Austin's First Bike...

 

We got Austin his first bike this past weekend, as an early birthday present. 

He is thrilled with it and rides up and down the sidewalk,

showing it off to anyone and everyone.  

I LOVE that we have nice enough weather here, 

to still enjoy the outdoors this time of year. 

Chloe, 18 Months (two months late)...

Chloe turned 18 months in August, right before we moved back to Kansas.  Here are some things I want to remember...

• You weigh 23 lbs and are 31.5 inches tall.  (about the 25th percentile for both those)
• You love accessories...purses, hair bands, necklaces, sunglasses, bows, hats, shoes, etc. 
• Your favorite foods are, green beans, mac n' cheese, and blueberries.
• You LOVE reading books, dancing, helping mommy with laundry, taking walks, playing on playgrounds.  
• You nap every afternoon, usually less than two hours.  
• You are quite the diva, very loud when you want something, but as sweet as can be other times.  
• You had your first ER visit just after we moved in to our new house.  

Wow, its been 4 months...

What we've been up too...
We put our Alaska house on the market (FSBO) and sold it less than two weeks later...

Nate flew down to Lawrence for one weekend, looked at 30? houses and put an offer on this one...

We got to move in shortly after we arrived here in Lawrence and have been busy making it our own ever since!  We are so happy to be here and are praising the Lord for working this all out.   Living in Lawrence means Nate has an hour commute (each way!),  but this new job he is traveling a lot (wait, wasn't he old job like that too?) it is worth the commute, so we can be closer to family.  

Inlet Views...

Take a short walk from our house, and this is what you'll see.  So beautiful...I can't quite believe we will be leaving it so soon.  Summertime in Alaska makes. me. happy. :)

Happy 7th Anniversary!

Today we are celebrating our 7th Anniversary!  Woot!  Love you babe!

7 Things I love about you...

1. You are such a hard worker.  Never content to just "cruise" through life, you are always learning new things and pushing yourself to do more.   (Great job on test #3!)
2. You are a wonderful Father.  Our kids laugh more with you than anyone else.  They always just completely light up when you walk through the door.  
3. You take excellent care of our house, cars, yard, etc.  
4. You are always up for fun, making just ordinary events seem like a blast. 
5. You give excellent bribes. ;)
6. You love the Lord and seek to follow Him in all you do.  
7. You serve our country without ever complaining about the sacrifice you have made to do so. 

Hangin' With the Fam =

Pure Bliss

Both the kiddos were so happy to go back "home" earlier this month.  We had a wonderful visit and got to see almost everyone in our families.  It was so neat to see how the Lord worked out everyone's schedule, so we could see them.

Some highlights from the trip...

• Going to the Zoo with the Everharts
• Date night (Thanks Mom, Rachel, and Dave!)
• Fishing and Hiking
• Clare's 1st Birthday Party (first party we have ever made of the kids cousin's)
• Shopping at the Outlet Malls
• Getting news of our new assignment (ie moving to Kansas)
• Meeting my brother's girlfriend (Hi, Erica!)
• Japanese Steakhouse
• Hearing the news that Matt and Erica are now Engaged!! We couldn't be more excited!
• Seeing Iron Man 2 opening night, at the late night showing.  
• Watching the boys play on Grandpa's "Fire Engine".
• Looking at Real Estate around Lawrence  (I know, premature, but it was fun to see what our future holds for us).
• Getting to see my sister's new house, before she even moved in!
• Meeting little Silas for the first time, he is such a good baby!
• Running on the KU campus with Nate and Anna.

and so so much more.  Thank you everyone for making our time at home so special.  We love you all!

Looks like we'll be packing our bags soon...

Nate got matched to a new job in the Sunflower State...we will live close to his old stomping ground, if you know where that is...more info soon! 

You know your son is listening to his Bible stories when...

he looks out the window of his Sunday school class, sees a little boy climbing a tree, and says,

"Hey, look!  He's climbing up the Sycamore tree!"  

Just want to remember...

Chloe took her first steps alone last night...on her 14 month birthday...

Easter Weekend...

We had a wonderful Easter weekend!  Hope all of you guys did too!  Here are some pics of my cuties!

Sweet Uncle...

Matt and Chloe

Quiet My Heart

 

My mind wanders away
Dreaming of where I could be on another day
I'm always so far ahead
I seem to miss the one that I'm in
And I regret the time I lost
Slow me down before it's gone

Right here in the moment I'm given

I'll treasure the breath that I breathe in

And I'll rest in You

You quiet my heart

Somehow every second that's passing

Is filled so much meaning

As I wait here with You

Quiet my heart

I get stuck in between

Yesterday and all that tomorrow brings

When all that You want from me

Is that I come and sit at your feet

And know that You are God

And with You no time is lost

Don't let me run away

Show me why I should stay

Open my eyes to take in Your beauty

Keep me here in this place

Take me in Your embrace

There's no place I'd rather be than right now.

Sung by Brooke Barrettsmith

A little Chloe cuteness...

All American Girl...

"And now, he's wrapped around her finger
She's the center of his whole world
And his heart belongs to that sweet, little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect
All American girl." song by Carrie Underwood

Happy 1st Birthday Chloe!!

The Sibs...

Matt, me, Rach, and Mike

Austin...is a BIG boy!

I think I can officially say we are finished "potty training"!! Woohoo!  We tried last summer without too much success, and then decided to wait til he turned three to try again.  So, around Christmas time we took it up again, and it went SO much better and much smoother.  He was definitely ready this time, which made such a difference.   Nate and I were talking the other day, and we both agreed, "Wow, that was way easier than we thought it would be!"  So, glad it worked out that way, and I didn't push him before he was ready (even though I was ready!).
Austin also just finished his first "round" of swim lessons.  He has a long way to go, before he is actually a swimmer, but I'm so glad we did the lessons.  He had so much fun, and it was really nice for him to learn from someone other than one of his parents! 
That's about all that is going on in his little world...!  Oh, and he is trying to give up his naps. :( Ugg...

Chloe, 11 months...

Chloe at 11 months...
Chloe is growing up right before our eyes, and we love getting to watch her.   She is quite the determined little girl, and so strong.  We think if either of our kids ends up being a gymnast it will certainly be her!
*She has discovered her new love of toilets and of course toilet paper, and loves to make plenty of messes for Momma to clean up.
*She finally started on a few consistent bottles in the past couple of weeks, and I love it (and so does she!).  I love feeding her a bottle, I guess since I've never done it before(?), but it is so nice to be able to feed her in public!  What is not nice though, is the price of formula.  Goodness...how does anyone afford to buy that for a year? 
*Chloe has started "cruising" around on the furniture, and also recently started climbing the stairs.  She is really good at the stairs, and so far hasn't wavered once on them.
*She finally got her first tooth last weekend!! Woot, woot!
(Its her top left canine tooth).  
*Chloe wears 12-18 month clothes...

Kincaid Park

We went to Kincaid park last Saturday for a quick little outing.  It was really cold and windy that day, so we didn't stay out long.  We pretty much just ran in and out of the warming house to take pictures. 
**On the way home we saw this guy snow boarding with a kite...doesn't that look like fun?  Ah, the things you will see on the side of the road in Alaska. :)  Love it.

Downstairs Bath redo...

We've been busy doing some updates on our bathrooms.  Here is a quick peak at the downstairs bathroom.   We framed the mirror, replaced the countertop, sink, and faucet, painted the cabinet, and tiled the floor.  I love how quickly bathrooms can look so much better.   I wish I had a before picture, but they are all on my laptop, which is currently "in the shop".  Now we are working on A's bathroom!!  By the time we get done making this house "pretty" we will be putting it up for sale. :(

Favorite Pics of Hawaii, Part One...

We had a wonderful vacation with my whole family.  We all met up in Hawaii the week before Christmas and soaked in the sun to our little hearts content.  It was WONDERFUL, especially coming from the freezing cold state of Alaska. :)
Pictures are as follows...
1. Hiking up to the Lighthouse.
2. Looking down at the Lighthouse.
3. Christmas tree Hawaii style.
4. Nate and Austin resting in the park.
5. Waimea Falls. 
More to come soon!