Milestones

Well, really only one milestone to report here, but I wish I had others like Gabe sleeping through the night, or Joshua being potty trained. The milestone for the day is that Gabe rolled over for the first time last night! Peter and I both missed it though. We tried to get him to do it again, but I think it took all of his might to do it the first time. Maybe he'll do it again today!

Happy Birthday CJ!

Joshua had a blast at CJ's birthday party last Saturday! CJ's family lives at the same apartment complex as us, and we love it when we all get to hang out.


















One of the highlights of the party was getting to ride on all of the cars...


















There weren't enough cars for Joshua to ride this time, so he decided to follow on his knees behind the trail of cars and tots.

They also enjoyed getting inside this car...CJ was the driver and Joshua was safely sitting in the back seat!

Joshua took a swing at the Scooby Doo pinata...


















CJ and his birthday cake...

Sip & See

Last Saturday some sweet friends from church gave a combined baby shower for three of us on staff at the church that recently had babies. Here are the babies and their ages at the time of the picture:

Gabe (11 weeks), Klaire (3 weeks), and Bear (9 weeks)

And here they are with their big brothers and sister: Joshua and Gabe, Karoline and Klaire, Toby and Bear

This is the beautiful spread...Michelle, Janelle, Jennifer, and Ileeta are so talented at making things special!

Here are the new mommies...Krystal, me, and Melissa H.

Cute pic of Kristin holding Gabe...

My sweet friend, Pat, holding Gabe...

The Tubes

Last Thursday we got together with Janelle & Ella and Cassi & Tobey for some fun at Irving Bible Church's Tubes. The last time Joshua played at the Tubes, he was much younger and couldn't fully enjoy the whole play area. This time, he had no fear climbing high and going down the fast slides! He had a great time and was very sad to have to leave.

Tobey and Ella made up a game of getting "stuck" on the pole and then trying to get "unstuck". They had more fun with that, than climbing!

Josh's Twin

In September, the Martins moved to Texas. We had no idea how much we had in common with each other, but we are so glad to have gotten to know them and spend some time with them recently. As I'm sure will happen more in the future, our sons are the commonality. Their son, Tobias, was born on Joshua's due date (June 2), and he is a sweet boy...all boy! Joshua and Tobias get along really well. One of their favorite weekly activities is running around the sanctuary after the service on Sundays...their little heads bob up and down above the pews as they chase each other. They have many of the same mannerisms and even look a little alike.

The Martins second son, Jacob, was born just five days after Gabe. We are looking forward to

them becoming fast friends as well!

Last week to celebrate our last chance at a playdate before returning to work, Elizabeth and I took the boys to a park by their home. This weekend we all got to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon with the Martins at the park.

Elizabeth and Tobias...

Joshua didn't quite understand the concept of feeding the ducks the first time...

But he got much better the second time...

Tobias was so sweet to push Joshua in his wagon...

Then they got a ride together as Steven pulled them very fast around the park...they got big air several times.

Joshua and Gabe wore matching sweaters to church this morning that the Martins gave them as a gift when Gabe was born...so sweet!

Choo! Choo!

We had a fun time last Saturday because the Murrells came up to take us to a surprise event! Who knew that Thomas the Train was in town?! Thomas was attached to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad cars, and we got to take a ride on the train. Joshua thought that it was really cool to see Thomas in person.



Joshua and Gabe both got conductor hats to wear...

There were trains everywhere...toy trains to touch and play with...

Model trains to watch...

Joshua had to take a pre-train ride snooze so he could be energized for the fun...























He loved looking out the window...