Grandma and Grandpa's house: April 2009

Jamie Jamie Jamie!!!

You're three years old today, Sweetheart!

Oh how I love how serious you can be...

... how thought-full...

... and yet somehow you're always right on the verge of a great joke!

Oh how we love the days we spend with you, trying to keep up with you as you're always go-go-going, never-stopping, filling up every moment with as much life as you can fit into it...

...pausing every now and then for a breathtaking photo-op,

magical snowflakes falling...

... lorax-stillness waiting in filtered sunshine...

... picture-perfect moments echoing through the generations!

Oh how I love the quiet joys we share together...

... and oh how we love the wonder of you,

dearest Princess Jamie Roo!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Jamie Ruth!

Happy Birthday to you!!!

miscellaneous memories from Easter weekend

our beautiful boys

Michaela - just like Cara as a child!

Could a fascination with creepy-crawlies be genetic?!

Walks in the woods always bring back magical memories. And now especially we treasure and savour every moment, knowing that we have just a few months left before these dear ones move so far away!

Micah lost another tooth!

Elizabeth trying out her new birthday camera!

Our card for Elizabeth played the heart-tugging song, "a dream is a wish your heart makes"!

Here's the simple little cake I made to go along with the card.

Our card for Nathanael played the wild and wonderful song, "I like to move it, move it!"

Here's the simple little cake I made to go along with Nathanael's card.

And finally, a special moment with Uncle Calvin, reading the book he wrote and illustrated for Nathanael. The party was too distracting to be able to complete the reading, but when it was read to him later, Nathanael laughed so hard he could barely breathe!

"dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!"

Our very own "dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!"

5 years old on Easter Day!

(recognize the quote, anyone?)

Elizabeth with her best friend (and cousin) Michaela...

... wishing you long-distance ways to nurture your bff friendship in this coming year!

Dearest Princess Elizabeth, how we treasure your tender heart and loving ways...

... your bright smile and eager eyes...

... your courage and strength and drive and initiative and energy and zest!

You make us laugh...

... you always find new ways to surprise us ...

... and in a very special way, you touch our spirits and tug at our heartstrings.

Thank you for the priceless gift of your love for us,

dearest Princess Elizabeth Jean!

Your Grandma and Grandpa love you with all our hearts.

Happy 5th Birthday, Sweetheart!

10-day window

6

5

4

3

2

1

with all our hearts

Dearest Nathanael, today you are 3 years old! We look into your big beautiful brown eyes and we want to tell you that with all our hearts we treasure you and wish you well, every moment of this special day, and forever and always.

We remember such beautiful times we've shared with you

this past year...

...we delight in how you always remember the fun times you've had at Grandma and Grandpa's house, how every time you come to visit us, you head right for your favourite playthings...