We're Having Lots of Fun...

This month holds a special treat...my best friend Erin and her husband, Brian and son, Brett are in Colorado. They work for an organization that helps high schoolers cultivate their spiritual lives and they're out here for classes and a conference for the month. We've been trying to get as much time together as we can, so last Friday, Karin, Isaiah and I headed up to Fort Collins to hang out. This picture is Karin, Erin, Erin's dog, Bailey and Isaiah. Isaiah was having a great time chasing Bailey around and he was being such a good sport. Isaiah is not yet acquainted with the concept of "gentle." We're working on it!

On Saturday we went with Aunt Lauren and Julie to the pool in town. It was quite a scorcher, so the refreshing water was just what we needed. Isaiah wasn't so sure about it...the water was a little more chilly than usual, so he's not showing his cutest, most pleased face in this picture.

So, when the water fails...try LUNCH! Our boy is a very husky eater. It's one of his favorite things to do. Here he is with...well...I can't tell, but it looks like he's enjoying it.

After a big lunch what is better than a nice nap in the diaper? He was worn out from the whole adventure and decided to take a little rest in the shade.

Isaiah's new obsession is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." We picked it up at the library last Tuesday and he has been all about it since. The first night he had it he made Daddy read it 6 times! It's usually on the floor in his room and when he wakes up from his nap I hear him saying "booo, booo." Isaiah language for "book." This truly is a special book because it marks one of I.J.'s milestones of communication. On the first page when I ask him where the little egg on the leaf is, he points to it....what a big boy!

Happy 4th of July!

We enjoyed our 4th of July afternoon with friends at a birthday party for our friend Michael. We had a great time with everyone. I felt especially thankful this year as I looked across the yard at a new friend who moved to the states after being released from a refugee camp in Ethiopia. We are so blessed to live in freedom. Happy 4th of July!

Isaiah James loves his Auntie Lauren. Here they are together at the party in their red, white and blue.

Sisters!

Should I get in?

Yep, I should....did you bring a change of clothes for me Mommy?

All wet and riding his Mickey hog!

Water Baby

It has been HOT here in Boulder, so on Friday we went to a friend's neighborhood pool and chilled out in some refreshing water. One of our friends had an extra floatie, so we gave it a try and Isaiah loved it! He didn't waste any time trying to find the bottom of the pool with his feet, he just got in, leaned all the way back, put his little legs up and was content to float around relaxing (not something we commonly see Isaiah doing). We had a great day and were definitely glad to escape the heat for awhile. I have a feeling we'll be doing a lot more swimming as the summer goes on. The sun in Colorado packs a punch.

Sprinkler Fun in Roxie's Yard

Poor Isaiah James is struggling pretty bad with teething right now, so the neighbors were collaborating, trying to think of something to make him happy. Our next door neighbor Roxie had the sprinkler idea and it was a hit. He had a great time sticking his face in it, touching the water with his hands and stopping the water flow. He even got courageous and started to drink it.Trying to get a drink

Stopping the water with his hand

A wet face! And a wet diaper :)

Bub Man's Week in Review

How else does a Mom get stuff done? Isaiah helps me with the laundry by riding in the basket from the dryer to the living room :)Last week Isaiah went nuts for his friend Justin's ball, so that week at Walmart I sprung for the $.93 special....he loves it!

My cousin Kristen came to Colorado to spend time with us last week/weekend. Isaiah had a great time with her.

Our little bub is now experimenting with standing....no steps yet, but long moments on his feet. He especially loves to show off his skills with xylophone mallets in hand.

On Father's Day Isaiah did his favorite thing with Daddy....played "Ba" and sang and laughed with glee. And I wish I could have captured it, but that afternoon when we went out for tea, he gave Ramin the sweetest Father's Day smooch.

Little Friends at a Wedding

Isaiah, Mercy and John

Betsy and Mercy, Isaiah and I, and Meggan and John

This past Saturday we had fun celebrating the marriage of our good friends Andy Swanson and Tara McPhail. Their romance started pretty much as soon as we got to Boulder and after 2 years of dating they sealed their marriage vows. It was a great time with all of our friends. The wedding and reception were outside right next to the St. Vrain river. It was beautiful. Isaiah had some good buddies there, too and we couldn't help but get some great shots of them together. What Cuties :)

A Smile for Daddy

Last week was a hard one for us. On Thursday, the 31st of May we said goodbye to Ramin's grandma (we call her Omi). She had been battling with her health for the last 8 years after 2 pretty major heart surgeries. Her body finally said, "no more." Omi lived an incredible life. She saw 84 years and filled them with love, hospitality and service to others. Isaiah and I weren't able to go back to Ohio, so we sent this picture to brighten Daddy's day while he was there. Omi was the true matriarch of the family, so saying goodbye to her was a really tough thing for Ramin and everyone else in the family. I like to think that capturing this smile for Ramin was also a smile for Omi. She never got to meet Isaiah, but I know she would have loved to smooch those cheeks.