back-porch bedtime!

It is no secret that we live in our back-yard this time of year. We love the outdoors, the sunshine, and fresh air...the space to be creative and free and peaceful and together. I would gladly give up indoor space for the gift of extra outside space to live in any day. I hope as the years go by that our children continue to love the beauty that our green space gives us. This is the first year the big boys have been brave enough to sleep on the back-porch all night...by themselves! The cooler nights have been perfect and other then the early bird sing-song wake-up call, it is a fun little experience.

 First night on the porch...


 Snuggled together for bedtime book reading...


 

And out before the night was totally dark around them...



The air mattress bed became a popular reading spot for a few days then...



I love seeing my kids read and we try to do a lot of it here...



What a great spot to snuggle little sisters, too...


 

Thank you summer for perfect back-porch weather this year!

summer swimming

A perfect summer swim day...

slip n' sliding!

It's been such a weird summer... our normal get up and go routine (pool, parks, trails) has been much more of a be still and slow at home. We've got a sweet baby girl and some mild summer days to thank for that. And I'm okay with this most days!! The big boys have been keeping busy around the house though and the old slip n' slide provided entertainment for them one afternoon when the sun decided it would stay out for more than an hour! 

Carson wasn't sure about it and preferred to dump water in the end... I don't think we ever got him to go down the wet slide!

It was his idea to start this fun...he has always got fun ideas to do! Love it!

pro-slider!

A safe place, the kiddie pool away from wild big brothers :)

These two...

And lately it is starting to be these 3!

Summer sliding...so fun!

sweet slice of summer

Does anything say summer more then hot afternoons and cold slices of watermelon out in the backyard?

We should really grow our own, because we eat whole watermelons sometimes daily!

Sweet, red juice dripping down these faces...

Messy, yes, but the chubby fingers holding these slices and munching on summer goodness makes me smile...and makes me stop to be thankful for these moments happening right now.

Yum. Happy watermelon eating season!

Moving up!

Jaxon had a great year in 3rd grade. We loved his teacher who put so much into her students. He learned a bunch, was challenged, grew in the classroom as a peer and a student, and had a great attitude about school this year. What a blessing good teachers are!! Jax had a foot/heel issue this spring and had to miss like 10 days of school. His teacher called and came over on a Saturday (her idea!) to help him catch up with his school work. We saw so many examples of her going above and beyond to help Jaxon succeed in many ways. Thank you, thank you Mrs. Beisner :)

The last day of school we usually head straight to the pool... but this year we had a days old baby girl to tend to, so I was happy to get to the playground to say goodbyes and play with friends. It was back home for this crew then where summer break officially started! Whew, another year in the books! 4th grade...here we come!

 Jaxon...you grew so much this year. In many ways...You skipped shoes sizes, cruised through 2 pant sizes, and have really started to step into a little young man. While just a kid, I can sense your starting to get some ideas about this world of your own. So proud of you!

 This is the first summer we have let you ride your bike around the neighborhood a bit and you've got friends popping in... a first for us and super fun for you! The last day of school we followed you home as you rode your bike solo by yourself... you did great. I might let you go next year without me :)

 The boys ready for summer!

And due to our "Welcome Summer" sign all the neighbors thought Savannah was named Summer, not Savannah!! :) We are excited to have both here!

a 1 month sweetie

The last month has really flown by. Some of the days and nights ran together, but I think we are starting to get a little routine back into our daily lives. I couldn't ask for a sweeter baby girl. So far, she has been everything I hope my daughter would be...calm, gentle, a sweet little spirit. These days get long, but the years truly do fly by. So thankful to be with my kids while these long days stretch out and the years blink by. This baby girl helps us all slow down around here a bit and a slow moving summer has been a great way to experience these first days with our little lady.

This girl eats well. She is kind of a quick eater on one side, then take a 10-30 minute break, and then finish nursing on the other side. At her 2 week appointment she was 9.5 already. I am sure she is 10 or 11 pounds now!

Savannah loves her tummy for sleeping...what can I say? A Hansen always ends up snoozing this way!

She has some really awake time now after she eats during the day usually. I love seeing these big eyes stare back at me.

Savannah Grace... truly a sweetie finding her place amongst this busy bunch of boys!

short of posts?

Yes, it is true. I have been a bit short on the postings here... but with good reason. We're doing a little bit of this these days...