Boys' Birthday Party

We combined the boy's family birthday party for the first time this year. It was a great time and I think James and Nate enjoyed opening presents at the same time.

The boys decorated their own birthday chairs.

Nate's chair.

James' chair.

Nate asked for chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips. He's so my son.

James asked for strawberry ice cream with strawberries on top.

Happy Birthday to you....

Thumbs up.

Bethy snuggles with Auntie Katie.

Dear Uncle Reed. Remember that one night that you bought huge-automatic nerf guns for the boys. They love the guns. In fact, I think Nate is sleeping with his right now. But I just want you to know that payback is coming. I will not forget......   ;-)

Bible and Bugs

Nate is a little more of a spacey and active kid. And I love him that way.

He's also very focused - on what he wants to be focused on. So, I'm not always sure that he's listening or really catches what I'm trying to say.

Last week, right before bed, the boys were afraid of something - maybe it was the dark, I don't remember. I told them the story of Joshua and Caleb and how God sent 12 spies into the Promised Land. 10 of the spies focused on the big, huge giants and how scared they were. But, Joshua and Caleb focused on God and God's promise to fight the giants for them and give them the land. Etc....

This week, we were doing some yard work and Nate came over and started telling me HIS story about 2 potato bugs who were really afraid of the big, huge spiders. "But don't worry Mom, they trust God! They aren't afraid. God will save them from the big, scary spiders because God is the strongest of them all!"

I love the way Nate's mind works.

The Mountain

Spirit Day 2014

A couple weeks ago, James had Spirit Day at his school. Spirit Day is a "fun-run" type event with lots of different activities for the kids. 

I helped out as a "lap counter" for the kids running laps in the gym. It was so much fun watching James hang out with his new friends and run "super fast" in his "hy-kee (Nike) shoes".

Half way through the afternoon, James decided he wanted to climb the rock wall. (I didn't get to watch him, but I don't think he got very high. I'm very proud of him though!)

This picture is hanging in the hallway outside James' classroom.  :)

This Is New.

Bethy

I just have a lot of sweet Bethy pictures.  :-)

Bethy is 19 months old now. Her life goal at this point is to insert herself in anything the boys are doing.

This little girl is definitely one of our earliest "communicator" kids, but she still doesn't talk.

She says "boo" for book, "baa" for ball, and "buh" for blanket. Beth also says "Dada" - but never on command!

If she's ever missing in the house, the first place I check is the kids' bathroom. She could suck on kid toothpaste all day!

This summer she spent a lot of time helping herself to blackberries.

A few weeks ago, she taught herself how to climb up to the top bunk in the boys' room. We're still working on safety!

Beth and Nate love picking James up from school. Bethy likes helping with his backpack too.

Beth is our little animal lover too. She makes a bee-line to strange dogs anywhere.  :-/
Patient Hugo gets the brunt of her pokes and jabs.

We sure love our little sweetie!

James' 5th Birthday!

James-Bug turned 5 on September 22nd!

One present to start the morning and sprinkle pancakes for breakfast -

James had Pre-K that day, so we made birthday cupcakes for his class. James also saw some flowers at the store and wanted to give them to Mrs. Benjamin.  :)

Our good friends Scott and Rosalie were staying at our place for a few nights, so we celebrated James' birthday with them. We had birthday dinner, presents and cake for James.

James is super into baseball right now - although I'm not sure he's ever even watched a game - so we bought him a t-ball set. He's also been playing with the new Legos (non-stop!) that Auntie Keri and Uncle Brian sent him.

James is such a blessing to our family. He is a wonderful son and a loving big brother.

He is talkative and thoughtful. James genuinely wants to know "why" and doesn't accept a casual answer. He is a super-hero-warrior-protector-man who plays sweetly with his sister (when she's not ruining his stuff!). He has high aspirations of working hard and having a big family - just like his dad. He thrives under the weight of responsibility.

We are so proud of James and we're looking forward to whatever God has planned for this young man.   

James and I were playing frisbee when I did a really bad toss.


Me:  Oops, sorry! Bad throw!


James:  That's ok! You're still in the game. Because I like to give people second chances. Just like Jesus. He gives us second chances ALL the time!

I have an extensive history of injuring myself in the kitchen... and a few days ago, I had a band aid on my toe:


Nate:  Mom, did you split your toe?


No, I just got a scrape.


Nate:  Oh, did you put some food on it (my toe) and get a knife and slice it open?

 The boys were being wild yesterday and I reminded them to be careful around the corners of the coffee table.

For effect, I told them that I wouldn't want them to crash on the table and smash their head open.

Nate:  "But Mom! If I smash my head open, you'll have to throw me away and get a new Nate!"

Our new way to shop!

The Rest of Summer - Part 5

Some final highlights of Summer for the kids --

An impromptu dinner at the Snohomish airfield. They were entertained the entire evening!

Visits to Lake Stevens beach...

"Bubble fest" with Bennett and Gunnar.

Jetty Island with Auntie Katie, and a bag of kettle corn the size of a small child!

This picture is the wallpaper on my phone right now. It makes me laugh every time I see it!

Playing in the yard.

And lots of hot air balloons and parachuters.

And with that, Summer is over!