The MindyCam

Every once in a while Mindy gets her camera out and snaps some shots of the kiddos during the day (for those of you who don't know, she is our daycare provider - we're so blessed!). And tonight she shared her vast collection of photos with me. Get ready for a little bit of a walk down memory lane and on into more recent days with Addie and Isaac!

Isaac used to LOVE this bouncer! I think he's around 9 months in this picture.

Late summer last year - probably around 14 - 15 months.

Best buds, holding hands. Mindy would tell me stories about them walking around the house holding hands and laughing together. Too cute!

Last Fall found a new favorite activity - jumping on the bed! That's Isaac, Trent, and Addie having a ball.

Trent comes over to play every once in a while. It's funny to see the three of them standing next to each other because Isaac is actually the youngest of the three and tallest of the three!

Halloween - This was hilarious! Isaac got SO EXCITED when "Elmo" came walking out from the bedroom. He literally started jumping and screaming "Melmo, Melmo!" He practically tackled poor Addie in his excitement! Haha. It was so cute.

Sitting on their little bench out front. Mindy tells me that they sometimes tell her they want to go outside and sit.

It took Isaac a little while, but he finally fell in love with the swing! He was afraid of it for a while there, but I think he overcame his fear. Addie likes to help push him.

They are like siblings, learning to share with each other and being each other's play pals. Mindy tells me that Isaac will copy everything that Addie does, just like a little brother. One day Addie came up to Mindy saying, "I don't want Isaac to follow me anymore!" So Mindy told her, "Why don't you go to your room and shut the door so you can play by yourself for a little while." Isaac hadn't figured out the door knobs yet, so Addie took her mommy's advice and it worked! Of course, Isaac started banging on the door wondering "Where's Addie?"

This was just a couple of weeks ago - 19 months ... enjoying one of his favorites - "bawberries!" (a.k.a. strawberries).

Out for a walk with their "stro-stros."

Resting in the shade...

Best Friends!

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

I'm so glad you were born, my Love!

Half of our small group Bible study was there to celebrate and help us eat cake. Fun times, our fine choir! (Clockwise: Roger, Colleen, Jake, Jaimie, and us)

We ended the day with Bible study and chocolate cake. What a fantastic duo! However, not everyone was too happy about the celebration... Either he's sad his daddy is getting older, or he was jealous that Daddy got to hold the cake. Hmm, this is debatable!

It's a Zoo Out There!

Kevin had the day off for his birthday, so I surprised him and took the day off as well. It was a fun mid-week family day, and we went to the ZOO!

Getting started, looking forward to the adventure ahead!

First stop, the Longhorn Sheep...

... then Mommy's favorite - the Tiger. Isn't she beautiful?

As we watched the tiger, Isaac kept saying, "Raaaarrrr. Raaaarrrr."

Even the lions were out, which was amazing. She kind of looks like our cat Chloe (who likes to think of herself as queen).

The Rhinos didn't smell very good...

... so Isaac grabbed the map and said, "Ready!" I think that was our hint to get moving.

These two monkeys didn't look all that thrilled to see us. Their shifty eyes kept darting to and fro, and I could tell they were scheming... "If I ever get out of here..."

After a snack, Isaac insisted on cleaning his tray. Haha, okay!

What a fun day! Despite the lions and tigers, rhinos and giraffes... The highlight of Isaac's day? Seeing a tractor drive through to the zoo workers only zone. He was sad he couldn't follow... haha. That boy is crazy about machinery and trucks! If only they made truck zoos... hmmm.

Happy Birthday Eve!

Tonight we went out with some friends for Kevin's birthday eve dinner. Oregano's did not disappoint - Yum!

Isaac was strangely disinterested in the pizza, so Mark borrowed his bib.

First he wanted Daddy, then he wanted Mommy, then Daddy, then... yeah, you guessed it...

Silly kiddo, he won't eat my spaghetti and meatballs, but he'll sink his teeth into the pizza dough! Who can ever figure him out?

That kept him occupied for a bit...

Things got a little crazy after a while!

... really crazy. Oh, boys, we can't take you anywhere!

Mmmmm, deep dish Chicago style! Lots of cheesy supreme goodness under that sauce.

Autumn & Mark (a.k.a. "Ahnut & Mock" in Isaac-speak)

"Uncle Tum" & Krista

Jaimie & Jake ("Mainie & Ayke" in Isaac-speak)

Who Needs Disney Land?

When you have a BIG GUCK?

We have an active debate brewing over who loves our truck the most, Kevin or Isaac.

Isaac asks, "Where's the big guck?" at least twenty times a day, not exaggerating!

"It's a big guck."

I had a moment where it occurred to me... "you might be a redneck if ..... your truck bed doubles as a play pen."

"Isaac, are you having fun?" (I ask the obvious question).

"It's a big guck!" is his reply.

He must have been catching his breath. This is the first time he stood still!

"It just doesn't get any better than this." He silently thinks to himself...

...or could it? ...

(Now, relax. It looks like we were driving fast, but really we were going 5 mph.)

Truly, it's the simple things in life that bring so much happiness. I love my family!