Happy Birthday Debbie!

I'm trying to post a little video that Samuel made for Aunt Debbie, but am having technical difficulties. I'll keep trying.

It's about time!

It's been so long since I last updated the blog and it's because we don't have internet at home any longer. Here are the most recent pictures. Enjoy.

This is Samuel laughing while trying to get a nice picture with Grandma. He calls her "Goo-ah".

Aunt Joanna and Autumn (Ah-um) come over quite a bit and this night they got into the stickers. Little copy cats.

Playing with Nana.

I just thought this was cute-- no special significance.

One Saturday we went downtown St. Paul to look at the ice sculpture contest at the park. Pretty incredible.

Here we are watching the parade. Actually, I think Samuel was the only one with the good view until we were able to move a little closer after some people left.

If you're looking for something fun to occupy your children in the midst of cold days and no sunshine a friend gave me a wonderful idea. Squirt a little hand lotion onto a cookie sheet and let your child swish it around and squeeze it in between his fingers. Samuel was occupied for over half an hour and had a tantrum when I told him we were all done.

Just a few weeks ago, Samuel transitioned to a big boy bed, after having crawled out of his pack 'n play. We didn't want him attempting to crawl out of his regular crib with our hard wood floors. So, this picture is after his first successful night in the bed. He made himself comfortable in the corner the next morning and waited patiently for us to come and get him. (He's not quite so patient anymore!)

Just a 2008 kid with his ipod (really it's Daddy)

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa

We visited the Heads on Sunday and here are some pictures.

Aunt Jolene

Aunt Sherah

Great-Grandpa Head, Aunt Debbie, and Aunt Rachel

Jolene, Debbie and Rachel

"Uh-uh" (Samuel's name for Grandpa Head)Aunt Debbie came to babysit Samuel for the day and he had a grand time with his aunt. He hasn't seen her since he was four months old because she has been attending NEGST in Nairobi, Kenya for the last year and a half. It's been great having her here for the Christmas season.

Waiting for Mommy

Aaron took these two pictures. I burst with joy every time I see Samuel's face plastered to the screen door as he waits for me to walk up the sidewalk to our house after work each afternoon. It is so bittersweet. Couldn't money just grow off of trees? Then I would give my little boy as many hugs as I wanted throughout the day. I would kiss him every hour.

Talking on the phone

Samuel loves to talk on the telephone, when there is no one on the other end! He has a couple of our old cellphones that he carries around and chats to his favorite relatives. But, every time we hold the telephone up to his ear, he listens intently and doesn't utter a word.

Finally, Aaron had the idea of actually giving him the telephone rather than putting it up to his ear. It did the trick. In this picture, he is talking with Nana, having a little conversation with her. He still doesn't babble, but at least he responds now and talks a little. He likes to pace and imitate the same things we do while talking! (-:

Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch

When we moved to Denver, we thought it would be fun to go apple picking. It's a huge tradition in Minnesota to go an orchard and pick apples in the fall. I was given such strange looks when I asked where the nearest orchard was, "apple picking? I've never heard of that!"

Well, we're back in Minnesota now and Aaron, Samuel, Cousin Autumn, Aunt Joanna, and Nana all went up to pick apples and have fun at the pumpkin patch. I was at work. )-:

Eww, kisses!

Having fun with Nana!

It's a heavy one, Autumn.

Proud Nana!

Getting started on chores early...

Finally, a few pictures.

We stayed with my parents for a month and Samuel had a grand time with the tupperware caps that were at an easy reach in the cupboard.
This is camping at the end of September with Aaron's family. Samuel would run up and down the ramp into our little cabin.
Just this week, Samuel and his cousin Autumn, went to the Children's museum.

It's been a long time!

I apologize for not updating this blog! We have officially moved into our duplex close to downtown St. Paul. It's a great old house, built around 1910. We have the downstairs unit and love the extra space, the hardwood floors, old fashioned windows (minus the drafts...) and the neighborhood is so quiet.

I love work. Love working with the international community and have definitely found my niche there. I do miss my two boys dearly though and 3:30 can't come soon enough each day.

Aaron has just started up classes at Hamline and has taken over Samuel full time during the day. They've been having fun visiting his little cousin, going to the park, and just getting used to a new house again.

We just got an internet connection up and running after much hassle, but no pictures downloaded again. (-: Actually, it's been awhile since we've taken any. I'll have to take a few in the next few days and post them up.

First Day on the Job

I just started a new job today. I will be teaching Language Arts. I'm very excited, nervous, but mostly excited. The staff seem wonderful: passionate, dedicated, and very helpful. Take a peek:

http://www.lighthouse.charter.k12.mn.us/

Finally some pictures...

I finally figured out how to get some pictures of our move. These are just a few of the things we have been up to in the last month or so. An apology in advance-- I'm doing this quick and my CD drive is a little quirky, so I didn't rotate the pictures that should have been rotated. Enjoy.

Samuel barely made it into the car on the way to MN!

We arrived in Chippewa Falls with Nana and Poppa. Here Samuel and his cousin, Autumn, are enjoying some icecream in town.

Samuel loves water. We are staying with my grandparents for the month and Samuel discovered the water coming out of the hose in "sprinkler fashion." He loved it!

A trip to the water and sand park with his cousin Autumn. He would have stayed in this car driving his cousin if I had let him.

Already a Twins fan!

Us with Aaron's Grandmother Carol at her 70th birthday party in northern MN.

We brought our quilts that Grandmother had made to decorate the walls and the tables. This one is Samuel's and he is sharing it with his cousin.


We visited Aaron's Grandma Jo in Cumberland, WI and we were able to get a family picture outside.

You can tell Samuel has Italian in his blood by the way he loves the Pitzels (spelling?)

Here is the best attempt at a picture with great-Grandma Jo and the kids.

Please pray

The bridge crossing over the Mississippi River, on the main highway into Minneapolis, collapsed last night. It was right in the middle of rush hour and the bridge was bumper to bumper with cars and trucks. There are deaths, missing persons, and lots of injuries. Please pray for the families as they mourn the loss of their loved ones, the search efforts, the medical teams, and anyone else involved in this disaster.

What a shock. I don't know how many times we have driven back and forth on that bridge without a thought to its safety or stability. I was telling Aaron last night, that we barely even recognize it as a bridge as we're driving because bridges have become so common and there is so little fear involved in crossing a bridge. Wow.

Arrived...

Just a quick update to let you know that we have left Denver, after living there for three years, and headed back to MN. We are closer to family and Samuel will be able to see his grandparents, aunts and uncle, cousin, and they will be able to love on him as well.

We drove the 15 or so hours to WI to be with Aaron's parents for the week and will be heading to the cities sometime next week.

I have pictures of the trip but am not sure if my in-laws' computer will download them off of my camera because they don't have my camera's software. I'll try to figure that out tomorrow.

Samuel Playing with his Blocks

When Samuel gets into something, he zones in and concentrates on whatever that is. The other day, it was stacking blocks. Here's just a taste of the "future" engineer! (-: (Notice the editing, inspired by Claudia...take a look at her edited videos by clicking on "Smiths" under our links)

Lovin' the Bath

Helping with the packing

As many of you know, we are heading back to MN in about a week and a half. Samuel has been helping me pack up the boxes. Well, he'd rather play in them and usually as fast as I can put something in the box, he is right there to take it back out. He is so observant, though, watching me tape it and then write on each box. To keep him occupied, I gave him his crayons and he has had a ball scribbling on the boxes while I can pack in "peace."

$5 Book Sale

Desiring God Ministries (Bethlehem Baptist, John Piper) is having a $5 online only book sale June 27th and 28th. Every book will be $5.

Please take a look at the site--that have a HUGE resource library of free sermons(by topic), free books, articles, etc. You'll find the $5 book sale portion on the right side, under the "blog" section.

Here's the link: http://www.desiringgod.org/

Happy Birthday Autumn!

We wish we could be with you to celebrate your special day! Although it may look like Samuel is not in the mood to sing and carry around a sign for his cousin, inside he was super excited. On the outside, he just wanted to go to bed. Happy Birthday!

Samuel Playing at the 16th Street Mall

The Tiny Little Curl

I had to take this picture because I'm not sure how long this little curl will last or when we'll decide it's time to cut his hair, but it is oh so cute! Samuel's hair doesn't always curl like this, but if there's any kind of humidity, or if he has been sweating, it curls right up.