Sprinklers. They're not just for watering the lawn.

This is what summertime is all about. 

This year, Benjamin decided he is brave enough to run right through the sprinkler.  Sweet.  He's not going to need a bath tonight.

Monkey see, monkey do.  The little guy can do it with a little help from his big bro. 

They won't need showers either. 

This goober?  Yeah.  No words. I think he's taking the "shower" concept a little too seriously.   This show came with a song as well.  For free.  The neighbors are just that lucky today.

Time to warm up in the sun.  Summer fun is tiring business if you do it right!

Now I'm off to pick up the drippy wads of clothing that are scattered everwhere.  They might not need showers, but now I need to do laundry.  Ah well.  It's so very worth it.

No Grace pics today - she was enjoying being clothing free, and we try to keep it G-Rated around here...  She will get her own post soon.  We are creeping up on a pretty important anniversary in a couple of weeks!

Finally they meet!

As we waited for Grace to come home, we were blessed to "meet" (online) another wonderful family waiting to bring their sweet girl home.  Our daughters were born just one week apart, and came home one month apart.  We have been talking about getting together for quite some time, and it finally happened!!

I wish I could say Grace just loved having another little Korean sweetie come to visit, but she wasn't that keen about having to share her toys.  She warmed up eventually, though!

It has been so wonderful getting to know another family that is in the same place in their journey as us.  We have experienced many of the same things, but have also had very different bonding experiences with our daughters.  It has been a blessing to get to know this family, and I hope we will be able to have many more chances to get together as our girls grow up. 

Aren't they cute together?

 Sweet girls!!!

Why are they looking at us?  Are we cute or something???

Diggin' in the Dirt

The work has begun at the future home of the Circus...and it is dirty! 

(Disclaimer: the views and photos presented in this post are the views and photos of Ethan (a.k.a. Dad) and do not express the views or photographic excellence of the regular blog author (a.k.a. Shannon).  Any damage that has been done to the reputation of said blog is unintended and apologized for in advance...)
 

The holes are done and now it's time to go up!!

Sometimes you use the little toys...

...and sometimes you gotta use the big toys!

Sometimes you just gotta get some rest (this kid can sleep anywhere!!)

At the end of the day it's all about having fun!

The future home of The Circus!

Here it is!  The future home of The Circus!!!

(There will be no striped tents or other circus items used in the construction of the house.  I'm holding out for turrets...) 

 Nice views



 Mostly flat.  (That's harder to find in our town than you might think...)

Some funny boys mugging for the camera.  (Included in the purchase price)  James loves his Uncle Matt!

A champagne toast!*  (Because that's the last champagne we'll be able to afford for a long time.)

*Benjamin wanted to know if we were REALLY going to have champagne on our toast...

Tomorrow we will begin clearing brush where the house will sit.   Although we are excited to begin, we will probably wait until late morning to start.  We do want the neighbors to like us, after all.  Chainsaws at 7am might ruin our reputation more than a little bit.   More updates to follow - hopefully starring large machines and enormous holes in the ground. 

 Hooray!  What an exciting adventure.  We are blessed!!!



Bad blogger.

Pictures uploaded.  Trying to figure out video. 

Sam played his first violin recital.  Precious.  :)

We have something big and wonderful happening next Friday.  Prayers appreciated.

More miracles in the making.  Can't wait. 

We are blessed so much more than we deserve.  Thankful.

Life is busy.

Life is good.

Back soon with more words and more photos.  The kids keep getting cuter, life keeps getting better. 

Talk to you all soon!

A new dress!

Because every girl should have a twirly dress with clippies to match! 

I think she likes it!!!

Now, if summer would just hurry up so we could wear the dress somewhere BESIDES inside the house!!!

Peeps.

This is the way we eat Peeps...

 We stuff 'em...

 We eat way too many...

 We save some for later...

 We try to be cool like the big boys...

 We nibble...

 We decide not to eat them...

 We let them ponder their grisly fates...

 as we bite off little bits of them...

and enjoy.