Summer Sunday Evening

At the close of a fun, relaxing weekend at home, we played outside with Noah, Ben, and the puppy. Ed and Noah played ball; kicking the soccer ball, and tossing the football around. Noah hadn't declared his favorite sport yet, but instead seems to love them all.

Noah kicked the soccer ball the whole length of the yard, as he ran along. How many 2 yr olds can do that? It seemed pretty amazing to me, but what do I know about soccer (not much). I was impressed anyway, and I had a vision of spending many sunny (and some rainy and some cold) afternoons and weekends at area soccer fields in the years to come.

What a speed racer Noah is!
He can run SO fast, and really puts all his energy into
whatever activity he's doing.

Ben hadn't been home at first, during out evening fun in the back yard.

He was at baseball practice, so was starving when he got home...

it didn't take him any time at all to devour some BBQ spare ribs that Ed had prepared.

A growing boy... can't believe Ben's going to be a freshman in high school this year.

Noah and Molly, our new puppy, played with the twigs.

Our new little Molly is a mix of Lhasa Apsu & Jack Russel Terrier...

we love her to pieces! Noah's really good with her too,

and can outrun her when she wants to nibble on his ankles.
Noah, I agree with you! It was a great weekend!

Thumbs up to SUMMERTIME!!

4th of July, Weekend at the Lake

4th of July weekend we went to Ed's brother, Dean's cabin.

The guys played bean-bag toss, and apparently there's a new element of the game that I never knew about... something regarding laying on the ground laughing??? Only Ben knows for sure.
Noah enjoyed spending another fun summer weekend with his cousin, Devon,
as they laughed and played with the cool Jeep in the yard by the cabins.

Noah has a knack for screaming his sentiments...

whether it's happiness, silliness, frustration, anger,

or something unidentifiable (as is often the case with a two-year-old).

Noah's exuberance even makes the vein

on the side of his neck stick out...

I guess he lives with GUSTO like someone else I know. ;-)

Birth of the "typical guy"

Not that I'm trying to stereotype ALL guys,

or anything like that, but I gotta say......

Noah sure figured out how to become a "male" just like his daddy and brothers.

That is to say, he can tune me out if he's watching a movie,

just like the rest of the males in my home. ha

He loves to watch his Disney movies over and over (and OVER) again

on the portable DVD player.

Summer's First Lake Visit

Our first weekend at the lake was Memorial Weekend...

and Noah had so much fun playing with his cousin Devon.

They are only two months apart, Noah being younger.

The silly boys laughed, and had u s laughing as well, all weekend long.

They loved their star-sunglasses and giggled endlessly,

seeing each other in them.

Noah and Devon loved chasing Ben, trying to get him wet.
How is it that little kids know when a teenager isn't wearing his swim trunks?
Ben was a good sport, and was able to stay dry (for the most part).

Back and forth along the beach, the boys ran and splashed!
It really was a great weekend! Nice and warm, and relaxing for the adults too!

Daddy helped Noah get the sand off his legs... "Thanks Daddy!"

"I think that water gun is a little big for you still, buddy!"

But I tell you what, when he DOES figure out how to work it,

watch out, Brother Ben! ha

Spring vacation in Wisconsin

Before starting a new job at UND, I decided to take a week of vacation in Wisconsin, and our first stop was with my sister in Hazlehurst... Noah loved the lakeside cabin, and walking through the woods. He admired the stacked rocks, and it was all he could do to avoid kicking them over.

Noah checks out Grandma Sharon's collection of garden frogs when we headed up to Door County to visit my folks. He was a little uncertain of that big green one, but once he saw Grandma petting it, he realized it was ok to approach it with her.
"Maybe if I squat down close enough, and hold real still, it'll come to life"...
surely that's what Noah must have been thinking.
He was really curious about the frogs in Grandma's gardens,
and he was cautious at the same time...
they sure don't make frogs that big back in North Dakota.

Grandpa Clink follows Noah down the driveway,

so they could go along the garden paths toward the sitting rock.

What a great place for a little boy to explore

and discover the beauty of the Wisconsin wilderness!

"CHEESE"... Noah was all smiles once he realized what the sitting rock was for... it's the perfect photo-op spot at Grandpa Clink & Grandma Sharon's house!! Plus, how could he help but smile when he's surrounded by so much love, not to mention watching the squirrels in the trees. ha.This picture sums up the fun we had on vacation...

~silly~relaxing~joyful~awesome~

there's nothing better than the tranquillity and peace of a week's vacation,

with such a fun little toddler!

Noah really is a blessing in my life!!

Thanks, God, for including this amazing little boy in your plan for my life!

May you all have blessings as rich as I find myself surrounded by!

Cherish the simple things...

put on a fake nose, and laugh until your belly hurts!!

Spring Sports

Noah and Ben play baseball in the backyard on one of the first decent days... of course in the evening the breeze was kind of chilly, so the hat and hood were Noah's way of keeping warm.

Noah dunks it in his first basketball hoop!

When Noah throws Ben's ball the wrong direction, Ben has to retrieve it.

(NOT a game Ben is fond of, ha)
"Bye Daddy"... Noah sends Ed on his way as he has to leave for work.

"Look Mommy, I'm so silly with my baseball glove and hat!"

Noah LOVES playing outside, and I already can tell it's going to be

an amazing and FUN summer!!

Easter 2010

For Easter, we traveled to Minneapolis, and we had the great privilege to meet Noah's paternal birth grandparents. Alfred and Dorcas Iyobhebhe are truly nice people, and Noah will love getting to know them, and learn about his Nigerian heritage. (the little girl in the picture is the daughter of a dear friend of theirs, and she LOVED Noah, and wanted to always be near him).

They have embraced us as Noah's parents, and welcomed us into their extended family. There is so much rich history and heritage for Noah (and us) to learn from them. God has an amazing hand in our lives... turning an unplanned series of events into some rich blessings for many!

Noah has a new obsession with lotion... doesn't matter if it's a flowery hand cream from mommy's bathroom cupboard, or if it's his baby lotion... he loves to slather it on, and won't allow anyone to help him rub it in (needless to say, there are greasy doorknobs in my life now) ha. But this photo of him concentrating on his lotion application, really struck me ~ he is such an independent little soul. He's a strong individual, and his Grandpa Alfred thinks of "Lion of Juda" as Noah's special spirit. Neat, huh?

Stephanie and Nicki had an art project for Noah and his cousin Devon... to paint a pot for Grandma Karen's garden. I think Devon got more paint on his shirt than on the pot, but he and Noah had a good time outside creating for Grandma.

Everyone agreed that Noah may have been a clean painter, but his drinking and eating ability is far different. He's a Messy Marvin much of the time!!! That's part of being two, I suppose.

After the weekend, Noah and I went for a walk in the stroller. The warm temps we had enjoyed over the Easter weekend had vanished, and the chill in the air kicked up again. That didn't deter us from our walk, and Noah loved strolling around in his shades.

We hope you also have a bright and sunny stroll occasionally this spring, and get a chance to get out in the beauty of God's creation all around us. May your days be blessed with abundant smiles, and that you, too, can rejoice in the love of Christ shining through your heart.