Going Private

I've had it! These weird Chinese people keep commenting on my posts and it's freaking me out. So, I've decided to make the plunge and go private. I really don't want to, but I believe it's a necessarry evil. I'm going to make it private in a week, so please write a comment and leave me your e-mail address if you ever at all look at my blog. Don't be shy! I take it as a compliment if you ever do, and it will make me like you more :)

If you get this past Julye 28th, then you can write me an e-mail requesting an invitation at cottle.lexie@gmail.com

Playing at the park

All of the Ainge siblings were together in Portland for a couple weeks. That's right, ALL of them. That includes my little bro Landon. We were mostly all there because he was returning from his mission in Puerto Rico. But it just so happened that Briawna's family was on their way, moving from Utah to Arkansas for Ronell's new job at Walmart. And Sierra is home for summer break from college. The couple days before Lando returned, we just hung out in the sun, and in water.

Mac brought her "baby," Baxter. My favorite thing about him being there was that Portia can't pronounce his name, so she calls him Baster, which pretty much sounds like Bastard. It never got old and always put a smile on your face.

The girl with so many expressions.

The girl with the ginormous tummy. Honestly, I think she's sucking in in this picture.

So squinty in the sun. She's still getting used to it. What can I say, she's been negatively affected by our lack of sun here in Oregon this year.

How many times do we have to beg her parents to put her in modeling?

Palmer's flapping arms and hands are adorable. He was loving the water.

P.S. I apologize, but I have many more pictures, so they will be coming soon.

Neighbors

We just put our house up for sale, and I have very mixed feelings about it for many reasons. One of the reasons I am sad is because I love our little cul de sac. We have the nicest neighbors who just love Brizzy. Evan and Emma ask almost every day if Brizzy can play. And they love trying to teach her all sorts of things, and trying to lift her (even though she's getting pretty heavy). In their attempts to "help" her walk, they usually knock her down. But I think its pretty good for her because she doesn't have older siblings. She's quite independent, so she doesn't generally appreciate people helping her. She thinks she's as big as they are, and wants to do everything by herself.

Helvetia Hell

In June, I completed one of my goals for the year and I ran a half marathon. It was a big accomplishment for me because I really am not a good runner. Honestly. I have always ran a little bit, but like 2 to 3 miles. It felt great because I learned that I can push my body much harder than I used to believe I could. And it was a great excuse to train. But, it was hard! I started getting blisters about mile 5, and my knee started to kill about mile 10. It was ridiculously hot and it was hilly, but I did it. Before running, I had thought about continuing my training and doing a marathon, but about halfway through the course, I thought to myself, there is no way I am ever doing a marathon! I think a half is my limit.

Playin' in the mud

A few weeks ago, I was so sick of the stupid Oregon weather and waiting for the sun to come out, so I decided to make due and let Brizzy play outside in the clouds and mud while I worked in the yard.

Pickin' Berries

My friend Kelly was generous enough to invite me and some other people to her grandpa's farm to pick strawberries. And here's the best part, they were free! Okay, so I actually sort of invited myself. But I'm glad, because it was fun to pick berries, and now my freezer is stock full. Brizzy was pretty tired and sort of a whiner when we were there. She was shoving strawberries and dirt into her mouth most of the time. And she was an absolute mess! But apparently, doing that wipes her out; she passed out in the car immediately after. It's fun to have my little pal around to do things with, even when she is whiner :)

Coronado

This is my last post about our California trip, I swear! One of the days, we went to Coronado Beach. It wasn't as warm as I had wished, but Brizzy still loved playing in the sand and the water a little bit.

Getting her started early.

Love the chubby legs.

With aunt Mac. I love her cheeks in this hat!

Brizzy loved Baxter, Mac's dog. When they rode in the car, he would rest his head against her car seat, and she would play with his ears and talk to her.