Things for Which I Am Thankful

1. Crazy family members
2. Deep, uncontrolled laughter of a little boy
3. Hands which do not yet suffer from tremors
4. Family Naps (with small, warm little bottoms x 2)
5. A reading husband
6. Handmade quilts
7. [Slobbery] kisses given by anyone in the age range of 18 months - 76 years old
8. A God to Whom I can credit all my blessings
9. Feeling this baby move inside of me
10. Lots of babies on the way!
11. Wet wipes
12. The ability to walk, get sweaty, and experience a cool breeze
13. Telephones
14. Music & song
15. Hardworking people
16. Eric's new job
17. Our little log cabin and enormous yard
18. Friends who love Jesus
19. A gush of emotion
20. My husband
21. Elijah's love for books
22. Family who love us
23. Our van
24. Snacks
25. Thanksgiving

Friends

Glen, as an experienced Daddy, can make really amazing animal noises. Elijah was fascinated. This is Nadine's favorite part of the house:
A quick family-worship in which Elijah taught Nadine My God is So Big!
Look at these sweet boys with their big bellies!It's nice to have friends close enough for last-minute dinner invitations. It's almost like having neighbors.

Picnic

$3

This was our most recent splurge for Elijah. We were at a great consignment sale with Matt and Laura up in Madison. Eric was helping Elijah play with all the toys while I sorted through huge racks of 2T clothing. We were able to find just the perfect amount of clothing and this new $3 toy. There it goes...
Get it, Elijah!
I want to remember him doing this to stand up:
When things get boring, just taste the toy!
This toy has been well worth the money spent. Good call, Eric!

More importantly, October 14th, was the day Laura and Matt told us they are having a baby BOY! We are so excited to meet little Luke! It will be great to have two boy cousins so close in age - and maybe three!

Learning to Eat Bananas

Elijah also eats the entire apple core. More fiber, right?

Reading with Daddy

Elijah's very favorite activity is reading books. He ALWAYS wants to read, and he has recently started reading to us. All the stories he reads sound like "AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH." Same noise, as loud as possible, held for as long as possible, then repeated. It makes us laugh.
Here Daddy is reading One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey, an excellent illustrator.
A lot of pointing and explaining goes on when Daddy reads.
Elijah also does his fair share of pointing.
We hope to be raising a nerdy child~:-)

Lime, Anyone?

October 6th: Elijah tastes his first lime.




Back for more...and excited!

Seth Visits!

Seth came to visit us on his recent trip home from out West. He was really nice to hang out with us, even reading to Elijah. And this is EXACTLY how Elijah likes to read books: in someone's lap and in easy reach of every point-worthy picture. How appropriate that Elijah picked out First Picture Nature for Seth to read.

Seth showed us a selection of his best photography, some of which were amazing! Then, to show my gratitude, I kicked him off the couch and promptly fell asleep. (Have you experienced my hostessing skills?)
It was really nice to see you Seth!

Anne's Wedding Weekend: Part Two

After the wedding we were able to spend some time getting to know Hank and eating Mexican food in downtown Colorado Springs.On Sunday we attended Michelle's church, ate some yummy Thai food (which I initially ordered WAY to hot, but was given a second dish for free), and visited Red Rocks in Denver. When I first flew into Denver, I was strikingly disappointed at how flat and barren the landscape seemed. Being there a few days and moving closer to the foothills changed my opinion of the place. Although I still, by far, prefer the thick treescapes of the East coast.




This may be my favorite Colorado picture:

This place is really amazing. They have lots of concerts here, using only the natural acoustics the landscape provides. There was a Chinese guy singing on the stage while we were there; we could clearly hear (although not actually understand) his words from way at the top of the amphitheatre.

Anne's Wedding Weekend: Part One

This friend of mine just got married!
To celebrate, she climbed a tree... ...and hung out with me...
..and a few other choice friends.
My best college friends:
Annie and Larissa, my Mommy friends:
Roommate~:-)
Lauren gives Anne some last-minute marriage advice: Part of my travelling-to-Colorado group (minus Lily, who was pretty much the main focus of the group): Merilee with her husband-to-be, Faris: Michelle with her husband-to-be, Hank: The newlyweds, Anne and Wallace: After a hearty scramble, Jenelle emerged with the bride's bouquet: I love these girls! Cute pregnant girls: