80's Jim and Jaena

I copied this photo from the Toevs' blog...we attended their party but didn't take any pictures, for some reason. It's crazy how long ago this "era" seems...must mean I'm getting old.

The Amazing Race 2

This event happened in April (I think), but I never posted the photos. Our Sunday School class had it's second bi-annual (it was suppose to be annual but time got away from us) Amazing Race. It is loosely based on the reality series, but we find ourselves a bit limited since we have a $20 budget per team (including dinner for two) and we have under 4 hours to complete it (or the babysitting expenses make it cost prohibitive) so we have to stay in Grant County.

Despite all of this, it was a huge success and great fun both for those who participated and for those who planned/ran it. I would give more specific details and examples about what the race entailed, but there are blog readers who are considering doing our race in the fall so I will have to stop sharing information or they may have an unfair advantage.

My only shot of Shelli and Don and Lynn and Missy (hidden)

Rob and Tanna

Layne and Lori (honorary class members for the night)

Olivia and Jill: "We're number two!"

Jason and Deb, my co-conspirator and planner

Cory and Josh

Anon and Mr. Anon

Yep, More Pics

At least I am posting...even if it is more photos of our children (I guess this time it's just Madelyn). I was telling someone recently, I do have deep thoughts and ideas about which I could blog; but I often don't want to take the time and energy to type them out, proof them, and go to all of the trouble to create a thought-provoking or humorous post. I'm telling you - I'm a lazy blogger right now. But to all of you who continue to post new and exciting things every week, I enjoy reading them and aspire to (some day) do so too.


This is Madelyn doing what it seems she does much of her time awake: eat (Cheerios, specifically).

This is a photo of Madelyn possibly realizing she has dropped one of her precious Cheerios on the floor. (That or she just wasn't looking at the camera).

This is Madelyn when she realizes her bowl is empty and she is getting ready to scream and/or cry. Oh, and just for the record, that is Elisha's tank top, not a dress. I put it on her one night because I thought she would look cute in it. She did!

She's so little I can still get away with putting her in the Pack-N-Play sometimes.

See that grin - she looks so innocent, but even today I found her trying to stand on something to climb into the tub and standing on a toy to get out of the Pack-N-Play. Looks like her days of confinement may soon be over.

My Favorite Boy

Elisha at Gas City Park

When we take Elisha's shirt off, it sometimes "sticks" temporarily.
I have always thought it looked like a nun's habit.
Now that I have a photo, what do you think?

The infamous llama at the Gas City Zoo (no sneezing incident this year).

Grandpa Jerry and the kids

Mother's Day Memory
(OK, my kids totally look like Jim!)

Daddy's Girl

Our Future Heart-Breaker

I love Madelyn's lips! They are just so cute and kissable...
someday we will have to watch out for those who may
want to kiss them who aren't allowed.

Madelyn's hair down is a guaranteed bad hair day.

Madelyn's hair up looks like a do from the 80's.

Our Future Astronomer

Jim and Elisha were checking out the moon early one evening.
It's amazing that it can be this light out and
you can still see the moon - pretty cool!

God's Farm

Just before lunch today...
Elisha: Hey, I want to play with God's farm.
Me: What?
Elisha: God's farm - I can see it right up there (on his very top shelf)
with the animals and everything...where baby Jesus was born.
Me: (realizing what he meant) Oh, you mean the nativity.
Elisha: Yeah. God's farm.

Makes sense to me!

Womack Withdrawal

It's been a week, and we are in withdrawal. The IWU students are gone: most of them for the summer, but some of them FOREVER! Many students graduated, one of whom happened to be our babysitter, Rachel. She was actually much more than a babysitter, transitioning to friend and adopted aunt in less than a semester. But now she is back in Ohio, and we are missing her beautiful smile and fun loving disposition. Below are a few photos of one of our last times together (doesn't it just sound so depressing?) out at my parents' house. We miss you, Rachel!

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get a photo of 5 people with no one blinking and the children looking in the general direction of the camera?

More Catching Up

I don't really have a good reason for not keeping up with the blog.
We do take pictures, but some of the events didn't seem "blog-worthy"
so I have been saving them up to create one big post. I know,
I know, more small posts more often would be better...I think I'm just lazy.

Madelyn in her Easter dress that Great-Grandma Millie
gave her LAST YEAR! It finally fit.

Elisha at the Million Egg Hunt the Saturday before Easter.
It was freezing, so Madelyn and I stayed in.
Jim said there were kids there in flop flops and without coats.
Maybe next time, they should give out coats, socks, and shoes.

Madelyn and Great-Grandpa Bowman on Easter.

Madelyn's first experience with crayons.
She did try to eat them, so I guess she's not
ready for unsupervised art time...yet.

Grandma Judy stopped by and Madelyn loved wearing her gloves around.

Elisha did this puzzle and all by himself. I'm not exaggerating;
I checked on him and found it was done - amazing!

Jim and I often take the kids for walks on the IWU campus.
A few weeks ago, we finished and discovered that Madelyn
had dropped (or possibly thrown) her pacifier out of the stroller.
We walked again a couple of weeks later and FOUND IT on the side
of the road. We won't be using it again; but I saved it for the story.

Math Competency

I'm not sure I should be excited that I could pass 8th grade math; but, I must confess, that I was proud (surprised, actually) that I got a perfect score. My brain just doesn't get that much exercise in algebra these days...you can try it for yourself if you click on the link.

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 10/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

Catching Up

Madelyn thoroughly enjoys her dining experiences...

macaroni and cheese
(actually, that's just the plate it was on)

spaghetti

and "redecorating" the table while I'm out of the room

Elisha has spent hours playing store over the past few weeks.

He set up this store and wanted me to buy something,

which he then scanned using an upside down plastic green tub.

Pretty creative and entrepreneurial, if you ask me!