Cannon Beach 2011, a little slice of Heaven :)

Ok, forgive the picture overload on this post, but there were just too many pictures to choose from and I wanted to document as much of this trip as I could. We had SO.MUCH.FUN. I think a 3 year old's Heaven might seriously be the beach at the ocean. Claire had a blast and it was so great to watch her there. We weren't going to go this year and at the last minute decided to go for it and we are so glad. We flew to Portland and drove to the beach and both kids did great traveling. I think the pictures speak for themselves with what they did so here goes:

Claire loved to wear "sea foam slippers"

Lots of walking on the beach and sea shell hunting. I LOVE this one. They even have the same walk

Cooper was so relaxed and loved to watch his sister play. Next year he'll get to join in on all the fun...out of the stroller

The Ocean Lodge, where we have stayed 2 years. 

Carousel at Seaside

Heading to the aquarium

Gorgeous sunsets

Building campfires. These two are two peas in a pod <3

sand angels

Haystack Rock

Attempts at self portraits

"The Hole"

Sprinting Claire :)

"look cooper!!"

Bruce's Candy Shop

... the damage

Movie night

Kisses for Cooper

Complete with pop corn

YES, it was a GREAT vacation. Already looking forward to next year :)

Summer, so far

I seriously can't believe it's August already, and late August at that... I am not ready for cooler weather yet, and most August's I'm really looking forward to it. We have had a great summer so far :) We are loving the new house and being so close to a park has definitely had it's perks! We did Silverwood and Claire LOVED every second of it (of coarse..), got to spend a couple day's with Lauren's family at Priest Lake, spent lots of time outside and at the park, and booked an upcoming trip to Cannon Beach! Kids are waking up from naps so here ends the commentary... Here are a couple pictures documenting our Summer, so far

She loves to hold her brother :)

Self portrait of Brandon and I at Silverwood

Shoulder rides at the park

Claire had to have a picture of her and her "beautiful dead flowers" 

Our little man on his 1/2 birthday

Cooper hanging out in mommy and daddy's bed for some early morning snuggles

Like father, like son! Love this one

Family self portrait at Silverwood :)

Finally Summertime around here!!!

I am SO glad it's FINALLY SUMMER!!! We have been so thankful to get outside in the sunshine! We have been crazy busy lately. We made the move back to the northside and LOVE it! Claire and Coper are both growing so fast. Cooper was in the 95% for weight and 60% for height at his 4 month check up and Claire was in the 90% for weight and 95% for height at her 3 year. I guess we make sturdy kids!! Here's a few pics of the two rug rats :) I promise to do a better update soon...

Claire and Cooper hanging out on the couch

He is such a smiley little guy!! 

...and he LOVES swinging at the park

Claire is our beautiful little fishy :) She could live in the water

We are so blessed... <3

A lazy Saturday

Here is a quick post and picture recap of our lovely lazy Saturday. It was one of those days where the kids were both great and we got to hang out with our great friends, the Slicks, and my Sister in Law, Lauren. Claire's birthday is coming up and Meghan made her an amazing Tinkerbelle outfit that she LOVES, complete with tutu, wand, shirt and wings! And don't forget the pink toesies too!!

I love this picture :)

The blue man group!

Claire (I mean Tinkerbelle)

Coop and his amazing Aunt Lauren. We love her!!!

2011 update! ('bout time...)

So I have been the world's WORST blogger these last 5 months... but I have been a busy :) We didn't know the sex of baby #2 and the delivery room surprise was AWESOME!!! We got our little man, how we are so blessed to have and amazing little girl and perfect little boy I will never quite get. I thank God for these two rug rats every day. Claire will be 3 (how is this possible...) in a couple short weeks and Cooper is 10 weeks old. He was 7lb 9oz 19 inches long and came out FAST. He's a wonderful, happy little guy and Claire is such a sweet big sister. Here are a few pictures to document the last few months of our lives:

Feb. 24th 2011. Water broke at 1:30 am. Headed to the hospital! Cooper and daddy get to share a birthday!!

Family of FOUR!! 

Cooper Raley Wichman. 9:13am after just one push

Snuggling with my favorite girl on the planet right after Cooper was born

 Happy Birthday to Daddy and Cooper (aka Brandon's mini-me) 

our two kidletts :)

Claire LOVES computers, especially Brandon's iPad

Hunting for Easter eggs at Nana and Papa Garske's house

Little Cooper man at 10 1/2 weeks. Such a handsome little fella