Brought to you by Blue Bell

You can't tell, but J is wearing a Blue Bell hat, standing in front of a Blue Bell truck. They provided free popsicles at the park the other day. I think this was his first ever popsicle. And H is playing with a Blue Bell balloon. I was trying to capture him crawling, but he didn't do it just then, but - he's crawling! And he got his top two teeth a few weeks ago, so now he has two top and two bottom ones. It's a lovely sound when he grinds them together. Just love that.

Summer on Amity Road

Benjamin performing feats of daring with a bum hand. GO BIG GUY !

Thought I'd post a few pictures from the thus-far summer. Lynn and David working on CKS 's table. Lynn also did a massive cleanup of the Ping-Pong Palace.

Conversation overheard between Sophie and Benjamin...

Sorry, Keri, if I steal your thunder, but I've just got to report this funny before I forget it...

Keri says one of Sophie's new phrases is "I'm going to be a lady." When? "In 3 minutes." Benjamin, overhearing this dialogue and our mirthful responses to it, immediately chimes in, "I a lady!" Long conversation ensues about the categorizations 'lady' and 'gentleman' and who falls into each. Now when mentioned, Benjamin always replies, "Sophie a lady, I a man!"

Father and Son

This was taken at a goodbye party for Mary & John Puryear, who moved to San Antonio. They are part of our group of friends who are Catholic; Jackson spent most of the evening running around with children's rosaries (brightly colored, large beads) around his neck. They seemed to feel both awkward about this and thought it was cute. :) Friend Arlen took this picture and sent it recently. He said he was making a singing noise to make Jackson notice him, so J was responding with his own tune.

Children's Day at the Park

taken by Jasmine, a playgroup friend

Engagement

Wonderful family,

Here are some pictures of summer vaca in Corona del Mar....

First it was like this:

Then I did this:

Then Lynn did this:

Then we went here (Little Corona, just South of Corona del Mar) :

And I gave her this:

And it ended like this (looking out from Little Corona) :


We love you all very much and are looking forward to seeing everyone. We've got better pictures of the ring on film, which we hope to send out shortly. Tentatively, the date is set for Dec. 29.

The Perfect Gift

OK, you guys made me cry! Sophie was trying to figure out what was wrong with me as I sat reading the blog yesterday with tears streaming down my face. I explained to her that I was so happy it was making me cry, and she said, "I make you happy, Mommy!" (She says that a lot.)

All that to say, you couldn't have given me a better gift for my birthday than your words of encouragement and affirmation. I understand that when asked, my wonderful husband let you know that "words of affirmation" are my most heartfelt love language, so I really appreciate the time and thought you put into celebrating me with words. I've been struggling lately with being positive and feeling "put together" in any sense, (the very least of which has been the dismal state of my toenails; I hadn't had a pedicure in Flagstaff since I moved here, so I splurged and got one yesterday, though I don't do the little flowers anymore, Emily!) So your words were even more poignant and made me want to be the person you all see me as!

I am so blessed to have become a member of a family that has welcomed me so completely. Words are inadequate to express my gratitude for each of you, though I try on a regular basis in my prayers. Besides, you're all a whole lot of FUN and at the top of my list of my very favorite people to be with. Thanks for giving me the perfect gift yesterday. I had a wonderful birthday in every way, and this blog post was a big part of that. I love you guys!