Swimming lessons

After a week of swim lessons Annika finally made it through a day with no tears! As a reward...ice cream! Some for her biggest supporter as well of course! Annika has been asking every day since then when she gets to go back to her lessons. She loved miss Joni and talks about her all the time. She is teaching all of her dolls at home to swim now. Now if we could just get some more hot weather to practice her strokes! (did I really just say that?!)

mmm...blueberries...

There is a blueberry farm in our town that allows you to go pick your own blueberries and take them home. I never appreciated this fruit until I tasted fresh tart blueberries the summer that I nannied in Maine. Every morning there would be a big bowl of fresh berries on the counter and they were delicious. Let me tell you, a fresh, plump, tart (not too sweet) blueberry has become my favorite fruit. I crave them like crazy. (On a side note, Eric recently sent me this article about the benefits of eating blueberries and beer after a run...which is very interesting because these cravings started after I began running more miles)  So this summer we have taken full advantage of the blueberry farm with many trips in the mornings to pick berries and play in the jump house.

The girls do a really good job of looking for the nice blue ones 

of course many of them end up going straight into their tummies

and we leave with faces that look like this...

The bounce house and the blue colored sand keep us entertained all morning long!

We are sad that blueberry season has come to a close. Now for some more strawberries in August! 

Cousins

We've been having lots of summer fun with cousins. Audrey is starting to really love seeing her cousins. Anytime she hears a group of kids playing outside she says "cousins, cousins!"Annika continues to love her big cousin Ethan, but as the girls get older she is starting to talk about miss morgan a lot more. There are only 5 months between them but when you're three that is a lot of time. Annika is really starting to look up to her big cousin mo.

Some guys have all the luck

Looks like a(nother) little lady for this guy!

Father's Day Eve!

Girls,

Now that you are getting old enough, I think it's time to share with you an ancient tradition dating back thousands of years that not many people know about called "Father's Day Eve."  The night before Father's Day dads get to sit back, reflect on their families, the good memories and the lessons learned in the past year and archive those thoughts so their children can learn what their dads were thinking about them when they were young.

Originally, these thoughts were written on tablets (stone, not iPad), then papyrus, then the tradition was lost for centuries.  It was only a handful of years ago this tradition was re-discovered and resumed, but since stone tablets and papyrus are a pain to store, blogs are now the medium used.  (Do not bother Googling this tradition and I will let you know when Wikipedia is okay to search)

Anyways, enough history on Father's Day Eve.  On to tradition!


First, let me tell you girls that even at your young ages it is crazy how much you love each other and how different you are.  Yet even though you are different, you are both extremely sweet and caring.  Annika, the whole flower girl event for you was like a coming out party.  Your extraversion is so more apparent, you love talking to just about anyone who will listen, and you have a pretty good sense of humor.  You have also already lost the "dy" and "my" from daddy and mommy, now it's just "dad" and "mom."  I know 60 year olds who haven't lost that yet.  While it is a bit sad, it is rather humorous coming from you, your mother and I hear you talk to us and just say "who is this girl?".


Audrey, you have no shortage of words either.  You are curious and will get into anything if it looks interesting and older kids are doing it.  You already have figured out how to work the system.  The last two times you have spent the night at Grandpa and Grandmamas you have gotten sick and Grandpa has stayed up with you watching TV in bed.  I am pretty sure you faked the sick part (I know, not really) because the next night you got me up to hold you and then promptly turned around like it was time to watch TV... at 1:30am.  Yes, you have learned to work the system.

One of my favorite little treasures lately is when your mom has to go to work and you both cuddle up next to me "nice and cozy" and we get under the blanket and watch Despicable Me.  I love Annika how you think the main character's name is "Despicable Me" instead of Gru (and you can't really say Despicable) and Audrey how you laugh at your sister when she mimics Vector yelling "Oh yeah!"  It's hilarious.

Father's Day Eve also has to include a lesson that I have learned from you two.  So here it is: as I watch each of you grow and see your differences I realize like anything surrounding management, I can't handle you the same.  You are different and need to parented in ways unique to you.  While sometimes I wish it would be easier and I could just parent you exactly the same, I recognize I wouldn't be doing you any favors.

In the same vain, I recognize that God parents us the same way.  Each different in our own unique ways.  He loves us where we need it most.  Proverbs 3:11 states "do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

Two lessons.  One, it makes me see the ways that God is providing the discipline that I need and instead of fighting it, it would probably be more beneficial to lean in and realize he is trying to help me and mold me (like I am trying to do for you).  Second, it keeps me cognizant of wanting to make sure I am not doing what is easy when it comes to being your dad, rather that I am doing what is best for your growth.  I know I don't always do that well, but it is something that I am fully aware of.

All that to say, I am proud to be your dad and you are growing and stretching me each day.  Your personalities bring me so much joy.

So girls, there you have it.  Your first Father's Day Eve recording.  You are now part of a great tradition that dates back thousands of years...

...(or 45 minutes :)

five years ago...

i squeezed into this white dress with the help of my mom and sister...

and walked through this vineyard to meet up with my best friend

it was the easiest decision I had ever made

which is how i knew it was just right...because you see, decisions had never been easy for me

my dad walked me down the most beautiful aisle lined with candles and under gorgeous hanging chandeliers

we were surrounded by friends and family who supported us then and have supported us since

we said our vows, not really understanding yet for ourselves all that they would mean

our friends sang "In Christ Alone", a song i have come to love even more than i did that day

we kissed

then we had a party! what a fun party it was! 

we have been watching our wedding video over and over with the girls and my favorite part is seeing all of you who were there celebrating with us! 

family and friends

these are eric's grandparents. they turn 90 this year. they have been married for a really long time. they lasted the longest at the "married couple dance." I have a whole new appreciation for the winners of those dances now that I know the work that goes into a good marriage. 

these five little cuties are so grown up now. some said this is a foretelling of what is in store for eric...

how fun would that be?! 

this little man is almost 6!!!

so many many friends came from near and far

grandmas...

and so many cousins!

we danced the night away

our cake was delicious...cheesecake...yum

we ended the evening with a traditional apu alum dance to neil diamond's "Sweet Caroline". who can remember who started this tradition?

 i am continually amazed at how God has given me things that i didn't even know that i needed in a spouse. these last five years have included a couple of small moves and one big one. new careers, new friends, new little family members, two of our own beautiful children and....

ONE MORE ON THE WAY!!!! if you made it to the end of this post you get to hear our news. Baby #3 due Oct 30. We are thrilled and so thankful for all that God has blessed us with.