Two Boys

We're starting to count down the days until the boys birthday! It's only 11 days away! I've been brainstorming how to celebrate both boys in one day for a while now. I have some ideas. I am excited! Here are afew pictures to compare Owen at one year and Baxter at ALMOST one year! In some ways and some moments we think they look SO much alike - in other ways and other moments I don't.

Where has the time gone?! Really!?

Owen after finger painting



Baxter sneaking away to the stairs



Owen's Birthday


Baxter just playing

11 months old - figuring out the world!

Baxter is 11 months old and really turning the corner from baby to little boy and I love it!! He took 4 steps the other day and again today. He has said a few words - clap (clagh/clagh) and bye bye when Matt leaves (buh). It's so sweet to see him start to interact with God's world. He is such an explorer and investigator. He's a joy to us! Here are a few pictures of him exploring Owen's trains.

Just some play time

Unfortunately a lot of our days are full of discipline with Owen, keeping Baxter busy and keeping Owen from pushing or squishing Baxter. That is making for some very long days and for a lot of striving to hope in and trust in Jesus and the work that He is able to do in all four of our hearts! Good days happen when we believe and trust. Not so great days happen when we forget the truth. Here are some of the more joyful moments.

We found a garage for Owen at a consignment sale this fall for $3 - I love consignment sales! Both he and Baxter really enjoy it. Here is Owen enjoying it - his favorite is the black matchbox car - it's really fast.



Even Baxter enjoys putting cars on the ramp and watching them go down. He doesn't have a favorite - just whichever one Owen will share.



Here they are playing "together" - we're getting there.



Still a happy drummer - stay tuned for birthday pictures in March and a new musical debut :)



Baxter has started to enjoy driving cars and trains around making a "vrooom vrooom" sound. So sweet. Last night he was playing with Noah's ark. He was looking at Noah and then he put Noah on the ground and "drove" him like a car :)

Snow in Richmond

Well, last week it snowed here in Richmond. As you can see it didn't snow very much. BUT it was Baxter's first snow and it was enough snow for Owen to enjoy it. Here are a few pictures of the boys enjoying it.

Matt, O, B


What is more fun for an almost 3 year old than drawing a big "O" in the snow!?



Baxter trying to figure it all out.



Owen walking around the deck with a shy sweet excited smile on his face. It's a joy to see joy in your children's expressions.

Talking with Owen

Owen and I had a few moments together last night when I was putting him to bed. Baxter was already asleep and Matt was out at the new members class at church.

Owen and I had read a few Bible stories as his nigh-night story (We LOVE this series of Bible stories called "Read Aloud Bible Stories" by Lindvall ). In one of the stories, Jesus heals a blind man. The man can now see Jesus. I was struck with the fact that one day we too will see Jesus. So I am trying to explain to my sweet almost 3 year old that one day, Jesus will come and take us to His home way high sky in heaven with God. He was asking very sweet questions about Jesus driving His car and we'll drive our car; Jesus bringing His bed to our house... He's really big into asking where things are (Gramma and Grampa's house, Grams and Grampops house, Kyle and Jenny's house...).

Then came the funniest one yet. Owen said, "Mommy, is heaven by Panera?"

It was sweet to watch him try to process all that I was telling him. What a joy to know that we will truly see Jesus one day and it will all make sense - Panera or no Panera! What a great savior He is!

Video Time

Videos seem to capture our boys better these days than pictures, so here are a few to enjoy!

Here is a video of Owen chasing Baxter around the train table.


Don't mind my singing in this one...the highlights are Baxter clapping and Owen doing the hand motions. This is one of our favorite songs - it's written by our worship director from Charlotte. Thanks Shane!


Baxter started doing this funny "hulk" thing the other day - Owen makes the same expression when he's showing that something is big and strong. Matt used to "hulk out" when he was little. Must be a male Purdy thing.