Soccer!

Miles had his first soccer practice this morning. We made sure there was tape in the video camera, the digital-still camera was charged, he had cute gym shorts and headed for the field. I remembered bottle water but forgot bug-repellent and a lawn chair (for me because Luke has to run the whole practice with Miles). We are your typical new parents loving to experience every first milestone of our first born. Love it!

His new jersey was too big so we made it work with the dorky sleeve roll/tuck-in, but he's fearless and still attacked the field wearing his baggy outfit.
Always remember to stretch first.
Just a little help in the right direction from Dad.
The new baggy jersey only lasted through half the practice.

Once he was comfortable again in his clothes, he was right back out on the field making his move.

GOAL!
Good practice boys!

Paradise Found

Maybe you noticed that I changed my blog title.

I'm just not a creative person, so my old title, Luke.Emrie.Miles.Masie. just seemed to explain what my blog was all about... of course emphases on the Miles.Masie part. I decided our names weren't cutting it any longer. I have this terrific framed art in my kitchen that reads "Paradise Found". At home with my hubby, my son, and my daughter, I know I've found my paradise.

Luke caught all of us "napping" together.
I think this is the first time I've captured them both smiling (granted, with a little tongue)at the same time - success!
It helps that Masie is smiling a ton these days. Luke and I can both get her smiling by tickling her chin and cooing at her.
Miles thinks he's getting too big for naps.

If I can't get him to fall asleep, he'll often crash on the couch right before dinner... After we wake him, he's super cranky for the rest of the evening, so I'm really pushing the naps still.
Nighty-night.

Aussie Tooshes

Monica found the Aussie boardshorts for Luke a few years ago, and when she found some Miles's size, she had to have them and brought them with her on her latest visit. He's daddy's little boy through and through.

So cuddly.

Note: first family picture! Ok, so I look like a cheesy goon (I'm hoping Monica's camera caught me at a better moment than mine did), but the rest of my family is gorgeous!
Monica was off to the airport for home just a few hours after this photo was taken. So good to have her stay with us. We'll see her again soon! (we already booked our flights to AUS for Christmas...)
Please notice that Masie has enough hair to wear cute barrettes that I found online :) Love it!

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring...

Can you believe the rain we had the last couple of days?!? We love it! And the temperature dropped below 90 last night, so I went for a run in the evening. Ugh, I haven't exercised in over 2 months. I was so sad to note how quickly I got out of shape as my muscles were burning and itching (does that happen to anyone else?) in the middle of mile one. I'm sore today and have blisters on my heals... I love it! I'm hoping for cooler weather again tonight.

What's the saying?... "Battin' down the hatches!" Our gazebo, purchased just this year, would have flown away during the storm if it weren't for these strong and brave men.
We love puddles!


Ok, so it didn't cool down that much, but I had to try this outfit on Masie anyway - thanks Mom!
I don't know what it is, but I'm always needing to take pictures of Masie's hands and feet. I just find them so feminine and cute.

Pictures - a lot of them

It's been way too long since I've blogged, so my pictures are backlogged - sorry family and friends. So please scroll thru these (which are in no particular order, I'm embarrassed to admit) to see what we've been up to the last couple of weeks. Luke's mother arrived from AUS on August 7th and will be here thru the end of the month - yay! Luke's brother, Lars, and his wife, Caroline, and 2 year old son, Leif also visited for a week. Miles and Leif, had loads of fun... Miles is still asking "where's Leif?" every morning :(

Miles is diving!See his toes ? :)
My gorgeous niece, Jillian. I call her snuffleupagus... she has the longest eyelashes you'll ever see.
Another of my gorgeous nieces, Ellyce.
Masie snuggling with her lamb.
Luke with Leif and Miles
Caroline, oh-so-handsome Leif & Lars
Boys on Sunday
So sad. This was the day they had to say "bye" to each other.
My gorgeous girl
I was so proud to find these cute booties that fit! I love Target :)
Leif and Miles after a long swim
Isn't this toy for babies?
Snack time
My gorgeous boy
Ready for church

So full and content

First Outing

We've been house-bound for the last couple weeks, and Miles and I have been going crazy! It's much too hot to be outside unless you're in the pool, and we can't take Masie in there with us. So, we finally ventured out... to the mall, of all places. Miles is cute as ever and asked to hold Masie in her cute outfit passed down from her cousin Noel and accessorized with her cute bracelet from my friend Lara.

Love them! Miles isn't sure what to do yet when Masie cries.

Usually he gets down on the floor and cries along with her...

or he gives her a kiss to make it better.

Masie really is breathing under there :) Miles is always lovin on her.

My 2 year old is jumping off the 3 foot wall into the swimming pool! He's only 2!! He is amazing! He jumps in around the 5 foot depth and pushes off the bottom of the pool then kicks back to the step. And this is Masie after her first bath. Her and my life are much easier since the cord has fallen off.











Posing... how is it that you can just watch a baby and every little move seems so amazing. She's beautiful.

I am so blessed.