These pictures, in progression, totally cracked me up after I took them. Goofy dogs.




Even though today was kind of cruddy (and yesterday...) we have been able to have some nice time outside lately. Hooray for spring! It's nice to enjoy our yard before it is no longer ours.

Where did my baby boy go?


Téah is getting better and better and riding her trike.


I know this picture will gross some of you out, but it's funny to me. Micah is obsessed with Emma. He totally loves her and goes up to her begging her to kiss her all the time and he returns the favor giving her kisses and hugs. On that same idea - Téah has taken to sleeping in Emma's bed at night. I'm not kidding! around 3 or 4am every night, Téah brings a blanket and sometimes a pillow and curls up on Emma's dog bed and spends the rest of the night with Emma. It's pretty funny!


A goofy picture of Téah in the sun. This was in the living room and the sun was pouring in the front window.


And a picture of me and Téah. (yes, taken by me. It's the only way I get pictures of myself with the kids!)

Just to continue the updates. Here are some pictures.

Micah likes to try on Téah's crown and "princess dresses." We call him Prince Mikey.


Téah tried on my new boots. They come to my knees - they come to her hip!


I believe this was after a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin breakfast.


Téah and her cousin, Gideon. (my brother, Richard's oldest).


There are no words for this.

It has been a long time since my last post and for that, I'm sorry. I often think about blogging then find something else to do (and mind you, it's probably NOT more important. I'm just good at wasting time.) Since my last post (in no particular order)

1. We went to Cincy and saw TWO Over the Rhine Concerts. It was amazing. We also had a great time hanging out with Jill and Jeremy! Téah loved it and keeps asking when we're going back to "jilly's house."

2. John threw me a surprise party for my birthday! I will admit I knew about it ahead of time, but it was John's fault. He told the three year old about it and expected me not to find out! It was a lot of fun. And yes, I'm now 30.

3. Christmas, of course. Some present were finished in time, some were not and will be completed for other holidays. Next year I will plan ahead a little better.

4. I went to TN and NC with the kids, my parents and Gavin (my nephew). John kept things together here in Pittsburgh. We had a ton of fun visiting with my brother, Richard, his wonderful wife, Priscilla and their three kids (Gideon, Elliotte and Eden.) Téah had sooooo much fun playing with all of her cousins and I learned that Micah is a pretty good little traveler.

5. Micah has been dealing with asthma on and off for a couple of months. It's no fun for anyone. He's now on a daily inhaled medicine (via nebulizer) and we're getting better at finding ways to help him "keep his mask on."

6. We got Micah's lastest lead level back and it is NOT as low as we had hoped. We are no seriously considering selling our house and moving. I would ask that you remember us in your prayers with this decision. We're really in a tough spot.

7. We got another dog! (yes, we're officially crazy!) Emma now has a doggy brother named Tiny. Tiny is a 130 lb. Great Dane who is a big baby and loves to be loved and is great with the kids and with Emma (who we love, but honestly she is a bit of a spastic dog!) There are pictures below.

That's all for now! I'll post again soon this time. I promise. (ok, I hope).

Here's a Halloween Synopsis:

John and Téah begin by sketching a face on the pumpkin.


Micah wanted to taste the pumpkin. So we let him.


And he liked it!


Precision is key when carving a pumpkin.


The finished product!


Téah posing with her pumpkin.


Meet Téah the Butterfly and Micah the Puppy.


All ready to go trick-or-treating. Ok, at least the 3 year old was.


"this is where I'll put my candy!"


Micah was less than impressed with his costume.

Micah turned ONE on Friday! (Sept. 26th). I can't even begin to understand where this past year has gone. It went so fast. Micah is the most easy-going, lovable, playful, sweet little boy you could ever imagine. I can't really believe that he is headed straight for toddler-hood now. And boy is he ever! This kid is crazy and a ton of fun!

We had a party for him on his birthday and had a lot of fun with friends and family. Here are some pictures of the birthday boy from his big day.

Being cute earlier in the day:


This is Micah's new "ooh!" face. He does this whenever he thinks something is interesting or he really wants it. I think at this point it was the camera!


Opening a gift:


This is what seems to happen whenever I try to take Micah's picture anymore.


"Here, you can have this hat. I don't need it."


Micah liked playing in his cake. Once he tasted it, he was done with it though.

Note: This is the third post I have done tonight. I was feeling the need for some updates. So make sure you read all the way down!

Here is a general picture update from the last couple of months.

We've been going to John's parents' cabin a lot lately. Which is fun. Emma and Téah especially love it. Here's Emma chillin' in the big yard up there.


John, Téah and the German Shepherds in the creek.


Téah in the kitchen of the cabin. It must have been humid. Her hair is very curly here!


John and Téah on John's 31st (!) birthday.


Micah loves Emma's bowls. I have scraped dog food out of his mouth several times and if there is no food in her bowl he just plays in her water. The funny thing is it freaks Emma out and she runs away if she sees him crawling toward her bowls.


Téah with some summer corn on the cob. Some days she loves it, other days she won't touch it!


Look who can stand on his own!


Size comparison of the two kiddos as of August 2008. I have a 3 year old and an almost-one-year old. CRAZY!

Now for a report on Téah's birthday. All Téah would say she wanted for her birthday was a pink carousel horse. We really don't know where she got this idea from, but it was funny. She agreed to getting a day at Idlewild where she could ride the carousel instead. I also got her a pink carousel horse shirt to wear. Both grandmas and Gavin were able to come with us. It was a fun day! Here are some pictures from the day:

The first "ride" of the day. I love how John is doing all the work while Téah and Gavin ride along.


Raggedy Anne and Andy. (oops I mean Téah and Gavin!)


Téah deciding where she would like to go for her 4th birthday!


Téah on her carousel horse!



Micah was quite the trooper for his sister's birthday.


Téah and Gavin in a car.


Me & Téah posing for a pic. (well, at least I was)


Téah loved all the "kid rides" as she called them.


Her day at Idlewild wore her out. She was asleep within 5 minutes on the way home.


After falling asleep like this we headed to church where it was the monthly dinner night. Much to Téah's surprise everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her when we walked up. The problem was she was still half asleep and burst into tears when everyone started singing. I felt very bad for her although it was pretty funny too :)

The next weekend Téah had a birthday party where we invited her friends and family to a cookout at our house. Here are a few pictures from that fun night.

Kids playing with bubbles.


Gavin pulling all three girls around. This was pretty funny!


Téah and Zaida.


Micah loved hanging out by the kiddie pool playing in the water. He did actually fall in head first at one point though!


And that concludes Téah's birthday report. She had a great 3rd birthday celebration!!