Countdown

We are T minus 23 days until our vacation. I am so ready it's not even funny. This has been a long, hard summer. We love going in August because we get to anticipate it all summer, but this is the latest we have ever gone...rates and availability and all pushed it back a bit. Still, we're ready. Ben talks about it every day.

With a host of issues last year, the least of which involving two kids, one of which was only 5 months old, we did not make it to Florida. So, it's been long enough. It's amazing to see how much Ben has changed from year to year...

August, 2008. 5 months old. 

August, 2009. 17 months old. 

August, 2009, 29 months old

There's no place like it. 

And it just can't get here fast enough.

Happy Campers

What a great group of kids...

On High

A few weeks ago we decided to convert our dining room into a playroom, and move our table into the breakfast room - which has not really been used for anything since we moved in. We had to remove the leaf, but we have found that we are spending more and more time at the table - which is exactly what we wanted to do. And while we're in the kitchen cooking, eating or cleaning, we usually have Pandora playing.

In the past couple of weeks, we have had two...how shall we say...moments. Moments of pure sweetness and complete joy with our boys.

The first was with Luke. Jenny and I had been cleaning up and listening to the Michael Buble station. Frank Sinatra's "Theme from New York, New York" came on and we started doing kicks. Luke immediately began taking these huge steps with one leg stuck out in front, trying so hard to do what we were doing. It was the sweetest sight, and he had so much fun trying to imitate us.

This past Saturday, we were having pancakes and bacon for dinner, and we had the Praise Baby station on. A kid's version of "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" came on, and within a few seconds Ben recognized the song from choir and started singing along.

Then he started the hand motions.

And he wasn't laughing. He was just being serious. And singing so far from the correct melody that it was almost not classifiable as singing.

And it was the most precious sight and sound I have ever experienced. I looked over at Jenny and said, "Honey, he's singing along."

You came from heaven to earth

To show the way,

From the earth to the cross

My debt to pay.

From the cross to the grave, 

From the grave to the sky,

Lord, I lift your name on high.

Thank you, God, for these precious gifts.

Summer Days

Our days have been filled with....

Swim Learnin'

Popsicle Eatin'

Lake - Gazin'

Water Slidin' 

Dock Fishin'

Car Drivin'

Porch Posin'

Toe Dippin'

Foot Splashin'

Baby Holdin'

Parade Watchin'

Cart Cruisin'

Senior Strollin'

...Family Fun.