Getting There

It has been a slow start for me to get into the groove of fall. So I thought I would use my cute pumpkin as inspiration! I usually love autumn and all of its festivities, I just am finding myself not quite there...yet....but getting there.

I am sipping the first cider of this season as I write this. Brian is at his back to school night. We have our Fruit Loop Tour on the calendar and our corn maize date on the calendar. So I guess all is as it should be. These are all traditions Brian and I have taken part in since we started dating in 2003. So we must continue and introduce Russell!

Just Russell

Just some pictures of Russell from this summer. He is growing into a personality all his own. It is such a joy to watch. I can't help but be a proud mama!

California Grandparents

My parents came to visit Mr. Russell a couple weeks ago. Perfect timing...I was recovering from having my gallbladder removed. It was nice to have extra help around the house. Russell was excited to see his grandparents, too. It had been 7 weeks since they saw him last. He has changed so much since then. They were excited to see his new milestones in person.

This is the other Barry in Russell's life. My dad. I thought this was such a sweet picture. My dad is already teaching Russell the ways of the world--and Russell is listening!

Russell meets Russell

The day Brian and I found out I was pregnant, the name game began. I naturally assumed I was having a girl. What on earth would I do with a boy!? I never had much experience with those around. My closest cousins were all girls. So I just figured a girl was the obvious course for the beginnings for our family. Well, turns out we were having a boy. Brian immediately wanted to name him Russell Barry. Russell to honor his grandfather and Barry to honor both of our dads.

Great grandpa Russell was down visiting from Alaska last week and the two met face to face for the first time. What a joy to see.

(Brian wrote a very sweet letter to his grandpa Russell explaining all the reasons why he wanted to name his son after him. It is in Russell's baby book. I didn't think Brian would like it too much if I posted it on the blog, sorry. It's a rather large tear jerker anyhow!)

Grandmas

Russell was visited this Summer by a few women. Most notably his many Grandmothers. Below are his Great-Great Grandmother Carrie, Great Grandmother Marilyn and Grandma Vicki. He naturally charmed them all! He is learning quickly! Smart boy.

This weekend he will meet his Great-Great Grandpa Russell (his namesake) and Great-Great Grandmother Freda. Pictures to follow.

Moms and babies

Well this picture didn't turn out as we had all hoped, but it was fun trying. We are at my sister's house celebrating her son's 1st birthday. All these boys were born within the past year. Our extended family gatherings just multiplied really quickly! Looking forward to watching these cousins grow up together.

From left to right is Erin (my Dad's side) and baby Cash, Jenn (my sister) and 1 year old JP, myself with Russell , and LauraJane (my cousin who surprised me at my Oregon baby shower) with baby Tucker.

Cousins

When we were visiting my parents in California we also had lots of time to spend with my cousins who had boys within 3 weeks of Russell! Very exciting time in year in our family.

From left to right is baby Cash, baby Russell and baby Tucker. . Very fun. Wish we lived a bit closer so we could play more often. See you guys in October! Maybe they will all be a bit more excited about it by then???