Our Big Boy

In Samuel's last few weeks before his second birthday he really started to talk up a storm. It has been so neat to really know what he's been saying and to hear him try and pronounce words. He is becoming quite a big boy!

Here he is mastering eating a soft taco without the ingredients falling out.

Here he is after he took some licks from Gamba's water bowl! We'll ask him if he wants some water and he'll say no, but them immediately go over and drink some from Gamba's bowl. Strange kid.

Playing with Joseph's swing. He crawled in himself and started it up. I think he misses being an infant sometimes.


And here he is helping me make our pizzas one Friday evening. He is seriously getting so good at cooking and baking. He enjoys it so much.

He laid all of the pepperoni out himself. He did such a good job getting it so even. I didn't even think a 2 year old would be able to understand such a concept. I'm just amazed at how smart kids are.

And of course, now here he is in Joseph's exersaucer. He truly missed this thing. He will just get in there and play away.

After a very messy baking session.

Sam being Sam!

I am so in love! Thank the Lord we're not experiencing the terrible twos with him! This has been our absolute favorite age yet! Cannot wait to see what the next year holds.

Joe Laughing

Joseph kicked off our life here in Charlottesville by starting to laugh. It simply melts our hearts. Forgive Gamba panting like a hot dog right in the microphone!

Sunday Drive

Our first Sunday here we headed off to try out the church we had been so excited to attend. We had found it on the internet while we were still in Indiana well before we got here. It was wonderful. We have been there every Sunday since we've been here and are certain it is where God would have us serve. You can check it out at: evergreenchurch.com. It's a very small church plant with awesome potential. It's unlike any church we've been members at before, but it is definitely our new home. We are so thrilled that this was not a difficult endeavor. It can be such a long drawn out process sometimes, but this was literally enjoyable. God has in so many ways shown to us that he is taking care of our every needs!

After church we decided to take a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a very popular scenic route. It was gorgeous! The boys napped in the car the entire time and we were able to take in all that the mountains had to offer.

GranRan

Sweet Samuel has so many peoples' names to remember, but he's doing the best he can. He has come up with an adorable name for Randy, Andy's stepdad, who we have already named, GranRan. Samuel calls him "Rein." It seems like as hard as we try for him to say their names, he'll have the last word on who all these people will be called! Should be interesting.

Our Backyard

I don't even know where to begin trying to cover the last month or so since we've been here. I will do my best to work from oldest to newest.

This is the weekend after we moved in. Randy (Andy's stepdad) brought this swing for us from their house and put it up for us. There was a swing already there, but it wasn't as nice. It has been wonderful. Samuel rides his tricycle on the patio while Joseph and I swing away.

The fence is in the left side of our yard. It's a great place for Gamba to run around. But since Andy has been very diligent to take Gamba out for a run or a walk every day, Gamba has little desire to even go in the fenced in yard. Oh well, it's definitely there when we need it!

The box in the back of the yard is now all decked out in sand and Samuel is loving life having a sand box in his back yard. There's a stream just beyond the box that Andy and Samuel like to go exploring in.