Look who just rolled over!

Eli decided that last night at the Portland Festival Symphony would be the right time to bring out her new trick. She chose wisely; everyone was very impressed. I'm not sure that once she got herself over she was pleased with the results. Being on her tummy is not her favorite thing. This video is of her 2nd rollover because I was too slow with the Flip to catch the first one. Way to go Eli!

Great Grandpa Duncan

Meeting Great Grandpa Duncan for the first time!

This weekend we headed down to Roseburg for a whirlwind visit with family. In less than 24 hours Eli saw her Grammie Pam, Grandpa Steve, and Great Grandpa Duncan. My Grandpa Duncan will be 90 in December and he is such an inspiring person. He is still very active and always has 101 projects going on. I love to visit with him and hear all of his stories. Eli is really lucky to have such a cool great-grandfather.

BUMBO!

Before Eli was born, our friends Caroline and McLean sent us this Bumbo chair and now she can use it! Today she kicked back for about 10 minutes. She looks like such a big girl sitting up.

Just chillin'. It's tough being a baby!

After a while in the chair we laughed about how awesome summer is.

Hot Mamas!

Here is the whole posse of HOT MAMAS! We got together this last Sunday with husbands, older kids and dogs. Super fun and very entertaining. Eliana slept through most of the party; we had to wake her up for the picture.

I should explain the naked kiddo in the front. There is a wading stream in the park and the kids were running through it despite the chilly weather. Susanna, the nudist, was super happy racing around in her birthday suit. It was awesome.

You can also see Cooper (far left) in a super stylish blanket/hoodie ensemble that will be on the runways next fall!

Fun with a Mirror

Eliana and I had fun looking at each other in the mirror last night. I never thought a simple smile could make me so happy.

Reporting from Fort Stiles

The little lady is experimenting with sounds. I spend an incredible amount of time "talking" with Eliana during the day. She cracks me up. In this clip she's sharing a very important story. The story is SO touching that she gets a little emotional at the end and is unable to finish our interview.

Meet the Grandparents

We have had a busy couple of weeks! Greg's parents arrived from Maine to meet Eli for the first time. It's been so fun to see them with her and it's been a great break for us! Eileen (Greg's mom) is an expert at holding babies and rocking them to sleep.

Howard (Greg's dad), Eileen, Greg, Eli, and I went to Astoria for the day to escape the Portland heat, check out Fort Clatsop, the Astoria Column and eat some delicious fish and chips at the Bowpicker.

View from atop the column looking out over Astoria, the Megler Bridge and the mouth of the Columbia River.

The column.

Senior tour guide Howard needs a little prompting from his understudy.

About four years ago Greg's parents did an Elder Hostel tour retracing the trail of Lewis & Clark from St. Louis to the mouth of the Columbia River. The Corps of Discovery wintered in the woods near modern day Astoria at Fort Clatsop. The morning the Elder Hostel tour showed up to cap off their cross country trek Fort Clatsop was on fire and burned to the ground. No joke. Greg's parent were excited to revisit the rebuilt fort.

Here I am getting funky to a Jew's harp, a musical instrument carried by Corps of Discovery.

On Friday, my dad, Steve, came up to meet Eli. He was so excited to meet her! I loved seeing my dad turn into such a softie at the sight of his little granddaughter. My mom joined us, too. All of the grandparents were here for a delicious dinner on Friday, July 3rd.

On the 4th of July we (my mom, dad, Greg, Eli, and I) took off to visit Hood River, Bingen and White Salmon. We stopped off at Bonneville Dam to meet Herman the Sturgeon. It is a nice park and a great place to take a break on the way to Hood River. Here's a shot of me, Dad, and Eli.

Hooray for Herman!

Mom, me (with Eli hiding in the Ergo) and Dad.

We had a fantastic lunch in Bingen at the Solstice Cafe and then headed back to Hood River where we relaxed in the shade next to the Columbia. Eli and Greg had some great daddy and daughter time. The kiteboarders in Hood River were amazing! Greg and I are planning another trip out there to give it a try.

Here's the little miss - now 2 months old!

We took the scenic route home and travelled along the Historic Columbia River Highway with a stop at Multnomah Falls.

We love ice cream!

A final stop at Vista House. It is such an impressive view!

July 5th found us at home having a BBQ with about 35 friends and family. There was a lot to celebrate: Greg's parents just celebrated their 50th anniversary, Howard and I celebrated birthdays (we are birthday twins), and all the grandparents were here together.

Three generations of the Duncan/Stiles.

Pam, Sara, Eli, and Steve.

Eileen, Greg, Eli, and Howard.

Team Stiles looking good.

Here are Eli and her friend Parker at the July 5th BBQ. Parker was determined to eat Eli's hand. Funny, funny stuff! Parker and Eli tried to be birthday twins; they were born 3 days apart.