My Nephew Grant

Summer Nap

Lincoln's Dedication

Last Sunday was Lincoln's dedication at church. The Lohstreters are to the left; the Gambles, to the right. My mom was visiting and my sister had work off, so they came up to the front with us.

When Pastor Allan came to us, he whispered, "Abraham?" (That is the name of the Lohstreters' baby right after us) -- and we said "Lincoln." I thought this was so funny...anyway. Then our pastor went to pick him up and struggled to raise him "Big guy, whoa..." he says. Such a big boy -- wearing 9-12 month clothes when he's not yet 4 months old.

Bekah, the Boys, & Gigi Playing in the Rain

Big Chicken in the City

I just love the design of these chicken coops. They come in 4 colors and have fantastic cleanablility and are easily moved around on a yard. Check them out at omelet.us
(They are ridiculously expensive, but it makes me so happy they exist.)

Poop-Induced Delight

Here is Atticus "riding" a bus this morning at the amusement park in Mall of America. Why is he at Mall of America? Why is he in the amusement park? Poop. That's right. Atticus' poop. Earlier this week Atticus pooped in the toilet for the first time. Brad promised him that he could ride one ride the first time he pooped in the toilet. Ta-da! AND though he has had four poop accidents since then, he has not had a single pee accident in the last 4 days. Therefore I declare Atticus an underwear-wearing, pee-ing in the toilet Big Boy!! All this -- the hard work of Atticus Robert Johannsen and his potty-training-extraordinaire father Bradley Robert! Thank you, Brad!!!!!

This said, you might notice that this is a coin-operated low-level sort of ride. Not exactly a M.O.A.-caliber amusement ride, right? True. This is the only kind of ride I have ever let the kids ride here (except, truthfully, once we rode the swings when we were here with a friend who insisted she pay). And furthermore, I am so cheap (and also because I never have any quarters) I never actually put money in these coin-operated contraptions. I put the boys in and stand outside shaking the vehicle with my old-fashioned arm energy. They, amazingly, have thought this was just fun enough -- never knowing the delights that waited them. Of course, after the amusement park day down in Des Moines at Valley Fair with Grandma Nancy, Grandpa Tom (& company (-:) the bar has been raised considerably. So....

(Oh he is so so handsome -- that's right, here's my showing-me-the-love-by-teaching-our-son-to-poop-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time Man O' Excrementation -- Brad!)

The Actual Ride - A big bus that went up and around (very difficult to time a photo shot...sorry -- no action caught on camera...) -- An $8.00 two-minute Twirl of Poop-Induced Delight. ($8.00!! -- Oh dear.)

Lincoln Carver at Almost 3 Months

Dietrich is Happy

Madelou Turns One

Made-lou answering "How old are you?" -- ONE!

Wednesday my little friend Made-lou Deems turned one year old. Her official birthday party is this weekend, but her momma Sarah decided to make a cake and come over and have a Hurray for Madelou song and cake party with my boys and Bekah (who was home for the morning) and Janae and Aliyah Gamble (two girls from our church) who were over playing for the morning.