We are still pretty new at this, but are getting better every year! It is so fun to have fresh produce straight from your garden, especially when your kids think it's fun to eat things straight from the ground. We learn new things every time we plant, and when Jordan finishes building his last 3 planter boxes, it will be quite the operation. Here are some pics from our garden right now.
Clara was helping me plant some pumpkins. Since a lot of our plants have already run their course, Jordan pulled them and is letting me plant my fall things. He thinks it is silly to plant pumpkins and gourds, but I think it is fun! I know it is a little late to be planting them anyways, but I don't care, even if I get some small things I will be happy!
I know, I know, I am behind. Such is life. Coleton turned 4 months old on the 20th, and our little man isn't so little anymore. He is off the charts for height at 27 1/2 inches, and in the 95% for weight at 17 1/2 pounds. I think he is taking after my side of the family. Although I am short, most of my family is very tall. My "little" brother is 6'5", along with my uncle, and many other great-greats from my mom's side of the family. It's crazy the difference, because Clara was 18 pounds at one years old. He could very well be 30 pounds by a year, yikes! It makes me a little sad that my "baby" already wears 9 month clothes. The second time around feels like it is going by a lot faster than the first, and it probably has something to do with his size. But man, this little boy is cuddly! I could just kiss his chubby cheeks a million times a day, and he always gives the BEST smiles, and will giggle constantly at nothing much in particular. He is such a good baby and so much fun to be around. Unfortunately it is really hard to capture pictures of those smiles, because as soon as I break out my big black camera, he just stares in awe. I'll have to work on that a little more :)
Coleton loves to play with his toes, roll over both ways, nap on mommy and daddy's bed and not in his crib (I will be breaking this habit immediately!), watch his big sis do just about anything, and smile, smile, smile. Speaking of big sis, she was ready to be potty trained, like yesterday, and I don't know where I am going to find the time for that. We bought all the necessary items for the job, now it's just about focusing and being determined and consistent. We will see!
On the back deck, overlooking Hayden Lake.
On one of the days Holly's dad took us to Lake Pend Oreille, we sailed for the day on his racing boat. I only took one picture...Taylor was taking pictures this day mostly.
We had a girls night and went to see The Sound of Music in Coeur D'Alene. I loved it, the music and singing was amazing. It is one of my favorite shows by far. Jordan and the boys stayed behind to put the kids to bed and watched a movie. Then we met up for drinks downtown afterwards.
Holly's sister Heather, her friends Jessica & Matt...and the rest of the Abeel Clan.
Hanging out on Dock wasn't the easiest for Clara to run around freely and swim, so we took her to a beach on Coeur D'Alene and let her splash in the water and run around in the sand. 
The trip home was much less eventful...thankfully! The kids did pretty well on the plane, every flight was completely full, and two lap children make things kinda crazy. Coleton doesn't like being held for long, he especially isn't good about napping while being held. It would take him about 10-15 minutes of crying before he would settle down and fall asleep. It's kinda funny watching everyone around you squirm and glance back, wondering if your baby is going to be crying the entire time. I knew he wouldn't be though, so I just tried to ignore them ;) We spent some great quality time together in Idaho and Washington, and got to know Holly's family much better, they were excellent hosts. It is nice to be home though, and we have a pretty busy couple of weeks before we are off again!
We always go to Big Bear every winter around New Years. I am used to seeing it covered in Snow, and the Lake frosted over. This was Jordan's first time going in the summer, and I hadn't been in the summer in a long time...and we didn't stay on the lake. Wow, let me just say that I was thoroughly impressed! It is beautiful in the summer time, the lake is gorgeous, and it certainly helped that we stayed in an adorable cabin with our own private dock. And it helped even more that we stayed with some wonderful families. Clara was in her element, she loved all the people and little kids running around that she could play with. We had excellent food, thanks to Zandra! Our daily activities included relaxing, kayaking, tubing, wake boarding, playing games, going in the hot tub, playing bocce ball, and more relaxing. We had such a great time, that I definitely think Big Bear in the summer should be an added tradition. We were sad to say good-bye to everyone and leave, but it helps to know that our string of vacations isn't over yet!
Lounging while the kids are napping.
So excited that these two have a bun in the oven...
Sailor Cole................... Jeannine & her brother Lance
Making smores on the BBQ!
Serious game of Settlers of Catan!
The Browns...
Sweet little friends...
The Sturgeons...
It was such great family time and couldn't have gone any better!
