Andrew sports a "new" hat

My friend, Deb, sent us this hat from Southeast Asia when Anika was a baby; now it fits Andrew perfectly.

Schell's Corn Maze and Funland:-)

Today we went to Schell's Corn maze and autumn funland. Anika went through the hay bale maze to the slide - which was a big hit. Then we walked through the kids' corn maze (no deadends so you couldn't get lost). Anika's favorite was the animals - pigs, ducks, goats, rabbits, kitties, and sheep. Then we got to take a hay rack ride around the farm. We also got to take home a few pumpkins for carving. It was a wonderful day!


At the top of the hay bale pyramid:

"Catch me, Grandpa!"
Our family in the corn maze:
Our family on the hay rack:

Dominican Diva

Daddy's HOME!!! And he brought a few gifts with him. Anika is sporting her new sarong and top. Daddy also brought home a few necklaces that Anika is wearing constantly and LOTS OF COFFEE!

Aunt Lanah drops by

My aunt Lanah was able to cross the mountains to pay us a visit while her brother, my dad, was visiting. Sometimes last minute plans work best; I only gave her one day notice but she was able to work in some time to spend with us. Anika managed to monopolize most of her time - stories, purse hunting (for lotion, candy, and "lip stuff"), and painting nails kept Aunt Lanah busy!

Grandpa visits

My dad came to visit for a few days while he is out west on business. Anika and Andrew couldn't get enough of their grandpa!

Being Goofy

Anika sports sunglasses while she helps me bake cookies. Life is never dull around here. She keeps me laughing every day! I wish I could capture some of her looks and turns-of-a-phrase. She's one of a kind:-)

A & A

Mommy's Turn

Anika wouldn't rest until she got to paint Mommy's finger(nails) with the red polish. (Why red? Because I was wearing a red shirt yesterday when she determined which color I was to wear.)



Anika had to take the final picture herself.

A boy & his dog

Scout has been getting a raw deal on our blog so I thought I would include some shots of our wonderfully tolerant and loving puppy.Scout has never nipped, barked or growled at the kids. Andrew is a pincher and she doesn't even react -- except to walk away sometimes.

Love You, Daddy

Lloyd is safely in the DR, which I know thanks to the internet. I'm so grateful that technology allows me to be in touch with him when I wouldn't otherwise. So, Daddy we love you and miss you!

Shutter Bug

Anika decided she wanted to learn to use the camera. (Since Daddy took our expensive one to the DR, I let her try out our smaller point-and-shoot one.) I couldn't resist putting up a few of her early tries. (I did omit the ones that she took of her shirt after she didn't believe me when I told her she was holding it wrong.)

Self-Protrait:

Dana: Take OneDana: Take Two
Mommy & Andrew: Take One

Mommy & Andrew: Take Two (I may actually appear on our blog now that Anika can take pictures - tee, hee)

Girls' Night

"Auntie" Dana came by for a girls' night of pampering:-) (I wanted to clean and cut Anika's nails and the best way to do that is to promise to paint them. . . Anika REALLY got into it!)
Dana spoils Anika to death. She actually let a 2 year old put finger nail polish on. (Anika understands the "finger" part but not the "nail" part:-))
I had been taking pictures as Anika did Dana's nails but I was incorrect in assuming that I had taken enough. As she started on Dana's second hand she tells me "Take more pictures". She certainly isn't camera-shy!
"Let me blow. Not dry yet!"
The Final Product:-) (Dana actually wore Anika's polish to church. She is more generous than Mommy!)

Sat. Nights

Anika and Andrew fresh from the tub and ready for church in the morning!

Dominican Republic

For those who would like to keep up with Lloyd's trip to the DR, he has started a blog.

sunnysidecrcyouth.blogspot.com or click under the links section in the sidebar of this blog.

Thanks for praying!

Big girl

It seems that if Mom gets distracted, Anika is perfectly capable of fixing lunch for herself. . . I couldn't resist running for the camera when I saw this:-)
PS Anika didn't mind the attention at all either. She's playing for the camera a bit;-) I asked her if it was alright if I took a picture and her response? "I love it!"

That time of year . . .

Apples are arriving on our doorstep again! We are so blessed to have such generous friends. Anika and I got right to work. We whipped out the "apple-peeler-corer-slicer" (I love this little gadget!) and started up the crockpot for applesauce and the dehydrator for apple "chips". Anika is a pretty good snitch but I love her company and her help. She would line up the apples on the trays for me. Her attention span is pretty limited though. She only made it through 3 of the 10 trays that we did. Life is never dull around here:-)

Andrew's Smile

I'm waxing sentimental today. Andrew is teething. He already has two bottom teeth but his top front teeth are coming in. I'm going to miss those gummy smiles -- sniff. It seems like these milestones with Andrew have come so much faster than with Anika. I remember waiting anxiously for all these big "firsts" with Anika. With Andrew, they are all catching me by surprise and I'm left wondering "where did my baby go." I "know" that I should be rejoicing that he is growing; he is healthy; he is developing. I mean, isn't it my goal to help him become an independent, thoughtful, creative, loving, caring, faithful child of God? Ah, yes. But I have to admit, I'm going to miss those gummy grins.


PS My rational side is reminding me that he is only 8 months old and has MANY more milestones to reach - even before toddlerhood:-)

"Fruit" of the Valley

Here's a little ham in a fruit box:-)
Anika grabbed a pillow, her blankie and her ubiquitous thumb.