Boating with the Becks

Our good friends, Brent and Candie Beck took us out on their very nice boat. The kids had such a blast! I could not believe that when we stopped to swim, Josiah didn't hesitate but just jumped right in the deep water. He kept asking to swim the whole day.

We were on the boat for 5 hours and the kids didn't complain one time. I hope we get to do it again real soon!

Josie was the best little baby on the boat, she didn't cry at all. She laughed a lot, especially when the boat went fast!

Here is little Josie floating all by herself in the huge lake. She absolutely loved it!! She was talking and singing and yelling! So adorable!

Annie on the tube with her daddy!!

Even mommies can have fun!!

Daddy and Josie in the lake!

My little family! A funny story: Josiah had to pee several times while on the boat so we let him go in the water. Well, he did not want to pee in his trunks, so Nathan would pull down his pants (we got mooned several times). One time, he decided he had to poop, so we docked the boat and he and Nathan trekked to the woods. Oh, the joys of parenthood :)

I Love You Behind My Back

I make it a great habit of telling my kids that I love them.  They reciprocate it quite well.  On occasion, they've even offered the sentiment on their own (i.e. not in response to my affection).

Josiah has taken the concept of our love to creative extremes and expressions.  Often our conversation will go something like this--

Dad: "I love you, Josiah"

Josiah: "I love you, TOO (with exuberant emphasis)."

Dad: "How much do you love me?"

Josiah: "This much." (he says while stretching his arms out as far as he can.)

Well, the other day, Josiah realized that he'd reached as far as he could but wanted to express something bigger.  He continued moving his arms back until they were behind him at which he shouted: "I love you behind my back!!"

The was one of the most sincere expressions of affection a child could offer.  It has now become a token phrase in our family jargon.

Annie, not to be outdone, has found her stock return as "I love you more than you love me."  I suppose many-a-child has used this one.  I recall in my childhood of spending days with my Grandma in which we'd have the conversation:

Grandma: "I love you, Nathan."

Nathan: "I love you, too, Grandma."

Grandma: "I love you more."

Nathan: "I love you more than you love me."

Love cannot be expressed too often.  We all love, and we need to show it, but too often fathers (and mothers) fail to say it to our kids and our spouses.  This reminds me (vaguely) of Golde and Tevye's banter from Fiddler on the Roof: "Do You Love Me?" (watch)

If you want some help, here's how our expression has advanced from "I love you behind my back."

I love you to the sky.

I love you to the moon.

I love you to the sun.

I love you to infinity (and beyond - thanks Buzz Lightyear).

Sleepy Head

Nathan took some pictures of Josiah waking up. It is a very funny process as you will see. The light is not actually turned on, so all the light is made from the flash. (Notice his "baby" laying under him.)

He almost always wakes up with this smile on his face. Sooo precious!

Family Pics

My Annie and Me

Josie's smile is priceless. (Josiah's eyes are very sensitive.....:)

A Nice Pillow

I just love this picture of Josiah and his little Sis. She lights up everytime he comes around her. I can't wait to watch them grow up together.

Swimming at Aunt Nicole's

We had a great time swimming at Nicole's pool. The kids were so good and had a blast. Josie even got a little nap while in the pool.

Josiah and his cousin Logan. These two really are two peas in a pod. I have a feeling they are always gonna be best buddies.

Baby Layla

Cousin Picnic

We had a wonderful time at Granny's  (my mom) house last week. We got all the cousins together for a picnic and then walk to a neighborhood park to play for a while.

These two are best buddies, although they do fight like brothers :)

Countin' My Blessings

Josiah told me just today the Annie was his best friend. I hope they always love each other this much!!

My two beautiful girls!

Father's Day 2008

We had a wonderful Father's Day together as a family. First, we went to Journey (our wonderful church). Then to lunch at our favorite restaurant, Cheddar's, with our Pastor and his family. After a long nap for all of us, we went to the Beach Waterpark. It was a fun filled Father's Day for sure :)

Josie fell asleep at lunch in her daddy's arms. She sure loves that guy!!

Mowing grass with Daddy

Fun at the Beach

We went to the Beach waterpark and Nathan joined us there. It was a nice sunny day, but the water was still a little cool. Annie is our little daredevil; she doesn't care about cold water and she will ride just about any scary water ride. I love that about her.

My beautiful sleepy boy! Josiah had had just about enough of fun in the sun. He got overheated and when we got home he had 102 temperature. Sorry little buddy!

One Stormy Night

We had a terribly stormy night. The sirens went off 2 times to tell us there was a tornado warning. We decided to let the kids sleep in our room on the first floor just to be safe. At 3 a.m. we carried them up to their bed.

Mommy's Favorite Place!!

The kids and I love to eat at Frisch's. However, it is not Nathan's favorite place. The kids wanted a pic with Big Boy so here you go!

At our Favorite Place....K.I.

Even mommy got to ride some.

Mother's Day 2008

What a special Mothers Day it was! We added Josie to our family this year. I am definitely the most blessed woman in the whole wide world to have these 3 beautiful kids. Thank you God for my children!

My Family

Daddy and Me

The kids like when Nathan goes along with us on our excursions because he is just a big kid. He is such an awesome daddy!