Introducing....

Andrew, the Jedi-knight! Seen in podracers everywhere :)

A visit from grandma and grandpa

Grandpa and Andrew had a good old time together the other weekend. It was so much fun to see them play together! He enjoyed this shape toy (Grandpa, that is;) haha. Just kidding, so did Andrew. Andrew is very intrigued by dad's glasses, and often wants to take them off. His face also lights up and he says "Da Da!". Which, to anyone who has been around Andrew, everything seems to be "Da Da" these days. So no fear, he will get it all straight eventually.
Any chance she got, mom helped us feed Andrew during their visit. I think he really likes getting his food from silly grandma. Hmm, he even ate peas for her. Mom, what do you think about coming out twice a week? :)


And here we have the experience of bubbles for the first time for Andrew! He was very silent and concentrating on each bubble that passed by. He loved it if dad caught a bubble on the wand and let Andrew pop it! This beloved bubble wand has now become a somewhat permanent structure in my son's hand. And about 10 times a day he is over at the sliding door, banging on it and exclaiming " Duh Duuhhhh! Duh Duuuuh!" (very different than Da Da, mind you) It's his word for bubbles! He toddles all over the house swinging that wand around. Almost like a light saber. Perhaps a future profession? Jedi-knight? Only time will tell.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend, Mom and Dad! We love you both!!!

Just another morning...

Here I am in my bathrobe. It is quite comfy and plush. I think I look like a little old man. What do you think?

spaghetti

Hello?

What? Do I have something on my face?

Well, let me just put some more on it! I like it there. Plus my voice echos in this thing. Pretty cool, mom.

Messy

This morning I decided to let Andrew have a go at his oatmeal all by himself. The pictures pretty much tell the story after that!

Such innocence :)
What, mom? I am eating just like you told me to!

The Haircut!

The first official hair cut has been given! The following pics are actually a re-staging of the whole process, but are very life-like and almost identical to how the real thing went down. Andrew did so great, didn't even cry when Joe cut his hair. What a good boy!

A real sucker was given during the actual event, which was enjoyed with much concentration, enthusiasm and delight. Even despite the hair that seemed to get stuck all over. Everywhere. We decided to not include another sucker for eating enjoyment during the reenactment , hence the wrapper :)

Seeee! I'm all done and lookin' like a big boy now! What a grin :)

breakfast with dad

One of Andrews favorite things is to eat breakfast! And an even better treat is to eat with dad :) Lately he has been wanting to eat our cereal with milk...seems he has a liking for it, too! It usually hard for Andrew to let go of Joe and send him off to work. He is usually clinging to him. So sweet. On saturday mornings we have begun a tradition of a "big breakfast", with eggs pancakes or waffles and sometimes bacon. Oh how Andrew loves his eggs and pancakes! And he gets to eat the leftovers the rest of the day. No problem for him! I love these beginning stages of traditions, routine, and just being happy together as a family.

Sunday best

Here is our resident ham-boy, all dressed up for church! He loves being in front of the camera, thats for sure! This little suit won't fit him for long! More pics to come of his first hair cut!

Read to me, Mama

Andrew, today was the first time you held a book out to me, and crawled up into my lap for me to read it to you. What a sweet moment. The book was Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?. You love to look at the colorful animals. I look forward to many more reads with you in my lap, listening and turning the pages for me. We have a wonderful world of books to explore ahead of us!

And I also just have to record that yesterday was the first time you gave "kisses". Even though it was to a toy lion, you still did it! Now, if only you will give mommy and daddy kisses :)

Aaaand, we must write down that you took your first few steps all by yourself Monday evening! We were celebrating Grandpa Hughes' birthday, and you took off towards him while his arms were outstretched. Just about 3 wobbly steps, but they were steps alright! And daddy had you prove it to him again, 2 more times, just to make sure :) We are so proud of you, buddy boy!

Generations

While we were home for Christmas, we all decided to pack up and head over to Camp Adventure for a nice hike around the woods. This will be Gabe and Libby's new home in a few short months! What a wonderful day, being together, and hiking on a part of the property that doesn't get used that often! Memories were flooding in for most all of us, I suppose, as each of us have had some amazing experiences at that place. For me, it was where I found and accepted my Savior, Jesus, at 6th grade summer camp. It was also where I had my first job. And met my best friend, who then became my husband (and still remains my best friend, just to clarify!) Ah, talk about some life-changing, monumental happenings! What is even more amazing is that this is where Gabe and Libby met, as well. Can you believe it? Two sisters meet their husbands at the same camp! And to beat that, this is just a few miles away from the Senior High Camp (Epworth) where my mom and dad met when they were just in high school!!! I love to tell this story. I also love to add in the part about Ben, who, when asked if he wanted to go work at Camp Adventure (wink wink!) would say "Not for me! Keep me away from that place!" Knowing what it produced for his sisters. hehe. Oh Ben, your sweet wife-y is out there somewhere, and when you find her, there will be nothing that can stop you from loving her!

You know, this time visiting camp, it was a bit different than any visit before. Joe and I were able to introduce our next generation to the very place where our lives were forever changed. Andrew probably doesn't remember much from that day, but I hope to take him back when he can understand. One of our goals and hopes is that we can raise him to truly love the ministry of camp, as much as we do. And to understand the profound and important impact it can have in a person's life, both young and old. Praise the Lord!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for bringing mom and dad to camp that week in their young lives. Thank you that they encouraged all of their children to attend camp, to seek a deeper relationship with You. Thank you for speaking to Joe's heart in college, and sending him to be a counselor at camp. Thank you that our paths crossed, we fell in love, and now are raising our child at a camp. Amazing. Thank you for bringing Gabe and Libby together at camp the same summer, and in Your truly amazing way now taking them back to that same place, so they may continue to impact your kingdom in great ways. And thank you that you have Ben in Your hands, just waiting to reveal even greater things than he can even imagine. May he see your plan, and simply trust in You. Amen!

Rough 'n Tough

Perhaps someday he will ride a Harley?

Back and Forth

The other day we had the joy of watching Andrew zoom across the room with his little push toy. Except he would only be able to go in a straight line, and end up running into the couch/chair/fridge, with no where to go. We tried showing him how to turn the cart, so it would "steer" a bit, but he decided to go with another idea. He simply got on the other side of the toy, and pushed it back where he came from. We though it was pretty ingenious :) But he is our first kid, so I suppose anything he does is grounds for applause and high hopes in the future! haha. He was very content to go back and forth, back and forth. Smiling and talking the entire time. I can't quite figure out how to post a video, so until I do, we will just have the written account. We love you, Andrew!

Red Wagon

My Grandparents gave Andrew his very own person toy radio flyer wagon for a christmas gift, and it was a hit! He was all smiles as he opened it up and began to play. There were a few books with the wagon, and he decided to put those in and then dump them out...over and over and over again. Silly boy. We did actually sit him in the wagon and he let us pull him around the kitchen for a bit. But then he started to cry, which we have no idea why! So, it looks like he will just be fillin' the wagon with toys for now :) Someday we will look back and wonder how he was ever so small to fit his bum bum into that wagon....

Christmas in Indiana

Snow Perfect

Here are some pictures from our visit to Milford for Christmas with the Brown's. We all woke up Tuesday morning to a beautiful soft snow falling, blanketing the trees and ground with a picturesque fluff. No better time to take pictures!
Uncle Gabe and Andrew, just hanging out.
This is what a snowman looks like when we Brown's get creative...(complete with hardhat from dad's truck)
Family shot! The little shed in mom and dad's backyard provided a neat backdrop. Snow falling always helps :)
Sibling love :)
Oh my, I think they missed their calling...we love being goofy together, can't you tell ?
Libby and Gabe...an amazing couple whom we love so much! And we are so excited for this new step in their adventure together...no pun intended. :) Look out North Webster!

Snowballs from Ben and Dad always make pictures more fun...


Mom and dad, posing for a few pics... We love you two! The lantern is a nice touch, daddo!
Our trip out "west" for Christmas was great and we enjoyed family time with everyone. It always seems to pass by so quickly. Andrew loves seeing everyone, playing with all of grandma's toys, and eating yummy food! We are blessed to have family on both sides who love us so much and that we really enjoy spending time with. We look forward to many more trips and new memories made!