July-August

July started out with a trip to the coast. We first stopped by Tillamook- touring the cheese factory has been on our to-do list since we've lived here. Collin enjoyed watching the cheese being packaged, and we all enjoyed the samples and the ice cream!

Handsome farmer and cow.

We then headed to the nearby beach. It was windy as always, but the twins enjoyed being outside and Collin had a blast playing in the water a little bit. Rob took him out to get his feet in the water, and he loved being chased by the waves and jumping over them!

(E, T)

We then headed up the coast to Seaside. It actually worked out great to have a little scenic drive while all the boys napped. We really like Seaside. Probably the main reason is the big candy store with every flavor of taffy imaginable! I remember going there as a kid. Collin loved helping us pick out taffy.

Family picture in Seaside. Trips like these require a lot of planning and preparation, but we're so glad we're figuring out how to do fun things with our three little ones. (T, E)

Digging in the sand!

Another of our favorite Portland summer activities is the Oaks Park Preschool rides program. We went with the Ottos again, and Collin was really into the rides this year- the faster the better! And of course, this huge slide was a big hit again.

He loved spinning fast on the Tilt-A-Whirl!

These boys were angels the whole time! (T, E)

The dads and the big boys

Moms and babies

On the 4th of July, we went to our stake breakfast in the morning. At night time, Rob took Collin to a friend's house to watch fireworks. We figured Truman and Elliott sleeping at night was more important than for all of us to go out late at night to watch fireworks, so I'm glad that Collin and Rob were at least able to watch them!

Collin and Elliott

Brothers (T,C,E)

And a few pictures of fun times at the park!

Swinging babies! Tru on the left

Another creation from Build and Grow

We've discovered the cuteness of putting both babies in these little double sided baby swings. (E,T) 

Collin mastered these wobbly things.

One of my favorite moments of each day is when the babies wake up from their nap and I go to get them. (T,E) They have the biggest smiles and bounce up and down with their knees, so happy to see me. I love how they get close to each other and seem to entertain each other! Their cribs each have chips in the paint on the connecting edges from where they chew on them while looking into the other's crib. I just can't get enough of these adorable happy boys!

Another double swinging moment. (T,E)

Handsome big bro on his bike

Rob's mom and grandma came to visit! We got to take a 4 generation picture with them. (T,E)

Reading time (T, E) Tru and Elliott definitely look more identical when they have the same expression!

Truman and Elliott got their first haircuts! I was hesitant to cut their hair, even though it was reaching their eyes in the front, because I knew it would change their appearance so much and make them look older! I was right. It was amazing how different they looked! Their light brown hair came off to show their little towheads underneath. It's so weird to have your babies replaced by much older looking ones, but they are obviously adorable with their haircuts!

Before. (T, E)

Elliott After

Truman After

My handsome little guys! (T, E)

Some of the cooler nights in August called for us to bring out the matching pajamas we have for all our boys. I just love it! Collin loves matching his brothers too- the first thing the next morning, he saw his brothers and said, "Look at mine pajamas!" He was even willing to smile for a picture with his matching brothers. The babies, however, needed a bribe of remotes in order to sit still.

(T, C, E)

 Rob celebrated his 28th birthday! He was able to take a little time off in the morning to go get hot chocolate from Starbucks, and to do a little shopping for new clothes. We had steak for dinner and I made him a pumpkin cheesecake. We also had a birthday dinner the night before at Sweet Tomatoes with the Ottos!

Cute picture of my guys!

Just eating a salad in the park. 

Truman

Elliott

Three boys on a blanket