My Favorite Kids...Again

It has been eons...a whole month - wow! I haven't felt like blogging lately, so I have kept up somewhat with reading but took a break (obviously) from writing and posting photos. Here are several shots to make up for lost time. I really was tired of seeing that 80's pic, and I'm sure you were too!

Summer photos in chronological order...

Madelyn is growing up.

Fourth of July

Elisha's sparklers experience - he was really intent.

Jim and Elisha's not-so-amazing idea to cover his bed with a castle/city thingy that stayed set up for a week or two, leaving Elisha with no bed in which to sleep. He did not mind sleeping on the floor (on a folded up comforter), but I felt like we were negligent parents when we tucked him in each night.

Hanging out together during "rest time" (read: watching a video)

One Sunday morning before church I looked over to see both of he kids "reading" their Bibles. It was definitely a Kodak moment.

Elisha discovered what happens when you put your finger in a train track. It was seriously stuck: we had to use vaseline, soap and cold water to help wriggle it free.

Yet another photo of "rest time" - we do alot of that some days.

Although Elisha's face does not reflect his mood, he was very excited to attend a celebration at our public library for completing the summer reading program. He received a certificate, and free book, some fun toys and got to help eat a huge ice cream sundae.

Elisha's first preschool project: the face of Petal, the rabbit doll from the book Wemberly Worried.

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?