Bedtime snuggles

Through giggles, big bro said, "I honked her nose and she laughed!" 

Weekend in LA

PawPaw and Gramzee came to town to go to Los Angeles with us for a weekend wedding.  Photos might be out of order. :/

Little Buddy hung with us the entire ride up and just as I said he would, he fell asleep once we reached our first destination.  Rodeo Drive.

We hit the pool as soon as we arrived at the hotel.  Baby Sis enjoyed her first pool time.

Big Bro is a fish.

 Swimmers!

Breakfast.

Angel's Flight-the highlight of the trip for Levi.  Well, second to time with his cousins...and maybe the pool.

Enjoyed hotel living a bit. ;)

Holding on for the ride.

The wedding we were up there for was at the library and our hotel just across the street, so we spent some time with the books.

The A fam came down!  We love our cousins!!

Up the hill...to ride the train again.

I think the ride was enjoyed by all.

Pool time was also a hit.

Back in the hotel room.

Champion nappers...some just like the bed better than the crib. ;)

Sweet crawling baby.

Big brother is a big boy!

 

I'll admit I was terrified to potty train. I had heard so many stories of terrible experiences and the best advice seemed to be, "wait til he's 3." So, I was waiting. But, then he just seemed very interested and I decided to go with it. He basically potty trained himself and it was a pleasant experience that might go on record as our easiest child training exercise to date.

When he gives "sugar" (kisses) it usually has to be three-a kiss on each cheek and one on the forehead. Might be my favorite thing he does right now. But maybe everything he does is my favorite...oh, except for yelling no and stop or stop it. ;)

He says will'nt. (his own special contraction of will not, haha.)

We finally cut his hair.

 A regular part of our bed time routine right now is him saying, "Mama, I have a couple of questions for you.  I like trucks, trains, airplanes, helicopters, cement trucks, tractors, buses, puppy dogs, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter sandwiches."  The lists usually go on and sometimes repeat. ;). I think it's so cute that I don't have the heart to tell him those are not questions.  He will figure it out soon enough.

He was excited about his haircut and the new book, but did not want to take this photo.

I loved how he was sitting with his arms behind his head.

Neither kid was super interested in taking the below photo...

8months

We have a crawler! And, it is so cute...she trot-crawls on hands and knees with a big smile on her face.  She is also pulling up on everything.  Standing...she sometimes gets stuck standing up and gets mad, other times she just topples over.
Gramzee noticed her first tooth breaking through on May 10. (Almost exactly the same time big bro's first teeth cut through.). Number two was just behind.

Her daddy was clapping one day and what did she do...started clapping right along with him.  She also waves bye I think and she has been patting us on our backs when we pat her on the back for a while.

Her little face lights up and there are usually squeals of joy when her dad and big bro walk in the room.

Usually when her daddy gets home from work she is so happy but she just wants to watch him for a while...as if she is trying to figure out where he came from and why he wasn't here all day.

7 months

Not much has changed this month with our girl.
-She has actually taken some "crawl-steps" but is not-quite-yet full on crawling.
-She is still so happy and sweet.
-She likes being with her mama and has mastered how to promptly be returned to my arms. ;)
-New to this month is the beginning of pulling up!
-She passes her time blowing raspberries and smiling

BSF

We have been blessed again this year by our time at Bible Study Fellowship.

Levi has once again enjoyed his time and was excited and ready to go to, "Mrs. Serena's church.". ( Mrs. Serena was one of his teachers from last year.) We love her and she has loved us well these last two years. One morning I was called out to get Emma (more on that below) I saw Levi and his class going to the playground. They hold a rope and he looked so small but so big at the same time. He memorized the verses that I helped him with, we slacked on most. :/ and he sings the songs..."trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to be happy in Jesus to be happy in Jesus" (that's the version he sings;)) and " how strong and sure my father's care that round about me like the air is always with me everywhere." He also learned the pledge of allegiance and sings my country tis of thee while marching. (I discovered they do those with flags marching around-haha...little patriots.). One day he told me, "Mama, God paid for the sins I could not." I asked him where he learned that and he said, "Bible Study." I was thankful he wasn't just learning about the red white and blue. ;)

Emma girl has not liked her class as well...or at all...and knows just how to get her mama to come back to her. Scream. But, she usually falls fast asleep on me in the ergo and I soak it all in. It won't be forever that she just wants to be with her mama. It hasn't taken us long to learn that they grow at super sonic speed. The fun things will not last long...and neither will the hard things.

I have cherished this time with my babies and studying the Bible. I pray they will grow to cherish God's Word.

This is the life

This morning while my babies and I were snuggling in the bed waking up for they day, big bro said, "this is the life."

Yes, sweet sweet boy, we are blessed and thankful to God for his mercies that are new every morning.