Family Disc Golf

We took the family down to Whistler's Bend for a day of disc golfing... sure was a beautiful day!

At the Pool

After a few hot spells our good friend, Magda, gave Norah her first kiddie pool.  We had fun beating the heat the other day, although Norah prefered a dip later in the day once the pool had warmed up.  Bishop also enjoyed the bonus water dish!

Oh my! Oh my! Oh Milestones!!

Norah has been putting on quite the show as of late.  Over the past couple of months she has really grown into her little self.  She is very motivated to move.  She started doing the commando crawl right around five months and was fully mobile by six months.  As soon as we returned home from Minnesota she started crawling on all fours, which was quickly followed by pulling herself up to standing, and walking with assistance.  By seven months she was crawling up stairs, playing on the playground and learning how to fall back from standing into a sitting position.  

Now at eight months she is refining these skills and is getting pretty speedy!  She has moments where she can stand unassisted.  She can reach down and grab a toy from standing.  She has started clapping and giving me raspberries (my personal favorite).  And all the while she is trying out her often times not so little voice... still waiting for a proper 'Mama' or 'Dada'.  

We are amazed everyday at how much she is growing, and I for one am so excited for the months to come.... albeit a little scared for the full on walk!

Chillin in the yard.  (She doesn't like to crawl in the grass... too prickly?)

Standing like such a big girl!  

She's pretty pleased with herself!

She's also learning how to bring food to her mouth... or at least the general area!

Look Mom!  Only one hand!!

Rollin around with mom!

Swingin good time!

Baby steps up the playground!

Who are you callin a baby!?!

You can do it!  (And she sure did, no problem!)

A nice bath after a big day of fun!

Four guys go up a mountain...

Believe it or not these three guys actually volunteered to come out to Oregon and let Greg drag them up a mountain.  They climbed Diamond Peak, twenty-seven miles, two nights, three days, and they were all still friends when they got back.  The rest, I am afraid, is classified (male bonding--what happens in the woods stays in the woods...)

Mike, Wolf, Pony, Greg and Bish (who stayed home with the ladies!)

Getting ready to taste the nectar of the Willamette Valley at King Estates Winery (which Greg and Mike biked to!!)

N.O.R.A.H In Cincinnati

Norah and I recently had a wonderful visit in Cincinnati to see Grandpa Roy and finally meet Grandma Debby!  It was lots of fun, even Auntie Becca made it there for the weekend!  Norah showed off all her tricks, crawling all over the place and pulling herself up onto anything that got in her way... including a flight of stairs that she conquered in no time!  We also got to have a play date with the White ladies, Robin and her sweet little Mary, who we had not seen in quite a while!  Norah has proved to be a great little traveler and a stellar guest!  She loves getting in good grandparent bonding time!

Long time no see Gramps!

Norah in her first moments with her Grandma Debby!
Big Kisses from the White ladies!
Swinging good times!

Grandpa Roy does the airplane!

Proud Papa and his littlest joy

Fossil hunters!

Fossil of honeycomb coral

Norah gets her feet wet

Baby-wearing and Beach-combing on the Ohio River

Grandma and Grandpa!

Fossils taste funny!

The Johnston Generations

My Auntie Becca is the best!

Norah's "this is the coolest ever!!!" look!

Look who can crawl up the stairs!  

Norah with her eye on the prize!

Blueberries and Birthdays!

Norah and I went blueberry picking with some good friends a few weeks ago.  Norah got to enjoy just picked blueberries in her fresh food feeder, she was a big fan!  

Ellyn, me, Norah, Magda and Jes all got a good bucket's worth, plus lots of warm sunshine!

Norah suckin down some fresh blueberries in  the shade!

Are these all for me?!

Someone is pretty pleased that she can stand up in her crib... can you guess who?

Birthday at the Beach.

It has been ungodly hot in Oregon, 100 plus degrees!  Meanwhile, on the coast it's a balmy 65 with glorious fog!

Kelsey and Norah and I shared a lovely birthday dinner by the sea and from the sea!

What more could a girl ask for!

Norah got lots of 'handsom' compliments in this get-up!

Our first time family disc golfing!  

It was quite a success, thanks to B.O.B.

Home Sweet Home

Greetings all!  So I have some catching up to do.... here we go!  Shortly after Norah and I got back from our trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin we (and by we I mean Greg) closed on a new home.  It's been a very pleasant change of pace (and just in time for Norah to start crawling!).   

Here are some highlights!

Norah smiles big while Daddy gives his signing hand a break!

Warning:  too much signing and smiling may lead to sore cheeks and wrists, not to mention thin wallets ;)

Look at all this space!!!

Our little Home Depot helper, so proud of herself (and rightfully so!)

Even the Prius has a new home!

Bishop on the outside looking in.

Norah on the inside looking out.

Grass is always greener ;)

Norah wearing one of the bootie covers while we wait for the floors to finish (THANKS Sean!)

Our first ever patio party!  

Sean is hard at work inside...

Patio Puttin 

(isn't it just lovely how the sun catches the beer bottles ;)

Greg's guitar is BACK!  

There wasn't room for it in our old place!

Our girl on the go!

Pizza Research Institute after our housewarming!

Greg and Norah have the same haircut!

Playin on the patio!