean up, Hayden is ready for a toga party.

The G. boys were pretty much wiped out by all of the festivities.

Today Hayden turned 14. It was a big weekend for Cherise and her 4th.
Happy Birthday Hayden! The celebration will continue.

The Boys of August and more news

Birthday bash for the boys. It was fun.

Wyatt is one cool dude.

Yup, that's Krystle with a new hairdo. Short and going to be shorter prior to shipping out for boot camp.

Here are the lovebirds at the family reunion. Kiel and Cherise's wedding is this coming weekend. Check back here on Monday for pictures from the blessed event.

Happy Birthday Cam! The Big One Oh.

Today, August 7th, is Cameron's 10th birthday.

We have some plans to do some special stuff with just the b'day boy and then tonight is the "Three Brother's Birthday" party.

Here are a few pictures of Uncle Cam and the kids (w/ Wyatt).

w/ Genevieve

With a teeny baby Danika

Baby Rowan

and of course Max

Water is one of Cameron's favorite things. He is doing pretty good with the swimming thing. He hasn't taken lessons but perhaps that is something for this next year.

He is one good cook and baker.

There are lots of things to do to have fun with Cam around.

At the river.

Being at the tail end of a large family and only a couple of years older than your nephews and nieces can be hard at times. But Cameron has lots of interests and likes to create things (check out my July 10th blogpost video of one of his creations). He is constantly brainstorming about something or other. He is our organizer and planner. I can't imagine what our family would be like if he hadn't come along.

He is a blessing in more ways than I can count and is loved by everyone we know. It is going to be fun to see what the year ahead holds for him.

Happy Birthday Cameron!