Cutie Patootie

A little fun in the shade... I couldn't resist!

expressing his thoughts very loudly

there once was a sandal....

that became a little snack

always so bright-eyed with wonder and excitement!

one of my favorite expressions

Happy Birthday Kevin!

This year's birthday was pretty low key ... another year older... Kevin turned 31!

We got some friends together for a birthday lunch at the Farm Grill, and it was a beautful day. Lots of fun and scrumptious food!

Autumn & me

Jake, Kevin & Tom

Krista & Jaimie

Bob & Brian

Just after my mom left, Kevin's dad Bob and brother Brian came into town for a week-long visit. It was a really fun birthday present for Kevin. They had a great time enjoying our sunny weather, and it was so nice to have them here.

The Self Guys

Isaac with Grandpa Bob

This was Bob's first time to the Grand Canyon... and he thought he'd be content to see it from the sky as they flew back and forth from WA. Once he saw it for himself, he was glad we insisted that he see it.

Even though his knees were quaking, they got Bob to stand out here for the spectacular view (don't worry, that's not really the very edge, just looks like it!).

A beautiful day

Kevin was so happy to have some quality time with his dad.

They guys also went down to Tucson to the Pima Air Museum and saw the airplane graveyard. Bob was in the navy for a number of years, so this was a real treat for him.

That Was Fun!

As always, it was so great to have Mom in town. She absolutely ate Isaac up - soaking in as much time with him as possible. She even told us to stay in bed at night because she would take care of Isaac if he woke up - for extra cuddle time, of course! I got up often enough to help out when needed, but wow, what a Noni! :)

Mom took hundreds of pictures while she was here (no I'm not exaggerating), and about 99.7% of them were of Isaac. Anybody surprised? Hahaha... But she caught some really cute moments and of course let me have copies. So here are the highlights...

We love Noni!

There's a really nice outdoor mall nearby, so we went down there to walk around... Isaac was telling us all about how excited he was to be out with us on such a nice day.

Noni got Isaac a new toy... and he loves it! He has figured out how to get the star-shaped rings off in many creative ways... Now we're working on learning how to stack them back up. Isaac would much rather do other fun things like throw them like ninja stars, stuff them in his mouth, and bang them together like cymbals. Whatever floats your boat, boy!

Noni and Isaac took walks every day, so we have a nice collection of stroller pictures (it's like a series!). Here's just a couple...

Cool dude in his new shades.

The perfectly coordinated outfit

Looking through his beloved photo album of all his family members. He loves it, Lynn! He smiles at Grama and Grandpa before chewing on the corners - just wanted you to know. :)

Family time outside. It's the perfect time of year to sit outside and enjoy the late day shade. Isaac is showing off his new toys... loves those star-shaped rings!

Went down to Joe's Farm Grill and walked around Agritopia again. I like to pretend that I live there. :) What, doesn't anyone else do that?

Isaac liked the Farm Grill too... but he wondered where his lunch was. I learned that maybe I should take some food for him too when we go out to eat! I felt horrible as I ate a scrumptous lunch while he gazed longingly at my onion rings and chicken sandwich. He's watch every single bite, and look at me with big wondering eyes, "Sure looks tasty, is that for me? Where's mine??"

Isaac has always been a very attentive baby, and I'm starting to wonder if he's going to be a very detail-oriented boy. He just studies everything so closely and observes every little thing around him. So interesting... and adorable.

Have a nice day!

Global Food Crisis Day - TODAY!

Have you heard about this at all? By partnering with Compassion International, you can feed a hungry child and share the message and love of Jesus for a whole month with only $13. Will you check out their website for more details and pray about what the Lord would have you do? The statistics are staggering and devastating. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the numbers, but you can make a difference for at least one starving child today... and perhaps you will save his / her life!

Please take a minute to check this out.

Life in the Fast Lane

It's already started ... "Daddy, can I have the keys to the truck?"

Okay, let's get this puppy started...

Alright... cruisin'

Better keep my eyes on the road!

This is AWESOME! When can we do it again?

So GQ

We had our own little photo shoot yesterday with our handsome little guy.

Feeling the grass between his toes for the first time, Isaac was fascinated with the cool green spikes

Looking up at Mommy

Pondering life... staring off into the sunset

Lovin' the bulldogs on his tie

So GQ

Charming smile

Our precious boy

7 Months!

CHARMER ... ATTENTIVE ... FUNNY ... ENERGETIC ... EXPRESSIVE ... CUDDLER ... WILLFUL

Isaac's personality gets more and more vibrant as the months go by.

Isaac's Top Ten:

10. Banging out songs on my little piano and loving on my many stuffed animal friends.

9. Green beans and pears. The more I have 'em, the more I want! I'm getting a big appetite, and I love this whole new sitting-up-while-eating thing. If only I could eat my bottle the same way... it's pretty funny to Mommy. I really like to sit up, so I'll watch my bottle and open wide for it. But she always makes me lay back again.

8. My two bottom front teeth - now that they have broken through my gums. That wasn't too fun, and it kept me and Mommy & Daddy up at night!

7. Spittin' Mommy a song through my bubbles.

6. Two long naps a day - so relaxing.

5. Afternoon walks with Mommy and telling her all about my day.

4. Hugs and Kisses, as always, of course! I get super excited when Mommy and Daddy get home from work! I pull Mommy's hair to get closer and I laugh at Daddy's funny faces.

3. Feeling the grass between my toes for the first time.

2. Sucking on my toes every chance I get - it's a close second to my paci!

1. Studying things intently, whether it's my hands, my toys, or the zipper on Mommy's jacket.

Two By Two

Hi, I’ve been up since 3:15 am with a very unhappy teething baby running a hot fever. How are you today?

As I was drying Isaac off from his bath last night, I took a sec to check out his incoming tooth…. only to find that it appears as though his other bottom front tooth has decided to join the first! Aren’t they supposed to come one at a time? So my poor baby boy is enduring a double whammy with front teeth coming in two by two. Joy to us all.