Brothers

I'm loving watching the boys interact. They're a lot more interested in each other these days and seem to adore eachother in an older-brother/younger-brother sort of way. Eli loves watching James, and James loves making Eli laugh. I consider myself one luckey mama....(at times).
I have this picture on the fridge and love it! I wonder if it represents their personalities....it's a bit early to tell, but you never know.

More Birthday Pics

I was way too exhausted to add any other pictures or comments about James' birthday last time. Kids' parties are draining!! So here are a few more - they'll give a fuller experience for everyone who wasn't there. James (and I) missed Baba, Grandpa, cousins Hana, Jake, Sib, Kian, Isaac, and Zephyr and all his Aunties and Uncles. Nanny and Papa, as well as great-Nanny were able to be there. His best bud Aksel was there too and James keeps asking for him every morning and throughout the day. The 'ladies' were there too: Siena (Aksel's sis), and the three sisters Allysa, Mikaela, and Kiara (cousins of Aksel and Siena). Our friends Denise and Rodney were able to make it out too, which was great. Anyway, here are some more pics. They're self-explanatory.

Happy Birthday Buddy

These two years have gone fast!
We love you James!

Uncle Nate Gets Hitched!

Uncle Nate and Auntie Joanna tied the knot over the long weekend. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception (not to mention the couple!). We had a great time with family. Thanks Bapa (grandpa) and Baba for everything!
Here's brother Nate and our new sis (-in-law) Joanna:


Pre-ceremony parking lot:

Our fam with g-ma Schoepp:

Han, Maris, and cousins Hana and baby with g-ma Schoepp:

At the reception:


Mommy and 'Auntie' Sarah:

One of the several meals out - always nice, quite, sit-down-dinners with 2 toddlers and a babe! Good thing there were more of us (adults) than them (kids).


Morning at the park:


Outside the hotel:

The best part of staying at a hotel: the POOL!

Haircut Fun!

Last night we decided it was time. James' hair was getting way too long and rat-like. We went outside with the razor/buzzer and first did Jed's hair, then strapped James in his swing and put him in a head-lock and buzzed as fast as we could. It was not a pleasent experience for anyone. But it's over and his hair is short and easy to wash. Here are the three boys - all with the same hair style:

The after-the- haircut promise/reward:

This is what James loves to do with his trucks and animals. Line 'em up!

... and stack 'em:

Babies and Flowers

What else is there? I mean, yeah, there's more to life...but not that much more...at least for me! These are two of my big passions right now. Flowers? Passion? Well...if you were to look around my house and yard you'd see a lot of them. Cushions, curtains, pictures, potted real ones, fake ones, napkins, dishes, linens, shower curtain, throw... And of course, my babies are a passion, and they always will be. I do have other passions and interests, so don't worry about my life being so unbalanced that once the kids move out and summer's over I'll have no reason to live. OK - this post is getting too deep - here are the pictures:
Eli's getting better and better at the jolly jumper. I remember getting a lot of use out of this thing with James!

What a little sweet heart!

James needs a hair cut - but he just flips out these days if we bring the scissors anywhere near him...maybe he'll have a pony tail for Uncle Nathan's wedding...


Getting better and more use out of the bumbo these days:


The flowers (I'll miss them when they're gone...who wouldn't?):




These are new. They're called Solomon Seal (I think). They're the long stalks growing under the rhodo. I walk past a house with a gorgeous yard everytime I go to Save On (every day), and yesterday I chatted with the lady and asked her some questions about plants, and she offered me a whole bunch of her stuff. I came back with the car and picked up about 5 big clumps of solomon seal, some iris', some black eyed susans, and a couple other things that I don't know what they are (but I do know they're perennials - so they'll be back). I really hope they all live and thrive!


A lady bug ("bagh" if you're James) - almost as facinating as worms ("oourgm"):

So far, these are the only flowers that James has picked. He's squashed a few tulips with his feet, but he hasn't tried picking them... yet...

Hopefully this time next year there will be more solomon seals to show off. And more tulips.. I love tulips. But probably not more babies (make that a definately) although I do love babies.
Jacki - I'm reading the following books/recently finished because I don't like reading more than one book at a time:
- When Sinners Say "I Do" by I don't know and the book's in Eli's room and he's sleeping. About being a sinner and being married to one.
- Attonement Child by Francine Rivers: novel, really intense, really feel good at the end.
- Bible (James, Proverbs)
- Saint by Ted Dekker: novel, action packed, little on the weird side, very addicting - typical Ted Dekker book.
- Obsessed by Ted Dekker: see above.
- Hood by Steven Lawhead: novel about Robin Hood, little old-englishy (but don't tell tristan), christian themes
- Scarlet by Steven Lawhead: part two to Hood

spring in the back yard

Spring is definately here in Ladner. It's GREAT having a back yard to hang out in! We love it. James especially - he can't spend enough time looking for bugs, collecting sticks, and stomping on my flowers!!!