Birthdays and More

Justin had a birthday Sept. 4! This is the only picture I got of the whole thing. Eggs for breakfast!

However, his parents, aunt/uncle, and 2 cousins were able to come for a weekend visit. We went hiking in the smokies. This picture is of Aunt Jackie, Uncle Doug, Chad, and Cameron at Clingmans Dome (well, the bottom of it anyway). It's the highest point in the Smokey Mountains. On a clear day you can see super far (22 miles on an average day). We saw lots of clouds, but it was still cool.

We also went hiking on the Laurel Falls trail. We saw a bear.

Here's the gang at one of the Appalacian Trail heads. Justin REALLY wants to hike this trail over spring break. I want him to go with someone....you know...for bear safety....any takers?

See the Dome?

Olivia and Isaac did really well for the day of being outside in the rain/drizzle. Isaac got the nice stroller ride. Both trails we hiked were paved. Olivia got tossed around from person to person for the longest piggy back ride known to kids (L.F. trail 1.3 miles one way, plus 1/2 mile to the top of Clingmans Dome). I thought it was sweet when she fell asleep on my back up the Laurel Falls trail. Memories.

Monday morning before they left to drive home.


We also went to a splash pad. Olivia LOVED it. Isaac will love it.

Part of the playground at the splash pad.

So Justin got a new camera for his birthday/side job. Which is cool, except now it's super hard to post pictures on here cuz they are all so dang good! Here's a few I couldn't pass up. And if anyone wants family pictures, event pictures, wedding pictures, etc let Justin know! He needs some practice! He will travel (say to Missouri) if his expences are all paid for by the picturees. He he.

My sweetie.

I love to get his kisses.

Alright. Open wide. I'm gonna shoot.

More pictures from the splash pad that I didnt' want to take the time to rearrange.

I had to help her get used to the water at first.

Then it was OK.

Then she became a pro.

Just some more random pictures:

This one is for you, Heather! Gotta LOVE Sid!

These flowers were at the edge of our garden. They have grown enormous over the summer.

Mr. Isaac

I don't know what it is about sleeping pictures, but I love them!

He was cracking me up with all his facial expressions! He's also "talking" more now, but it's kinda funny cuz it's really high pitched and sounds a little girly. Last week he found his tongue and lips. That was funny!

This one shows his 2 teeth if you look close. And, if you can click on the picture to make it bigger, check out his eye color. Blue around the edges and brown in the middle! So what color does that make? Brue?

He is starting to lift his butt now. I see crawling on the horizon!

Hummmm....let's see....I want.....

Had to throw this one in! Awww...

Checking out his cool toes.

Great Loss.

Since I made a recent post about my friend, Shaun, who was in a battle with cancer, I thought an update would be appropriate.


Shaun passed away last Saturday, August 1 around 4:30pm while at the hospital. I was unable to attend the funeral due to travel expenses, but I was thankful that my mom and dad were able to attend and report. Shaun was a life-long friend and he will be greatly missed. Although we were hours away for several years, he was the kind of friend that you could visit when you were able to and never feel like you had to warm up to eachother again. You don't get many of those in a life-time. I was grateful he was here to be in my wedding and the time we spent as friends. I am thankful that I got to visit with him a couple times back home a few weeks before he passed away as well.

Thank you to those of you who were faithful in prayer through Shaun's struggle. Please continue to remember Brandee (wife) and Kendle (4yr old daughter) in your prayers as they are greiving their great loss. It's an overwhelming blessing to have faith in a good and sovereign God.

What is an "Ear of Corn" anyway?

Do I really need to write anything? Our first experience with food in the ear. We don't think she even knew she put it in there until Tami said something and then she felt it. I headed off to the bathroom with Olivia to get the tweesers (and the camera). While putting the camera up, I hear Olivia yell, "I got it!" No tweesing needed....sheewwww....

Little or Big....Make Up Your Mind!

Need a laugh....read on.....

OK, so a month or two ago I ask Olivia, "Olivia, can you get Daddy a small piece of toilet paper to blow my nose with?" So, like the sweet girl she is, she says, "I can get it for you," and promptly runs to the bathroom. She returns with a grateful, innocent heart and says, "Here ya go Dad," with her hand outstretched pinching a 2-inch long sliver of toilet paper. "Thank you sweetie," I say as I'm holding back the laughter....

Now, fast forward to a couple days ago....I've grown wiser now right?

I've got the kiddies solo for the evening and I was lucky enough to get Olivia fed before Isaac woke up. So I'm feeding Isaac on the couch and I ask Olivia, "Olivia, can you get Daddy a 'big' piece of toilet paper to wipe Isaac's nose with?" I decided to be smart and not say 'small piece' so I wouldn't get the sliver I got last time, right?! As she's walking away grateful for the opportunity to help, I give a hopeful request, "Or you could just get a napkin from your table in the kitchen," thinking that asking for a 'big piece' might be a bad idea too. So she bypasses the kitchen and heads for the bathroom. Olivia returns about 2 minutes later (this was fine with me because I got some quiet focused feeding time for Isaac-he gets distracted to say the least). This is what she returned with. I think she's got BIG and little down pretty good ya think!

A few minutes after getting the 'big piece' of toilet paper, Olivia tells me she has to go potty...this is what I found in the bathroom. At least it wasn't an entire roll! Hehehehe...

She Sits on the Throne. He Just Sits.

At 2 years & 2 months, Olivia is potty trained! ...I think. We tried a nap with no diaper today and she made it through high and dry!!!! And the nap happened to be 3 1/2 hours long (which is a never!). She's been the past week with no diaper during the day, and no accidents! She gets one jellybean each time she goes and 2 for a #2 or telling me while in the car (which happened today as well). Hallelujah!

And Isaac is almost sitting up by himself! He turns 6 months old on the 29th. We'll have to have cake and ice cream! ...Or at least ice cream!

Life-'Long' Friend

While visiting my folks in MO, I had to make a visit to one of my best friends since 6th grade, whom I've made lots of good memories with, Shaun Long. He's been battling cancer for well over a year now, but hasn't given up....and won't. Below is a picture of him and his 4-year old daughter Kendle. Although his appearance might not be the same, his personality hasn't changed much. I was happy to see that when I went to see him. Shaun attended my wedding 4 years ago, soon after Kendle's birth, as one of my groomsmen. Those of you know him, please be in prayer for a miracle to take place in his body and for his continued growth toward Christ.

Shaun's mother-in-law is raising money for cancer research by organizing a golf tournament at Columbia Country Club (in August I think). They're looking for players, donations, and sponsors if you're able and interested. http://www.longstrokesforacure.com/ (under construction I think)

Mark It On The Calendar!

On July 5, Olivia caught her first fish! We were visiting Nana and Gramp in MO and took a trip to their lakehouse. I was SSOOOO proud and happy for her. She even grabbed it in the mouth to hold it and wasn't afraid to hold the hook with a worm on it.....cooooolllll! She caught a couple more the following day. I tried to get her to kiss the fish, but that was her line. Hehehe, maybe next time! :)

4th of July in MO

We chose to fly to Missouri this time to visit family. LOVED it. So much better than driving umpteen million hours. The only hard parts were carrying 2 kids (ok, one walks.....but real slow), 2 carseats, 1 backpack, and 1 rolling carry-on across the airports and kids missed a good nap. Isaac was hilarious on one flight. He would not sit up in my lap. He wanted to lay down with his legs sprawled between the seat in front and Justin's leg. He wiggled and moved the whole time, but didn't cry, so it was great. The first flight (not the picture) Olivia was awed by the clouds.....as was I. (T)

This is at Nana and Gramp's house. Isaac is almost sitting up by himself. Couldn't pass up this picture. Too cute.

We went to St. Louis over the 4th weekend to stay with Katie and family. We had a picnic lunch while visiting Grant's Farm.

The "kids" were fun animals. They tried to eat everything. "Our kids" had lots of smiles and laughs.

Olivia and Aleah (not pictured) rode a pony at the O'Fallon 4th of July fair & fireworks. However, we never saw the fireworks. It started pouring rain 30min. before they were supposed to go off. We had to hike about 1/2 mile back to the car. Nate, Aleah, and Karsen had a blast. Olivia was a little unsure about getting soaked. Isaac stayed dry in the stroller under the tarp. Katie, Justin, and I were laughing all the way back to the car thinking about what a memory we were making!

Karsen and Olivia enjoying playing with each other once again.

Aunt Katie had an awesome hot rod that Olivia was determined to go forward in.

Before leaving Columbia we visited The Arc (gym/pool). Isaac got to splash with Nana. Olivia enjoyed not wearing a life jacket. He he.