♥♥♥Laura Turns One!♥♥♥

Our precious little Laura turned one on the tenth of July! (Yes, we are very behind in updating our blog!) She is getting to be such a big girl.. Sniff, sniff.... She is crawling around everywhere, trying to stand by herself, and has her very first tooth. Her favorite things to do are playing in the sandbox with Gracie and chewing on her Sofie the giraffe. :)

Laurie playing with Sophie. Mama made her this beautiful birthday dress!

~I remember first meeting you at the hospital Laura.. You were so tiny and sweet! Gracie was very excited to meet you too! She loved holding you and inspecting your little eyes, nose and ears! :) She just couldn't get enough of you. We were all very sad when Daddy had to take us all back home again. :( Wow, have you grown since then! I pray the Lord Jesus will become your best friend and that you will love and obey Him for the rest of your life! You are so special to us Laura. What a blessing and a joy you are to our family! ♥ ~ Sister Ashley

Visiting you at the hospital~

Love at first sight! Grant, Laura, Gracie and Ashley~

Mama, Gracie and Baby Laura ♥

~BIG BIRTHDAY GIRL~

Laura enjoying her birthday watermelon~


Mama and Laura ♥


'Larusha's new swim suit Mama made! ♥



We love our Laura! She is such a blessing to our family. ♥
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Day in Seattle, Part 2

After Brad's graduation picnic at Greenlake, we headed up the hill to the Woodland Park Zoo where we met Grady's mother. It had already been a loooong day for the children; a 2 hour car ride, a 2 hour picnic and now we were going to attempt a day at the zoo! :) Laura had taken a short catnap but Gracie was unable to nap in the car between places as they are very close in proximity. Grace without a nap.. hmmm. I had my doubts and was envisioning myself sitting in the van for 3 hours with a whiny 3 year old. But praise the Lord she was an angel! Both of the little girls did *VERY* well.

A familiar sign to both Grady and I who spent many days of our childhood poking around this zoo~

Grandma Bonnie

This day at the zoo proved to be a very memorable and special one. I am so blessed that Grady followed the prompting of the Lord in reconciling with her after the 10 years of zero communication. I pray that the Lord can use us in some small way to show himself mightily to her~ ♥

Darling Amanda with Grandma

Who is this guy that keeps following us everywhere? :)

The dinasaur exhibit was interesting.. Grace was scared out her mind :o
They were life size, made noise and moved. This T- Rex was particularly imtimidating!

A rare glimpse at our photographer and oldest sweetheart (w/Gracie) ♥

A scruffy Sun Bear

Komodo Dragon~ an 8 ft long, deadly and horrid lizard. Grady was particularly interested in this guy since it reminded him so much of his wonderful monitor lizard (a mini one of these) which he had during the time we were dating and in the first year or so of our marriage. Sadly, the scaley 3 ft long creature died suddenly of some bone disease. ( :0 )

Lovely Wisteria

Weaver Bird

This guy was adorable~ Friendly too!

Very cute honey!

Grant's favorite animal at the zoo.. a wild rabbit! (they were all over the zoo!)

The only view we got of this sleepyhead

Painted hyena

Laura making friends with Grandma

I am pretty sure I have a photo of me 35 years or so ago on this same lion

Sweet baby Laura Jean, 11 months

Hello Mr. Donkey

Little Grace's favorite part of the day! We could hardly pull her away from this cute milk cow statue

The flamingos were at the end of the trail. Just when we got to them it started raining. Just in time for our departure. Thank you Lord for great weather!

Closing down the zoo~ Laura getting her dinner before we leave

We did not leave the zoo until 6 or so. Bonnie wanted to treat us to a Mexican dinner but first we stopped by her 4-plex to take a look at her absolutely lovely garden! Ashley snapped quite a few pics of them.. We got to the restaurant at around 7:30 pm. Again, I was concerned about how the little girls would do at such a late hour and without their naps. One of the girls did indeed start falling apart at around 9pm but really Grady and I thought that wasn't so bad for such a full day in Seattle! All the fun, sun and family left us very much worn out. It was so nice to get back home ♥



The boats along the shore in Ballard near Bonnie's house

A lovely strawberry blossom

calla lillies

carnation

violet

Poppies

Another poppy

Iris