The Wedding!

Our dear friends (and Jonah's godparents) were married this weekend in a lovely ceremony on the beach in Arch Cape, Oregon. Everything about the day was perfect.

The setting.

The first dance.

The best couple you'll find anywhere (with the best kid around).

More pictures can be found here: AN OREGON WEDDING.

Oregon Coast

Jonah loves avacado!

Opening the shutters to welcome a new day.

So smart - already using a calculater!!

Everyday looking more like a boy and less like a baby.

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Last weekend we had to make a trip to urgent care because Jonah was bitten by some sort of mean insect and he did not take kindly to it. His hand became very swollen and he started running a fever. The fever we thought was the result of some sort of spider bite but turned out to be the start of an ugly cold. Which came with an ugly rash:

Jonah seems to be feeling much better this weekend. Kevin and I got some major yard work done. We still have a lot to do but it feels good to have started the major ripping down and rebuilding of our front and backyards. It may take a year or two to really get things looking nice but it looks so different already. My major accomplishment today was to rip out some of the ugly vines on the backporch terrace and plant my grandfather's bougainvillea there.

Jonah loves playing in this cabinet.

He goes to bed now cuddled up to a toy car and his favorite book.

Making a mess this big is hard work.

Chasing ducks at the park.

1st haircut

I guess it was getting a little long, but I just love those curls!

Now he looks like a real little boy. There's hardly a trace left of baby. Kevin and I can't get over how different he looks, how OLD he looks. I know they grow up fast but this is just ridiculous.

Tons of new pictures can be found here: JONAH TURNS ONE.

Jonah's birthday cake - Curious George! Didn't my mom and grandmom do a great job!?

Jonah's Birthday Party

There were lots of kids there. Fourteen under 5!

With Grandma and Grandpa Hove.

Jonah had some very good helpers with his presents.

He loved his birthday cake.

One year from today I met Jonah face to face for the first time. He is the most remarkable, unpredictable, joyful person I know.

We are having his big first birthday party this weekend. If you are in Arizona, we'd love to see you. If you can't make it because we moved to the stupid desert, think of us (and we'll think of you) as we celebrate our amazing little boy!

Everything I want to talk about, all I can think about, are things I am not allowed to say on the internet. I will just say that I am a little overwhelmed at work. This week took an unexpected turn and now I have more responsibility than I anticipated. But, look! Look at that cute baby! How could anyone be stressed with that little troublemaker toddling around?

Boards are over and done with and the news is good. Now I can finally relax in the evenings! We celebrated with a big family breakfast this morning, Kevin's parents, siblings, and our nieces and nephew. Then we had a more personal celebration with just the three of us going to the mall to buy a few work clothes. It has been a good day. Tonight we'll barbecue with some of Kevin's friends and then off to bed to rest up for my second week of work.

Two days in and so far so good. I think I chose the right profession, I even think I chose the right job. The only thing I'm having trouble with (besides enormous test anxiety for Saturday) is being away from Kevin and Jonah for such long stretches of time. I leave just after seven and get home between six and seven, then Jonah goes to bed at eight and I have to study until I go to bed. I know things will get a little easier after I take boards (assuming that I pass boards, which... I really hope I pass.)

I need to get to bed. Big day tomorrow. Again.

I start work tomorrow and take boards in less than a week. To get my mind off my anxiety, I posted some pictures.

Jonah loves to strum this guitar. He's getting pretty good. He may or may not be a musical genius (we think he probably is, though).

With all the cousins today at Grandma and Grandpa Hove's house.

He loved watching the big kids splash around!

On the way back home, exhausted from playing (also probably tired from being up last night from 1am-4am screaming and kicking me in the stomach. But he sure is sweet when he sleeps, isn't he?)

Pool Day

After living here for about three weeks, we finally got around to seeing the neighborhood pool.

He's wondering why we haven't left yet. Can't we see he's ready?

Don't forget the sunscreen!

Loving the water. I have about six million pictures like this but Picasa only lets you post four at a time.

Sure, I probably should have been studying, but it was a really good day (and the break probably did me good).