Hello everyone. My apologies for the long time between the update. Life seems to get ever busier. As the children transform and grow we become more and more absorbed into our family life. Here are the highlights from around Christmas 2017 through now!
The Kid, Lovie, and Baber can be seen posing for their Christmas photo. Sled courtesy of Gigi!
This was our Christmas Card photo this year (I think). Poor Baber - he looks less than enthusiastic.
We got to get together with Gampa Butch and Gamma Janet as well - it was fun to see my stepbrothers Nick and Andrew - as well as their families. I don't get to see those boys often enough. As well - my niece "Rufflebutt" was there too (far left, back row).
A chance for Great-Grandpa to see Jonathan.
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While the above photos tell the tale well enough - the children are growing well. The Kid continues to flourish at his Montessori school. His brain is truly amazing. Without exaggeration I can say that he has memorized 90%+ of the streets in Peoria IL - he knows every right, left, forward, back, highway and bi-way. He's our little GPS.
He's also a total punk! Check out his right hand. See that? Yeah he got me too!
Winter weather hasn't stopped our hikes!
Our nearly weekly tradition of heading to Hardee's before school hearkens back to my childhood, when The Kid's namesake would take me to Hardee's for breakfast.
Oh Lovie-Loo. You are my heart. I love my boys - but you are something special. She turned 2 this winter - a feat she was very proud of. Any any excuse to enjoy some "Aye-Peam" (ice cream) and "Cayke" (cake) is appreciated.
Here she is with one of her favorite stuffed animals - her "Buckey" (monkey). Picture included as it highlights her personality quite well.
This little girl got to experience her first "'Oh" (snow) - and loves to make "ohbawls" (snowballs) and "ohmayn" (snowmen).
"Finger Peets!" (Finger paints) have been a favorite lately.
Look who got a new tricycle for her birthday!
She is my best snuggle buddy!
It hasn't been all fun though. Lovie had a run in with what seems to either be a cyclic fever or recurrent upper respiratory infections. Poor thing had to have blood drawn, TWICE, and get a chest x-ray. No worries, everything came out normal - but it was NOT a fun ride for Lovie.
The kiddos love to play together - and what joy it brings when they play peacefully together. Grandma Polly sent a wonderful gift - a house that can be colored on!
When you're toting a 3-kid circus, Steak-n-Shake is fine dining, let me tell you.
Last but not least is J-Scott! Or "Baber" as we have come to call him. Baber has quite the personality let me tell you. He is all smiles, almost all day - and quite the charmer. Chinch is thrilled that he has taken so well to breastfeeding. And as you can tell from those cheeks, this kid ain't missing a meal.
I am the naps master!
Sure - he's not constructing elaborate lake houses and train-neighborhoods. But he can lego with the older kids in his own way.
Didn't I say that I was the naps master?!
Chinch and I have found some time together too, thanks to Poppi and Gigi's handy babysitting service. Here you can see us at the site of our engagement - almost (we realized) 12 years to the day we were engaged.
In March we took a trip down to sunny FL to see the sights, my mother, my grandmother, and the beach! Poppi and Gigi came with. We did VRBO for the first time and loved it!
Abbe's Donut Nook was a must-try for this family. "Mmm mmm Eelicious" (as Lovie would say).
Grandma Polly was as smitten with Lovie Loo as everyone usually is. She sees a lot of herself in Lovie I think.
Chinch loves the beach!
Baber was less impressed.
This was The Kid's second trip to the Gulf. And just like last time, he had to get in.
Lovie Loo was a bit more reserved.
I love this woman. She is the greatest reason that I am who I am today. I see so much of my graceful Grandmother, my formidable Grandfather, and myself in her. Thank you Ma.
The Kid Genius - at it again, with his first completed game of Scrabble (at 5 years old).
And finally (for the family at least) was Easter Sunday. Lovie-Loo gets 2 pictures, because she's so flippin cute.
As for my personal projects - well they are humming along. We have started our second Arcannan Campaign - this one set in the desert nation of Al-Qatan. A big change of theme for the group, who seems to be making the adjustment well.
Jonesy! Got to have a dinner with this guy when he was in town. A must-include for the blog!
Stay Healthy everyone, and God Bless.
"But He answered and said "It is written, ''MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD'"
Matthew 4:4 - NASB
