29.

Today my husband celebrates his 29th year on the planet. We were spoiled today beacause not only was it Matt's birthday, but he also got 1/2 the day off at work, I made him hamburgers for lunch, and Papa Dan took us to Outback for dinner! I made an attempt to take a photo of the momentous occasion, and here's what we were left with:
...sometimes even the most photogenic kids have an off day. Today was ours.

Lilly & Judah's Much-Anticipated Photo Shoot

Last week, we FINALLY went to the park to shoot Lilly's 3-year and Judah's 1-year photos! It was miserably hot & humid, so we got in and out really quickly. I would've like more time to shoot, but we were melting and the kids' patience was running low, so here's what we ended up with:

The smiley ones... The silly ones...

The contemplative ones...The affectionate ones...Jude & the bubbles...

Lilly in a fairy tale (note the tutu...tres chic!)...
And the one where they were fighting but it looks like they love each other...

A Blog from the desk of Lilly Podjan

I love you. Happy Father's Day. Finger. Arm and a elbow. Put that fan on my ceiling. Cow now. Papa Dan. Me. Lilly. And...Logan. Baby Luke...where's baby Luke and Annie? Andrew, uh, Papa. Bumma. And...computer. Phone. Picture. Cup. Uh...letter for you. The end.

Thanks, Nic.

One of the best parts of our Sunday dinners with the fam is when Nic entertains us with all the viral videos he's encountered throughout the week. This latest gem just might be the greatest one EVER. Literally.

(I know Nic already blogged about it, but it's worth a second viewing anyway!)

A big day for Judah...

A couple nights ago, Judah fell in the tub and knocked his upper gums pretty hard...lots of blood...and a BIG blood-blister-welt-thing where his top tooth was coming in. We have been praying that the knock to his mouth wouldn't harm his teeth, and I think we're good! This morning, tooth #3 popped in! #'s 4, 5 & 6 are sure to make an appearance soon, too! AND...Judah stood up all on his own for the first time today. What a big boy! Okay, maybe he doesn't have the best posture yet, but we're working on it!

My Friend ROCKS!

Just a little shout out to Rachel (& Lucas) who came over yesterday and played with Lilly & Jude while I had a photo session. Thanks, Rach!

For Ashley...

Watch this video...You won't be disappointed!

L.U.K.E.

So, Ann said I could tell everyone...A&A are naming their little boy Luke Alan Burkey. It feels good for the little guy to have a name! I have a feeling I will be calling him Lukey...and Ann will hate it! Click HERE for his 1st pictures!

It's a bittersweet week...

1st the bitter: Sam leaves for his 2nd overseas deployment (this time to Iraq) tomorrow. It's rough not being able to say goodbye in person, or to see him off when he leaves with his company. I wish I could be there, but I am SO THANKFUL that he'll have internet access on his personal computer this deployment rather than having to share with the whole base. It makes things a little more bearable knowing we can write to him, or see him on Skype more frequently.

And now for the sweet: Shannon & Gavin (and Cody) are moving back here for the year! It will be so great to have her so close...no more lengthy phone calls where we describe the mundane details of our life to one another...now we can experience them TOGETHER! I love Shan and am happy that she'll be back in the 'Bend (and in her own apartment this time, rather than one tiny bedroom at Mom & Dad's!).

I have been crazy busy this week, and hope to have some photoworthy experiences coming up, so no photos today, but I promise I'll update soon. Oh yeah, Ann & Andrew will find out if they're having a boy or a girl in about an hour, so that will be a fun update! Later, peeps!