little feet

We were gone for two weeks on vacation and I feel like our kids grew up a ton.

Simeon met my parents and his 10 day younger cousin for the first time!

Plus we went to Josh's dads family reunion with 75 plus people. It was a wonderful time with a great family that gets along in a tremendous way!

Minus the stomach virus it was a GREAT trip and wonderful memories with a lot of family and some good friends too.

By the time we came home Simeon started rolling over both ways. And Hallel is now putting words together to make mini sentences.

Unfortunately, we were so busy having fun that we forgot to take pictures. oh well, the memories live on...


Simeon and Stephen-cousins 10 days apart

Hallel hanging out at a play area in Mill Valley

Anniversary Greetings

Happy 45^th DAD and MOM!!!

We had such fun with you in Medford!

We are so thankful for what wonderful Grandparents you both are to our children. We are thankful for the years of putting Jesus first in your lives and for being so committed to one another. 45 years of showing unconditional love and commitment is beautiful and a rarity. We know that it is only because of Christ and so we thank Him most of all. Mom, one time you told me that you and dad have only spent a few days apart from each other your whole married life. That is amazing and remarkable! We love you so much and celebrate in our hearts with you!

Love,

Josh, Stacy, Hallel and Simeon

summer memories

It has seemed like anything BUT summer here lately! We have been covered in foggy, blustery, windy, cold days. We even had to turn the heat on the past two days because we were so chilled. Well the irony of it is that we will be heading north to Oregon and Washington to find some sun!:) We hear it has been 100 degrees in Medford.

In spite of our coolness here in Cali we are still on a quest to make summer time memories.

We have been making family outings on Fridays nights together. Last Friday night we went to the outdoor shopping area and walked around. Hallel loves frolicking from one fountain to the next. There are about 5 that are just her height with splashing ducks, spitting frogs, and swimming fish statues in the fountains.

The Friday before we went to an outdoor live local music band and I think we might hit that up again in Larkspur this Friday. Hallel loves dancing to the music and watching the other children around her. She kept walking up to this little boy who was playing his plastic guitar ever so seriously and he would just nod his head and strum his strings like a pro. It was adorable!

We also braved the Academy of Sciences Museum this week on their free day. We were there 1/2 an hr early and still in line at the end of the street. When we left the line was still wrapped around the street corner! Crazy! But it was worth it. Hallel kept saying "phishhh" as we looked in the two story aquarium. We even saw an albino alligator but I am not sure Hallel knew it was alive.

(please excuse my annoying camera voice-I love Simeon's big eyes as he looks at the light)

We are so excited to see sun and even more ecstatic to see family! Here we come Oregon!!

riches

I was thinking this morning on my favorite walk down to the "spit" (a beautiful walk along the Bay where you can see Alcatraz, the city, and Sausalito) what riches our children are inheriting. Not a home with a view, or land, or a car but some priceless examples.

This week my dad and mom have been teaching a girls club at VBS at their Church.

Josh's dad is at camp counseling young boys and two of our nephews are there too. And Josh's mom is faithfully working for PRC counseling young pregnant mothers.

What a gold mine to have all of our kids' grandparents spending their retirement days adding to God's family!

Josh and I pray that our children's bling bling will be for the cross of Christ and the rich love of God!

I love these verses in Isaiah 55 claiming God's richness.

"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price...Seek the LORD while He may be found...as the heavens are higher than the earth so My ways higher than your ways."

Well, thanks dads and moms for being great examples!

I hope they see Christ even through the reality of Josh and my squabbles and our everyday attitude struggles:)

Making playdough

M

Simeon being Simeon

Josh and Hallel relaxing after a long day(they even say "ahhhh" together)

sweet cheeks

these days

These days I feel like I am watching time lapsed photography as my children grow right before my very own eyes. When we put on Hallel's socks this morning they seemed 1/2 an inch smaller than they did yesterday. Then I was dressing Simeon and his little pants looked like highwaters so off to the closet I went and sure enough he fit right into a 9mo outfit! Yikes. Can I keep up with these little ones?

It sure is rewarding to see their sweet little faces light up when they learn something new. Hallel has just transferred to a big girl bed and is mastering the skill of staying on her bed until we come and get her. She likes using a spoon and trying a fork for meals. She is working on new words every day and expressing herself in a more proficient way. Daddy even recently taught her how to kick a ball.

We are about to retire Simeon's bouncer as he did a backwards somersault off of it the other night. It was hilarious and he landed upright thankfully. He is rolling to one side. And is working on his laugh. It is so fun to see the two interact together.

Josh and I had no idea how fun it would be to be parents. And to just watch our kids be themselves!