iPhone Friday

It's been a long time, OK, a really long time, since I did an iPhone Friday post, so I'm going to share a few favorites from the past few weeks.

So sweet

 Love the belly!

 His head is as big as hers!

We had a sweet neighbor next door.  She was a single woman, and several weeks ago she passed away unexpectedly.  We really liked Polly and have missed her.  When we got back from our trip north there was a package in our mailbox.  The return address was out of state, but it said "Neighbor Polly."  I opened it and found these sweet aprons.  Polly had asked her nephew's wife to make them when Gabriel was born.  There was a note that said how much Polly wanted the kids to have these and to be Mommy's helpers.  It was so touching and brought tears to my eyes.  What a sweet gift from a thoughtful woman.  Two of them, actually, because the nephew's wife could have very easily chosen not to send them.  I am so glad she did.

 Our boy has some silly hair days . If you think this one is good, just wait...

 Sweet, sweet brother.  I so often find him cuddling with his little brother like this. 

 Gabriel is now rolling in both directions!  He went tummy to back about a month ago, but just today went back to tummy, and Charlotte was the only one to witness it.  She started yelling, "He did it!  He rolled over!" I even questioned whether she had given him a little assistance, but she assured me she didn't, just helped him put his arm under him after he rolled so he could push up.  Hooray!  This pictures was taken a week ago, and you can see that he has clearly been working on this for a while.

 Last week we had date nights.  Charlotte and I had a Mommy-daughter date to Chipotle and Cold Stone Creamery.  Aaron and Levi had Daddy-son-fun-night at John's Incredible Pizza.  I'm OK missing out on that one.  Gabriel was with Charlotte and I, and I felt a little guilty because it wasn't just one-on-one time.  I asked Charlotte about it earlier in the afternoon, and she said, "I want him to come with us!" She was incredulous that I would think anything else.  So sweet.  And for his part, Gabe slept the whole time, so it really was a girls' night.

 Granddad and Gabriel

 

We picked up this sticker at Powell's on our trip.  I love it. It makes me happy.  I really do heart Oregon.  And it also sets our van apart from the other 400 white Honda Odyssey's in Fresno.

 

This is Jason.  Jason is Aaron's brother.  Obviously.  They like to say they have the same ears. Jay was "adopted" into the Wiens family as a college student when his mom passed away.  He had a special connection with Mark and Cindy, and we are really grateful that they took him under their wings, because we have developed a very special relationship with Jason and his wife Jill (who we also knew through her extended family and our FPU days).  Last Friday Jason and Jill had a baby girl, and she is gorgeous!

Here she is, Ruby Juanita Brooks!  See what I mean? Beautiful!

 And here is proud "uncle" Aaron

 Look at these cool sandwiches that Jamie created for Randy's birthday party last week.  The theme was game night, and this is the checkerboard.  Isn't it clever?  Hope she doesn't mind that I stole this shot.

Gabriel, Charlie, and Ruby.  Charlie is Ruby's cousin.  These kids are all about 3 1/2 months apart.  Isn't it amazing what a difference that makes?

And now you see what I mean.

And one final note: this is our 500th blog post!  That is amazing! We started this thing in Miami on New Year's Day, 2006.  Two states, three kids, and 6 years later, we apparently have had a lot to share.