Happy Birthday, Brian!

Last month, Brian had his 29th birthday (one year away from the big 3-0!) and the kids and I surprised him with a special treat. The zoo had a once a year evening called Critter Ride and since we bought our bikes and bike trailer earlier this summer, Brian has frequently told me that family bike rides are his favorite family activity. So why not at the zoo!

It was fun to see the animals in the evening when the zoo is usually closed. This grizzly, who is usually hard to find, was particularly interested in what we were doing there so late. The most fun though, was watching the lions run along the fence at us as we rode by on our bikes. They definitely thought we were prey and were hoping for a hunt.

The kids love to ride in the trailer. Jonah was in charge of the map.
They had food scattered around the zoo and you would ride to each station to eat another treat for dinner. Here, Abby is enjoying an apple.

Hanging out on the rhino.

And at the fountain. The kids had a blast seeing the zoo from a different perspective.

And since it was for daddy's birthday, we had to stop at Zesto on the way home.

The kids enjoying their treats....

and then getting a little crazy.

We love you daddy! Thanks for being such a Godly husband and father.

Jonah's First Homework

I am Special!

My Name is Jonah

All About Me:
I am 3 years old.
My favorite color is red.
My favorite thing to play is basketball.
My favorite food is vegetables (like carrots).
My favorite song is Holy is the Lord.
My favorite movie is Finding Nemo.
My favorite activity is to play basketball.

My Family:
I have 4 people in my Family. Their names are Daddy, Mommy, Jonah, and Abby.
What my dad does at work: He works on his laptop computer.
What my mom does at work: She doesn’t go to work.
The thing I enjoy doing with my family is to play sports, paint, go shopping, pick apples, go to church, giggling and tickling, and movie nights.

My Pets:
I have an (imaginary) pet dog named Flash.

What I like about preschool:
When I’m at preschool, I like to play with my friends, play outside, cooking stuff, playing with puzzles, and play-doh.

School Days

Jonah is officially a big kid. Today he started a year of preschool for 2 hours 15 min a day for two days a week and as you can tell, he was excited! So excited, in fact, that he managed to stay awake most of the night in anticipation. But, this morning finally came, he picked out the perfect shirt, put on his backpack, and off he went.

Abby refused to be out of his first day of school pictures at first, but who can blame her. Look how gorgeous she is!

The solo pose.
It was a very rainy day, so we didn't manage to get a picture of Jonah in his backpack on the front porch as planned. A garage pose will have to do.

Jonah showing off his very own backpack/coat hook. And as you can see, his teachers this year are the very lovely Miss Kelli and Miss Stacy.

Cousins Ethan and Lexi are in the same preschool, but different class. So cute.

Jonah walking into the room and finding his name on the carpet...

Jonah was very excited to be sitting on the dog. Everyone said "bow wow" when it got to him he said, which was awesome.

And here he is at the end of class, so excited to tell us all about his morning.

I suppose this is the beginning of the fast track of his growing up! And I only managed to drive by once peeking on him. :) We are so proud of Jonah and the big guy that he is becoming. It is our prayer that we would be the parents that God desires for him and that he would grow "in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Love you, Jonah!