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Don't these completely beat out a traditional school picture?

Cute baby too...

Thanks Kim! We love them!

Times they are a changin'

I left Jonah in the family room for a few minutes while I put together the diaper bag and came back to this....

We will definitely have to raise our baby-proofing another feet or two to accomodate this new skill. Busy, busy.

Soccer Season

Soccer has begun yet again here in the Northwest and Lucas loves being a part of it. We're on a new team this year since the 9-10 years olds have all their games on Sunday. So we're playing a year up with the 10-11 year old and now have Saturday games. Luckily Lucas' best friend Kyle came with us so they get to play together again.

Lucas plays defense mostly and is learning how to control the ball and to be more aggressive. Aaron still doesn't understand the obsession people have with this low-scoring, too-much-running-around type of game but he comes to stand on the side lines and yells like all the good parents. He still has the dream of Lucas becoming a runner and doing track. And I have a very strong inkling Lucas is headed off in that direction. Lucas LOVES to run and would love to start training again. I'm looking up races this fall they can enter. And if I can get myself off the couch, maybe we'll make it a family thing.
Jonah and his tricks.

Paxton Beckett Friess

Last Sunday Jonah and I took a quick trip down to Portland to meet our new nephew Pax. We stayed a few days to play and cuddle. In case you feel badly Aaron and Lucas had to stay home, they had three days of man time Slurpees, soccer, Happy Meals and a movie on a school night. So they didn't mind, too much. Mark took a quick video on his phone of the first time I got to hold him.

The visit was so fun. I got one on one time with each of my sweet nephwews and niece, we played at the park, and feasted on Indian food. And even though Jonah slept HORRIBLY, yes horribly, and I got very little sleep, it was worth it.

Wanna play a game of "I SPY"? Can you find the baby? Sarah, the big 19 month old sister, kept "sharing" her toys with the baby and piling them on his head.


Three out of the four siblings. They all love their new baby and will take good care of the lucky kid. Bennett loves his "little bruda."


We took a trip to the park and Jonah had his first ride on the swing. Sweet laugh and cute feet.

Turnabout's Fair Play

This is Aaron. Natalie wanted me to share a quick story with all.

She and I went on a date a couple of weeks ago and came home and pulled into the driveway. It was farily early still - but dark - and the porch light wasn't on. I figured we could take advantage of the early hour and the darkness to...ahem...make out a little bit. Natalie wants me to add here that there was only kissing going on.

I start channeling Barry White and make my move. After three rather enjoyable seconds, the porch light comes on and bathes us in a spotlight akin to a convict trying to escape through a prison yard. We look at each other and somehow knew - it was Lucas. When asked if this was the case, he said something like "Yeah - I knew you guys were out there."

Though I'm not quite sure why, we both feel a little guilty about the whole episode. But that kid sometimes cramps my style in a BIG way.