Joy in July

Last month, we purchased our first home! We love our new home and we're so excited to have more space. Below are some recent photos of our adventures.

Leaving on a jet plane

Tyson was a champ and got tubes in his ears last week

Moving boxes make great tunnels

Story time with Micah

Five Years...

Happy 5th Anniversary to my man! Can't believe that we've already hit the half decade mark! I love you!

I dug up one of our engagement photos - May 2005 @ Carceek Park in Seattle

Wonderful Washington

Summer, oh how we love you! The Seattle area has again proven to be the perfect summer escape for us from the hot Arizona sun. We enjoyed our time with family and friends and also got some rest and relaxation before I head back to work in a few weeks.

The fish ladder at the Ballard Locks

Hanging out with Becky and Natalie

First time in sand

Meeting the newest addition to the Moore Family, Miss Natalie

Day trip to Vancouver, B.C.

Melissa lives in Chicago now and it was such a treat to spend time with her and Eli

Snoqualmie Falls with Becky

TFA gals at Rachel's wedding

We are Thankful

As many of you know, Tyson gave us quite the scare last week. The excitement of closing on our first home is of little significance compared to our the health and well-being of our family. We are just so thankful Tyson is doing well and that we're surrounded with such incredible family and friends.

Tyson and I are really enjoying our time together at home. We've had some early morning outdoor adventures (to avoid the lovely summer heat) and he was my little helper when we packed up our home. Although, he really enjoyed unpacking the boxes that were already packed up. :-)

Studying the ducks at Encanto Park

Wearing his blanket as he crawls after Daddy

First baseball game

Angie!

Tyson and I traveled to Northern Cal to visit my dear friend Angie. The last time that I saw Ang was when she came to visit from Rhode Island, seven months pregnant with her son Porter. I couldn't be happier that she is back on the left side of the country! Tyson and I enjoyed playing with Porter, now 22 months old, and watching him in action. I am a big fan of the Bay Area- the scenery is beautiful, the beach is near, and the seasons are mild. My trip ended shorter than planned because Tyson came down with a high fever, ear infection number three, and an unexpected trip to Urgent Care. It was well worth the eventful trek to spend time with Ang before her second baby arrives in October.

Porter and Ang playing in the backyard...and their goat Harry in the background

In Porter's porch chair...the poor kid was forced by his mom

Heading out for a walk

Playing in the pantry

Does it get any better than this?

We're enjoying every minute together at home... yay for summer!

May! Where did you go?

In my experience, the first and last months of the school year are insanely busy...which explains why we haven't posted anything in weeks. May had some bold highs and lows...Tyson came down with ear infection number two and then Adam got really sick with either food poisoning or the flu. Adam was so sick that it was a sad flashback to when he got very ill during a service trip to the Dominican Republic back in 2003. It was no fun having my boys feeling miserable and luckily, they're back to normal again. Highlights for May include: Mother's Day at John and Marsha's cabin, visits from dear TFA buddies Kim and Jenna who just finished up their first year of law school, Tyson meeting Chicagoland cousin Erin for the first time, a bittersweet goodbye to many of my students from my first year of teaching whom are bound for high school in the fall, and taking in the unusual, mild May weather.

Being silly and putting a 13 month old in a newborn swing

Not feeling well and resting in the laundry room- the beginning of the May ear infection

Tyson wasn't feeling well at the cabin, but he was all smiles getting a ride from Uncle David

Catching up with Kim- I sure missed teaching with her this year!

Ty's first art projects

These days you'll find him playing under the coffee table even after a bump to the head