Trailer Trash

We are bound for the great outdoors now that we have a proper recreational vehicle. Some might not call a 1988 Starcraft Meteor tent trailer a recreational vehicle but I would have to argue! Are we not using it for recreation? Does it not have wheels? Therefore it is a recreational vehicle! Doug and I have been looking for a while for something we could use for camping adventures. With two little ones sleeping in the back of the truck just doesn't cut it anymore. We are so excited to head out!



Everett has discovered a love for "wading" we took him to Lithia Park last weekend and he splashed and kicked... we had a great time. He also has discovered the camera. He found an old camera in a drawer somewhere and quickly discovered the "shoot" button. He really likes to take self portraits but unfortunatly his arms aren't long enough for any good shots.




I did a quick photo shoot with Corbin and Carson the other day... They are so adorable, it is fun to see how quickly they grow and change! Corbin has started smiling. You have to work for em but they are awfully sweet when you get em!

Slacker

OK It has been one month since I posted our last blog, that officially makes me a slacker. (Although not as slackery as SOME bloggers I know) So I have been changing diapers, wiping faces, chasing rascals and jiggling newborns... I probably could have fit in a blog or two right? I can't believe it is the middle of July! This summer is flying by! This is going to be a long one since I feel like I haven't filled anyone in on the Life of Striley lately.

Doug has participated in 2 Duathlons this summer, the Evans Valley in Rogue River and the Granite Man in Jacksonville. He placed in both. What a show off!

Granite Man

Evans Valley

We have been doing some hiking as well, on Fathers day we headed up Table Rock for Corbin's first hike. Slow but sure we schlepped up the hill, Doug, Ev, and Kelty loaded on his back and me with Baby C on my front. We later did a quick morning hike on the trails behind the Ashland Watershed. We try to go every weekend but are not very creative about where to go so if anyone has suggestions we are open!

Table Rock

Toothpick Trail, Ashland Watershed

Corbin is doing amazing! He finally decided to "wake-up" around his due date. He is an alert little fellow and a bit demanding, he really likes being held and carried. He is an observer like his brother and does not want to miss out on the action! I try and oblige him as much as possible. He is around 8lbs now and growing quickly, he finally fits into 0-3 month clothes.






Everett is growing in every way every day! He loves his baby brother and we have officially deemed his first word "baby". He is trying to say new words all the time but they all seem to come out sounding like "DUH" Ha ha ... He is working on it though. He loves to run and climb and sing and dance. He is really good at entertaining himself and pretending, I'm pretty sure he is a genius... scary, you never want a child who can outsmart you at 19 months.

Big Boy!

Pouting

On July 5th we welcomed our new cousin Carson Duane Ray. Doug's sister Angie decided to brave the baby stage again and add a third little munchkin to the brood. He is precious and I am excited for Corbin to have a cousin so close in age! They are a month and 3 days apart.

Auntie Em and Carson

Cryin Cousins

Other Striley activities have included: Children's Festival, playing with Grammi and Papa, swimming up at Auntie's house, 4th of July parade and parties, and general summer shenanigans! I think that catches me up. If not well, there is always next year!

Tuckered out after the 4th of July Parade in Ashland

dads and their boys

Picnicking with Grammi and Papa

Children's Festival!

Oh! The garden... Well just like in this blog our poor garden has been a bit neglected. The Broccoli and Cauliflower bolted, though we did get several good heads. The Peas and Carrots did not produce the amount we thought and well the Squash never did survive. BUT, we have tons of Tomatoes ripening up, our Corn is as high as an elephant's eye with lot's of ears on it and we have several Jalapeno's growing! I am not posting photo's because it is embarrassing the amount of weeds we have allowed to grow, maybe after I am motivated to clean it up a bit!

Haircut!

After Doug threatening to cut Everett's hair himself, and the mailman calling him a "she", and with little Corbin's arrival we finally decided to take Ev down for his very first haircut. He did really great, as long as the chocolate was flowing and Auntie Dana was in control of the scissors....

Bye bye soft ringlets, hello big boy!

I thought for sure...

...I would have three more weeks to clean out the dresser, set up the crib, wash the laundry, post about all the exciting things that happened in May... but WE HAD A BABY INSTEAD!!!

Corbin Joseph Striley decided to join the world three weeks early on June 2nd, 2009 at 12:50pm. He is a perfectly healthy 6lb 12oz 19 3/4 inches. I can't believe that we now have two beautiful boys, I am so honored to be mommy to new little Corbin. He is such a little bundle of joy so far . I am a little nervous about the "two kid juggle" when all settles down. I just hope I can dedicate time to both my children and get a shower in every once in a while :)

Everett is doing well so far, he has had lots of attention and love from his all his grandparents and us... he is such a special boy you can't help but want to love on him as much as possible. He is interested in Corbin for about 5 seconds and then is off in the opposite direction! I think they are going to be great pals and Ev will be teaching his little bro a lot!

Here are a few pics from the last few days:

May Summarized

Spring Thaw: Doug got a flat, but still performed amazing! Here he is chatting it up with the "Golden Girls" I think the one on the left is named Rose (ha ha)...



Memorial Day Weekend: Day up at Lake of the Woods with friends



Swimming Lessons: Now Ev loves to kick, blow bubbles, and jump in the water!



Mom and Dad only Coast Getaway: Perfect timing for a little Doug and Em time before adding to the brood!

Another Year Better

My friend,

Another year of life has passed and you have continued to get better. I hope that instead of dreading this day each year you celebrate not only that you are alive and well but you get a whole new year to enjoy this blessed life you have been given. This year you have an opportunity to stand up and conquer each new challenge. You have the benefit of new wisdom, and lessons learned to perceive the world differently than before.

Because you were born I get to see my sons grow up, I get to spend MY life with the person that I love and admire most in this world. Because you gain another year, I gain another year with my partner and best friend. Take advantage of each moment. Do not be selfish and run through this year without living. Enjoy our little boy's laugh, the things that are now growing in our yard, the experience of growing our family, cherish each moment.

I am looking forward to celebrating many, many more birthdays with you, I love you and am so glad you were born!

Garden Harvest

So tonight after Everett went to bed at 6pm (because he didn't nap and was acting like a schitzo on crack) I went into the garden and dared to "harvest" some of our veggies! I can't believe it was only one month ago that we planted everything! Vegetables grow much faster than other things... oh, like babies? Although we would probably have a LOT more people in the world if it only took a month to grow a kid, so never mind.

Anyway, tonight I went for it. I ripped leaves off our butter lettuce (anyone need lettuce? We have a TON!) and "thinned" the radishes. This weekend we are finally going to plant the rest of our starts, yipee! Hopefully in another month we'll have tomatoes, peppers, and squash to look forward to!

Here are some pics of the progress of the Striley family garden and our harvest. If you want to compare you can go here and see when we started.

Cauliflower

Corn

Radishes and Walla Walla Sweet Onion

Lettuce

The Harvest