In the genes...

I really really tried to push the paci this time around, but I still seemed to have failed. I guess it's in the genes as they look eerily similar here.

Abi- age 3 months

Kaity- age 3 months

My First's First..

Yesterday we got the long awaited call that Dean finally had a spot in the Kindergarten at CMCA. We hurriedly went shopping last night for uniforms and supplies and dropped him off at 12:00 today for his first day (he's in afternoon K). He was so excited and though wasn't sure of all the routines and procedures was happy to jump right in and figure it out. I am so proud of how much he's grown and how bold he is. I'm excited to see all that he learns and how he grows this school year. Also, a big "shout out" to CMCA's staff for making this transition so easy on both student and parent. One of the big reasons we chose this school was for how welcome they make parents feel. I truly felt that they are partnering with Kyle and I in training and teaching our son! Yeah!

First day of school in his uniform.

Showing off the spiderman backpack that he picked out.

So ready to go!

Did you get a good picture of my backpack? :)

Mama (and Kaity) in the Kindergarten hallway. Kyle felt the need to take a picture of me. :)

Dean sitting in his class line listening to stories and songs while awaiting school to start.

Family Camping

Two weekends ago we ventured out on our first family camping trip. All things considered it went pretty well. The boys took to the woods like fish to water so I see many father/son trips in their future. The girls weren't so amused by the cold and we were constantly having to layer them. I got sick during the trip, so much of the weekend is a blur to me. My SIL Emily came along and was a huge help to Kyle with the kids, as I pretty much just focused on K and slept. Considering though that we didn't get rained out, no one else got sick or injured, and they all want to do it again; I would say that it was a successful trip!

Me loving on a friend's little girl.

Kyle preparing to roast marshmallows while Emily holds a bundled K.

Miss A checking things out.

My handsome and very capable husband. I did very little on this trip.

Emily carried K in the Beco for our little day hike. I love having a "nanny"!

It was an improved campground, so the kids brought their bikes to ride.

D playing ladder golf.

Campfire singalong.

Mama and J on the hiking trail.

Having a snack on the bridge.

Kyle doing his best "Sherlock Holmes" impersonation

The kids up early for breakfast.

The many faces of Kaitlyn..

Our little 2 month old!

She rarely holds still while awake.

First smile captured on camera.

Final game

The baseball season is over and already D and Daddy are planning for next year. It's amazing to see how much Dean has grown in skills, confidence, social skills, etc in the past year. I love what sports can do for kids!

Saying the YMCA pledge before the game.

Hanging out on first!

Chatting up the second baseman.

Coming home!

Our good looking ball player.

Daddy helping in the outfield.

Awards ceremony with Coach Rick.

Medal time!

Showing off his new medal.

Can you see it Dad?

Book Review

I just finished reading Havah by Tosca Lee and was profoundly moved by it. It is a fictional telling of the life of Eve. Tosca uses her imagination to challenge many western assumptions about the garden and life after the garden. It is well written and quite gripping. I was a little bit taken aback at the occasional crudeness or graphic-ness of the book. It's not gratuitous, but instead gives you a raw feeling of the time and place of everything. Some of the ideas that stood out to me were:
- just how much was really lost in the fall from perfection. We take so much for granted because the fallen nature is all we know. What loss to know perfection in relation to creation, spouse, and God and then lose it.
- when God gives Eve the promise of a seed to destroy Satan, we are able to draw the line to Christ; she wouldn't have and so might have assumed her first born son would be the one. What disappointment to come to the end of her life and not see redemption.
-we have so much more understanding of God and His plans because of His word. They most likely had nothing and were grasping to figure out how to live and serve him as imperfect beings.

I highly recommend this book and believe it will give you much food for thought!

Too big

Why is it that the last baby seems to grow so much faster then the others did? K turns 7 weeks this week and no longer looks like the little newborn we brought home. Sigh! Must cherish every day!


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