Random May Photos & Videos

Decked out in Timbers gear.

We have really enjoyed going to Timbers games this spring. We hope it will become a family tradition. You really should join us! We have great seats, just close enough to the Timbers Army to get in on the excitement, but not so close that we have to stand for the entire game.

Alyson snapped this picture of Bennett intently studying his scriptures in Primary. So cute!

You would think by #4 I would know better than to let him feed himself yogurt!

Pax is 20 months old. He is talking up a storm. Instead of individual words, he mostly uses full sentences where the individual words don't make sense, but you know exactly what he is saying with the entire phrase/sentence: "I want to go to the park." "I want more milk in my bottle." He is cuddly and happy. He loves to play with the big kids and thinks he can keep up. Much of the time he can! He goes up and down the slide, across the bridge and on the merry-go-round at the park. He has discovered the word "no" and proclaims it loudly and emphatically -- even though sometimes he actually means to say "yes." He loves going to nursery and never cries when we leave. He sings every time he hears a tune, especially in church. Paxton is huge fan of "Go, Diego, Go" and screams "Go, go!" while pulling me towards the television several times a day.

 

He sings along at bedtime, and as you can see from this amazing video, he even reads!

When the weather is nice we try to walk Bennett home from school. Paxton has the cutest bow-legged, twisty run. I had to capture it on film.

Sarah loves the spring flowers and will pick anything she can get her hands on. She is slowly deciding that potty training might be a good idea. She uses the potty whenever she is in the mood for candy, but resorts to her diaper if she is busy or otherwise occupied. All in good time... She mothers all her baby dolls, helping them use the potty, giving them candy for a job well done, etc. She loves to dance and sing, and dress up in princess clothes. She still has an amazing propensity for getting dirty. She is friendly to everyone, asking their name and if they want to play with her. No shyness in this one.

Bennett took a little 4-week gymnastics class this month. He was totally hooked and can't wait to do it some more. He loves kindergarten, especially the science experiments they have been doing lately. He comes home using big words like "surface tension," impressing even Jackson. He reads voraciously and frequently gets caught reading in his bed very late at night.

Jackson has been taking a rock climbing class and has found a new love. He is fascinated with all things ancient and has been studying ancient Rome and Greece. He has been reading all the Rick Riordan books and any other fantasy series he can get his hands on. He is looking forward to the summer break and not having to do anymore writing for a while (or so he thinks -- Mom may have other plans!)

Asher Joseph Friess

A couple weeks ago my beautiful nephew, Asher, was born. Danielle and Dan invited Sharon, Wendy, Emily and myself to be present for the birth, along with Haven & Myah. It is the only time I have attended a birth, other than my own children. Danielle did an amazing job and it was a beautiful, intimate experience to be there with their family.

Asher took his time deciding that it was really time to come. (Danielle was in labor for 3 days.) But once he got serious, things moved quickly and perfectly. He was born Monday, May 16, just before 6 pm.

Big sisters excited for the big event

The peanut gallery, trying to keep quiet and be supportive.

Comforting Mom

The moment Asher was born.

New family, just missing Cohen

Beautiful new baby

"Yea, I know. I just did that. Amazing, huh?"

What a darling little boy!

Haven overwhelmed with emotions.

Haven

Myah

Thrilled to be holding someone else's baby

Grandma Sharon

Cohen meets Asher

New family

Brent and Kim just happened to be flying back from ballroom dancing in Thailand the next morning. And they just happened to have a layover in Portland before going onto Salt Lake. So we all went to the airport to say hello. Then they snuck over to the hospital to meet Asher before taking off again.

Asher, Kim & Brent

Cohen checking out Asher's toes

Montys visit at hospital

Addie & Bailey LOVE babies!

Isn't he so cute?

Caden & Canyon have a turn.

Don't you love those eyes?

Why is this such a typical Caden look? He really was thrilled to be holding the baby.

Proud Grandparents

Doesn't Sharon look beautiful? Being a grandmother suits her.

Jackson loves babies. He has always had a soft heart.

He would've loved to hold Asher the entire visit.

Asher and Bennett

Sarah was so sweet and tender. A little mother.

Can you tell Pax was excited? These guys will be good buds.

Dan and Danielle took some beautiful shot before they left the hospital. You'd think they were professionals. What a gorgeous family.

Look at that smile!

Cohen and Asher hanging out under the foosball table. So cute!

Welcome to the party, Asher!

Jackson is Twelve!

Can you believe that Jackson is 12 years old? I must really be getting old myself!

How did he go from this?

 To this!

What a handsome young deacon!

Jackson celebrated his birthday in high style at Sky High Sports -- a big warehouse full of trampolines. So much fun! We are definitely having another family activity there soon. The Williams were able to come down from Seattle to join us, as well as several of Jackson's friends from church and Village Home. The camera battery died so we had to use Natalie's camera. Indoor action shots are always tough to get right, but the videos show what a great place it was.

Paxton watching the other kids before he decided to join the fun.

Lucas -- a total blur of action. This is only one of the jumping areas!

Sarah, Jonah & Paxton enjoying their pizza.

Sweaty, smelly, happy boys

The next morning the entire family gathered at our house for Jackson to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained a deacon. My parents were able to come from Spokane. The Williams, the Dannys, the Montys, John and Wendy were all able to be there, along with our bishop, his counselors, and several deacons. Mark's father woke up with the stomach flu and we missed him very much!! Thankfully Mark's mom was able to join us later at the temple. Thank you so much to everyone who got up way too early on a Saturday morning to be there with us.

Jackson was patient as we took lots of photos!

Papa Jack and Jackson

 

After the ordination, we took Jackson to the temple for the first time. It was a wonderful experience to have with so many family members.

My dad takes more photos than anyone I know (and we take a lot of pictures!)

We returned home for a big family lunch and yet another birthday celebration. I hope Jackson felt loved!

Even though it was cold, the kids insisted on eating outside.

Jackson got a lot of gift cards since it is hard to know what to get a 12-year-old boy!

Emily & Addie

Danielle & Cohen (We are hoping that a new niece or nephew will arrive any day!)

We found a used foosball table for Jack that should be tons of fun (though it has already poked Pax in the head a few times!)

The sun finally came out and the kids didn't waste any time getting onto the trampoline.

We tried to get a cute shot of the kids before we headed into church on Sunday but there was not a lot of cooperation. You get the idea. It was a great weekend. My kids all cried when everyone was gone!