Big Bruiser

Here's Jack's newest bruise. I got to answer all sorts of questions this weekend at church about it - ah, the joys of mothering a rough, tough boy. This particular "contusion" (yes, this is how a churchgoer referred to the bump) occurred in the kitchen. Mom, Jack and Josie were having a dance party to 98.7 KLUV (oldies) and he slipped and caught the kitchen tile on his forehead. Poor little guy. He is for sure rough tough real stuff, though, for all of you Aggies, because he barely cried. He moved right on to his next activity. Here are the kids during our quick farm visit this weekend. Jack is singing "Take me out to the Ballgame.....for it's one, two, three strikes you're out at the ol' ballgame!" We love our big bruiser and sweet little sis!

First Swim of the Season

When it reached 101 degrees this week here in GP, Will and I decided it was the perfect time for the first swim of the season. So we loaded up the kids and took them to our friends house for a swim. What a difference a year makes..........Jack was all over the place, jumping into the water, going underwater by his own choice, closing his eyes and mouth while underwater. Will, former swim coach, was pleased. I even heard him say, "That makes Daddy very happy to see you swimming underwater, Jack!" I just enjoyed watching him take so much joy in splashing his sister and making his own fun. It's going to be a great summer! Any advice or tips on taking two small children to the pool (on my own) would be greatly appreciated.

True Colors

I realized today that all of the photos I post here are of the kids smiling - or at least content. For some reason I tend to leave out the photo ops that aren't so happy. Jack is in a phase right now where he wants nothing to do with posing and smiling for the camera. Maybe it will pass, but for now, modelling might be out of the question. Not even the usual gimmicks work, like "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" or "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." Nothing. Josie, on the other hand, smiles any time Will or I look her way! She is in her photogenic stage, so we snap photos any time we get the chance. We know that this too may pass.

So, I've decided to post a few photos of our "model" children, showing their true colors. I will try to guess what they are thinking in each.....

I'm never going to another wedding again!! You promised cake!

You tricked me! I thought this was a big bathtub but this ocean water is not warm at all.

Mama........why must I sit on this bench with Josie at the Arboretum when I could be running around in the grass?

Easter People

"We are Easter people living in a Good Friday world."

Easter is my favorite holiday -hands down. I love everything about it. And now that I have children, I want them to love it too. I want them to know that on Easter Sunday, Jesus Christ did exactly what He said He would do. He rose from the dead and joined His Father in Heaven. He made it possible for us to join Him someday too. I want my children to be Easter people in a world that often loses sight of the hope and promises of Christ's resurrection.
We celebrated my favorite holiday with dear friends this weekend - two Easter egg hunts, a worshipful Easter church service, lots of delicious food, and too much candy! Jack was a focused egg hunter and Josie pleased the crowds with lots of smiles and cute outfits. We pray you all had nice Easter and were able to take joy in the risen Savior. He is risen indeed!

Hey there, Josie-girl

"Hey there, Josie-girl

We're so glad you're in the family.

We think you're sweet,

We're glad we got to meet

You in '05-September."

This is one of the many songs we sing (written by Mam) to our Josie-girl. She turned 7 months today! She is so sweet and adds much joy to our family. This month saw her adding fruits and vegetables to her diet - homemade sweet potatoes are her favorite so far. She likes to babble - mah, nah, dah and blow bubbles when she is playing. She is very steady now sitting and gets exercise by doing mini-pushups. Right now as I write she is in her exersaucer, talking to her toys in her girly voice, and waving around one of the toys that she has figured out how to dislodge!

She has amazed us this month at her flexibility and contentment. The stranger anxiety is getting better but she still isn't too sure about the church nursery. She loves bathtime with Jack - splashing and reaching for toys and cuddling with Mom and Dad. She laughs out loud during story time each night especially during "Goodnight Moon." She loves her routine, her pink blankie and her left thumb! Here are her 7-month stats:

18 pounds, 27 inches. These are identical to Jack at 7 months!

Farm Vacation

Hi, this is Jack. While my family went to see Unc in Hawaii, I had the best vacation ever at the farm. I did my usual activities: fed the chickens, gathered eggs, fed the cows, played with the dogs and roamed around the land. I also came up with a few new games as you will see below. The 5 days went by quickly. The farm is my 2nd home!

I am a very good climber and like to roam the farm and run up any hills I see. The best part is running down!

I "helped" Doc in the garden. He grows tomatoes, peas, lettuce, beans, carrots, and sweet potatoes. I even tried sugar snap peas, straight from the garden. Don't tell my Mom!

I like to ride my buddy General like a horse. He doesn't mind and I think it's quite clever.

Thanks Doc and Mam for a great vacation. Can I come again soon?

Baby Diaries

Dear Diary,

This is Josie. I just got home from a 5-day trip to Oahu, Hawaii. It was my first flight and it was super fun! I went to visit my cousin Clay and he showed me around his island. We went to a few beaches, played and slept at his house, went out to eat, and strolled around the Marine Corps base together. It was a great time. Mom says I was a great traveller. I missed Jack but he had a great vacation at the farm with Doc and Mam. Here are a few photos from our family trip.

It was great to be reunited with my Unc and "twin" Clayton Jack.

I love my Hawaiian family. Here is my Unc, Aunt Kat and cousin Clay with us at the Ko'Olina beach resort. The water was really cold (made me cry) but I had fun taking a nap under the umbrella and playing with Clayton in the grass.

We are two peas in a pod, Clay and I. We like to dress alike when we are together. Can you guess which one of us is a mover and which one of us is a sitter?

My cousin Clay showed me the beach near his house on the Marine Corps Base. It was windy and cloudy - just right for my pale skin. My mom packed a hat for every outfit and occasion.