Raking Leaves

Ahhhh.....fall is here.

These two boys are a great help when it comes to raking leaves.

Plus, jumping in a pile of leaves is a GREAT incentive to help out.

Or, getting to make street sweeper tracks in the pile. Oh Joel! What will you come up with next?

Yes. Dumping leaves on your brother. That would be the next logical conclusion.

Silly boy!

Time to clean up. He filled the entire garbage can with leaves using a snow shovel.

Of course, Micah helped a little. Someone had to stop down the leaves to make them all fit.
Ahhh....child labour at its best! Thanks boys!

Knife Skills

Independent as all get out

Insists on doing it himself

DANGER DANGER DANGER

6.5 years

Today, we celebrate six and a half years of marriage.
They have been full of good times and bad, like most marriages are.
This past year was challenging, mostly due to lack of sleep.
But though it all, I've realized how committed I am to this man.

So, why are we celebrating six and a half years?
Cuz our sixth anniversary was spent in a daze and the thought of doing anything other than sleep was too much effort.

So today, we celebrate six and a half years.
Six and a half years of silliness,
road trips,
raising two kids,
preserving food,
exploring nature,
and
pursuing the future together.
 

Look Mom!

Joel holds up this rock and says, "Look Mom! A Pentagon!"

I couldn't believe my eyes. It was an actual pentagon. And he named it correctly. Dang kid! Where do you learn this stuff?

A Mother's View

While out on a walk, I snapped this photo to remind me of the view I have when we go walking.
Double Decker stroller, two beautiful boys.
One sleeping in the front with his head down,
the other peeking out the side checking on his buddy.

Praying with Joel

This evening, Dan was praying with Joel, prompting him with the question, "What are you thankful for?"
Joel replied, "Thank you for Grandma Jansen.... and for regular Grandma."

Yep, that's our boy! Ha ha...regular Grandma (that's you mom!)

Pursuing the Future Together

My new all time favorite family photo.

Something about being together as a family that makes my heart swell.
It matches my favorite wedding photograph that we have hanging over the mantel.
When Dan and I were dating, we used to say that we were "pursuing the future together" rather than telling people we were boyfriend/girlfriend. (yes, I still hate that terminology. So high school)

I think as a family, we are doing the same. We are pursuing the future together. Seeing what is in store for our little brood.

Othello Tunnels

About a month ago, we took the kids on a day trip to the Othello Tunnels in Hope.

We had a great time going through the tunnels.

 

Joel LOVED his flashlight. It was probably the only way we would get him to go through the tunnels. Maybe not, he actually did enjoy them. But I'm pretty sure the flashlight has A LOT to do with it.

Micah just sauntered right in. Tripping in every pothole...

...staring at the water.

 

Such a beautiful place.

(photo taken with vivid mode on camera)

 

  

Creepy!

Yes, we actually we have pictures of the tunnels.

 

Flashlight fun

Conversations with Joel

Me: Joel are you a boy or girl?
Joel: Boy!
Me: Is mommy a boy or girl?
Joel (without skipping a beat): A lady.

Oh how sweet! Where does he come up with these things?

Joel and his cars

"Shhh....the cars are sleeping."

He takes one down and says, "You no get a lollipop. You peed in your bed."
(Joel gets a lollipop if he stays dry for his nap)