family

I was looking though old pictures tonight and just had to post this video.   I'm so thankful for this bunch of people God has allowed me to share this life with.  They sharpen me and make me laugh.  I know more about Christ because I know them.  I love you Jason, Jonas, Ella, Kate, Isaac, Mom, Dad, Mark, Anne, Titus, Ezra, Simeon, Levi, Mark, Amy, Ian, Emmaline, Justin, Stephanie, and Max!

Thankful Tree

I've posted this idea before and talked about it here, but here's our version this year.  I've gotten tired of making new leaves each year so this year after we traced and cut all the leaves I laminated them and we write on them with dry erase markers.

my nerds

yeah, right.

It's hard to get a picture of all 4.  Sometimes this is the best I get.  You'd think they would pose perfectly when they are dressed up for church and are looking so cute.  Yeah, right.

look-a-likes

Em Marie Photography

I think these two look so much alike!  Is it the eyes? The mouth?  They definitely have different noses.  The girls have the same little button nose and the boys have the same kind of nose.  Neither Kate or Isaac were very happy in this picture, but i love the intense look I see in their eyes.  It will be different to have just these little two at home with me this school year.  They are going to learn to be friends!  Yes, that's a command.  "Being friends" comes naturally sometimes (referring to my girls), but other times it's a learned behavior, and these two have some learning to do! :)  

1st and 3rd

Our summer has flown by.  Our summers as youth pastor always have.  They go something like this: camp, missions trip, trip to visit grandparents, camp, squeeze in family camping, camp... so on and so forth...  Jason has also taught a class at the Bible Institute here for the month of August for 3 hours at a time on Thursday nights.  That's not something you just throw together.  He creates the curriculum, syllabi, reads a billion books, and puts together some powerpoint presentations.  He's a GOOD teacher.  I can brag.  This is MY blog. :)  I love listening to him and he can make any topic interesting (even for 3 hours!).

With the close of summer is the beginning of school.  Jonas is starting 3rd grade and Ella is going into 1st grade.  I'm sad that school's starting.  I enjoy the kids at home all summer.  Jonas is a very good student.  He's been reading books like White Fang, The Call of the Wild, Redwall, Hardy Boys, Robinson Crusoe, and way too much to list.  Ella is, well, very friendly.  I'm nervous about her going to first grade.  That's real school and real work and all day every day.  Ella is SO excited for school to start though.  She can't wait to meet her new teacher and to be with her friends everyday.  Jonas plays it cool.  He's not very excited but he realizes that summer fun can't last all year long.  

I'm thankful these two can attend our churchs' school.  It's excellent.  The facilities are wonderful and the teachers are even better.  However, It just won't feel right to send these little 2 out the door on Monday morning and not see them again for 7 hours x 5 days a week.  It will make me happy one day when we are all home together.  In the mean time I'm comforted with the fact that they are friends and they are headed to school together.

pictures by Em Marie Photography

I'm reminded of this post at this time last year, and smile.  This is God's will for them (and me) at this time and my attentions will be focused on the little two, starting Monday.  There's a lot of work to be done and fun to be had there! 

outtakes

There's a progression here.  I'm sure you moms know it well.  If you don't get a good shot right away, it's hard to capture everyone looking "perfect".  However, some of the "perfect" looking pics don't communicate personality!  So, I say perfect shmerfect.  Let's have fun!

This is the only one we could get with Ian

and then he was done.

I think we're getting tired of this (it's only been about 60 seconds).  Isaac decides he can leave.

Jonas doesn't care for the everyone-pile-on-Jonas pose

It's time for aunt Amy to get involved

Isaac likes it.  Poor Jonas, we're almost done!

The big kids were glad to move to a new spot, but it took some convincing to get Isaac there.

silliness

hopeless, at least they are having fun!

Isaac is saying "all done"

Jonas, don't strangle your sister.  Give Isaac a toy to make him stay.

We are SO done here!

a favorite of the day to end with:

a boy and his gun

and whatever else he can get into!

The quality of these photos isn't very good, but this is a great progression to me.  Isaac is SO busy.  He always has been (hands always waving and feet always kicking- I'm sure a Dr. somewhere would love to diagnose him with ADHD already!) but especially these days.   He's into everything!  I don't know who thought that baby toys were a good idea, but after child #1 they are forgotten and the baby wants whatever big brother and big sister have.  Isaac thought he was pretty special here getting Jonas' gun.  Jonas usually keeps all of his toys out of little brothers reach, but he didn't mind Isaac playing with his "old" gun.    

First he chewed on one end, and then the other.

Pretty good form here, right Grandpa B?

btw, check out all SIX teeth- the better to bite you with, mommy :(

That's enough fun with the gun.  He's on to something bigger and better.  Jonas is playing with some legos on the couch.    Let's go check it out!

I LOVE LOVE this cute little look Jonas is giving big brother!

Jonas knows this look can only mean trouble!  The couch isn't a safe place anymore.  It's time to move little brother over!

Stay here, Isaac! 

Nope, no such luck.  He's back!

Show me your smile, big boy!