Friends Part II

So here are some more wonderful friends we have met here in Ventura (well, Oxnard), Paul and Renata. We first met Paul and Renata when they started coming to our young married couples Bible study in 2006 (right???). We love them dearly and have made so many fun memories with them, like camping at Dinkey Creek, playing Ticket to Ride, golf games for Chris and Paul and the guys, and coffee for me and Renata with the girls. To our sadness, God has called them to move back to Orange County, closer to their families. We miss them tons already, but know we'll be seeing more of them in the future. After all, we still have to make it to Jocko's. Praise God for great friends!

(Yes, Renata, I stole this pic from your facebook!)

Friends Part I

We have some wonderful friends here in Ventura County. We especially love Bonnie, John, Colin and Hope. We have lots of fun hanging out with them and playing Wii. Colin is a very good Wii instructor. Hannah loves to jump on their trampoline, chase Sasha, or "cook" in the play kitchen at their house. I am so grateful to them for all the times they have watched Hannah when I've needed to run to work or get some errands done. I love it when Bonnie comes up to me at church and says, "We miss Hannah!" They are also a wonderful example of a loving family that is dedicated to serving and honoring God.

So here's some pictures of a recent visit to their house where Hope and Hannah had a mini slumber party.

Gotta love the matching pj's and pigtails

Happy 4th!

We spent the 4th of July in Cayucos again with the Vanoli/Cagle family. Lots of fun for the cousins! I just noticed that as I was making the slideshow, all my pictures are of the kids and none of the adults. Oops!

Little Mama

Mothering is definitely built in to little girls. I didn't teach her to do this.

Chatterbox

We have recently discovered that Hannah talks in her sleep. The first thing we heard about a month ago was "Hi!" about an hour after she had been in bed. Our guess is she was dreaming about being at the grocery store, where she says hi to everyone. A couple weeks ago, when we checked on her before we went to bed, she rolled over and said, "oh, wow!" And the other night, she said, "Dada." Sweet.

A Random Sampling

Elmo!

This is Hannah attempting to take off her diaper while wearing pj's. Fortunately she only tried this one night and it has not become a habit.

Nothin' but love for Dinkey

Stellan, Jenna and Hannah playing Nona's piano

Slumber party with Ali

Daddy save me from the waves!

A new favorite pastime...watching the garbage trucks go by on Wednesday mornings

The Wiggle Worm

I just wanted to show how difficult it is to take a picture with Hannah. The child never sits still. Chris and I make a point to tell each other if we got a few minutes of cuddle time with Hannah during the day. I'm sure we're not the only parents with a wiggly child, it just seems excessive with her. But I wouldn't change her for the world. I love her enthusiasm for life.

See how she's trying to get away from me so she can play with the water

Now trying to wiggle away from Mimi

Finally a quick snapshot sitting...but her eyes are closed