One Year Home!

I know we celebrated 1 year of in-my-arms-ness a few weeks ago (ok, 5 weeks actually, which for the record, feels like a really long time ago now.  Was I really in the Africa that long?!), but I feel like their real family-versary was when we were all finally on one continent under one roof!

as evidenced here: 

But now we look more like this:

Growing up, aren't we?  

So on this lovely Congolese Independence Day let's take a little Reminiscent Walk...

In One Year Home:

        

This guy grew almost 5 inches.

    

Gained 6 hard earned pounds.

  

 Learned to speak English sentences.  (Ish.)

Was officially potty trained. 

(Ok, he was pretty much potty trained when he came home.  But let's pretend for one second that I had something to do with this...)

 

Learned some songs, and loves to sing.

(ABCs, Old McDonald, Twinkle Twinkle, Jesus Loves Me, etc)

 

Got a new Best Friend (and Partner in Crime)

      

This boy makes us laugh!  He is super-coordinated and strong and tenacious.  He kicks a ball with alarming accuracy (a skill we really encourage him to use outdoors only) and loves all things Spiderman.
He is a little too brave for his own good, and likes to take things apart (dump them out, remove the handles, etc.  He is not so concerned with putting them back together, however).  He is lost without his big brother to play with.  
He is such a joy!  We Love You, Buddy! 

 

In one Year Home...

         

She has grown just over 5 inches.

       

Gained 7 pounds. (about 50% of her starting body weight!)

               

Grown 12 teeth.

                

Learned to crawl.  And walk.  And run.  

              

Developed an attitude that will serve her well through her teenage years.  (sigh.)

  

Gotten ridiculously cuter every day, and charmed everyone she met.

  

She is our snuggler!  She lives to sing (in baby talk- but she gets the tune about right!) and dance. She likes to get her way, and has a lot of opinions which she is more than willing to make known despite her very few words.  She gives long tight hugs that squeeze your neck, and she'll give you kisses and then giggle at the funny sound they make.
She is our sweet and sassy! We Love You Baby Girl!

  

Happy Friday.

We dropped off a very excited Biggest at his field trip this morning, 

and the Littlers and I went to the park. 

Where we threw rocks in the creek.

 

And went on the slides.

And the swings.

And then went home... and took a nap.

Then we picked up Isaac and came home to play some more.

I built the Pirate Ship, which was a present from Grandma Barb and Grandpa Dan for Eli's birthday.

Isaac was pretty convinced I couldn't handle this level of construction, assuming that such complicated tasks should best be left in the capable hands of his father.  However, when I was in fact able to successfully complete the task at hand, he announced that I was "Incredible."  

Indeed.  About time he noticed.  ha. 

In Which the Squirt Learns to Ride a Bike.

Once upon a time, on his third birthday, we went on a bike ride.  

Having never done it before that day, we stuck around in just the driveway, 

and then he decided he was going to ride the trike for real.

So he did.

All the way to the end of our street and back.

Then we decided, since tricycles are lamesauce, to upgrade The Big Brother to a Bigger Bike and bequeath the Little Bike to the Little Brother.

So we did.

Goodbye, Little Bike.

Hello Bigger Bike. 

(see how much cooler he is now?)

But unlike the tricycle, Little Brother could not pedal the Little Bike due to his legs being too short and the angles being just all wrong.  This made Little Brother very angry.

So exactly one day later, the tenacious Little Brother knew how to ride the Little Bike. 

 He still needs a push if he gets stuck at the hot spot where the angles are just all wrong for his legs, but overall, he's doing great!

He's determined, this one.  

Watch out world!  If he wants to do something, He Will Do It.  

And it's probably best for you if you do not stand in his way...

Happy Father's Day!

(This Delightful Photo Courtesy of  Emily)

Happy Father's Day, John!

(This one was taken by Emily as well.)

I love how you love our babes.

And how you keep letting me get more of them.  Lol!

(Where shall we go next?!)  ;)

(Although this is actually only a slice of the picture, it was once again taken by Emily)

Love this guy.

And Happy Father's Day to my own Papa Bear.

My boys love their Grandpa

And sometimes Raya does too.  She's a picky one.

Love you Dad!

PS You guys should move here.  That would be neato.

And last but not least, Grandpa Dan! 

Clearly Raya is a fan.  Again, at least that one time.

(She is pretty much a mama's girl.  But sometimes I share!)

And my apologies for again lacking pictures of John's family.  

We need to get out more, I guess.

Happy Father's Day, guys!

Thankful for you all!