A fun week...

...with lots of new firsts...

This week was the first time- I caught the girls playing together (without me around to facilitate),

Savannah tried some rice cereal and peas... (looks like she's going to be an eating machine- ...already is!),

Kate received an easel, and learned how to read the first couple of letters from the alphabet (through A- H. I mean, it's one thing to sing the song, but to READ them!!! ah, I am so excited!),

Kate went to the big kids class at church (they found her in the little restroom sitting across from another kid and they said, "Kate what are you doing?" She said simply, "I'm watching him go poo poo" totally logical to her.....),

Kate has gone potty all week!! (for a small fee of blue gum of course).

Here's a sneak peek into our lives this week...

There have been some really comical moments this week too...for instance, we were on Biola's campus passing the tennis courts. We asked her what you play tennis with and she said, " a coat rack"- she got the rack part but we just had to explain it was a racket. Pretty close!

Later, Michael and I were playing volleyball while she played in the sand and she looked up and said, "Hey Guys, are you done?" It's so strange/fun to have a big (little) girl who "hangs out" with us....

We were kissing in the kitchen and she came in, apparently feeling a bit left out. She said in a demanding voice..."I need a huck (hug) and a kiss, too. We each grabbed an arm and pulled her up for one of our favorite "group hugs" and she said (for the first time) "UMMM!~ I love my mommy, I love my daddy!" ....followed by two kisses. Gosh! I love this kid. Goodness, I mean.

Then today, I was laying on my stomach on the bed talking to Michael while he was putting something in the closet and before I knew it, I felt a warm little body beside me. She had propped her little self right on her tummy just like me and put her hands under her chin. I looked over at her, full of joy, just discovering who she is becoming...

If you are still reading...you must be a grammy, an crazed auntie... or a really good friend. I could talk about these little sweeties all day...and heck, I think I will, it's my blog.

*wink!

In 6 months flat.....

.....from this,

to that!


Happy 6 month birthday my little love muffin.

You truly are a bundle of ooey gooey joy! I LOVE YOU!!

Our Little Adventure

Today was as pretty as they come in Southern California. Should we go collect seashells a la playa or take a hike in los montanas?

It was 73 degrees with a cool breeze and our friends told us about a nearby hike in the Santa Anita Canyon. So, we grabbed our packs...



Here we are at the beginning of the trail...all smiles!

The kiddos did great.
SJ's taking a little nappy poo.

Kate LOVED the waterfall and wanted to get in and "go swimming". But after all the excitement...



For more pics of the day click on the album below.

Savannah's new found life

(I borrowed this from a friends blog)

The Greed of Doing

When Satan came to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, his bait was intended to inspire the lust to do more than the Father meant for Him to do--to go farther, demonstrate more power, act more dramatically. So the enemy comes to us in these days of frantic doing. We are ceaselessly summoned to activities: social, political, educational, athletic, and--yes--spiritual. Our "self-image" (deplorable word!) is dependent not on the quiet and hidden "Do this for My sake," but on the list the world hands us of what is "important." It is a long list, and it is both foolish and impossible. If we fall for it, we neglect the short list.

Only a few things are really important, and for those we have the promise of divine help: sitting in silence with the Master in order to hear His word and obey it in the ordinary line of duty--for example, in being a good husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, or spiritual father or mother to those nearby who need protection and care--humble work which is never on the world's list because it leads to nothing impressive on one's dossier.


"O Master, let me walk with Thee
In lowly paths of service free...."


Washington Gladden


May I accept with joy the work You have given me, Lord. Deliver me from the greed of doing more than You mean me to do, for Jesus’ sake.



Elisabeth Elliot

On another note:

Savannah started sitting up over night. It just happened! She is loving her new found freedom! So happy!

and Kate keeps us hoppin! Her joy and ferver for life is contagious, she makes us crack up laughing with all her cuteness...

She has been caught "sharing her thumb" with Savannah when she was fussy (man, I wish I had caught that one on camera). The other day she came in the room at breakfast and said, "hey guys..." to Michael and I. What a goofy gal.

Friend Blog Highlight

My friend (and wonderful writer) posted a great entry today that has the potential to bless you...

please check out her blog!

http://forthesakeofthelivingone.blogspot.com/

Two and counting...

Having a two year old is just plain fun! It's January and it's 81 degrees outside (sorry Dani!) and Kate has been having good ideas. She asked for her bathing suit yesterday so she could play outside in the water. Forts, tents, living room dance parties, and drinking pickle juice while mom's cooking are what we've been doing! (see album below if you are curious)

The Christmas story of Jesus' birth really made an impression on Kate this year. We have seen that in many ways. The other day we were at Costco and there was a middle eastern lady with a head covering on the isle nearby, to which Kate promptly noticed and pointed out, "Look Mom! There's Mary!!"

Then, she went to the door the other day and said, "Mom, I"m going to Bethlehem." Oh ok, Kate, that's gonna be a LONG walk!

Other things....
Savannah is into toe jam, and yesterday she was muttering Mamma mmma mmmamma". Yeah! We are on our way to two chatterbugs!

Here are the little sweeties...

Company Restructure

Today, it was time to take inventory of our company, our basic standard operating unit.

Who can stay, who needs to go?

We do this routinely.

I'm thinkin' I'll only keep the two smiley ones in the middle...

She snorted

Today, Kate snorted at me when I told her not to do something.
I didn't know what to do.
Should I ask, "what did you say?"
or better yet, "what did you snort?"

She told Michael and I this morning over breakfast, "I love you guys."

This kid is a hoot.

Happy new year everyone. May God be near to you as you begin a fresh 365!

Playing with my camera

I like to pretend that I am a professional photographer.
Here are my most recent "unpublished" pics...

well, that's it for now...I am a wannabe, I told you!

more december

"Is Kissmas over?" Kate asked me today.

"Yes dear, Christmas is over."

What a wonderful time we have had.
Click on the above pic to see the slideshow.

Hope you had a wonderful time too!