the climber

So, what does Nick do with all his spare time now that Elizabeth is at school all day?

Scale the furniture, of course. 423.05Boys are awesome!

Elizabeth's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Here's Elizabeth on her first day of kindergarten!

When we asked her, "How was your day?" She said, "tiring."

She's such a big girl! Full day kindergarten 5 days a week. Whoa!

talking...

Nick has a lot to say & he's "talking" up a storm.

outdoor fun...

Here we are during one of our many visits to the playground at the elementary school near our house. The kids LOVE to play here! This is their absolute favorite thing to do (2nd only to eating ice cream or going to visit Nana & Papa).

indoor fun...

I was just sitting at the computer checking e-mail or something and I hear them running around. When I looked down the hall, here's what I saw...

silly hat day...

I know what you're thinking...pink is REALLY my color.

This was "silly hat day" on the last official day of preschool.

Would you believe I was the only adult to wear a silly hat?

the many faces of nicholas...

This one's in June...

This one's a little later in June...
This one's in July...
Nick is also extremely expressive.

He's never one to dodge a photo opp!

the faces of elizabeth...

This one was in June...This one was in August...
This one's in May...
She is a very expressive girl (to say the least).

We love all her funny faces!

During a visit to Ft Collins, we went to "the farm". The kids love
petting all the animals and riding the horses.
Nick wasn't crazy about riding a horse, but he was happy to sit on one.

Family Pictures

We took some family pictures at Grama & Grampa's house

on Catherine's birthday. Thank you, God for these amazing,

beautiful children!

Here's Ellie after "cowboy day" at school. She loves her sheriff's badge.

Nick is only 15 months old, but already knows what a cell phone & loves to use dad's

old phone to "talk" to...everyone!. He is a little puzzled when sound

comes out of dad's new phone (ya know...the one that actually works) and his phone doesn't

make any noise. He'll figure it out soon enough. It's really cute to watch.

bedtime...

Here are the kids getting ready for bed:

Nick really likes a couple of his blankets and has started carrying them around at bedtime (he sort of looks like "Linus").

Elli loves having her hair braided after a bath before bed.

In the morning, we take the braid out and her hair is really wavy!

Ellie at the farm

Elizabeth went to the farm while she & Nick were visiting Nana & Papa. She got to sit on the tractor & help sweep out the barn. Ellie LOVES the farm.

Nick's 1st Haircut

Nick got his first haircut last week while he was visiting Nana & Papa. Nick played with trucks while Eileen cut his hair. He's such a handsome little man!

Here's Nick's first taste of lemon... Enjoy!

Growing up too fast!

Nicholas loves his tractor! Daddy & Nick are playing together on the floor. This picture was taken in February around Valentine's Day.

Elizabeth had school pictures a couple weeks ago. She was a little shy at first, but after she warmed up to the photographer, he captured this precious picture.

Walking...

Nicholas is on the move! He took his first steps on his own a couple weeks ago & is getting stronger (and faster) every day.

What If?

What if I climbed that mountain, what if I swam to that shore?
What if every battle was victorious? Then would you love me more?
Would you love me more?

What if I were everyone's first choice, what if I went farther than before?
What if I stood high above the rest? Then would you love me more?
Would you love me more?

You say I belong to you apart from the things I do.
You say I belong to you. I'm in awe of why you do.
I'm in awe of you.

What if I ignored the hand that fed me, what if I forgot to confess?
What if I stumbled down that mountain? Then would you love me less?
Lord would you love me less?

What if I were everyone’s last choice?
What if I mixed in with the rest?
What if I failed what I passed before? Then would you love me less?
Would you love me less?

What have I done to deserve your son sent to die for me?
You say I belong to you apart from the things I do.
You say I belong to you.
I'm in awe of why you do.

Entrusted...

Something struck me tonight as I was putting the kids to bed. I put Nicholas in his crib after he had fallen asleep in my arms that our children are not ours. Then I read a story to Elizabeth as I tucked her in to bed for the night. It struck me that these beautiful children are God's precious gifts that He has given to us to take care of. I knew that before tonight, but sometimes it just hits you again. There are many days I look at my kids & get tears in my eyes because of the love I feel for them. They are such a blessing! I can't imagine what life would be like without them here & I thank God every day (several times a day) for the incredible blessing He has given to Catherine & I.