my beautiful super-boy

To my great joy, Evie loves to dress-up! His current favorites are "Bumblebee Boy" and any combination of Marvel super-heroes. And the most fun? Making the costumes that he dreams up! Two weeks ago it was wings. This week a cape (I still need pictures of that!) And yesterday he told me he needed a "black masque" Yay!!!! These things are so easy and fun to make and they bring him so much joy. It makes all the rest of it, tantrums, poop, and picky-eating totally worth it. He is so creative in his play it just makes my heart so very glad!

This may be one of my favorite pictures of Everett-EVER! He still takes my breath away. What a testimony to God's creativity.

To the Batmobile!

"Look mama, I have found a new way to give you grey hair!"

Brown Paper Packages

My children are very loved. Extremely loved, from all over the world, they are loved. And this week they were not only loved, but spoiled! My mom and dad's sweet, sweet friend's Tricia and Andy Macfarlane sent the nicest package full of wonderful treats for the whole family. This buzzy bee was sent when Evie was a baby, and while our little Bea can't really play with it yet, she does love to look at it when she is having tummy time.

The little red booties were her very special present. I will post a picture of her wearing them as soon as she gets over the vaccination crankies.

Everett recieved two wonderful books about the "little yellow digger." We have read them every day since they arrived. I love the rhymes and the illustrations too! Talina came over this week and Everett had special cuddle time and showed his "Talllleeena" his new books.

Don't you just wish that they made shoes this pretty and comfortable in grown-up sizes?

Everett with his treasures.

Which one to read first? Such a tough decision!

The next day, the kids were spoiled again. This time by their uncle Kit. He and his sweetheart Amy, put together the cutest package for my babies. Everett got not one but TWO new "life is good" shirts. I could barely talk him into taking the orange one off! It says "little helper" in case you can't read it. And my sweet boy certainly is.

The other shirt is a wee bit big for this year. But so funny and seasonally appropriate, so I had to take a picture!

Here is E opening the box and package.

The pretty goodies.

Even better than the t-shirts in Evie's opinion, is the name train. It is SO COOL he says. It was hard to get him to stop playing with it long enough to get a picture!

See it spells his name! How sweet is that?

And our princess got the cutest onesie ever!!! it says "snuggle bug"

She is ready for her close-up Mister DeMille. Look at that impish smile. What can I say, I think she loves the camera!

Cute little legs.

Kick, kick, kick!!!

Connecticut with a layover in Kansas

On Thursday, my dad arrived for a visit. He is usually very busy this time of year, but had a break in his schedule last week. Thus, he made a layover in Kansas on his way to a conference in Connecticut. It was his first time to meet Miss Beatrice and we had a wonderful time! Evie loves his Grampy and had so much fun playing.

Look at my princess and her Grampy! How cute are they? I think dad was pretty smitten with our happy girl.

I did some serious rearranging before dad arrived, and thought I would document my house while it was clean. It never lasts very long.

I moved the rocker to the library. I think it works there. That space always seems so quiet and comfortable.

Beautiful fall colors on the vine climbing our porch.

I moved the dining room table to the wall and made a play area. It is much more useful for us than having a formal eating space. And on the plus side, Evie won't give himself a concussion running into the table.

I also hauled the old oriental rug up from the basement and positioned our couch and livingroom around it. Even though it is really worn in spots, it makes the space seem homier and more put together.

Being silly with my boy!

To kill some time before Grampy arrived, Evie and I made a tent in his bedroom. It was lots of fun to play in and we even read a few books.

Elmo approved.

Grampy with his grand-bubbles.

See her little elf ear? Both of them are starting to have distinctly peeked tips. I think it is because her aunt Amanda kept asking if she had elf-y ears.

Funny thing about this picture, it makes Phoebe look like a sweet obedient dog. In actuality, she gave dad blisters from pulling so hard.

Everett was a little intrigued by my dad's mustache. As are we all. Funny story, when I was about Everett's age, my dad shaved off his mustache for the first time in my life. I was so mad that I told him to "put it back" and when he couldn't, I didn't talk to him.

Grampy cuddles are so special.

Labor Day in Kansas

This year we celebrated Labor Day weekend with a birthday party on a beautiful late summer Kansas day. The drive into the big town was breathtaking. The sunflowers, goldenrod, and tall grasses are so pretty. For me there is no sky that compares to the wide open blue of our prairies.

The party was held at my aunt and uncle's house. They have a backyard that invites relaxation and pleasant conversations.

We always bring lots of fun toys out for Evie to play with. This time Joseph seemed to have as much fun as Evie with the Duplo train tracks.

Boys and trains, not many things are sweeter.

The birthday girl and her boyfriend. I can't believe how old we are all getting.

My Oma. So lovely and elegant.

I hardly held Bea all afternoon. It was such a wonderful treat to see Joni and meet her girlfriend Peanut! We can't wait for them to move back in this direction. Bea was so content to cuddle and be snuggled.

Everett was thrilled to have Joseph and Joni play catch/chase the big blue ball.

He loves running and he certainly got his fill on Sunday!

One of his favorite toys is the pink Barbie Beetle convertible. He loves to take the "girls" swimming.

I love Joni's new haircut! She looked so happy and wonderful.

Miss Bea meeting her Joni for the first time.