Not Staged!

They got in the car together and I did not stage this picture. How sweet!

I like this kid!

I had an assignment from Ander's preschool to write a paragraph about what makes Ander special. I could write a book, being the proud mother that I am, but I somehow managed to write this short summary:

Ander is a very special boy. He is good at running, jumping, and climbing. He is also very good at building things out of legos. He loves books, trucks, construction equipment, and camping. Ander is a big helper. He helps his mom and dad a lot with chores. Ander is also very kind and gentle with other children, especially his sister Mirren. Ander gives great hugs and makes us all laugh. He is a good friend and a very good son.

Babalouie

If our family had a sitcom, there would definitely be a character named "Babalouie" on our show. That is the name we've given to the "creature" we hear pretty much every day and night gurgling down our kitchen sink. He mostly just gurgles and sends up bubbles, but sometime he actually comes up. "Oh no! Quick--get the plunger! Babalouie--you get back down there!" The kids laugh.

I tell this little story to share about our quirky apartment where we have lived for about 2 1/2 years. Before that we were in the one bedroom apartment across from this one. I have asked God many times, why are we living here? But it seems it is STILL part of His current plan for us. We thought we were going to buy a house (we had a contract on one and everything) now we are not so sure what we will do. So we're still just doing our thing. Trying to love God, trying to love each other, trying to love our neighbors and praying about what we should do next. I still would REALLY like to have a house and yard for our kids, but I know their lives are really great even now and they don't "need" anything more than what they have. We don't either and I'm sure we don't need half the things we have. Gracias Jesús por todo. Hagase su voluntad, Señor.

More cute pics--Summer 2011

Ander built a printing press like Poppa's out of legos. This was his own idea and he did it himself and showed us how it worked. Ander is a real 3 year old engineer.

Playing together

A watermelon pop! The kids love them and it's a great thing to make with leftover watermelon--freeze it and make a popcicle!

Mirren wants to be just like Ander. She even wants to wear his pajamas!

Kitty and Bunny...Mirren sleeps with Kitty. Kitty no longer has eyes because Mirren started chewing on them. I had to remove them for safety!

Mountain Trip

I hadn't gotten around to posting pictures from our mountain trip we took in July.

Hiking

More hiking

At the cabin with Nana

"Hey Daddy, you've got the rain jacket AND the umbrella!" :-)

Weeeeeee

End of Summer Picnic

We had a picnic dinner with Granny and Grandpa recently. I admit, I'm a big foodie. I get a thrill out of serving local healthy food to my family from the State Farmer's Market near our home. Beautiful and delicious--straight from the farm to my kitchen! I don't know what was more delicious, the sausage from the happy hogs of local MAE Farm or the plump green scruppernong grapes! Ahhh the joys of late summer dining.