Nature Walk

This past Saturday we decided to be spontaneous and go for a nature walk in the woods near Clarksville.  I took the kids there last summer by myself, and it was so nice to actually have daddy with us to explain how to catch a frog and such.  I enjoy the nature, but Jordan actually knows how to walk through an area and find some interesting insects and frogs.  The kids loved the adventure!  They had their nets ready! 

Look at this little girl!  She was ready to go and hunt for critters with daddy!

"Flowwa!"  

"Tobias, come back here," shouted Magdalene.  Tobias loved the freedom and took advantage of every opportunity to take off!  Magdalene didn't feel comfortable with him leaving us so she ran to him and brought him back.

We zoomed in on this shot.  She took him by the hand and made him walk towards us.  What a mother hen!

Okay, I guess I will be in a shot.

"Can we do this again?"

Baby Philomena is getting so big.  At her two month appointment almost two weeks ago, she weighed over 12 lbs.  What a little cutie!  

Happy Birthday Pai!

Happy Birthday to our dear Vavo today!!!!  I was talking to Magdalene this morning about how I call my daddy Pai.  She couldn't figure out why I would call him something that you eat!  haha.  Anyway, in honor of our Vavo and the special day God brought him into this world, we decided to post the video of the kids opening their special gifts from him.  

Tobias in his Chinese outfit!

Magdalene loves wearing her Chinese shoes!!!

Magdalene loved the Chinese exhibit so much at the museum we went a few weeks back.  I thought Pai would enjoy watching Magdalene be amazed by the Chinese chopsticks and the Chinese girl.  Enjoy!!! We love you and hope you have a wonderful day.

Happy Fourth of July!!!

The kids were up and early for the 4th!  Well...they are up and early every day.  We took a stroller ride to the park and ate a late breakfast.  Jordan finished mowing the lawn.  Since he had only a small patch to do, we decided that the kids could help Daddy out.  

Magdalene was ready to go with her lawnmower.  

Wait for me, Daddy!!!!

 Tobias loved every bit of his experience with Daddy.

 Magdalene's turn!

Grandma Jeanie and Grandpa Dalen invited us over for a picnic.  Delicious food and good company!

 Sweet Philomena is getting so big!!!

We even visited Daddy at work the next day to see his office.  Tobias noticed the clock.  Magdalene found a random beach ball in his office (the beach ball belonged to the previous person who had his office).  She was so excited to take the ball home.  We hope you had a wonderful weekend!!!

Squeaky Shoes

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The shoes were a hit!  Thank you so much to our sweet vavo for thinking of us.  We love you!

Note:  All the clothes on the couch were from Vavo.  Magdalene loved trying on the dresses.

Happy Birthday Bear2!!!

Make sure you dance on your birthday!  Love your niece, Philomena (Filomena)

Tia Brenda let me take a bite of your cake.  I hope that was okay!  

I wish I could celebrate in California with you.  Are you going to eat ice cream cake?  Oh.....maybe I will take a plane ride if you have ice cream cake.  

Well...okay I can't take a plane ride because my momma said I have to be back for naptime.  But maybe I can still sneak out...

So I'm getting pretty big now.  I'm a month old.  I hope you sleep in or take a nap like me.  Love you!

We Miss You, Tia Brenda!

It's wonderful to see my side of the family!  We love our visits to California and their visits to Iowa.  We pray one day we can all live closer to each other.  

Let's just say, I was definitely spoiled by having my sister visit.  We had so much help from her, and the kids miss her tremendously.  Magdalene even "wishfully" called me Tia Brenda one morning.  You are loved by all here, and we can't wait to see you sometime soon.  Here are some highlights of her visit to Iowa:

Tia Brenda styled Magdalene's hair

Sister time!

She even threw us a baby shower.  

We love when Tia Brenda shops for us!

I love you tia and madrinha (godmother)!

Stroller time!

Come back!

I love you!

Reading everyday....all day sometimes it seems like in our household

Swing time with Tia

Little Man enjoying his park day with Tia Brenda