diedre in pictures

well, i feel bad for not having any pics of diedre lately! she is doing really great. she is entertaining us with stories, with sharing her feelings (diedre's sad, or diedre had fun at the park), with singing songs and doing actions.

she still cant say her name yet and i'm starting to feel bad about that too. all she says is "D-Dia-Dia" even though she can totally say "A", i say to her, "say "D" "A" "Dra"" and she will respond with the usual "D Dia Dia"

someday i guess. i'll work on getting some more pics of her soon.

sitting tall, sometimes

trying to work out that tooth!

couples renewal retreat

we went to Cedar Springs in Sumas WA for a couples renewal retreat. it was so beautiful there. i had been there once before for a Day of Prayer with Campus Crusade for Christ, but i dont remember it looking this gorgeous.

view from our room.

walk around the lake



rhodo hill

awesome flowers everywhere

so huge!

swans and cignets









high bridge. an old railway bridge with the tracks removed.




back to my mom's to pick up diedre. we missed her so much!

here's ezekiel trying to crawl

happy half birthday

Happy Half Birthday Ezekiel!
First off: I can't believe you're six months old!!! we have had quite the adjustment period havent we sweetie! things are definitely getting more and more "normal" everyday. so much so, that i find it much easier to have both kids around than just one since they keep one another entertained to some extent. Ezekiel started saying "da, da" and is very very close to sitting up totally unattended. his first tooth is starting to break through his bottom gums too. he is still very happy, but with more fussing because of the teething.

looking slightly unsure about this gift bag...

looking...

it looks like he is politely assessing his new baby...he loves diedre's babies so i wanted to get him one of his own...there were not many "man" dolls available, but this one seemed the closest to what might work. he doesnt really like it as much as diedre's babies yet!

looks like he's busting a gut

loves his tiny n tuff racecar (so did diedre, she was getting in trouble alot during this particular gift giving session because she was obviously jealous and very grabby...hence the lack of pictures of her...)

showing off his push-up skills

sleeping sweetly

brilliant blue eyes

i guess navy blue really works for this kid

he started impressing us with full body push-ups, from his hands to his big toes, last night at our friend's house. here his is practicing his new skill. our little strongman! we shoulda named him magnus, right jo?

whirlwind trip to courtenay

i decided on a whim to go visit my dad in Courtenay. i took the kids with me because derek had work plans for the long weekend. we had beautiful weather and a great visit. the kids did awesome both ways on the drive (about three hours total each way) and the two-hour ferry ride! thankfully!


a gorgeous oceanside stroll with Poppa

Poppa loved our little smiler deluxe model

Poppa and the kids

colouring

family day at the zoo

derek's been working alot lately, so when he said "let's go to the zoo on saturday" it was the best mother's day gift i could receive. we had a wonderful family day. lots of fun and togetherness!

some of the zoo kids in a row (the last time we were here, diedre was 5.5 months old, just like ezekiel today (and we went with Jodi, Michelle and Ellia--she was 2+ just like diedre); and for the Hetzler's, David was exactly Gabe's age--interesting factoid).

camel and diedre and daddy

me and ezekiel

sitting in the air

monkey bars

family time on the swingset

park and play group

"that's my brother"

still using my first sling, thanks Michelle!

daddy and ezekiel at playgroup: it was a mother's appreciation family night with a dinner and crafts for the kids.

wearing a super cute outfit

Thirty-Five Years of Marriage!

Congratulations Mom & Dad Salmon! We hope you had a terrific Thirty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary! You are an inspiration and example to us. We are so blessed to have you both in our lives :D
xoxoxo