My baby is 2?

How can it be?  My tiny little baby is 2?  This guy?

Oh my heart!  I've said it a million times.  I know babies are supposed to grow up and we feel blessed that we get to watch them do that.  But why must it be so painful?!  We party on..

Present time!  Thanks to the Emmitts!

The Emmitts are our forever birthday friends.  If family can't be there and others friends cancel, we are usually there for each other's celebrations.  It's a nice tradition.  This is Jacob with Levi.

My sister's boyfriend Elliot came to the party and brought a sweet shirt, a book and a toy truck. Awesome dude present.
 (He also ate a few hot dogs and maybe took home some leftovers.)

Boys gotta have wheels!  And apparently help from big sis.

If you haven't understood before now how awesome my husband is, then the fact that he decorated this cake should make you understand.  He surprises me everyday.

Elmo is big with Levi right now.  He LOVED his cake!  But I wasn't sure how he would like the singing.

Well, he LOVED that too!

See.

Happy birthday to me!!!

Now that we have adored you, you can get back to the business of being 2.  Mama loves you.  You little turkey.

The good stuff

I love the time of year when stuff in the garden become useful in the kitchen.  They are no longer little plant babies in need of TLC.  Now it's time for us to eat them! 

The tomatoes are not from the garden.  Neither is the avocado.  But the peppers, onions and cilantro are and they were so flavorful!  You wanna see the end result?

It looks like a mess but it might just be my favorite thing ever.  It's a version of avocado salsa.  I have seen different recipes.   My friend and old neighbor Kate had one that called for a bit of white balsamic vinegar and purple onion.  It's a good one too.  This recipe is simple.  Just cut up the ingredients and throw them together with a little salt.  You can eat it with tortilla chips.  I am trying to stay away from chips right now so I just ate this with a spoon. 

In other news, Father's day was precious this year.  Matt had to work nights so we had a few minutes with him between the time he woke up and the time he had to head back to work.  His kids were so excited to see him open his presents and read his cards.

Jolie's card was sweet and funny.  This might be my favorite picture of them together.

Asher spent a good half-hour picking out a new tape measure for his daddy.  He got the one that was just right.  It was precious and thoughtful.  Just like him.

Zaddok helped to pick out the new drill bits.  He just knew that the case had to be yellow.

Levi was napping during present time so he gave Daddy his present after.  Kisses are the best present ever.

So are baby circus tricks.

We love our Daddy!  He is the best playmate, wrestling buddy, fix-it-all, tender Daddy.  His life is his family.  He would rather hang out with his kids than anyone.  He can make us all smile.  He can pester us to death.  He really cares about people.  He loves the Lord and prays for his family.  We are so blessed to have him in our lives!  Thank you God for the blessing of our Daddy.


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Tea-parties happen

My daughter.  If there is ever a moment of pause, when the world goes quiet and I start to read a book, she comes up with a plan.  She will plan you right out of the room.  Every detail of an event is accounted for, every minute scheduled.  So one pleasant and quiet Sabbath, she came to me with her plan.  It was a tea party for the family.  I agreed, she took off! 

This was the result.  A perfectly perfect party, in her room, surrounded by 1000 of her closest stuffed friends. 

Boys at a tea-parties.  It is a beautiful and unnatural thing. 

Daddy had to fold himself up cross-legged to join us on the floor.  Crossed legs do not come easy for our poor daddy.  He is smiling through the pain.

A Sabbath tea-party insures that the goodies are simple and delicious.  Leftover challa, cookies from dessert and fruit.



I will keep this photo forever.  Partly because it is cute but specifically because I can use it against them one day when they try to leave me.
 "Mom, we are going to college."
"Oh yea.  How 'bout I show them how you guys really like to party?"
 
Blackmail: when a regular nice mom just won't do.




That's beautiful life folks. 



Just some random loveliness

Daddy and the boys going camping.

Oh my baby girl.

So beautiful!

Levi and Jolie hanging out in Levi's room

We are seeing this a lot these days!

I love blue

The old green goat.

The new green goat!

Sweet pea

We are thankful Father!

Awwwww!

My baby has decided that his Daddy is pretty much the coolest thing ever. While this is very cute, it is also a bit sad for me. No more mama's boy. But it's a good time for me too. I love to see how much my babies love their daddy. I get a little more freedom too. That is a very good thing!
This is the progression of the excitement of Daddy returning from work.

Just crusin' my ride.


Hey, there's Daddy's car!


My dad is home! I must get to him!


Here I go.


Almost there!


Almost there!


Ahhh, right where I belong.