September 21, 2011

Millerton Lake boat ride

Riding on the boat with Aunt Barbara 
Kids in their life vests
Daddy and Uncle John
Boat trip to Millerton Lake 
Corben and Daddy
Meme & Mason giggling 
Swimming in the lake
The kids did great swimming/floating 
Papa John, Meme, Mason, Uncle John, Aunt Barbara, Mommy, Daddy and Corben 
Aunt Barbara and the kids on the boat
Corben and Papa John floating 
Mason eating her oreo cookie
Mommy, Mason and Corben

September 20, 2011

Candles & gifts (pre-birthday)

Practicing blowing out her birthday candle 
We sang Happy Birthday to her and lit the candle at least 20 times
Such happy times! 
Papa John, Mason and Meme
Mason opening her gift from Papa John & Meme 
Her first American Doll
Bitty Baby
Mason thanking Papa John 
Meme helped her change baby's clothes and Mason started feeding her a bottle
Mason giving Meme a thank you kiss
Bear Paw (Papa Slonaker) gave Caleb a deer riffle, Corben was fascinated 

September 19, 2011

Pool time with Papa John & Meme

Kids squirting Papa John 
Big smiles!
Mason and Meme 
Corben, Papa John, Mason and Meme in the pool
Mason jumping into the pool 
Mason getting ready to jump in
Corben kicking with Papa John 
Papa John & Mason
Brother and sister

September 17, 2011

Guitar

Corben playing the guitar 
Hard core rocker with his sister as his "agent" (on the phone taking care of her baby!) Haha!

Art update

The kids recycled old crayons and made crayon stars 
Corben learned about Noah's Ark and God's promise with the rainbow at church
He colored his rainbow and when asked who makes rainbows he replies, "God"
Flower project with taping and coloring 
Silly kids holding up their art work

September 12, 2011

Baby Tessa

Mason LOVES baby dolls...
and this little "preemie" doll is named Tessa
She even wears a bow like Mason
Mason loves to hold her and change her clothes, she has two outfits
(True story... we actually left her at a park while playing with friend Sofia, we went back many hours later and actually found baby Tessa!  We were all amazed, I guess this little baby is staying in the family!)
She is so nuturing!
( dictionary meaning: To nourish; feed. To educate; train. To help grow or develop)

September 4, 2011

Corben 3 1/2 years

Oh...how do I love this little boy...I count the ways daily!
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When he smiles, you pretty much melt!
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Corben is 3 1/2 now and such a sweet boy.
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He goes to preschool twice a week and weekly sunday school class at church
He is writing his name better each day
He volunteers in preschool to count to 20 and say his alphabet
He plays with friends at preschool (Jack, Giovanni, Sam, Ryan, Emily, McKenna, Jordan)
He has had a couple of play dates with church friends (William, Macie, Lucas, Tessa and Braden).
He also loves playing with his 6 year old next door neighbor Jack Morton.
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Even though they have their moments...
he LOVES his little sister and calls her his best friend.
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He is smart and has such a great memory
He loves teasing you and making you giggle!
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Most recently he is learning about God and how God made everything.
He is saying his prayers at night and when Mommy prompts him, he adds in his own prayer request too....so precious! 
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I love seeing him grow into a smart, funny and charming little boy that loves God!

Basketball

Corben really did make most of his tosses into the hoop! 
Mason liked placing the ball into the hoop 

Action shot playing basketball after church

Floating

The kids have been getting better and better at swimming.
However, they have discovered floating in their intertubes...holding hands....is fun too! 

Bell pepper

We have had a few bell peppers that haven't turned a nice shade of green.
This is our first really great looking green bell pepper
And...we have tomatoes again...yummy!

September 3, 2011

Fun houses...


Two thoughts come to mind...
"It takes a village to raise children...and we have one in our yard"
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Second thought....
"My wise children have acquired homes and they are little landlords" 

Our neighbors gave us the bigger house, so Caleb set it out by their playset
Then Caleb was driving and found a "free" marked house in our neighborhood and snatched it up for the kids! 
(I should comment on Corben's helmet...he rode his motorcycle out to the homes, took it off shortly after my pictures.)