Summer Lingers.

Mustard, ketchup, sister, and I rented a boat. 
We didn't go far. It was hilarious. And we survived. 

This one loves 'dideing'.

Waldo's a sneaky guy.

"Ah b-A-ket ball."

This one time Jill and Phil were engaged and they hired Erin and Meghan to take their pictures. Aaaaand they were pretty incredible. Nice work Erin. And love birds.

Happy place. Matching boys. Crazy hair.

When you're going on a family Caribbean cruise, you have to camp out at the post office for documents. And then you have to entertain toddlers while you wait your turn. 
But in the end: First time passport holders!

And first time Pump It Up birthday parties!
Eventually Graham went down the blow ups alone...but until then, we were pretty active adults. 

Oh Santa Barbara. You were so good to us. 
We dined, we laughed, we lounged, and we explored.
Thank you Aunt Cait for watching our boys so we could get away. Spoiled.

Happy 5 years, Sweet Pea.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa! 
Thanks for saving the "big holes" for G-unit.
"I am so happy!"

A key summer memory...drumrolllll...
Graham's first Happy Meal!!!
I wish this came with audio because it was the sweetest expression of joy I've ever seen. And neither of us could stop smiling. Sorry Whole 30. 
Sometimes a little indulgence and giddiness is worth the McDonald-ness. 

And to wrap up the memories...
It's a lovely evening when you can putt around with your brother...

He is risen, indeed.

Indeed it is October. 

And indeed I realized I never documented our Easter extravaganza at the Bell's! 

So here's a looksy. For memories sake.

.

Hostess with the mostest. 

 

Pearseys + Underwoods + Bells = Easter Togetherness!!!

Remember that Easter when Jill had purple hair? 

And Kirsten was giving Phil the look or maybe questioning his alertness?

Zach. Saying the Easter blessing.

Adult table!

Egg hunt for all! What a handsome.

Because I couldn't decide between the excited smile and pressed lips smile.

Easter family photo. Boom. It'll do.

We loved this family mash up. Praise the Lord for His power and grace.

He is risen, indeed.

Okay, back to fall.

Maybe I'll carve a bunny in my pumpkin.

Easter Tradish.

I'm well aware that today is October 1st. But I just discovered all these prrrrrecious Easter tradition pictures and so what. I'm locking these in. Ready set go.

Dying Easter eggs. I think 3 of them survived?

Remember when we propped Bennett up for this picture and then he immediately fell on his head?
Welp, we got the shot right?

Aunt Cait let us take over her kitchen with all of the memory making. Next on the list, decorating sugar cookies.

Aaaaaand then B knocked the entire container of sprinkle balls over and they cascaded off all sides of the table and bounced 10 feet in every direction. Oy vey. 

We found our baskets...

and enjoyed them throughly.

First Peeps for the peeps.

Our best shot at a "front porch picture with our baskets" tradition. 

You see. I couldn't let these go and slip into the "hope I remember what folder these are in" void. Too stink in' cute. And so much, so much fun.

G is THREE!

Graham Thomas is THREE. Darling and quirky as ever. Here's the latest:
Favorite food: "I rea-yee yov tacos."
Friends: "Zach uncle, Grandpa Scott, other Uncle Zach"
Favorite sport: "I yike baseball sometimes"

Favorite book: "I usually don't like Barnyard Dance. I yike planes!"
Favorite letter: "G like G. 'g g g'"
Favorite number: "I yike 3"

Favorite song: "I yike Mickey Baseball."
Favorite show: "I watched Elmo channel. My new show."
When I grow up: "I want to be a firefighter."
Favorite toy: "My new plane."
Favorite Bible story: "I don't really yike the water one.
 I yike the climb up a tree one."

QUOTEABLES 
Walking into Florida hotel room, arms spread wide: "Welcome to this room!"
"Piggy bang. Piggy bang book." (Piggy bank.)
"I DO. I DO yike that."
"Sure I do." "I sure do." "You sure do."
"I can't yike that."
"After dinner yet's go on a bike ride and do yoga!"

"Casey Jrs. Red casey jr. Blue casey jr."
"That sounds like a gate idea."
"Welp, that's the last of the strawberries."
"Shcuuuulg." (school)
"Is that nice? Is that okay?"
"We had that lasterday."

G: "Something's hurting on my toe"
Mommy: "I'll kiss it"
G: "No, you have to use your tongue kiss to make it feel better!"
Mommy: "Not a chance."
Both of us busting up laughing.

"I'm 16. So I can drive."
"Um, not really this time."
"We are all tired together!"
"Mama! Is it summer yet?? Oh, I thought it was."
"Would you like to share a blanket with me?"
"I. want. to. pee. on a. cactus."

You are joy. A smartie pants with an incredible memory. 
You play pretend baseball wherever we go. 
You want to be like your daddy and I pray the same. 
You don't like loud noises and you get frustrated when you get hurt. 
You are very concerned for your brother but don't really know how to show it except cry when you think we are leaving him or if he's breaking a rule. 
You love to tackle him and crash. We're working on it. 
You teach Bennett songs and words. Right now "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", "No!", and "Mine!". And then you guys crack up.
You always ask to walk people out to the car and you shout "I yov you, too!" when they leave. Melting.

I can't even imagine what 3 will bring. I'm loving every moment. Even the tough ones. Because it's all part of the spirited kid you are now
 and the passionate boy the Lord is shaping you to be.
Happy Birthday, Graham Thomas.
We you you.

Da-jaas.

It's safe to say we bleed blue around here. Bennett could say "Da-jaas" at 14 months old and Graham has half of the roster memorized. Graham pretends to be "Kershawt" or "Kick Gerbson" every single day of his life and Bennett thinks "Da-jaas" and "Melmo" are the only thing our TV plays.

So I'm going back to June 13th of this summer to a Pearsey/Bell/Underwood gathering in Los Angeles. Yes it was ages ago...but the joy still feels very fresh.

Please note that all the other kids jump around on those mushroom thingys and our two year old does a full wind up and pretends to pitch and run the bases... Quirky McQurikyson. And we love it.

The game barely made the time limit for fireworks but it happened! Two very excited boys stayed up until 12 and were still smiling.

FIVE YEARS. Best.

We love "Uncle Zach and Aunt Zach."

Proud dad moment. He jumped at the chance.

Thanks for all your hard work and dedication Jaff and Zeebs. I'm certain we couldn't have done it without you. Glad you could check the field off of your bucket lists.