Cute brother/sister moment

Fair 2009

"Hey mom, look...that sheep has a poop!"

"No son, that is not a poop..."

"It looks funny!"

"Really funny! I'm so glad I'm not a boy."

"Look at me; I'm riding in a police car."

"Look at me; I'm driving a dump truck."

"Look at me; I'm flying a helicopter."

"Look at me; I'm on a real sheriff's motorcycle."

"How come Isaac gets to do all the fun stuff while I sit in this stroller?"

"Abigail, when you are 3, you will be big enough to do all the fun stuff too."

"I can just picture it now...what fun I'll have when I am bigger."

Sweet time under the tree

Most of the time, when we get together with the Springers, Isaac has gravitated to playing with Elijah because the two of them have a common love for trains and trucks. When we were at the park the other day, it was sweet to see Isaac and Alora off together partaking in imaginative play. They were playing some kind of doctor game where Alora had to give Isaac a shot with a big tree branch and they perform surgery (I think the trauma was caused my a pretend car crash).

No more 20s, but still so much fun...

Our Friends, the Opfermans

I knew this dance from junior high square dancing

This one...had no clue what I was doing, but was watching the old man and trying to keep up.
It amazed me how many people had all these different dances memorized.

We were really good at our turns, but our feet were an entirely different story...
at one point, we were both laughing so hard, a nearly peed in my pants
(probably TMI, but it was true...).

"yoked together"

FUN AT THE FORT
(the airplane was from a plane museum next door)

For my 30th birthday, we are taking a big trip (just Mommy & Daddy--no kids) soon so we decided not to have a big party or celebration here. On the Friday night before my actual birthday, we went to a country-western bar and took an hour lesson trying to teach us the two step. It was fun (even though we never did really get it). The husbands were REALLY good sports. Chris kept smiling and saying, "I love you SO much." After the 8th time he said it, I realized that he was saying that the only reason that he was doing the silly dance lesson was because of his love for me (not because he was having a super time). After that, we went and had gelattos and talked through the night. With that, I have to AGAIN thank my parents for making it possible and having a sleep over with our kids. The next morning, my parents joined us for a wonderful breakfast.***Thanks also, Mom, for having me...even though things were tough...I praise God for you! After breakfast, we met Christina, Steve, Alora and Elijah for a hike near Fort Vancouver and dinner together. I know how much my friends love me when they are willing to to these crazy trips in the HOT, HOT heat...with a smile. I love you guys so much!

My Expressive Little Girl

"Oh, my!"

"Hi, my name is Chubby..."

"Yum; finger lickin' good."

My sweet girl loves shoes, bracelets, and hats (as long as she gets to pick them out and take them on and off as she pleases). She makes the silliest faces and loves saying "cheese" for pictures (with a smile or a scowl...never know). I just want you who don't get to see her often to get to know her a little better.

17 Going on 30

1997

2009

Today we celebrate my wife's 30th birthday! She wanted me to take this picture of her in the dress she wore for senior portraits. She has held up much better than the dress. With 30 years, 1 husband and 2 kids, she has never looked better! I am so grateful to God that he has allowed me to be with her for 11 years. When I leave for work, as I drive out of the garage, my heart aches missing her. When I get into my car after work, my car can't go fast enough. She is so loving to me. She is the best mother I have ever witnessed. Read below to Proverbs 31 and see the similarities:

Proverbs 31:10-31
¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
¹² She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
¹³ She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
¹⁵ She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
²² She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

I love you and happy birthday my love.

Your Husband

PS When I asked Isaac which picture did mommy look better, he said the bottom one, I agree!!!

Our girl's first drive-in movie

So another one of the perks of living where we do is that we are near one of the last of the 400+ remaining drive-in movies in the United States. The only disadvantage is that we live so far north that the movie doesn't start until after 9:30pm because it takes so long to get dark. In our 6 years here, Chris and I have never made it through the second movie in the double feature.

In order to get a decent spot, you have to arrive about 2+ hours before the movie starts. We came prepared this year. We put the seats down in the pack and brought toys for the "play area" we made. We bought Isaac's dump truck and a Frisbee for us. We ate a picnic dinner and enjoyed home0made kettle corn during the movie.To our surprise, when the movie, Up, started Abigail (who normally goes to bed around 7:30/8) was awake. What was even more surprising is that both...yes, BOTH...kids stayed up through the entire movie. At 11:12pm, our kids were awake! How they did it...no idea...I almost dozed off a few times (and they didn't even eat any of the popcorn).

Abigail kept laughing and saying "doggie" and "balloon." It was cute. She wasn't even a grouch the next day. If you haven't yet, I recommend taking your kids to the drive-in. :)

First time berry picking

We took the kids berry picking and had such a good time. They were able to eat the berries off the vine/bush. We discovered that blueberries are a lot easier because they don't drip juice all over everything and don't have thorns. They fun and only suffered from just a few "pokes."

***Isaac helped me start merrionberry jam today and I play to make a allergy-free blueberry pie for my 30th birthday.

"Order in the court!"

"ORDER IN THE COURT!"

If I was on trial, I wouldn't want this bunch to be on the jury.:)

She is always ready to say "Cheese!"

I love my little girl!!!!

The big family all together.

I see that my kids do look a lot like their dad.

The newest "official" family picture

Our friends finalized the adoption of their youngest son today. It was such a blessing to share in the joy with them. The judge was so awesome, and we spent most of the time in court letting the kids "play" as jurors and even judge. We all had a great time. Afterwords, we had a picnic at the park. It was a great morning!