Adventures in Reading

One day this summer after we had just gotten home from the lake the girls were eager to go to the library. The best part about this was that they had been playing "dance" with their babies all morning so off we went to the library, babies, tutus and all! We had been gone for a while so I didn't realize that the summer reading program had started! The girls walked in with all their stuff and of course ended up in the middle of a room full of kiddos dressed like ballerinas! It was really adorable. I did feel kind of bad though b/c there were a lot of little girlies who wanted to hold their babies and just looked admiringly on at their dress up outfits. I am so grateful for their free spirits and just willingness though to be themselves! They were not phased nor embarrassed about being different amongst the group and I think they actually loved the praise and comments they were receiving for their attire! Oh to be that young again and not be afraid to sit in a room full of people wearing a tutu and even think about questioning if you fit into the world around you or not! Please, Lord let them keep that quality as long as they can!The girls loved to read, and they love to pretend that Addyson is their baby and push her around in this stroller and call her Camanda....that is their baby name for her ;) The day after the library they pushed her right into her bedroom and were reading her books. I love to see my girls interact together...I pray that the time they spend now will set the foundation for relationships they will form and time they will spend t/g in years to come!

Down one girl

At one point after we got Maggie, Rob literally was extremely out numbered! But this summer we lost one of our ladies and she became an it ;) The girls were so careful with Maggie and just loved taking care of her. They thought it was hilarious that she got to wear one of the old baby onesies around the house so she didn't chew on her stitches!It was kind of sad and Maggie did spend a lot of time in her kennel resting...we are hoping this helps her to mellow out a little bit and not be so eager to take off every time we open the door! At least now we don't have to worry about her running off when she is in heat and coming back with little surprises growing in her belly! That would be a little more than we could handle right now!

9 Years of Wedded Bliss!

This past June we celebrated our 9th year of pure wedded bliss! (ok, well 98% bliss ;). It was wonderful, we got a babysitter and spent the night having dinner at Blue Mountain in town and then headed over to the coffee shop for dessert, coffee, and great conversation!It is just crazy to me to think of life even before Rob...we just have come to really know each other so well and develop such a respect for each other. We usually order similar things off the menu if we don't discuss it in advance even! Our marriage is obviously an on going work-in-progress, which I am so thankful for! I feel like even this night we committed to always finding the reasons for "why it is worth it" for us to fight for each other and keep our marriage at the forefront of our priority list!I am so grateful for a partner to share dates with, to connect with, and to walk this journey with! God just really knew what he was doing when he brought two very passionate ppl, who are completely different, together....and He is daily showing us how to find that balance within our difference and work for his glory as a couple and as parents!There really is no one else who could put up with me and there is no one else I would choose to walk this journey with. I don't always agree with Rob, but at the same time...I trust him completely and never do I doubt his love and devotion for me! I am so excited to see what the next 9 years will bring!

Glimpses of Family

Just a family picture that we took that weekend in Ankeny...so fun to see how much this picture has changed from the one we took last year around the same time. Addyson has grown so much!!! As have the other girlies...our little ladies are definitely growing and changing and challenging us daily!Also thought I would include this one with these beautiful ladies! I don't know them well enough or get to see them near often enough, but they are beautiful women on God that I consider to be blessings in my life!

Adventureland 6/12

That same weekend in June we had the chance to spend a weekend together with the whole crew as a treat from Grandma Great. We had a blast spending the day at Adventureland. The rides were fun and we avoided the rain that passed through that morning, but I think what was even more fun was spending some time with family, watching the kids play together, making memories and plenty of stories! (Ask Chad and Shay about Nathan's comment on the Frog Jumper). Big Thanks to Grandma Great for another great year at Adventureland, thanks to the family for making the time/trip to be together!!!The kiddos running around after lunch time as us parents just waited for one of the to get wet before we even went in!The chaos of our picnic lunch before heading into the park ;)Addyson getting some words of wisdom from Auntie KristenLove this! All three of the "big" cousins smiling while they eat their PBJsEveryone was eager to help Uncle Seth empty the cooler...funny how the small things are so fascinating to a childAddyson and AP get acquainted in their new rideFirst stop....the Gallion Uncle Rob walking with all the kiddosHeather and Chad are all smiles on the teacups!Uncle Rob was definitely the cool one...eager to go with them on all the rides!Seth got a teacup all to himselfNext up, the balloons...Shay and I ended up being in a car across the way from Rob and the kiddos. We decided we weren't sure if this was a good choice or not considering we could see how high they were and we could also start to panic when we saw they wiggling all around or standing up!The kiddos were all smiles driving the ladybug cars!Did you get that?!?! So cute!This ended up being the ride that did a lot of ppl in. Just kept raising you up while going round and round in circles...I was on the ground for this one ;)So were these smiling folks ;)Brent, Grandma, and Paul grab an open bench while the others rideGrandma and Big Papa with Addyson...while she still had that hat on ;)He definitely has the touch when it comes to getting the kiddos to sleep when we are out in public...a little walk, little cuddling usually all it takes!Seth was getting the kids settled on the boats during that time...Nathan even rode twice just to go with the girlsKarys was all smiles on the flying dragons Auntie Heather waves, while Gracie smiles and enjoys the rideBomb pops! A much welcomed TREAT for all!!!After some extra energy from the treats the kids were all set and ready to explore! Nathan led them on a hunt to shoot some mountain lionsFollow me, guys! But don't get too close!A great shot of part of the group as they rest their feet and wait for the othersMatt, you look like a goof! That is my hat!Karys could not figure out how to make her plane go up in the air...you had to pull back on the steering wheelFinally after much coaxing from Auntie Heather and mommy she did get it to go!...right before the ride came to an end! :)Daddy helping Addy walk, walk, walkCheck out the comforts blog for more pictures from Adventureland!!! What a GREAT day!

http://the-comforts.blogspot.com/2010/06/adventures-at-adventureland-lots-of.html

The Doctor is In...

We traveled down to Ankeny the 2nd weekend of June b/c the Tolander's were in town and we got the chance to spend some time with the Stroud's, Pella VL's and the Comfort's as well. We had some down time one morning and the girls were SUPER excited to be spending time hanging with Grandma Doreen. They got to playing Dr/Nurse and decided that they needed some hats to wear while they were playing doctor. This was right up Grandma's ally as she used to wear hats during her early days as a nurse (i think?). Once they gathered their supplies, like every good nurse does before she starts a procedure/project, they were ready to begin with the hats. Gracie was going to be the nurse, so she was busy coloring on her hat...Karys' turtle was the patient that they were caring for...Gracie in her freshly made "RN" hat...A very satisfied momma...her turtle received some GREAT care that morning from a very experienced and knowledgeable Dr (Grandma) and a very wise and compassionate nurse (Gracie)! Fun was had by all and a cure for all diseases was found!