Videos

I guess the video from the last post didn't really work. Try again? For some reason I can't get videos to upload through Blogger lately, so let's try YouTube.

Click here to see Noah [not] singing in his VBS program.

This video is Noah's new "thing". When music is playing at our house, Noah now grabs his guitar, puts it on the fireplace, and dances while pointing upward. We think this is a result from his time with Cousin Ryan at VBS, watching him lead worship. We're thankful for his awesome example!

Daniel had a work trip in San Diego over the past week so we took several videos to keep him in touch with us.

Click here to see Lyla's new trick (waving) with Noah.

Click here to see/hear Lyla laughing at Noah (which happened over and over the whole drive home that day). They're adorable together.

Click here to see/hear Lyla laughing at Noah again. This also went on and on. She would squeal, Noah would drop his head and say "ahhhh" and she would just giggle. Who knows what was so funny, but watching them just made me smile.

Adventure!

Noah got to take his first trip away last week. He spent a week at Grandma and Grandpa Shoemaker's house so he could go to VBS with them. He was very excited for days leading up to it and was especially looking forward to feeding Grandpa's fish. We drove halfway to meet G&G on Sunday, and when it came time to hop in their vehicle, he wasn't so sure. I had to jump in the Jeep alongside him to go for a short drive. After that, he was fine and happily waved "bye" to us as they drove away. We talked on the phone every night (and sometimes during the day, too) and he was always so happy and excited to tell us about his day. Wednesday night, he even said, "Mama, I havin' so much fun at Grandma's house!" We are so glad he had a wonderful time and got to create those memories, but were really glad to get him back, too! I'm thankful for the awesome family members who spent time loving on him and took pictures to send to us!

First night of VBS with cousin Matthew.

Playdate at McDonalds...with most of the cousins.

Playing with Mommy's favorite doll from when she was little. 

Eating pancakes with Grandpa.

Going fishing with Uncle Chris, cousin Aaron, and Aaron's buddy.

When Noah talks about going fishing, he always says, "Me and Uncle Chris goed fishin', and we catched them, and they was bleeeeeed-ing." Same story. Every time. 

 So glad Noah had a great week and for the awesome teachings he heard. He keeps retelling the story of "We had our hammer, and the wised man builded his house on the rock, and the 'food' [foolish] man builded his house on the sand, and it didn't stay very good." Thanks to all who helped him have a wonderful time!

While Noah was gone, Lyla got to soak up some extra attention, and tried scrambled eggs. So far, this girl is an eating champ! 

When we went to get Noah, we got to spend some time with most of the Shoemaker family, which included some Uncle Da-da lovin'!

On Sunday, the kids said a few memory verses and sang a couple songs at church. Noah paid such close attention to the memory verses...

 ...and didn't sing a single word during the song... Stinker! (Matthew and Braelynn sure did a great job!) 

Have you ever seen so much cuteness in one picture?
(Matthew, Kadence, Braelynn, Lyla, Noah)

Noah was so tired after his busy week that he napped in the car on the way home, and as we were unloading the car, I walked back in the house and found him here (after he had been awake to come into the house!) 

And then he was THREE!

We have been busy around here! (This post might take me a few days to finish...I have a lot to catch up on...)

We had a major storm two weeks ago--lightening struck the tree across the street from our house (we saw flashes of red!)--and knocked out our router so we've been internet-less for a while. In the meantime, Daniel's parents, brother, sister-in-law, and niece came to visit. We loved having such a full house! Noah will likely talk about it for several more weeks! While they were here, we celebrated our sweet boy, who turned three! Unbelievable. Everyone says "it goes by so fast" but you don't really grasp what that means until it does. And it does. Go by so fast, I mean. He is such an incredible three-year-old. He learns new things so quickly, he is exceptionally observant, he is a sharer, a protector (especially of Lyla), and a helper (especially to Mommy in the kitchen). We love seeing him grow and are so thankful for his part in our family! Love you to the moon and back, baby boy!

The Sampsons arrived late Thursday night after a long day of driving.

Lyla tried to stay awake to see them, but she just couldn't make it! 

Noah lounged in the chair like a teenager until they arrived. 

Friday morning, the crew took a trip to the zoo while I worked a half day. Noah and Grace loved holding hands while they walked down the path. Adorable!

Pressing pennies! 

Happy baby Lyla!

Friday afternoon we all loved some outside playing time while Daniel and David grilled for us all.

 

The boys apparently used to race each other and Daniel always won...they decided a re-match was in order...

Saturday was Noah's birthday! Friday night we filled his doorway with balloons so they spilled into his room when we opened the door the next morning. We are still finding balloons all over our house!

I had wonderful helpers in the kitchen. Our pancakes have never tasted better.  

We took a trip to the Botanical Gardens where there is a great kid area. Grace and Noah especially enjoyed the splash pad! The heat/humidity didn't let us stay too long, though, so we packed up and headed to Lambert's. The roll thrower was so nice and gently tossed rolls to Noah and Grace, which Noah said was his favorite part of the day when I asked him at bedtime. After we got home, Noah opened a round of presents before bed.

 

Sunday meant Grandma and Grandpa Shoemaker joined our festivities, and we got to have Noah's party at Incredible Pizza. Sunday also brought a phone call from the police, who found Daniel's Jeep!! It was full of trash, smelled like smoke, had an additional 2000 miles on it (sheesh! Where did this lady drive?!?!), and was missing the carseats, but the lady is in jail and the Jeep is back in our possession. Hooray!

Food coma!

We loved his expression when he realized money was inside! 

We loved celebrating with everyone!!! Thanks for making our boy feel so special! We'll miss you, Sampson family!! Come back soon!