Mr. Receptive Language...

loving my new camera

kyren is enamored with the new fire truck. he uses it like a walker, chugging down the driveway and back.

he is so proud to be a 'big boy' driver.

he somehow finds a way to climb in, turn around, get his feet in the right place, and GO!

meanwhile, C is trying desperately to use the ladders to put out tree fires.

he's also getting creative with his sliding techniques...

he wanted me to take his picture next to the 'snow bushes' that tickle his tummy.

his shirt says, "what happens at grandma's stays at grandmas".

(this shirt also stays at grandma's)

gettin clean after a day out in the sunshine (and plenty of dirt)...

i love that they are both in this shot.

they had the best time together in that bath... every time C would splash, K would laugh hysterically. Love it!!!

from generation to generation...

i had the rare privilege of growing up with all 4 of my grandparents living locally and engaged in my life. i realized as i got older how much of a gift this was (and continues to be, with 2 of them still actively involved).

little did i know how sweet it would be to watch my own children interact with not only their own grandparents (all of whom they adore), but also with the great grands, on my side.

i have been enjoying using my new camera that i got for mothers' day (thanks, kids!) this week-- taking advantage of all of the outdoor shots i can get in the gorgeous weather... i didn't even realize that i was snapping pics of generations interacting together until i looked at the roll later.

i seriously think this is the picture of the year-- soon to be 97 year old Gramma Peg pulling newly 3 year old Christian (that's a century when you add them together) in the wagon. she totally initiated this herself, and walked him the length of the driveway and back, without breaking a sweat! She's one incredible lady!

And here is Grampy helping Christian to see how long it takes for a stick to wash downstream. I love how buddy-buddy they are.

Kyren adoring Poppy, and playing games with him at the dinner table.

Passing down the love from one to the next...

i am so thankful that there are multiple generations influencing our family.

friends?

Kyren adores Christian.

Christian often adores Kyren.

But rare is the moment that they adore each other at the same time!

Even rare-er is the moment i am able to capture the moment of mutual adoration!!

while this isn't the most quality of photographs, it is going to always be one that warms my heart--

because it is, what you could call the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

It was the morning of Christian's 3rd birthday, and we were having an early lunch.

I turned on the "photobooth" on the computer, and they both loved watching themselves on 'live camera'.

i moved their chairs closer to each other so they could both be in the frame.

whenever C's tray is within reach (or even remotely close to him) K tries to reach for it.

usually this results in C screaming in horror and defense of his food, drink and personal space.

but in this (did i mention rare?) moment, they reached for each other.

and the result was nothing less than magical, at least to me.

may you learn early on, boys, that reaching for each other is always better than pulling (or pushing) away.

may you grow in your brotherly affection as the years go by, and may you reach for each other in good times and bad.

for God has gifted you each to be the other's best friend.

i'm so thankful i get to watch it all unfold.

i love being your mom.

~Mother's Day 2011~

A Birthday Wish come true

Every time we drive past the train tracks in town, Christian asks if we remember when we went on our Fathers' Day train ride. . . followed by "When can we go again?"

What better birthday present (at his Dinosaur Train Party) than some homemade (by daddy) train tickets to the Strasburg Railroad??

The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and the birthday boy had a fabulous time!

Kyren liked it for a while, but was really frustrated that he wasn't allowed to wander around to his heart's content (ie, out the door and down the steps of the moving train car). So it was a little hard to capture his joy on film-- but we know it was somewhere deep down inside, to be celebrating the birthday of his big brother!

A Very Happy Birthday!

It started with breakfast in bed-- which quickly moved to the table, for messiness' sake.

Strawberries, whipped cream, and a dump truck candle.

Then off to the DK Diner for a blueberry pancake with a bulldozer candle.

an oil truck, now named "Ollie", was the highlight of the morning.

who needs clothes when you've got your birthday suit on?

a surprise gift arrived from grandpop in florida... a remote control dump truck.

boy. heaven.

a dinosaur train party at Gramsy and Poppy's.

the cake only took 5oo hours (or so it seemed) to assemble and complete.

if you've never seen Dinosaur Train, you should. it's brilliant.

i think he liked it.

i like him.

a lot.

a fire truck card that has a siren in it!

and to top off the day, his very own 'old fashioned fire truck'.

so completely spoiled.

and so very happy to be the big 3.

a beautiful week

just a quick recap of our fun week:

Easter was simply the most beautiful (surprising) weather.  we enjoyed a lovely worship service, a little egg hunt/basket hunt at Gramsy/Poppy's, a bunny cake, a lamb cake, and lots of running around in the grass with both sides of our families.
C was back to school on Tuesday, and the unusually warm weather continued, giving us plenty of opportunity to run around and ride bikes. SUCH a welcome surprise in April.
Tuesday night my sweet roommate from college came down from VT on the train JUST to spend a few days with us! We went to Longwood in the (still) beautifully sunny weather, and enjoyed the tulips and fountains and treehouses... and then went back again the next day in the rain and enjoyed the conservatory.  The boys adored Adrienne, and loved waking up every morning to greet her on the couch. She decided to stay an extra day, which ended up being a great decision-- the boys napped at Gramsy's while we went shopping and then had cheesesteaks to complete her visit. C and i took her to the train yesterday morning, and afterward he kept saying that he wanted to go live in Vermont. One of these days we will have to go visit (on the train, of course).
Last night was Bethany's wedding. . . i could hardly believe it. It's the first time I've experienced something like that-- being able to remember every stage of her life, from the first day she arrived home-- til now. It was just a tiny glimpse into what it must be like to see your child get married. I can't believe she's all grown up, when it seems like yesterday i was teaching her how to swim. I am soooo happy for her, and she looked radiant.
today is Kyren's NICU reunion at Paoli Hospital-- looking forward to seeing all of the docs and nurses who played such a big role in his little life. hoping we remember to take pics! for now, here are a few of the wedding--