What We've Been Up To Lately...

Isn't this how you brush your teeth, too? Jammies, rainboots, and Daddy's Stihl snow hat.

We ate one of these...

...because of these.

Aubs went on her first ski trip with Daddy. John said all she said was, "Faster, Daddy! We need to go faster!"

The next 2 days she woke up saying her legs were sore from sleeping. I asked her if it was from skiing, but that would be impossible! :)

I got a no kidding, no kids, wonderful date out with my man. Dinner, dessert, and coffee after. I'm looking forward to more of these, Johnny.

We built a house at the Children's Museum...

...and checked groceries out with Papa...

...and dug dirt with Daddy & Jack...

...digging is hard work! Boys are so much fun. It's a good thing, too, because Drew & Annie just found out that Levi Michael will be arriving mid-August. For the count that makes Aubrey...and 6 boys. 6 boys 2 1/2 and under to be exact. I think we'll be digging in the dirt a lot more coming up in the near future. And we are so excited.

We blew 2 candles out on the birthday cake. Bryant practiced for days leading up to this. I kid you not. For days. Sissy would bring a "cake" to him, she would sing happy birthday, and he would blow out the "candles." By the time it actually came to the real thing the dude was a pro.

We played in puddles.

We played with each other. Lots. These are really fun days.

Bryant Boy...

It's your 2nd birthday today. Two years ago still feels a little like yesterday to me and at the same time I can't imagine life before we had our Bubs with us.

Newborn baby boy...we had no idea how much fun you were going to be.

Such a sweet-natured baby...

This one makes me laugh every time I see it. I guess I was warned.

Fun-loving one year old.


You have a fire inside of you, little man, that we know God gave you for a purpose.

You make us laugh, you make us smile. Every day. We pray you will grow into a man who has a fire and passion for Jesus and for serving people.

You love the color orange. And Thomas the Train. You've made it a habit to do things that make me hold my breath and pray for God's mercy and protection over you...and me. (Your latest 'adventure' won a trip to the ER. And 4 staples in your head. When we ask you where your ouchie is you point to the bandaid on your leg. I guess bandaids are more serious than staples.) Daily, dude, you bring me to my knees. That's a good thing.

We love you so much. Happy birthday, Bryant Nathanael. We're sure glad you're ours for a while.


I recently asked you, "Are you going to talk soon, Bubs?" To which you replied: "...Nah," with a shrug of your shoulders. That's what I thought. :)
Your words consist of:
Mama "Mama, mama, mama." Smile. "Mama." with the head tilt. Melts me.
Daddy "DADDY!" While running full speed to the door.
Nana
Papa
Aubey "AUBEY! AUBEY!" down the hall, following your favorite person.
"Be-Be"-Binky
Doggie Pretty much every animal is a doggie to you. Mostly because they are your favorite.
"Dut"=Dutch
Cookie Your official first word. I don't know why because honestly you rarely get sweets. Or cookies.
Juice, as in, "Bryant, would you like milk or water to drink?" "Juice." Smile.
Me
Hi
Bye Bye
Ouch-a very important word to know with all of the new things you are so willing to try.

Happy Birthday, Love

Johnny, you are so many things to me and to the kids. You are the adventure-finding, hard working, like to sit down in a chair and read a good book kind of guy. You are thoughtful about life. You like hunting, fishing, chopping wood, and anything else you can do outdoors.

What is most endearing to me, perhaps, is that in all of these things you like to do you are always quick to invite others into it.

Thank you for being such a strong role model for the kids of what it means to work hard and to find pleasure in the little things in life.

Thank you for pressing on and working hard at the jobs at hand...and by the way, I'm proud of you!

Thank you for never being too busy in your garage to pick Bryant up and put him on your workbench to experience what you're doing. And for taking Aubrey fishing, just you and her, with her princess fishing pole, to teach her how to fish but more importantly to show her how much she means to you. And for finding those moments to sit down by the woodstove and read a good story (or five!) to the kids, just because they asked you to.

Thank you for taking my hand and walking with me down our adventure.

I love you. Happy birthday.

The Days

I love the expressions of Stuart. The comment we get most often when people are holding our littlest man is something to the effect of how much this kid looks like he is really studying the world around him. I think they are right. He ponders life quite deeply most of the time. :) But I got a few smiles out of him on this photo shoot:


The "studying," look, with a little less furrowed brow than usual.

My favorite: a picture I feel like gives me a glimpse into what Stuart will look like as a toddler:

Brothers shot. Stuart looks like he's saying, "How you doin?":

He smiles gleefully at Aubrey & Bryant. Aubrey spontaneously sat her chair down by his swing and read him the story of Peter Pan. With motions. He was enthralled.

We've gone on a hike...

...to Fort Clatsop, the end of Lewis & Clarks' exhibition in 1805/1806. We had so much fun we took Nana & Papa here the next day.

Daddy always finds new adventures to do with the kids. This particular day they made it down to the pier to see the Steadfast.


A photographer with New York Times was taking pictures for an article about places to visit. Aubs, Bryant & John may be in the March 27th issue. Be on the lookout!

I mean, who wouldn't want to visit this? Even when it's blowing 35 mph and pelting rain sideways, like today? :)

"Sparkles In My Tummy"

Aubrey had a hard time sleeping last night because of the, "sparkles," in her tummy. She was so excited all day today for her birthday. Nana, Aubrey, Bryant, Stuart & I went out to a birthday breakfast with her. Then Daddy came home and surprised Aubs with a beautiful corsage...

All grown up and ready for tea...
The tea table:
The food table:
Ready for her guests:The ladies at the tea:Blowing out 4 candles on her birthday cake:
Opening presents with her friends:

Modeling her new favorite dress from Nana...a real, true to life Cinderella dress. Does life get any better?
It was a good day. I can't believe she's 4.