It seems like summer was just beginning, and now it's almost Labor Day! Next week we'll be in Illinois for my brother's wedding, and when we get back our fall activities are officially starting up again, which is hard to believe. Here's my tribute to the last few weeks of summer...
Just a week after the Sauders said good-bye and left California, we met some of them up in Portland for Jonathan's cousin's wedding. A great time was had by all!
Eddie in his wedding garb. Seriously. He's absolutely too much!
Time with Grammy.
Not too long after this he fell asleep in her arms.
I'm so glad he got that little nap, it was a long afternoon for him!
This lady holds a special place in Eddie's heart (and all of ours!)!
He does the sweetest little thing where he'll lean his forehead against hers like a little hug. He only ever does that to Aunt Sue.
Goofing off at the reception.
It was really laid back--just hanging out, playing games, eating good food.
A snapshot of the two of us.
This lil' dude, the bride's nephew, had a blast with this huge tree stump.
Jonathan couldn't resist joining him!
Rumor has it this is the stump that gives Portland the nickname "Stumptown".
(not really, I made that up)
Speaking of Stumptown, we were sure to get coffee from Portland's famous roaster while in town. Actually, Sunday we spent the afternoon and evening in downtown enjoying Voodoo doughnuts, Stumptown coffee, seeing the sights, and finally a delicious and unique dinner at a place that served Thai-style street vendor food (that was Steve-oh's idea, it was his birthday so we let him pick since we're nice like that). Oh, and, of course, Salt and Straw ice cream for dessert!
On a side note, I thought I did so good snapping pictures of the weekend, but apparently I was so busy enjoying our delicious food I forgot to document it. And also, another side note, Salt and Straw is apparently opening a ice cream shop in LA! Woohoo!
One pic I did happen to snap on our adventure in downtown:
Aunt Rachel and Eddie playing in the fountain.
Eddie and I flew home by ourselves as Jonathan headed out to Buffalo for a conference. The flight was smooth and I had unexpected but greatly appreciated help getting our luggage at LAX. We survived the next few days home alone. It was hilarious to see the wheels turning in Eddie's little head as we skyped Dad. I could see he was confused as to why Dad was on the screen, not at home!
Some friends helped pass the time till Jonathan got back from NY.
Chelly came to visit! It was so good to catch up with this chica!
We met this fellow Narnian King at the park.
Eddie actually enjoyed the hug more than he's letting on here!
And, look out, folks!
He's on the move! This picture memorializes the first time I walked around the corner and he wasn't where I left him. Toys are suddenly not as enticing as tooling around exploring this and that.
After Jonathan got home, we did a little exploring of this great city we live in, and spent an afternoon at Long Beach Harbor touring their Tall Ships Festival.
Photobombed by a giant rubber ducky!
(actually that's a decently official hashtag)
Yep, it's kind of ginormous!
And, of course, we had to tour the battleship. Fascinating!
Other adventures at summer's end have included:
the corpse flower at the Huntington bloomed.
It only does that every few years and at random, so we rushed over to see it once it'd opened!
In this picture it's still closed. And yes, it did smell pretty potent!
and Eddie's friend's first birthday!
This little guy was born a year ago into the family I was helping out.
I was six months pregnant, knew I was having a boy, and got to spend time "practicing" with this little guy when he was really fresh! It's hard to believe how fast a year has gone!
Hopefully, he and Eddie become great friends!
Another thing this summer has brought us was the beginning of our journey toward buying a house. It seems so huge a step, especially for the competitive and very expensive market here in the area, but we're ready to settle into a neighborhood more invested than just as renters. Sunday afternoons have found us walking through open houses, getting a taste for what's out there. We're trying hard to be surrendered and patient as we wait for God to open the doors to the right house, at the right time, in just the right place.
And that's the last little bit of our summer! Now we're looking forward to a wonderful week with family in Illinois, a memorable and sweet wedding for Zach and Amelia, and good times catching up with everyone!
