cedar's preschool promotion

 On Tuesday, June 17th, Cedar was promoted from Preschool to Kindergarten!

 His teacher, Miss Victoria, always brought out the very best in our boy. We couldn't have asked for a more sensitive, caring & loving teacher!

 Cedar never complained about school! He loved going & loved the friendships that he made.

For the first time in 4 years, we will not have a child at Grace Community Preschool & Kindergarten.  It feels sad, but we know we'll be back when Elsa is old enough!  :)

 The director, Miss Debby, & the wonderful teachers: Tranee, Victora, Susan & Elizabeth.

They all work so well together & do such a great job!

 Pappa & Mummi!

 We're so proud of our Cedar!

 Miss Debby

 Miss Victoria & her sweet daughter, Penny

Sweet classmates, Cedar & Emma!  Their friendship really seemed to grow this year!  So great!

father's day

 Some of our gifts to Kenton, the best dad we could ask for!

 Dad & his children.

Some of the greatest dads we know.

We celebrated Father's day with donuts, church & a lunch time gathering at my parent's house.  Then Kenton took his own dad out for a movie to celebrate with him.  I think it was a good Father's day.

elle's graduation party

 Youngest to oldest (missing Natasha & Wyatt)

 Here's Elle!

 Silly faces!

Color coodinated Barrett girls.

Erik came down & the Barretts, Jahangards & Adamians came up to celebrate Eleanor's high school graduation!  Such a great reason to gather & play together.  The weather & children cooperated & it was a great evening.  ;)

walk the diamond

 Elsa & Edison: the Howard EEP babies.  :)

On Friday, June 6th, my kids got to attend the Walk-the-Diamond fundraiser that Kenton & I help put on for the Early Education Program (where we work).  It was a no-school day for Finn & this event is a highlight for our boys, so they were looking forward to it.  :)  Each classroom sets up a fun, carnival type activity, we bring a picnic lunch, run around the bases & finish off the day with an ice cream social.  Due to confidentiality, I can't share photos of my students, but I can share photos of my cute kids & cute Edison!  :)

nine months

Our Elsa baby turned 9 months old on May 26th!  She's 28.25" (74th percentile) & 16#7oz (21st percentile).  Elsa started crawling this month & got really good really quickly!  :]  She even figured out how to pull up to standing!  Elsa claps her hands with a big smile.  She's starting to sign "all done" independently & after a prompt & has figured out the sign for "milk" too!  Elsa's hair is one of the features that people comment on the most.  Strangers ask if they can touch it.  It's feathery, soft & stands straight up most of the time!  Her bright blue eyes also capture people's attention.  Elsa is already becoming hard to keep up with & can no longer be left unattended for even a moment.  She's quick, inquisitive & has eagle eyes for tiny pieces of dirt, trash or fuzz on the floor...& it goes straight into her mouth.  :P  She's a master eater & loves meat, berries, eggs & ice cubes.  :)  Elsa is so fun!

mom's 60th birthday beach bash photo overload

 My mom's wish for her 60th birthday was to spend the weekend with everyone gathered at the coast.  We were all very excited to make that wish come true!  We spent Memorial Day weekend in beach houses in Waldport & had an amazing time!

 Elsa's first taste of sand.  :P

 Cedar was in heaven, digging in the sand.

 Finley was instantly soaking wet.  :]

 Kenton tolerated the sand much better than expected.  ;)

 The Ruddicks brought wet suits & boogie boards to share.

 Cohen

 Griffin

 Sadie & Josh

 Sadie & Ronan

 Uncle Aaron helping Cedar set up the pin wheels.

 We stayed in this house with the Ruddicks & Chases.  Everyone would gather here for our meals together.

 My mom's sister, Carol, & her family came up from Southern California.

 Wet & sandy clothes!

 Memaw cuddles.

 Her hair never gets old.  ;)

 My mom's sister, Robin, & her family came down from Portland.

 Beach hair.

 Wyatt, Uncle Keith & Aunt Carol

 Fun party decorations!

 Erik & Celeste came down from Seattle.  Celeste made balloon animals for the kids!  Such a fun party trick!

 The birthday girl.

 Amazing cake by Becca.

 Not too sure about Uncle Erik.

 Kenton had fun teaching the kids some of his board games.

 Josh rigged up a volleyball "net".

 Self timer family photo.

 Then, Erik jumped in to help us out.  :)

 Cute chairs in front of one of the neighboring beach houses.

 Awesome sand art by Celeste & her helpers.

 It started to get windy & a little stormy.

 Tate, the crab.

 Attempting to get a photo of us together with our matching chambray...

 Elsa & I were both a little under the weather, but she was a good sport & rocked a couple smiles for me.

 The Hickmans made a delicious Mexican dinner on Sunday night to celebrate Wyatt's birthday & his commissioning into the Army.

 Elsa needed a sink bath after that yummy dinner.  :P

 The whole gang...minus Celeste, the photographer.  :]

Elsa even smiled!  So great!

 Our little family.

And the whole Hecht gang!

As you can see, it was an amazing weekend.  The best.