Always busy

Elizabeth is hilarious right now! Every moment is filled with something - she's always busy. One day I find her with our hiking carrier on her back getting ready for a hike with her doll and the next filling her purse with keys and putting on her coat, shoes, hat, and gloves to go "bye-bye mom." She definitely wants to be a mini-adult.

First Smile!

It might be a little lop-sided but we love it anyway!

Baby Shower

Our church has had four baby boys born in the past two months! To celebrate, the church threw us all a combined baby shower. Rachel did a great job of decorating, Faith had some fun (but challenging!) games, Chris gave a wonderful devotion, and Martha cooked two amazing cakes! I was so thankful Sharon was able to join us at the shower. What a great thing we do in our culture - celebrate the wonderful children God made!

Special Visitors

This past weekend we enjoyed the company of Grandpa & Grandma Van Osdol, the Andersons, and Michael! Alexander finally got to meet his cousin Talon - they look so adorable together! Dean & Irene took me out to dinner for my birthday (we had some amazing egg rolls!). The next day was spent in Sioux City where we shopped, ate at HuHot (mmm!), and the guys went climbing at an indoor climbing wall. On Saturday, Sharon and I loaded up the two infants, Elizabeth, and Laeton and headed to Sioux Falls for more shopping. To not bore you with the details, I will simply say next time we're getting a baby-sitter!! The guys went pheasant hunting but it was too early in the season (too much corn left in the fields) and the weather was too nice (which seems backwards to me!), they weren't able to get any birds. Sunday we relaxed around Vermillion. The church threw Alexander a baby shower and it was so nice to have Sharon come with us. Thanks to all for visiting. We look forward to seeing Sharon and the gang back in a few weeks for (hopefully) better hunting.

Sister'ly love!

Elizabeth will randomly show interest in Alexander and this day I found her playing "dolls" with him! He's a great sport with her - just lays there and stares at her with his big eyes. (Even if she's sitting on his foot or pulling on his blanket!)

Cheese!

Elizabeth is so funny. Whenever I pull out the camera she squints her eyes, puts on the fakest smile ever, and through clenched teeth says "Cheese!" (Without thinking I deleted most of her cheesy smiles from this set - I'll save the next ones for you.) Even at daycare I found her with a play camera walking around to all of the kids and babies telling them to say "cheese" and taking their pictures! Future photographer...?!

Bundled up

Happy Birthday Sam!

We celebrated Sam's birthday with dinner and a tie-dye cake. Elizabeth, after a healthy (ha) dose of chocolate cake, ran circles giggling at the top of her lungs for two hours solid! I had to take her outside to the park so she could burn off the extra energy! What a hoot! Happy Birthday Sam!

Mr. Handsome

The little guy who's stole my heart!

Hey, mom has the camera out!

Elizabeth loves to cuddle with Alexander .... when the camera's out!

Sleep ... at the VanOsdols?

Alexander is a great sleeper and is doing much better at nights. He only wakes up to nurse a couple times a night and promptly falls back to sleep once he's finished. (Yeah for me!!) Elizabeth on the other hand sleeps like her dad - not well. She's been struggling to fall asleep for her naps and in the evenings. We've tried multiple strategies but have settled on just praying she outgrows it ... soon!

Best Friends

Okay, I realize it is somewhat silly how parents automatically call their friend's children best friends but oh well, here I go.

I've been helping Rachel out with her daycare a few hours a week which means Elizabeth and Bryn have been spending more time together. Slowly Elizabeth is warming up to Bryn's enthusiastic personality. In fact, just the other day Elizabeth finally returned Bryn's loving hug! I love watching these "best friends" play together.

Open house

Every year the local fire department holds an open house for the public. This year we didn't stay too long - just long enough to eat some hot dogs, watch Dad spray the fire hose, and get an official firefighters hat!

Slow down

On this particular day I made it a point to stop everything I had planned and on my "to-do" list to spend some time playing with Elizabeth and Alexander. Isn't it sad that this is something rather difficult for me? The days seem to flow into each other with hardly any time for relaxation. I can only imagine how much I'll regret not slowing down and putting aside the list to just spend time with my children when they're at such a young and beautiful age.