Boys and their bikes

Noah, do you want to show everybody your new bike?

Sure, but let me get on first. Hold on just a second, Mama.

Okay, now I'm ready. Should I show them how I can ride it?

Here I go...

Mama! How come he gets to ride the new bike? What about me? (crying ensues)

Yes, a helmet will make me feel better. Thank you. Now I'm ready for my closeup.

Yeah, that's how we roll.

Nativity

Its not a well known fact, unless you came over for a visit, that I collect Nativities.

I love the reminder they are to me all through out the year not only of the gift God gave me but of the sacrifice that came with it and the love that was expressed.

I love all the different unique nativities out there and even though they are usually relegated to Christmas time, I definitely do not wait for Christmas to display them. In fact, sitting here, looking around the living room, I count 7 nativities displayed around the living room and kitchen.

Several months ago a friend saw a nativity set and recreated it herself. She did an amazing job! They were beautiful and very unique. I was so in awe of her talent and while I was trying to find a way to convince her to make me a set, she had an online giveaway and guess who won?!?

That's right. I now have my very own set of gorgeous hand painted nativity candles.

Why, you ask am I just now posting this. She finally brought them to me.:) Thanks for the set, Kristin! I will cherish them.

What brothers are for

learning a new game with,

riding bikes with, even when we're not happy.

Sharing a box with (and fun toys like pop guns)

and for wrestling with

And that's right, ladies and gentlemen, I'm actually winning right now!!!

Happy Fathers Day!!

Happy Father's Day Aaron!

Noah and Breven wanted to share this with you...

We love you, Daddy. Even when you look like a Chia pet. Mama, remind me. What's a chia pet again?

We love you when you take care of us.

We love you for working so hard for our family. Even if it means you break the shovel.

We love you for all the love you show to us.

And we love you best of all for being silly with us!

We love you Daddy!!!

P.S. Happy Father's Day to Poppi, Papa, Uncle Micah and Uncle Robb! We love you too and can't wait to see you!

Yep, they're definitely brothers

Looks like the rock business is going to run in the family.

Noah 2008

Breven 2010

They're taking over my house!!

I walked into Noah's room the other day to see this...Ummm..Noah. What's going on?

He had built a track for his trains under his bed!

And Breven is in love with 'em too.

He got this set as a belated birthday present from Lolli and Poppi.

He really liked watching the choo-choo's go down the big hill. Unlike my little go-getter Noah, Breven is perfectly content to watch and observe. And when it came to getting the train on the tracks to run it down the hill, he would rather watch while we put it on the track and pushed it down!

All aboard!

Summer = sprinklers

Guess what its hot enough for here?

Yes our 90 degree temps just beg for the sprinklers.

And Noah is loving them. Breven is still unsure about the cold water, but he loves to watch Noah.

Past and Present

May 2010

July 2008

Sprinklers are definitely an acquired taste that he hadn't yet picked up on.

My family

There really isn't any reason for this post, other than giving some face time to the grandparents:) Lolli, Poppi, Nonni & Papa. This post is for you!:)

Hey...where did all those freckles come from?!?!?

Please, B, could you atleast attempt to look like you're having fun?

Do you still see the resemblance? I hear it all the time but I have a hard time seeing it. Do you?

The art of sharing

We are working very hard with the boys to share their toys with each other and with their friends. I think it's a never ending battle of fighting the self-preservation instinct but every once in a while, we make a little headway...

and clearly, this day was not it!

Brotherly bonding

As the boys are growing, we are enjoying some fun moments with the boys together. (and notice I said moments:)) But we'll enjoy each of those moments to the fullest!

Noah wanted to give Breven a ride on his motorcycle

And they love to dance together. Well, really its when Breven stumbles into Noah:)

And then they usually end up on the floor giggling:)

Hands

In God's hands

We twist and turn,

Knowing His commands

But unwilling to learn;

In God's hands

We climb and fall,

Striving to stand

But ignoring His call.

In God's hands

We worry and work,

Following fallen man

In a never-ending search;

In God's hands

We break and die,

Surrendering our plans

To the Creator of life.

In God's hands

We worship and rest,

Believing Jesus has

Freed us from certain death;

Redeemed by His blood

We kneel at Jesus' feet,

Captured by His love

In God's hands we are complete.

By Jeffery Pollock

The start of summer and Steph's visit

We are enjoying this gorgeous weather and thankful that summer has finally arrived!!!

Noah begs me everyday to have a picnic on the deck. He is definitely my outdoorsman.

And B is off! To walking that is. He is walking everywhere and just this week he mastered turning around without falling down and standing back up without any help.

He's moving on to the toddler room at church next week.:(

This is his most common form of communication. Leaning, grunting and pointing to what he wants. Although he is talking more and more. Most of it is jumble, but here are the words we do understand:

Mama

Dada

Bah (ball, or anything else he gets excited about)

coo coo (choo choo)

Learning what it means to throw a ball

and learning what its like to play with a ball the size of your head

More picnics. I just loved this picture. I put them opposite each other and came back to find Noah had moved next to B!

Playing in the afternoon sun

And we had a weekend recently with my friend Steph. Thanks Steph for spending the weekend with us! We loved the quality time and can't wait until next year!!!

It didn't take long for B to attach himself to her:)

(he ain't no dummy...he knows a pretty lady when he sees one)

Watching 'Cars' with a buddy

Steph, if you're willing to wait...I think you have 2 guys here that would love to marry you:)