Early July

Finally made it to a baseball game this summer. The boys felt robbed that this baseball game didn't come with an automatic hot dog. Shockingly they aren't begging to go back...


I cannot get enough of this face.

Love


The beginnings at making a picture calendar for the boys. I used hot glue to glue the velcro to the laminent and it didn't work super well, so I'll have to sew them on. This was just a tester. I'm going to be making a bigger one for school in the fall to go through their day more systematically. Any suggestions would be awesome!


Aunt Juju, movie day and pizza day all on the same day... life could not get any better for these boys!

End of June

Annabelle loves being with the big kids outside doing big kid stuff.

Was able to see our friend, Holly, while she was in the States visiting from Zambia doing some work for Special Hope Network. It's been a huge blessing to be a part of what God is doing through them in Africa for the least of these.

As soon as she sees a camera, she strikes this pose and yells 'cheeeeese.'

Daddy works so close to the Discovery Museum, so we'll go on his lunch hour so we get to go together as a family. It's a very special treat to see Daddy during the day!

Visiting a new splash area with our friends.

Camping With the Cousins

We went to Claytor Lake with two of Andy's cousins and their families.

Annabelle loved her first camping experience.

Pretending to sleep in their tent.

These boys love boats. They play with walnut shells that have been cracked open and play with them as boats. I thought it was about time to splurge and get them some boats. They were so anxious to get in the lake and test them out. Amazing how much fun a couple of dollars brings.

Daddy and his clone

All the boy cousins on our way up to some falls.








The hike back down.

We had some tired kiddos.

Lots of wrestling was had.

Lots of fireflies were caught.

Lots of food was consumed.

Lots of exploring was done.

Lots of sand was swallowed.

This trip was a reward for the boys for memorizing all 26 of their alphabet memory verses. They worked so hard and this was the perfect way to celebrate. We're currently memorizing a passage out of Colossians and they want for their reward this time to go have a sleep over at Aunt Julie's! That should be a hoot!

Yearly Check Ups

Since Annabelle and Samuel's birthdays fall fairly near each other, we combined their yearly check ups. Samuel thought that was very special. Joe felt very left out.

The fifth birthday at the doctors is big stuff. He got his ears checked, his vision tested and his blood pressure checked all for the first time.

Sam weighed 30 1/2 lbs. (3%)


Annabelle weighed 19 lbs.

Sam was 38 1/2 inches (3%)


We praise the Lord for such healthy vibrant children!

Birthday Quilt

I am in the process of making Annabelle a quilt for her 1st birthday. I finished the top, but still have to make a back and quilt it, but here is the birthday girl with the quilt in progress.

This picture also commemorates the last weekly picture of her from her first birthday. Yes, that's correct, I took (around) 52 pictures of her last year on her week birthdays, all on different pieces of fabric in her adorable little diaper cover. But, don't worry, I won't bore you all with them.

Luckily, the quilt won't be used until she's older when her side rails come off her crib. But, I still know I've got to keep the momentum going because we'll be there before I know it!

Birthday Pictures at the Park