Oh Joy!

2 weeks ago, Samuel John was born! What a blessing! T is a great big brother and somehow I love him more even while loving this perfect newborn.

John and I have had wonderful help from our parents. I'm ok with the honeymoon lasting for as long as possible.

Samuel was born in 12/12/11, sharing a birthday with Ole Tobias Berge (John's grandpa) and is the 12th grandchild on John's side of the family, 2nd on my side.

Also special was being able to have Samuel baptized on Christmas day. What a joyful time for our family!

Our Little Cub is Three

I love thinking back to this day 3 years ago . . . I could hardly sleep knowing I'd meet you July 1st. The 3 of us started a great adventure and I'm often amazed at how much I love every new corner we explore together. We love you so much, T!

Father's Day

So . . . there is nothing overly sentimental or profound here. Only a great Dad, on a great day and a blessed wife and son.

Civil Engineers?

We are fortunate to have new neighbors across the street including G who is so much fun and T asks to play with him every day. Their play usually consists of racing circles around the driveway (T with his yellow dump truck and G on his balance bike) or digging up the dirt in the flower beds. I've drawn "roads" with chalk within our driveway in the past, but this time, we used road drawing as our activity together. The boys had a great time. G just turned 4 y/o at the end of March.

Following the intense road drawing and racing, the boys helped me with yard work by gathering my piles of raked grass and dumping it into the yard waste bin. T is still a little short to reach and most of the grass would end up on him or scattered around the bin, but he was having a great time.

Easter Joy

Our Easter Day began at church including pancake breakfast and the 1st of two egg hunts. Sara was in the Easter Drama this year, "The Choice for the Executioner".

Following church, we had a bunch of friends over for Easter dinner which is a cinch when you've got dual wall ovens (set to delay start), everyone bringing food to share and disposable tableware.

Next, the 2nd egg hunt. Our guests provided all the eggs and the guys hid them around the yard. Once T filled up his little pail, he was content.




Aren't these kids a sweet bunch!


Chocolate!!!!

It was very special to share a wonderful holiday together with great friends with whom we share faith and hope in Jesus Christ. I wonder what kind of egg hunts we'll have in heaven . . . .

The Great Christmas Get Together: Great Coffee Needs?

So, next month we will host a Christmas celebration and I find myself constantly thinking about food and sleeping arrangements, activities for the kids, food, serving dishes, presents, food . . . I'm looking forward to the crazy days to come and the sweet peace that follows at night. Even the following mornings, lazily stumbling into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, wait a second . . . coffee??? How many people? With only a french press? Oh, no this will never do.

$6 Coffee Maker, 12 cup capacity, removable filter basket, Pause 'n Serve function, ergonomic handle, non-stick warming plate, easy pour, non-drip carafe, convenient cord storage.

Ready for a Good Morning, family!

Treats

Sometimes the best treats don't come on special occasions. T loves helping, especially in the kitchen. Now, this "help" gives me one more thing to keep track of at dinner time, yet I'm so amazed at how fast he learns new things and wants to do things on his own :)

Tonight we decided to rearrange our pumpkins' outward (and inward) appearance. T was having a great time placing little poke holes in the pumpkin. I have to be careful not to miss these little moments. It was my idea to start carving pumpkins before dinner, but I found myself completely busy with the food prep. Luckily, I came to my senses, washed my hands and grabbed the camera.

Treat for Mommy

T: Mommy, treat. [pointing at his plate]

Me: The leftover crusts? For me?

T: OK. Welcome.

Wow, thanks, kid.

In the Bright Mid 'Tober

Have you tried fresh-pressed apple cider in a little paper cup? Oh so good . . . .

We joined our church family at the Montgomery Orchard following service last Sunday. Nothing puts me in a thankful mood like a bright, sunny day outside with friends, apples right off the tree, a dirt road off the beaten trail, groves of goldenrod and the combines out in the field.

Nothing steals my thankful attitude like laundry. But, finally, when it's clean
out of the dryer and folded, ah, life is good again.
Stats from yesterday's 2 loads:

24 sock pairs

15 underwear

5 bras

4o tops

21 bottoms

2 jammies

1 blanket

Tall Ships

We went to see some tall ships in Duluth.