Father's Day at the beach

The original Poppi, first grandchild and effervescent DAD.
Future Karch Kiraly?
Benz Bunch descends on California for the weekend. So awesome to have them on our "turf"
surf lessons with Dad and Uncle Jer

Awe, Nana B time
Juls and Stu... look out , Julia, you might get TAN!! AAAAAK
Both Poppis hangin in the trailer.... baby a little disoriented upon waking from nap to find these guys muckin it up.
Stef and Jordan... down from Hermosa for the day..
Benz girls, minus one.. we miss you, Kate.. and Joe, you too...

Hooray for the beautiful bride

Stefanie, her adorable handmade "birdcage veil", gorgeous dress by Vera Wang and her chauffer.

more gorgeous pictures from S&J's wedding in Sunriver to come... but this one keeps me smiling... it's all grainy and Kate is missing (because she is behind the lens).. We are tossing these cute little yarn poof balls (handmade by Stef/ Julie and the craft crew) that Jadyn threw in lieu of flower pedals.. it started off as demo'ing "how to throw them up in the air when walking down the aisle.". ended as a funny foto-opp and lots of laughs in the "prep room" at the church... ps. How cute is Nana B?

Parcel Packin Poppy

Took the 'rents to enjoy the gorgeous San Diego weather and burn off some of the 900lbs of homemade sweets that my mom brought with a hike at Torrey Pines


faaast asleep against the warm, cuddly Oregon State polar fleece



the beard is back

Happy Mothers Day treat!

So awesome to see Nana B and Big Poppy this past weekend. I miss them so much it hurts. Obvi, Jadyn and Campbell are in love, too.

Paddington Bear

Campbell's Fan Club

The Benz Bunch descended on the Bluffs this week, (we miss you, Kate) and we are so sad to see Nana B go home. When do we get our private jet to make Portland-San Diego travel easier? I have been bawling for 12 hours (hormonal, much?) seeing my mom leave. She has been making us the best breakfasts, filled our fridge with dinners for the week, cleaned our house, took care of the kids and just made me feel like I was being taken care of, even in the midst of sort of feeling like I'm falling apart. I guess it's sleep deprivation and the non-stop worry that I'm doing this wrong or that the baby isn't eating enough, sleeping too much, not sleeping enough, is turning yellow, isn't growing, is lethargic... aaaak.. what does the "Baby Whisperer" say? what do all my mom-friends say? Everyone has their two cents and I want to know.. I should just turn this computer off and try to nap, instead, I'm online searching for "feeding help" and reading OPBs about nursing and sleeping and schedules... I am going a little nuts, but know I need to take a deep breath and realize we'll figure it out. It has only been one week since we got home and we are just getting all of the kinks worked out and healing, growing and learning here.

Nice custom tees. :)



Uncle Joe.. can't wait for Campbell to be a Beaver fan... might have to wait till football season is over??




NanaB's Crew

Tribute to World's Greatest MOM

To the woman who has given 1000% to me from the day I was born (and before, I'm sure), and looked beautiful doing everything under the sun... the work and efforts of 10 moms put together, our mom really defines Supermom.... from baking cakes and sugar cookies for every person we know (surprised the telemarketers don't get gift boxes sent to them, because you know the mail man, UPS delivery guy, any city worker who happens to be working on power lines near our house get fresh baked goods and cold drinks) and even Baby Jesus would get one on his birthday... to filling the school tennis team van with treats, to packing school lunches that we probably could have gotten good money for on the black market, to teaching us the Golden Rule. From showing us how to be good hostesses and good guests to demonstrating and insisting on always being friendly and showing us what it takes to make good friends...She is the best pen pal and the best listener...the most generous heart and the most tireless soul. Thank you, Mom, for showing me what it means to be a good mother. I hope that I can be even a PORTION of the mom you have been to us... and I hope I can look as good pushing around a little umbrella stroller. I love you.