The last of the summer days

Well the weather has really taken a change, but luckily Melanie took some pictures of the kids while it was still sunny and warm out :) We are so lucky to have Mels around. Not only is she a wonderful sister and auntie, but she is always willing and excited to take pictures of the family whenever we need her to! She's such a talented photographer and I'm so grateful to have her capture the memories of my children that otherwise may have just gone by the way side. I hope you enjoy her work and our kiddos as much as we do!

Below are just A FEW of my favorites...


Hailey loves giving her brother kisses!!


Relaxin in the summer sun


Something smells funny!


Life is good :)


When Jake's awake, he's all smiles


There just aren't words to describe this one.

Jake's Two Month Check-Up

It completely amazes me how different Hailey and Jake are in size. I took Jake in for his two month check-up yesterday and the doctor said he looks great, which is always good news! But to me Jake is H-U-G-E! He weighed in yesterday at 14lbs. 10oz. (90%) and was 24 1/2 inches (90%) in length with a head circumference of 15.5 inches (25%). What this means is that Jake is only 3 1/2 pounds and 4 1/2 inches behind Hailey and is pretty much wearing 3-6 month and 6month clothes! Absolutely amazing.... I'm at a loss for words.

Melanie took some pictures of the kids the other day. When I get a CD of them I will post some new pictures!

The Ocean

Last weekend, Jonathan, the kids and I went down to Oregon to visit my family. We only got to spend an afternoon and evening with Grandpa & Nona and some other family, but were able to spend a couple of days with Auntie Anna at the beach house! It was really nice to get to see everybody! We miss you all very much!

This was Hailey's second trip and Jake's first trip to the ocean. Hailey had a blast at the beach. She loved the ocean and kept pulling Jonathan and I further into the water with her! Jake just kinda hung out with us on the shore, but looked as though he was enjoying himself. Best of all, the weather was amazing. It was about 75-80 degrees and beautiful.

I love my sister!

Daddy & Hailey playing in the ocean!

Building a sand castle

Little Jacob was so good!

Grandpa K and the kids :) This visit was way overdue.

Jonathan's showing Anna how to practice safe driving ;)

Growing Up!

Jake is only 6 weeks but looks like Hailey did at three or four months! It's amazing how each child is so different from the next. Not only has he grown physically, but he is starting to get a little personality! He's smiling a lot more lately and starting to stay awake for longer periods throughout the day. I can't wait to see what life is going to be like in a few months... It's so much fun watching them grow!

Meanwhile, Hailey has been working on her potty skills! She loves going on the potty like a big girl, we just have to work on her getting distracted and forgetting she needs to go :) But today she would stop playing and tell me she needed to go so I think we're making progress! Life is good.

July...

We have had such a busy month that I thought I would do one big post of all the exciting things we've been doing! Enjoy!

A visit to GG and Great Grandpa Ando's House :)

THE POOL! It has definitely come in handy during this hot weather!!

This is our make-shift slip n' slide... A little redneck, but we love it!

Our 3rd wedding anniversary was this week! We went to Ocean Shores and had a blast!

Little Jacob all snuggled up! This is his favorite place to be, in someone's arms.

This is Hailey's new "I'm excited" face... she's so silly!

Jake's first bath.

More fun in the water... Hailey is definitely a water baby!

A visit to the station to see Daddy! (We took pics of Hailey in Jonathan's helmet last year)

One of Hailey's favorite things to do is brush her teeth!

Gardening with Daddy!

Jonathan's new hobby has been making our deck garden. He really enjoys being outdoors and loves the thought of growing his own produce! The other day we got some new pots and he went and picked up some seeds, fertilizer and soil and with the help of miss Hailey successfully planted carrots, lettuce, basil, soy beans, cucumbers and hot peppers.... it should be fun to see how everything turns out. We also have a couple tomato plants and a thorneless blackberry bush, YUM!

(This was a picture of me and Hailey on the fourth of July,

I just liked it so much I had to put it up!)

GO MARINERS!!

Jake, napping on the train.

Slater being a little ham :)

Domenic and Slater with homemade bull-horns!

(Don't worry, the bottles are empty and the bottoms are cut out)

Three generations of goofiness!

Domenic pretending to be shy

Jason and Kate!

Mike, Slater, Domenic and Mark

(The boys were so excited to ride the train!)

This last Sunday we went to took Jake to his first Mariners game. Unfortunately we couldn't bring Hailey because she's so mobile now she wouldn't have been able to sit still. Instead she had a fun filled day with Grandma Mimi and Auntie Katie. We took the Sounder train up to Seattle and had a blast at the game! If you ever go to a Mariners or Seahawks game the train is the only way to go! It was only $9.50 per person round trip and they pretty much drop you off right there at Qwest Field... we had a little walk to Safeco but it wasn't bad at all. We had a four year old with us and he didn't have any problme making it! The Mariners were playing the Texas Rangers and kicked butt!!!

A whole new world

Having two kids has been the biggest blessing I have ever received, but it has also been the most challenging thing I have ever had to go through. At first everything is exciting, new and you feel as though you can be super mom... two and a half weeks later the dilerium, sleepless nights, napless days, and piles and piles of laundry and dishes start to catch up to you. Not to mention that instead of having one child to worry about getting hurt, fed and changed/pottied, you now have two (three if you count my husband, lol). My how the days fly by! Unfortunately I had to miss my family reunion in Oregon and another relative's wedding because I just couldn't bring myself to take both the kids on an all day outing by myself. I feel terrible that I wasn't able to make it but know in my heart it's what's best for me and the kids...

Aside from the frustration, being sleepy and never feeling caught up I am having a great time watching my children grow, explore and develop into wonderful people! I love being a mommy and wouldn't change it for anything. I never knew how much my children would change my life and each day they never cease to amaze me. They make me smile and feel such joy and happiness that I feel like I can do anything. Their smiles light up a room and no matter how bad my day is going, one look from them and all my problems seem to disappear.

To be honest, it really helps to have a great support system around me. I don't know how I would have made it these last couple of weeks without Jonathan. No matter how cranky I get, or how much I let my emotions get away from me he remains supportive, loving, forgiving and helpful. I love him! Not to mention the never ending support from friends and family. Our parents and siblings and friends have been nothing short of amazing and willing to help us as much as we need it! Thanks to everybody.

Jake's Two Week Check-Up

We took Jake into the doctor yesterday for his two week check up, thinkin that he had gained a little bit of weight but had no idea he was growing as fast as he is! Last Saturday (the 27th of June)Jake weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 20 inches. Yesterday his measurements were:

Weight: 8lbs. 10oz. (60th percentile)
Height: 20 3/4 inches (50th percentile)
Head Circumference: 13 3/4 (15th percentile)

Before we know it, he's going to be as big as Hailey!!!

Meet Mr. Jacob Tinsley!

On Weds, June 24th Jonathan, Hailey and I welcomed Jacob Guy Tinsley to our family! He weighed 7lbs. 12oz. and was 20 inches long. We're at home now and doing well! Jake is the perfect addition to our family and we're so happy and blessed to have him.

The newest addition to our family!

This is a little delayed, but Katie had her baby Miss Lanajah June Reed on June 3rd at 5:17am. She weighed 8lbs 5oz and was 20 inches long :) Both Katie and Lanajah are doing well and settling in great! We are so excited to watch Lanajah grow :)

Fun with Daddy's Hat

Hailey loves to play with Jonathan's hat, and today she was having an especially good time with it.