not left out!

Hannah and Elijah didn't get the chance to come to Portland with us...
but they sure weren't left out of having fun this weekend!
They spent the weekend with Noni and Papa,

including a sleepover with Drew and Auntie Sharon's...

Then we all went to the zoo!

Mommy and Daddy were so glad to reunite last night and all be together again!
Thanks Noni and Papa for taking such good care of us!

beachin' it

Another first of the weekend was going to the ocean....
I was sooooo excited to get there!

but the excitement was quickly over-taken by a serious case of trepidation...

Those waves were a little bit much for my liking...

So...I spent the remainder of the time playing in the little over-flow pool of water on the beach,

where I had loads and loads of fun with my cousins: Megan, Maycee
and Emily and Garrettt (who I also met for the first time this trip)...

Daddy wasn't a big fan of the chill of the water....
(but looked mighty good - per Mommy's opinion- strutting along the beach)

but unlike the boys in the family, mommy thoroughly enjoyed the ocean!
She used Megan and Maycee as an excuse to act child-like and frolick in the waves...
but she was in her element for sure!

and even though this trip came to an end....
we get to look forward to seeing Megan and Maycee
(with their mommy/daddy) in Wisconsin this week!

wedding bells....

This past weekend I got to do some "firsts". Mommy, Daddy and I flew on an airplane to Portland, OR (first time there)....where we went to see our very good friends, Chris and Mindy, get married! I got to stay in a hotel and swim in the pool (another first)...and Daddy and I got to dress up in Tuxedos and be part of the party!

Here we are, the night before the wedding, practicing our roles! I really wanted nothing to do with it then, so I shocked Mommy when I actually followed through the night of the wedding.

Daddy gave me some last minute instructions...

and then it was time to get the show on the road!
I even decided to go down a little early
(daddy looked a little panic-stricken chasing me down the lawn
before I interrupted the processional)

Mindy looked so pretty in her dress! Chris, you are a lucky man!

I knew what was coming next! Food and dancing!!!!

and lemonade!

Don't I look so distinguished sipping on my fancy glass of lemonade?

Mommy thought she was the luckiest lady there....
accompanied by two of the most handsome dates there!

She and Daddy really had a great time together,
enjoying some deserved sleep and getting a little dolled up!

I also got to meet "the other Chris" and see Margot and Brian again!
It was a "twin" weekend, as I also got to meet Auntie Bonnie for the first time....
a phenomenon I didn't know what to think about at first!

I was popular with the ladies that night! I even got to steal a dance with the bride!

This was one crazy-long day.... and ended like this!

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday mommy and daddy celebrated their Anniversary. Mommy surprised daddy with a great day away and outdoor adventure. We got to spend the day playing with Noni! She loves us so much and takes such good care of us. Thanks Noni!

here are some pics to recap mommy and daddy's day. Mommy said it was a day of discoveries and confirmations.

Discovery #1 - Mommy is freakishly out of shape, requiring her to get off her bike at times because her legs simply gave out on the hills. Daddy even tried to boost her confidence and afterwards say "Honey, I think you made it through the moderate loop.....oh wait (checking the park map), nope - it was the easy loop". UGH. (note: no pics of biking - not my pretties moment)

Confirmation #1: Biking is daddy's sport; which mommy will continue to try to do (occasionally) for daddy's enjoyment.

Discovery #2: Wisconsin Dells has lots of beauty...not just the "strip of chaos" that previously was my view of the Dells. Mirror Lake State Park is just the beginning of our many explorations to come.

Confirmation #2: Mommy loves daddy more and more every day!
(leading back to confirmation #1 of why she chose biking as an activity to do today to celebrate)

Happy Anniversary Mommy and Daddy!
(Note -from mommy to daddy:
Thanks for being the amazing husband and daddy; for providing for us, and playing with us, and living by God's example for our family - LOVE YOU)