Seasons of Love: New foods...Seattle...SG's 6 month pics...pumpkins...

So long sweet SUMMER...Hello FALL 2009!

Take a peek at how good God is - we are all exploring God's beautiful world through the innocent eyes of Miss Sarah Grace. She continues to "wow" us everyday. She is loving trying new-to-her foods...she hasn't turned her nose up at any food yet! We are trying to make most of her baby food at home...it is a bit time consuming but we like the challenge. She has become quite the little funny girl...she's always making funny noises and silly faces. Sarah Grace is sitting up all by herself (and she loves it!). We went to check on her during one of her naps and she was sound asleep...but sitting up sleeping...it was too cute! She is learning how to move around by "creeping" or "scooting" - we're sure she will be crawling before we know it! Time is flying by...Halloween is almost here and before we know it, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas! Share in our joy as we are exploring...tasting new foods, singing songs, meeting new people, riding in a stroller and an airplane, smelling the fresh Pacific Coast air, seeing God's grace, reading books, hearing kids laugh, and exploring new life!

Sarah Grace riding in her stroller...no need for the car seat adapter...she can ride in it sitting up! Dare we say "big girl" ?!?

At the Yacht Club with The Spencers...officially the end of summertime...Labor Day Weekend.

SG's first time eating SQUASH 9-13-09 after her Baptism

First time drinking from a "sippy cup" 9-14-09 @ 5 1/2 months old

SG's first time eating APPLES 9-16-09

SG's first time eating CARROTS 9-18-09

Daisy loves carrots and we think she was asking Sarah Grace to share.

Kempton and SG 9-20-09 ~ We were invited to help celebrate Kempton's dog, Narley's birthday!

Daisy playing with the dogs at Narley's b-day party!

Sarah Grace and Daisy giving the birthday boy, Narley, some kisses!

SG's first time eating PEARS 9-23-09

9-24-09 Jack's Jeep...SOLD! New-to-Jack car coming soon...

Sarah Grace's gross motor skills are really taking off! She's "scooting" - almost crawling...and we think she was asking the "bug" and Daisy for tips on how to move!

Hillary, Sarah Grace, and Holly 9-25-09 ~ We enjoyed a great night of fellowship...and yummy taco salad and brownies!

SG's first time eating BANANAS 9-26-09

9-26-09 Visiting Dr. Daddy at the hospital

Lacey's Baby Shower 9-27-09 Big Sis/Lil Sis

Playing with Silly Aunt Carrie 9-30-09

Sarah Grace celebrated her 1/2 birthday...6 months...on September 30, 2009. She had a taste of a cupcake and had lots of fun rolling around on the floor, laughing, and eating her favorite foods! SG went a little later for her 6 month checkup (since we were in Seattle) on 10-14-09 and we got another great report! The pediatrician says she is developing well and seems vivacious and very alert! She met all her 6 month "milestones" and is moving full steam ahead! We are so blessed to have a beautiful, happy, healthy baby girl who is loved so much!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above" ~ James 1:17

SG's first time eating SWEET POTATOES 10-3-09

And we're off...to Seattle, Washington to visit The McVay Family; Derek, Tiffany, and Shepherd! They are some friends of ours from VCOM (Blacksburg, VA) and they graciously offered to have us stay with them while in we were in Seattle! We had a "better than expected" plane ride with a 6 month old..."unheard of" Seattle weather...yummy food...wonderful fellowship...and memories to last a lifetime! Adjusting to the 3 hour time difference from the East Coast was no problem for our little traveler...I think we (the adults) had a harder time getting used to the change. I've included the link to the McVay's blog if you'd like to see some more pictures/stories. http://themcvays.xanga.com/714814150/the-coiners-visit-to-seattle/

These are some memories from our trip to the Pacific Northwest ~ October 4 - October 9, 2009.

October 4th was mainly a travel day...Tiffany and Shepherd picked us up at the airport and we drove to their house and had dinner...visited...made a plan...then hit the hay!

October 5th - Seattle, WA

First family photo in Seattle, WA 10-5-09

The ORIGINAL Starbucks

Jack stood in line for Starbucks...and I got hot chocolate! It doesn't matter what's in the cup...it's that I got a cup! :)

Beautiful flowers at the Market...only $5 or $10!

Nothing significant to Seattle...just the biggest TUB of Nutella (Jack's weakness!) we'd ever seen!

10-5-09 Lunch @ Anthony's @ Pier 66

Walking around Seattle...it is a neat city!

Christi, Sarah Grace, and Jack

The day ended with getting fresh tuna and salmon at fish market to make sushi. We went home after a quick stop at REI (huge!) then made our own sushi. The fish was wonderful!

October 6th - Gig Harbor

We drove to visit this special harbor. It was a beautiful day. We did lots of walking and browsing around...we had lunch a a cute little place called "Susanne's Bakery & Deli" - we enjoyed great food with a gorgeous harbor view! Everyone was so welcoming and friendly!

Tiffany, SG, and Christi - Gig Harbor

The Coiner Family - Gig Harbor

October 7th - Alki Beach, West Seattle, Space Needle, Art Museum/Downtown Seattle (round 2)

The day began with a "brunch" at "Louisa's Cafe & Bakery" then we drove by the houseboats ("Sleepless in Seattle) - then a drive down the causeway at Alki Beach...

West Seattle (skyline view)

A perfect fall day...

Seattle Space Needle

One of our favorites...

Pike Place Market - so many creative and interesting things to look at.

While we were busy exploring Seattle (the mommies and kids went back to Pike Place Market and Jack went to the Art Museum)...Tiffany's car was getting towed...well almost. We rounded the corner and this is what we saw! Luckily, the towman let us have the car back...for a fee...but at least we didn't have to take a cab (with two kids - no carseats) to hunt for her car in some impound lot. "To God be the glory - great things He has done!"

Back safely at home where Shepherd gives SG kisses. He was so cute...always asking "where's baby?"

Doctor Daddies feeding their babies (Jack/SG & Derek/Shepherd)

Sarah Grace's first soccer ball kick 10-7-09

October 8th - Mt. Rainier (picnic lunch)

Jack looking at God's creation

Jack on top of the world (almost!)

Hiking on Mt. Rainier

Our little traveler

Love this little one!

That's Mt. Rainier behind us...simply amazing!

Kissing Coiners on the way back down...

Wonderful hike!

Reflection Lake - Mt. Rainier. Tiffany took this picture when the mountain didn't have a cloud on it. Awesome!

Back home again from a busy day! The kids (and adults) did really well! Two great examples of Babywise children! =)

Sarah Grace's 6 month Photo Shoot ~ Thanks to Tiffany for taking these great shots!

http://themcvays.xanga.com/714814619/sarah-graces-photo-shoot/

October 9th - Travel day back home...we got so much accomplished...an early breakfast with the McVay Family...good-byes...good plane trip back to NC...readjusting to east coast time...wonderful trip with wonderful friends in a wonderful part of our country!

PUMPKIN PATCH - Greenville, NC

October 11, 2009

Our family took a little outing to a local pumpkin patch and had a great time being together as a family and ringing in FALL!