Emma is Three

On Emma's birthday she awoke with wonder at what surprise could be at the end of the hall for her.... a birthday crown (Mama's second sewing project), a picture of Sweet Miss on the day of her birth and a few other goodies. It was a WONDERFUL DAY spent celebrating this adventurous, sweet and very bright spirit among us. I am so blessed.

Mama's first sewing project... a bag for the birthday girl's animals, or tea cakes, or books or overnight clothes... it came out so wonderful and I realize that I love to sew... so many projects to come!

I love getting lost in these bubbly little toes!!! Elliott loves all things outside. If he is ever fussy (very rarely, thank you Jesus!) I stick him out in the grass on a sunny day and he seems so content listening to the birds or chewing on grass... and whatever else he can get his hands on!

This is every day... something dangerous proudly accomplished by Mr. Bubble toes. I see that grin a million times a day and it never gets old!

Elliott is sitting up!... sort of

Someone once said that we learn more from failure than success. Here's to the first of many learning opportunities for Elliott Daniel.

Also, some fun shots of our Sprouting Munchkins.

The Cold Months

As we bundle up and hunker down for the winter our outdoor activities require much more clothing, our meals turn to hot soups and hot coffee (lots of hot coffee), Advent candles are lit at the dinner table, and twinkle lights decorate the house. Elliott is now sleeping most of the night in his own room and Emma is as tumbly and precocious as ever.

The Brownie Sessions

When Emma wakes up from her mid-day naps Michelle loves to have a small snack waiting for her at the dining room table.  One sleepy afternoon soon after Elliott was born Emma came toddling out of her room to find a fresh-baked brownie and a glass of milk.  What follows are my three favorite pictures out of about two dozen in which the Little Miss shows us what a big girl she is growing up to be.

Sleepy Days

Elliott Daniel

Welcome Elliott Daniel!  After 32 hours of labor which included two sleepless nights, we witnessed the amazing miracle of childbirth when, with a whisper and a cry, our son slipped into this world.  We may write more about the birth story later but for now here are some early pictures of our boy and his new family.

Only 22 minutes old, Elliott takes comfort from his Papa.

Proud and weary parents soak up the reality of a new life created by love.

It is deeply symbolic to struggle through the pain of labor and birth in the dark of the night, only to greet the morning light with peace and new life. 

Proud Big Sister meets her brother for the first time.

Tjelle, meet Bean

This looks to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Real babies are heavier and wiggle more than dolls.

Sweetness

The Little Mister fits right into the family like a missing puzzle piece.

Big Four Ice Caves

Last Saturday Emma and Papa hiked up to the Big Four Ice Caves near Granite Falls with Mor Mor, Grandpa Dave and cousins Spencer and Bethany.  The trail up was about a mile long through trees and over bridges and Emma hiked nearly the whole thing by herself.  I kept asking her if she wanted to ride in the backpack and her answer was invariably, "No.  I want to walk."  She even scrambled up a steep section of trail over boulders and loose rocks.  The caves were still small but the air was hot, the snow was cold, and we had a great time skiing on our feet and throwing snowballs.

 

Snow in July!?!?

Ordinary lunch is a gourmet meal on the trail.

Proud Papa

Hangin' with the cousins