Malia {Month 11}

11 months!  (Yep this is posted waaaaaaay late.  She'll be 1 year in 3 days, so stay tuned for her 1 year blog posting.)
The sweetness of this little girl just makes my day each and every day. 

She loves the outdoors and loves to just play and be around people.  She is so, so happy!

We placed Malia into swim lessons for the first time.  It was more like a lesson in handling the cold!  The boilers were not working very well so the water was cold in addition to the lack of sun.  So, we bundled her up in a swimsuit, long-sleeved rash guard shirt and a full length body rashguard.  After the first two chilly days, she was layered in all three pieces and did much better.

This shirt says it all.  She is becoming quite the monkey.  She reminds me of her daddy, not just the eyes are his, but the way that they both climb, find ways to scoot around and crawl over things. 

Happy is as happy does!  She is so smiley!

I LOVE that she loves this little basketball.

After shivering at swim lessons, she is all cozy and bundled up and conked out.

She loves the trampoline!

These pants are the story of her life.  She is a string bean and if I can get pants on her that fit in length, then they fall right off because they are so big around. 

Soon, Malia will be 1 year old. UNREAL!  Have we really had her in our lives for a year already?  Stay tuned for the big
1st Birthday Party!!!

Summer

Our summer has been a chilly one, but nonetheless, we are having swim lessons . . . outside!  This boy wakes up in the morning with this insane hair, and do we brush it before lessons?  NO way!   The other parents at the pool must think, "child abuse" when we walk in, but we love it and think it's hilarious.  And, he just hops in the pool anyways so no biggie, but it is CRAZY!

We got the privilege of visiting the monument set up in Oak Harbor which has the names of my dad's squadron that flew into the side of a mountain just after he left the Navy. 

The 4th of July was spent at one of our most favorite places, the home of Ray and Carole Grove. 

I've wanted to get a picture of Gabe's footprints on this dock for years and I finally had my camera ready.

Malia's first time on a wind board with daddy.

For our not-so-huge backyard, we snagged a trampoline for $30!  It has been the highlight of our home this summer.

My awesome Kung-Fo moves on the tramp.

Mike catching some serious air.

On the way to swim lessons, we caught Gabe praying in the backseat for sun.  I had to snag a picture of this, because while the rest of the country is in a heat wave, we are praying for SOME sun. 

9th Anniversary

For our 9th Anniversary, Mike surprised me and took me to The Alderbrook Resort & Spa on the Hood Canal.  It was beautiful!  They even had those thick, plush robes and slippers in the rooms for us! 

We went out to dinner, and then of course, I quickly changed out of my nice dress into my sweatshirt and cozy pants to sip a mocha by the fire.

I love this guy!

And, I can't wait to spend 9 more years x 10 with him!

Bridal Party

Gabe and I were honored to be in the wedding of one of my past basketball players, now turned friend.  The wedding was the most fun wedding we have ever been to and I felt so thankful to be in Laura's life now as her friend.