Things we've heard lately...

Here's a peek into the journal of cute things we've heard around our house lately...

May 2012 
As we're making pancakes this morning, Isaac hugs me and says, "I just love hugging you! I'm never gonna stop hugging you!" I said, "No, don't ever stop hugging me!" And he responded with "That's what God tells us to do - to hug!" ♥

August 9, 2012
Me: Elise, do you want me to dance with you? 
Elise: Well, you're not a ballerina, you're Mommy, so you can't dance...but I'm a ballerina!

August 27, 2012
Elise, praying last night: "Dear Jesus, thank you for today. Thank you for Nana and Gramps. Thank you for Sport's Page. Bye bye."

September 5, 2012
Preschool open house today... Trying to get the kids downstairs and out the door, Elise comes down first and says, "Isaac is silly but he is coming, so don't leave him. I do love him." ♥

There was a mosquito on my calf tonight and Elise shooed it away for me. Then she grabbed my leg and held onto it with her whole torso, trying to cover it completely. Then she said, "He will not bite you!" I asked, "Why not?" Elise replied, "Because I will hold you!"

September 2, 2012
Me: Isaac, look at all those white cows! 
Isaac: That means it won't rain.
Me: What do you mean?
Isaac: When the cows [clouds] are white, it doesn't rain.

September 17, 2012
Isaac commenting on tornadoes: "Tornadoes are really huge mountains that spin around and really mess up the world!"

Then, later that day when I asked Isaac to tell Steven about tornadoes, he said, "Tornadoes are really huge things like buildings that spin around and go all over the world and tear it up!  You know, Daddy, we saw them on the movie Moe and the Big Exit [VeggieTales]!"

Family Mountain Trip!

Over Labor Day weekend, our family went to the mountains, and we took Gramps, Nana, Kati and Ray with us!  My parents, Kati, the kids and I went down Friday morning to get settled in.  We stopped by Blowing Rock on the way so that we could eat at the Mellow Mushroom (we never miss eating here if we can help it!)  That night, Mom and Dad made dinner for us all, and Steven and Ray arrived after work just in time!  

The rest of the weekend included visiting downtown West Jefferson, eating BBQ and pizza, and just relaxing together at the cabin.  

Elise loved spending so much quality time with Nana...

The boys especially enjoyed shooting a BB Gun (see their soda can targets?) and also using a sling shot (with acorns as ammo):

After the kids went to bed, the grown-ups enjoyed playing games and visiting.  We all played Taboo together and laughed hysterically with each other.  And the guys enjoyed a game or two of Mexican Train (with dominoes) out on the deck.

We were so glad to be able to spend this special time together!

We are so grateful for the gift of family and the blessing of time together!

First week of preschool 2012!

Our kids have been in preschool now for two weeks.  They are both doing well and enjoying their classes.  Their teachers are awesome, and they each have several friends in class.  Isaac is in a Transitional Kindergarten class (which is similar to a Pre-K), and Elise is in the 2-year-old class.  

Here are some pictures from the first week...

Here's to a great year of preschool for two precious babes!  (who are growing WAY too fast!)

Playing with bugs!

We recently purchased a decorative water fountain to go on our deck.  Once we put water in it, bugs (mainly beetles) started floating in it.  This has proven to be extremely entertaining for our kids - they like to take a cup and get the bugs out, look at them, and show them to me.  They also ask me to take pictures of them with their bugs, so here they are...

Kinda gross if you ask me, but it makes my day to see these sweeties having so much fun!

Trying on brother's cleats...

 I LOVE this girl!!!

Isaac's first soccer practice

This year we signed Isaac up for a local soccer league.  He is on a U6 team, which means he is playing with other kids under 6 (ages 4 and 5).  He has one practice each week and his games are on Saturday mornings.  Isaac seemed to be excited about his first soccer practice before we actually went.  However, when we got there and he realized there would be other people there and that attention would be on him at certain points, he shyed away from the team and the coach.  Most of that first practice he spent on the sidelines with Steven and me.  Elise, on the other hand, was trying to get right into the game by running through the middle of the field.  Isaac eventually went out on the field once Steven went with him and helped guide him.  We are hoping he will warm up to team soccer throughout the next few weeks.  At home, he is a kicking pro!  

Fun with Daddy...

When Mommy's away, this is what Steven does with the kiddos...

Roasting marshmallows and swinging... life doesn't get better than this!

Summer morning fun...

I love it when these two play sweetly together!  (better look fast!) ;)

Father's Day 2012

We had a great time celebrating Father's Day this year.  Steven woke up to breakfast, cards, presents, and lots of hugs from Isaac and Elise.  We made him this picture for his office:

He loved it!  After church, we had lunch at my parents' house, which included Granny, Pawpaw, and Kati.  Daddy liked his "Yard Sale Funds" present from us!

And Isaac loved having Granny talk with him on the walkie talkie!

After lunch, the kids and Steven went for a ride on the slip-n-slide:

Mom, Kati, and I mostly talked while they were sliding...

Then Gramps and Isaac went for a bike ride.  They love to ride together!

And Elise took her bear doll for a ride!

Lots of fun, fellowship and celebrating the awesome Dads in our lives!