Growin'

Our kids are growing and reaching milestones...

This year Naomi went to preschool for 2 mornings a week, and loved it. Her teacher was Miss Theresa, who is a veteran preschool teacher. We will miss her!

Above: Naomi gets a nice hug from Miss Theresa.
Below: Some of Naomi's class.

On June 12th, Naomi had a graduation ceremony. She was one of about 150 graduates. They all proudly wore red caps and gowns. I'll admit it, it was pretty cute. About 700 people came to watch! Some of the parents definitely went overboard, bringing huge balloons, dozens of roses, etc. (It's preschool, people!) The classes sang songs with hand motions. They quoted John 14:1-6 from memory, and their teachers told a little about each child when they handed them their diploma. Miss Theresa said Naomi was the 'social butterfly.' Hmm. Not sure what to think of that.

Jordan, meanwhile, has decided to crawl around. She is into everything and wants to be part of the action. She has even started to pull herself up to standing. She is pretty pleased with herself when she stands up and takes a look around!

We've had some hot(tish) weather lately, so we decided to let the big kids run through the sprinkler. Jordan was interested in the drain where all the water was pooling and draining. There was a nice muddy spot to play in:




Above: Naomi thought she should decorate her sister a little.


Isaiah just wanted to run - not a surprise! It didn't matter if he was so cold he was shaking, it was too fun to stop.

Visit with Grandma

Danny's mom came to visit for a few days and we had a few fun-filled days with her. (You won't see Mom's picture, because she was always the one behind the camera.)

We visited the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. We went on a Free Tuesday, and the rest of SD joined us in the museum. We decided that it was probably worth paying the entrance fee to go without the huge crowds.

Isaiah was so excited to see the T-Rex and all the other dinosaurs. Naomi could have stayed there for hours, checking out all the displays. She's just like her dad.

Jordan was just along for a fun ride...she's always so happy!

We also visited a museum that has a 'Kid City' inside.

Naomi loved playing games on the computer.

Isaiah was busy collecting foam blocks and dumping them out of the bucket.

The Zoo was another day's adventure:

We got to see these elephants perform for us. We even followed one of them and its trainer around his pen. It was a treat to see, almost like a circus.

We met Danny on his campus for lunch one day. Here we are waiting for the shuttle bus to head back to our apartment.

I love the belly laughs coming from all 3 kids...their Dad really gets them going sometimes!

May Grey...

The locals say we have 'May Grey' weather during this time of year. Most days it has really been beautiful, except the one day we decided to go visit the Wild Animal park on Isaiah's B-day. The coolness was actually nice and we enjoyed our walk around the park.
Danny messing around with the kids.
Isaiah after a long day walking around.
Jordan after a long day just riding in the stroller.

Below: Danny, Naomi and Isaiah went camping for one night with our good friend Mark and his 2 boys, Seth and Noah. They had a great time bonding while cooking bratwurst and roasting marshmallows.

These crazy bugs were all over...

Below: Happy Times!

3 Years Old!

Our Isaiah turned 3 years old on May 24th!

It's hard to believe that we've had our 2nd child for 3 years. We love our little guy. He has enough energy for 4 people, which normally translates into him climbing and jumping off everything in his path. Strangely (and happily), he also has a tender side and can be quite a snuggler, especially when he's sleepy.

He's getting quite proficient at ripping open presents, thanks mostly to one Grandma Frese (ahem).

Naomi has to take over and show Isaiah how to play with his new toy. Jordan was playing, too - with the wrapping paper.

This picture is a great example of Isaiah's fearlessness (read: idiocy). He is riding the neighbor's pink scooter while wearing Naomi's pink Barbie rollerskates.One toy with rolling wheels isn't quite dangerous enough by itself, so he doubles 'em up. He also has his superhero cape on.

Isaiah's rules for life at 3:

~Anything and everything is for the purpose of climbing.

~If you climb it, you must jump off the top of it.

~Razor scooters are fuuuuuun.

~Sitting still is hard, even when (especially when?) it is for eating.

~If you make a joke now and then, people will laugh and they will like you.

~Love your sisters. Sometimes torment them, sometimes jump over their heads when your parents aren't looking, but mostly just play with them.

~'Go, Diego, Go' is the best show on T.V.

~Be a superhero when you grow up.

~Eat fruit. Lots of it. And smear it all over your face while doing so.

~Use the toilet like a big boy. Most of the time.

~Have at least one tickle fight with Dad every day.

~Get some snuggles from Mom every day.

~Read books about Dinosaurs, especially ones with T. Rex.

~Play with big kids whenever you can.

~Lounging around is for sissies.

We love our Isaiah Michael!