Bell Family "Stay-cation"

We took the week off of work to spend some family time together as well as to get some projects done around the house. It was so nice to sleep past 7:00 every day, to cook/eat great food, and for the siblings and cousins to have bonding time.

We started last weekend off by having a picnic in the park in the 70 degree weather as well as buying a new "big-boy" scooter for Parker. The Bains came up on Tuesday so Nate and Denny could patch some drywall in our basement from the burst pipe in the winter, so Abs and I took the kids to OMSI followed by an afternoon in the park. More fun on Wed included all of us heading to our favorite Portland park-Tanner Springs-in the Pearl where the cousins had a great time playing and where Parker fell into the fish pond. On Friday, Parker had a date night with mommy and daddy going to see "How to Train your Dragon" (it was really good, by the way!) This weekend we had community group on Saturday morning, followed by exploring Laurelhurst Park and having dinner and Cold Stone on Hawthorne. Today after church we went to Barnes and Noble and to our favorite carousel-Parker Carousel, where Parker talked us into two rides so he could be a knight on his stallion and a cowboy on his bronco:)

First sibling bath-so much fun! Start from the bottom up to see the progression of pure awe in Peyton's expression to pure chaos as witnessed by Parker's increasing boldness of positions/comfort in man-handling his sister. Of course she loved it! Parker went from refusing to take a bath with Peyton over a week ago to wanting to take one with her every night now! He strips down so fast when he knows I am getting Peyton ready for her bath each night.

Enjoying brownies-maybe a little too much;)

Cousins playing Chutes and Ladders

Bella and Peyton took a bath together

After the Bains left on Wednesday, Parker suddenly appeared outside naked when he saw me with the sprinkler. I was hosing off toys, and I asked him what he was doing, and he said he wanted to run in the sprinkler naked! Oh boy!

The cousins eating dinner after a fun day

The girls. . .Mike and Rae-when are you going to have a little boy so Parker isn't the only one?!

Laurelhurst Park

Cake Batter ice cream with oreos at Cold Stone

Our explorer

Parker Carousel

Peyton's Baby Dedication

We had Peyton dedicated at Mosaic on Sunday. Here are some pics of her below opening her "Sweet Pea" doll from Gigi. She was so cute opening it and touching it as though she new what she was doing. Also, finally a family picture with all four of us in it below:) Not the best, but probably the second picture we've had where we are all in it.

Peyton-6 Months

I (Jess) had a mini photo shoot with Pey Pey. She was so happy and intent playing with her toys that I just couldn't resist getting down on the floor along with her. I know that I'm not the pro that Nate is, but I rarely get to use the camera with him hogging it all the time;)

Somehow our baby girl is already 6 months old! She has been eating solids since she turned 4 months, including feeding herself finger foods despite the fact that she hasn't popped a tooth yet, has been sitting up by herself for the past few weeks, and currently scoots and rolls over like no other. We think that she'll be crawling in no time, and is quite the independent little girl, as shown by the fact that she can hold her own against Parker. When she sees something she wants, there is no stopping her, and she is happiest when she can do things by herself. Nate and I are already bracing ourselves for life with her as a teenager:)

The first picture below was from one of our two trips to the park today. It was an absolutely gorgeous Oregon day! During our first park outing, Peyton actually fell asleep in the swing. I got pictures on my phone, but wish I had the real camera as it was adorable! She reminded me more of Parker as a baby as she was super content and chill before passing out in the swing, which is rarely the case with her as she is such a social little butterfly.